Blueridge Parkway

zoom45 · 08-12-2014, 09:08 PM

Planning on riding the Blueridge Parkway in mid September. I plan on riding from MS to Cherokee, NC the first day then head to the other end the next two days. Looking for ideas on lodging, stops, etc. I'm mostly going for the scenery. A big concern is gas stops since I ride a 1500. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Zoom45

Bud2rat · 08-12-2014, 10:19 PM

First off, there are no gas stops on the parkway. However, there is gas at most of the major highway exchanges. Go online and down load a map of the parkway, it will give details on some places to stay while on the parkway. There are several lodges along the way and numerous campgrounds. I usually do the parkway several times a year, but I camp while riding. You get more of the whole outdoor experience this way. I, also ride a 1500 carb'd model. Being that the speed limit on the parkway is 45 mph, I usually get better gas mileage. With that being said, I can get around 150 miles before switching to reserve. You'll not have trouble finding gas or lodging. Just watch out for the cagers out sight-seeing. If you camp or don't mind staying in a bunkhouse, there is a motorcycle campground just off the parkway at milepost 179, Meadows of Dan, Va. The campground is owned and operated by a fellow rider named Will Beers. The name of the campground is WillvilleBikecamp. IMHO, it is one of the nicest campgrounds on the parkway. I have been using his facility for the last 6 years. Check it out @ www.Willvillebikecamp.com. I hope that you have a safe and memorable journey. BTW, what dates are you planning on riding the parkway. Myself and another riding buddy will be at Willville's the week of Sept 15-20.

zoom45 · 08-13-2014, 06:45 AM

Probably 10-18 Sep

usranger74 · 08-13-2014, 10:08 AM

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisi...ngsleeping.htm

The links above should help you plan your trip.

zoom45 · 09-21-2014, 08:18 PM

We are back from our trip to the blueridge parkway. We did over 2100 miles. The only bike problem was the rear brake got hot and faded coming down a steep windy road I think called the diamondback. They started working again after cooling off. We stayed at a neat motel called gearhead inn. The mountains were so foggy and rainy we left for Lexington Kentucky and went to the Keenland Raceway horse track where a big sale was going on. We saw some horses that sold for over 2,000,000 dollars. We also went all over Tenn and came back home on the Natchez Trace. Great trip just tired of the mountain riding. Maybe the beach is next.

tonik · 09-22-2014, 10:32 AM

Natchez Trace is one of my favorite rides. 450 miles and not a single stop sign or light.

Bud2rat · 09-22-2014, 08:52 PM

Bobby, Glad to hear that you had a safe trip. Sorry the weather didn't work out. I returned on Saturday from a little trip to the Blue Ridge Pkway in Va. I got rained on and fogged out as well. Ride safe.

**jlreeves** · 09-23-2014, 07:54 AM

My last trip this past spring was fog from NC to VA. Still a great ride. I like it a whale of a lot more than the Dragon. Sit back, relax and just meander.

ctrider · 09-23-2014, 08:22 AM

Sounds like you had a great time except for some fog and rain. I never heard of the Natchez Trace before. Looked it up and looks like a great ride. 450 miles with no stop signs or lights what could be better than that.

08-12-2014, 09:08 PM	#1
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	Blueridge Parkway Planning on riding the Blueridge Parkway in mid September. I plan on riding from MS to Cherokee, NC the first day then head to the other end the next two days. Looking for ideas on lodging, stops, etc. I'm mostly going for the scenery. A big concern is gas stops since I ride a 1500. Any ideas? Thanks, Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-12-2014, 10:19 PM	#2
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	First off, there are no gas stops on the parkway. However, there is gas at most of the major highway exchanges. Go online and down load a map of the parkway, it will give details on some places to stay while on the parkway. There are several lodges along the way and numerous campgrounds. I usually do the parkway several times a year, but I camp while riding. You get more of the whole outdoor experience this way. I, also ride a 1500 carb'd model. Being that the speed limit on the parkway is 45 mph, I usually get better gas mileage. With that being said, I can get around 150 miles before switching to reserve. You'll not have trouble finding gas or lodging. Just watch out for the cagers out sight-seeing. If you camp or don't mind staying in a bunkhouse, there is a motorcycle campground just off the parkway at milepost 179, Meadows of Dan, Va. The campground is owned and operated by a fellow rider named Will Beers. The name of the campground is WillvilleBikecamp. IMHO, it is one of the nicest campgrounds on the parkway. I have been using his facility for the last 6 years. Check it out @ www.Willvillebikecamp.com. I hope that you have a safe and memorable journey. BTW, what dates are you planning on riding the parkway. Myself and another riding buddy will be at Willville's the week of Sept 15-20. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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08-13-2014, 06:45 AM	#3
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	Probably 10-18 Sep __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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08-13-2014, 10:08 AM	#4
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisi...ngsleeping.htm The links above should help you plan your trip. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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09-21-2014, 08:18 PM	#5
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	We are back from our trip to the blueridge parkway. We did over 2100 miles. The only bike problem was the rear brake got hot and faded coming down a steep windy road I think called the diamondback. They started working again after cooling off. We stayed at a neat motel called gearhead inn. The mountains were so foggy and rainy we left for Lexington Kentucky and went to the Keenland Raceway horse track where a big sale was going on. We saw some horses that sold for over 2,000,000 dollars. We also went all over Tenn and came back home on the Natchez Trace. Great trip just tired of the mountain riding. Maybe the beach is next. __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-22-2014, 10:32 AM	#6
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Natchez Trace is one of my favorite rides. 450 miles and not a single stop sign or light.
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09-22-2014, 08:52 PM	#7
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	Bobby, Glad to hear that you had a safe trip. Sorry the weather didn't work out. I returned on Saturday from a little trip to the Blue Ridge Pkway in Va. I got rained on and fogged out as well. Ride safe. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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09-23-2014, 07:54 AM	#8
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	My last trip this past spring was fog from NC to VA. Still a great ride. I like it a whale of a lot more than the Dragon. Sit back, relax and just meander. __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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09-23-2014, 08:22 AM	#9
ctrider Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 735	Sounds like you had a great time except for some fog and rain. I never heard of the Natchez Trace before. Looked it up and looks like a great ride. 450 miles with no stop signs or lights what could be better than that. __________________ VBA #02482 VROC # 36172
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