Philly to Cherohala

[UweRoss]

Will be hitting the road with two friends this weekend. Bikes are an FJR, a ZZR 600 and a V-Strom 1000. The current plan looks something like this.

We intend to take about a week. The objective is nice roads and good scenery to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.

Not sure if we're going to do it clockwise our counter-clockwise. I think that depends exactly when we get started as I imagine the BRP is busier on weekends that during the week?

Skyline Drive and the BRP are a must, so no real options on the east side of the route, but I'm open to all suggestions on the west side. If I'm missing and must-ride roads or must-see scenery please let me know.

TIA!

-Uwe-

 

[RTSR1/FJR]

Mountain City and Shady Valley on 421 off the BRP by Boone, NC

 

[Charlie Hoss]

Uweross,

Looks like a good ride! When we left EOM 06 for home, we ran into pea soup fog on the BRP in southern VA. Got off on 221. It got us out of the fog, road was kinda fun, speed limit was 55 rather than the BRP's 45, and no fear of expensive federal tickets. I don't think the BRP north of Roanoke is nearly as much fun or scenic as the southern end. The Skyline Drive is much better, but the limit is 35 and the tax, sorry...the fee is rather hefty as I recall.

Have a great ride.

Charlie

 

[Rickster]

other than the previously mentioned 421 from Bristol, TN to Mountain City, TN -- looks like a good route.

 

[black mamba]

Looks like a great ride. I've ridden the eastern route from Front Royal to Cherokee more times than I can remember. Caught the lower part of the western route a few times...don't have much experience on the top half of the western route. A few observations:

1. The BRP usually has less traffic during the week....most of the time. During high vacation periods, you'll find significant traffic all the time.

2. Don't get caught speeding on the BRP.....cost a friend of mine $500.00 last year ( it's a federal offense and you WILL pay ).

3. Be prepared to utilize some alternate routes at lower altitudes if you encounter fog and drizzle along the higher stretches of the BRP.

4. Make sure you've got GOOD rain gear.

5. Watch for gravel. The BRP is usually pretty good about not having too much of it, but your secondary roads can be trecherous.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[FJR Gary]

Rte 250 W from Monterey, VA to 219 is a great ride. 311 south from White Sulfur Springs, WV down through Sweet Springs is also an awesome road. Jim Meadows and I rode 311 twice last Sunday. There are plently of good roads in southern VA and WV.

 

[mmonroe]

I rode a big portion of your trip over the Memorial Weekend. I did the Cherohala, Deals Gap, Robbinsville and then went up North East on the Blue Ridge to Fancy Gap. I very familiar with the BPR, Skyline, Deals Gap etc.

My only thoughts are to do the BRP, Deals Gap and Cheroha portions first. The BRP is fairly slow with speeds in the 45-50mph range. Down on the most Southern parts of the BRP 45-50mph is pretty fast through many of the sharp turns. I actually ran about 50mph through the parts that I did last weekend but tried to maintain that speed through the turns for fun. Most folks will do 45-50mph and then slow way down for the turns. The slow cars are pretty easy to pass and then you can wick it back up to a steady 50mph.

Deals Gap and Cherohala will also be slower as well. Anyway, you want to be fresh and not tired for the BRP, the Gap and Cherohala - those are the really fun parts of your ride. On the way back, if you are tired, you can change plans and haul ass on the freeway and get home and not really miss anything if you have already done the BRP and whatnot. If you do the other side first, you are likely to be getting tired on the BRP on the way back home. These isnt anything much worse for me than being really tired, having 100's of miles to go and knowing that they are going to be done at 45mph.

I always try to plan the fun parts first and then on then on the return parts I always try to plan them so that I can take alternate "haul ass" routes home if I get too tired or run long on the fun parts.



Mark

Harrisburg NC