Yup, Possum has it right. If you need to make time part of the way, I'd parallel Skyline Drive on 81. The speed limit, IIRC, is a bit lower on Skyline than on the BRP, and at least when I rode it, there was more RV type traffic on Skyline Drive that was a bit of a nuisance to get around. Also, they were doing quite a bit of resurfacing, and there was a little bit of gravel on almost the entire length of the road. But that was a couple of months ago - the road could be perfect now. And if you have time, it's not to be missed!

The dividing line between Skyline Drive and the BRP is at Waynesboro, VA.
As for the BRP, I'd say on the whole, the Virginia part is more "lovely," while the NC part is more spectacular. But that's splitting hairs - the whole thing is fantastic, both as a bike road and for scenery.

There are probably two or three other minor detours on the parkway - five miles or so at a time, in addition to one longer one, which I guess is the one linked by Possum - I can't remember the mile numbers. In addition to the info he gave, you can also check blueridgeparkway.org, which has a current detour link - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service). Or just don't sweat it and go - the detours are very well marked.

In any event, you'll probably want to split off from the Parkway around Asheville and head west (on some combination of I40 / NC 19 & 28?) toward Robbinsville.

Then either during or on your way back, if you're even remotely interested in motorcycle history, you should head over to Maggie Valley and see the "Wheels Through Time" museum, after which you can ride the southernmost part of the BRP.

It's really hard not to have your :funmeteryes: pegged on a bike anywhere down in that neck of the woods.

Speaking of the Wheels Through Time - Home We have two double entry passes (A $24.00 value each) to the museum as door prizes for Friday night, courtesy of Dale, the museum owner, plus 4 tee's he donated. He is moving the museum to Arizona next year so this is your chance to see it without the long ride. Hummm? that might not be bad either.

From the Southern end up to Blowing Rock is my favorite section by far. Sorry to hear of the closures between Blowing Rock and Asheville.

"He is moving the museum to Arizona next year so this is your chance to see it without the long ride." Thanks, Possum, for that bit of information! :thumbup1:

Thanks for the valuable info guys.

Beer, route and Wheels Through Time. That covers pretty much all the important facts I need to know!

I've almost got the bike ready to go. All that's lacking are a few clothes, the electronics, and the camping pack, which should take less than an hour to get cinched into place tomorrow afternoon.

Then early Wednesday...:mchappy:

BTW, if any of you guys see me broken down on the side of the road please wave, or at the very least try to snap a decent picture.

I'm On My Way!
 

I should be arriving tomorrow afternoon. From what I have heard the weather is going to be great for this event.:thumbup1:

Leaving South Asheville 6:30-7 pm Friday
 

Hey Yall-

Three of us are leaving from Mills River Campground in South Asheville after work on Friday between 6:30 and 7. A KTM, KLR and a Wee-Strom. We'll take FS roads and twisties as much as possible, but we'll get in after dark no mater what. If anyone is getting a late start and wants to ride with us drop me an email dan@peschiodesign.com.

See ya there-

dp

OK Folks! I'm here! Where are you?? :funmeterno:

Uh, I'm at the shower end of the pavilion camped right on the creek (currently second tent downstream from the building) drinking Tecate with Colin from South Africa. Well, actually Colin has just given up and went to bed and I'm inside the pavilion catching up on emails.

I logged approx. 525 miles today and am planning to ride through Gatlinburg in the morning, not sure why, and then swing around to do the Cherrycola and the Dragon before the HU festivities get kicked off here tomorrow night. Come on over for a visit tomorrow, but bring your own chair.

Great to see some new faces, and reacquaint with others.

Lots of nice presentations, bikes and stories!

See y'all next year,

Bruce

And then the bike fell over...
 

On my way home from the North Carolina HU Meeting I pulled over for "re-fueling" on the side of Route 81 N, I keep a little spare gas in a back-up container. I moved as far as I could from the stream of traffic, set myself to lift the bike (BMW K75) onto the center stand, then the bike fell right over! I didn't know it, but the center stand must have had a crack or something, and the leg facing me snapped off. The left leg snapped, but I kept pulling up on the "lift handle", so I basicially tipped the bike over myself.

Part of the right side lower wind shield broke off, but nothing that will be missed. The bike was tilted on a slope and difficult to right. Some guys stopped and helped me get the bike back on her wheels. I have to practise my bike lifting...

Good meeting "all you all" (the is the Southern pural for "you all".) I had a great time, learned a lot and made a bunch of friends.

Does anyone know how to contact a guy named Chick? He has some suggestions for me and I couldn't find him when ever I was looking.

Peter Bodtke

Peter, which K75 was yours? I only recall there being two there this weekend. Did you camp by the creek over on the lodge side?

I can't help you with "Chick", but do you know what he was riding? I seem to have attached a lot of people's faces to their bike and user names instead of getting their real contact info.

Peter,

"Chick" = Charles Twyman - chickt at erols dot com

By the way, It's y'all.

Y'all ride down to see us next year again, ya heah.

Here's the link to my ride report over at ADVrider.com:

2008 US East Horizons Unlimited meeting (Stecoah, NC) - ADVrider

Please feel free to add your own pics and tales if the spirit moves you. Did anybody get a pic of RTWDoug? I didn't but spent about four hours hanging out with him Saturday night. There were so many people I failed to get a picture of!

Ghostdncr,

Yup that waz me, camp by the crick, lodge side, down near the corner. I ride a black K75, New Jersey license plate AMEGA. I presented a trip planning talk, NYC to TdF.

Jim,

Thanks for Chick's email address and for the clarification on proper Southern diction. It was sure fine to meet ya'all.

Peter