Trip down the BRP to the Dragon

Discussion in 'USA - South' started by slowbird, Aug 31, 2011.

  1. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Hello.

    I'm planning on making a week long trip from Sept 28th-Oct 4th.

    It's a rough plan at the moment, but it goes something like this:

    Day 1: Home to Front Royal
    Day 2: Front Royal to Fancy Gap
    Day 3: Fancy Gap to hotel/motel/B&B near the dragon
    Day 4: Riding the dragon
    Day 5: SB B&B to Fancy Gap
    Day 6: Fancy Gap to Front Royal
    Day 7: Front Royal to HOME.

    I'll be taking "Skyline Dr" from Front Royal to the Blue Ridge pky....then riding that till it ends and then make my way to the Dragon.

    Any locals see any issues with the BRP, Skyline Dr, or the Dragon at this time of the year?
     
  2. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

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    A few of us will be riding in the area and camping at the Kickstand Lodge during the same time so you should come join us for some great riding, some cold beers and lies around the campfire (Sept 30, Oct 1, and Oct 2)

    The Kickstand Lodge is great! They have everything you could ever need (tents, towels, cabins, and dorm style accommodations) so just bring some extra clothes and a toothbrush. Breakfast and dinner are family style and there is always cold beer waiting at the end of a long day riding. It's one of my favorite places to stay and the owner, Mo, is like a second mom to many riders. Check the thread below for more info.

    I will have to double check with Mo to make sure she still allows Canadians since they usually drink all the cold beer LOL !!

    http://vfrworld.com/forums/trips-events/35239-2011-vfrw-southeast-fall-g2g-4.html


    Rollin
     
  3. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    LOL. Sounds like fun.

    Thanks for the invite, but no beer for me. Not down for any drinking on Motorcycle trips...especially that far from home.

    So I'm assuming the Dragon is fine around that time of the year?

    How about the Blue Ridge Parkway?
     
  4. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

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    Well I don't really drink around the wife and kids so camping trips are the only time when I have adult beverages and it's usually just a few. You are still more than welcome to meet up with us especially if you need some help finding some good routes.

    Rollin
     
  5. FrankoQ

    FrankoQ New Member

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    I recommend a radar detector specially on Skyline Dr and BRP.
    They are illegal in Virginia so hide it.
     
  6. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    LOL. I understand.

    ....and i'd love to meet up with fellow VFRWorld members. It'd be great to put faces to names.

    Thanks for the tip. So Skyline dr and BRp are heavily patrolled and enforeced?
     
  7. rc24rc51

    rc24rc51 New Member

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    We drink when we're DONE riding for the day. No one drinks and rides in this group that I know of, and if they do they can stay at home.
     
  8. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I didn't mean to imply anyone was drinking and riding.

    I just stay away from alcohol on long road trips...trying to stay alert, healthy and hydrated.
     
  9. rc24rc51

    rc24rc51 New Member

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    That's fine, I didn't want anyone reading this thread to get the wrong impression. Hope to see you @ Moe's.
     
  10. MacJohnO

    MacJohnO New Member

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    You might consider staying at Hunt's Lodge, a motorcycle campground just outside Tellico Plains, TN. From there not only are you close to the Dragon (which, in my opinion, is overrated as a riding destination, with a 30mph speed limit and herds of Harleys), but you're also next door to the Cherohala Skyway, 30+ miles of wonderful sweepers that goes up to about 4000 ft and down again. There are many beautiful riding roads in the area.
    And yes, the Kickstand lodge is also a great stay!
    JohnO
     
  11. FrankoQ

    FrankoQ New Member

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    They are patrolled. Not sure about "heavily"
    The 2 last time I rode there, I saw parked police shooting radar and I also ran into SUV/cruisers coming the opposite way shooting radar too.
    If they get you, they Uturn and will stop you.

    I think Skyline speed limit is 35 and BRP might be a little more.
    So, it's very easy to get caught going over the limit.
    More so on weekdays when there is little traffic and you feel the need to speed up and enjoy the twisty roads. :)

    Also watch out for wild life. I almost ran over some mama bird with about 3 chicks on a blind turn.

    Finally, stay away from these 2 roads on weekends. traffic is bad.
     
  12. woobie

    woobie New Member

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    My plan this summer was to ride down 219 and camp in Willville, then do the BRP the next day to Deals Gap. Ended up doing all of 219 the first day and getting a hotel 60 miles short of Willville, but the next morning after riding an hour in the BRP in the rain with 50ft or less visibility I took an alternate (and drier) route to Deals Gap.

    Do the dragon to say you've done it and get the sticker then enjoy the surrounding area. Personally the Cherohala is my favorite road down there, miles and miles of 25-30mph sweepers. And there's a few decent places to stop and eat in Telico Plains. The foothills parkway is a nice cruise, and the NC28 loop is a blast.

    Since you won't be drinking so it won't be important for you, but if anyone else going down that way reads this Graham county is "dry". You can only get beer in a few places.

    The only thing everyone I know goes down there absolutely hates is the depression that comes over you when you get home and hit the local twisties.
     
  13. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Thanks for the Tip. I plan on staying a whole day around the Deals gap area, so any other roads/destinations in the area you can recommend would be great.
    Cherohala Skyway looks good. I'll try and make it out there too.

    Thanks for the tips. very useful information. I appreciate it.

    Thanks for the tips. I'l ltry and make it to those areas too.

    LOL....yeah....that and the snow that's gonna fall soon after.
     
  14. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Would taking the 129 (from the dragon) to Joyce Kilmer Rd....then the Cherohala Skyway West to the Telico Plains be an ok route while I'm down there?
     
  15. abner malidy

    abner malidy New Member

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    mark it 8, dude
    YES !!! but to gas up and grab a bite-

    continue further south on 129 another 15 minutes into robbinsville
    there you will have at least choices of fuel and food (but no tims!)
    also close by is "wheelers" MC shop if you need anything for the bike

    then directly back on the skyway on 143 west to tellico plains
    (around the south side of the lake)

    if you have not been either on the dragon or skyway before,
    you gotta do the dragon, but most end up liking the skyway better

    have a great trip
     
  16. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    First time I went to that area we stayed in Robbinsville. Last year on my honeymoon we stayed just south of Robbinsville at the Two Wheel Inn, which has a mini garage next to your room for your bike. It's a bit pricier than some other around but, my wife really liked it so we are staying there for 7 nights in October for our anniversary. It's pretty difficult to pick a "bad" road in that area. If you get a chance take 28 just about anywhere and it's good. I really like where it starts at the Deals Gap Hotel.
     
  17. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    Oh, and Cherohala is one of my favorite routes in that area. :cool:
     
  18. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Thanks! Great info. The Tims comment made me LOL.

    Great info! Thanks! I'll check out the 2 wheel inn too.

    My new "rough plan is":
    Day 1: Home to Front Royal
    Day 2: Front Royal to Fancy Gap
    Day 3: Fancy Gap to Hunts Lodge
    Day 4: Riding the Dragon/Cherohala and surrounding area
    Day 5: Hunts Lodge to Fancy Gap
    Day 6: Fancy Gap to Front Royal
    Day 7: Front Royal to HOME.

    Anyone know how long it usually takes to ride the BRP for start to finish?
     
  19. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Well I'm off in the morning. First few days are gonna be wet.

    Wish me luck.
     
  20. matt1986vf500f

    matt1986vf500f New Member

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    Slow send me a pm when you hit NC ill try my best to meet up with you for a ride.
     
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