US 50 to Skyline Drive to BRP - 1750 miles 6 days

[stu07hd]

I am a bit slow to post my pics and story from my summer road trip that I took. The trip was a co-worker and I on June 7th to June 13th. I am on my 2007 Ultra Classic, he was riding a 2003 Road King Classic. We planned this trip for about 6 months. It was supposed to be 4 riders, then it was down to 3, then down to 2. I was sweating it thinking I may have to make it by myself, but Chris didn't back out on me.

Day One - We left Southern Indiana via US 231 to US 50 in a small town called Loogootee, Indiana. From there we went East. We were hoping to get much farther than we did on day one, but traffic snarls from severe flooding just to the north of our route slowed our progress. Day one was mostly uneventful other than a bonehead move by me in a parking lot trying to re-adjust my rain suit when I forgot my kickstand was up. The bike set over on the crash bar, nothing damaged but my ego. The end of day one was at Tar Hollow State Park near Chillocothee, Ohio.

Here is a pic of after we had set up camp.



The start of day two was a bit FOGGY!!!!!



Day 2 was US 50 heading east to Winchester Virgina. It was VERY hot. Temps were in the upper 90's in the valleys and not much cooler in the hills. We clipped part of Maryland on the way. Here is the state line pic. US 50 in West Virgina was amazing. Lots of curves and views. We pushed it pretty hard most of the day.



Day 2 ended at a low dollar, high crime motel in Front Royal Virgina. Our plan was to camp every other night, but with the heat and swarming bugs in the mountains caused those camping plans to get scrapped. I cannot stress this enough. If you are ever in Front Royal stay away from the Blue Ridge Motel, that is unless you are into drug dealers and prostitues. We were gracious enough to have 3 police officers with the drug dog make their round there that night.

Day 3 started at the Northern end of the Skyline Drive. It was amazing. It was great to be in some upper elevations to get out of the heat. The 35 MPH speed limit wasn't great. We pushed it a bit and drove 5 - 10 over most of the day with no problems from the National Park Police.





We got a bit bored at times. I know it wasn't the safest thing to do, but here is a pic of Chris taking a pic of me taking a pic of him.



We ended the Skyline Drive and started onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Day 3 ended in Roanoke Virgina. It was very hot again. 96 degrees when we got into town. We needed another night in an air conditioned hotel with a pool. The Blue Ridge was almost as impressive as the Skyline Drive.'

Day 4 was on the Blue Ridge Parkway again. We were trying to get to Ashville to end the day, but a massive severe thunderstorm slowed us at Grandfather Mountain North Carolina. Here is a pic on top of the mountain after we thought that the storm was over, we were wrong. The first pic is approaching the mountain, the second is on top of it.





The next pics are one of the best sign I saw on the trip. I keep thinking, "Why does the guy on the motorcycle have to crash?"



Day 4 ended at Little Switzerland North Carolina. We rode for about 40 miles in the worst storm I have ever ridden in. Temps dropped to the low 50's and we got soaked even with good quality rain gear. I learned that my waterproof gloves are lots of things, but they are not water proof. We got lucky to run into some other riders who were also calling it quits for the day beause of the storm and the fact that we came up to a section of the road that was mostly blocked from a tree that was blown down. The heavy rain, fog, cold temps, and debris on the road made it to dangerous to continue for the day.

Day 5 was still South on the BRP. We had to take a detour just north of Ashville NC due to a section of the parkway that is closed due to a rockslide from over the winter. The section of the BRP south from Ashville was by far the best. There are great views, lots of tunnels and the point of the highest elevation.







Day 5 also included a stop at the Wheels through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley NC. If you have any interest at all in vintage bikes, or bikes in general it will impress you. Day 5 was also where we finally got off the BRP at the southern terminus near Cherokee NC.



We ended Day 5 at Robbinsville NC. We were thinking camping, mother nature had other plans as severe storms surrounded us again. We stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville. Nice place with lots of fellow bikers.
We also found out that Robbinsville is in a dry county. So much for having a few adult beverages that evening.


Day 6 was through Deals Gap. It was my third time riding the tail of the dragon. I like it. I don't think it is the greatest road in the world, but I dont think it is over-rated. We had no law enforcement officers on the dragon when we were there, but we also were there early in the day. Here is the customary dragon photo.



The rest of day 6 was mostly interstates home through two more severe storms. We were in a hurry and just kept riding through them. I had a blast on the trip. I was a bit sore when I got home, and a bit tired, but it was outstanding. We are planning next years trip already, we are thinking Key West, FL via A1. This is my first photo post and write up on a trip. Please let me know what you think.

[Sbyllek]

I think you need to go one more rides just so you can write about them here.

[eye.surgeon]

Good looking ride and nice report .