Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events GA Rally - Ridge Runners

Just a thought -
Those of us taking the BRP to GA may want to add their name to this thread, indicate where they intend to get on and off, and the dates they expect to be there. May enable connecting up with (or avoiding) someone, and may help to know who might be nearby in the event of a need along the way. I'd then suggest those interested can then PM those with similar dates and times and possibly exchange a cell number. Just a thought...

TUESDAY after work or very early on the 30th

I'll be on early, the 26th and 27th.

I should get to the BRP on tues afternoon beginning at Front Royal VA.

Some Rooms Choices along the BRP that I have stayed at and recommend


Richmond VA area
Peaks of Otter

Ride up and ask if they have a room. No rhyme or reason to it. Excellent views, on the BRP in a gov'mt lodge. Isolated. Nearest fuel is down the East side of the range halfway to Bedford. Where is it? If they are booked and it is late, drop down into Bedford and grab a room at the Days Inn.

If you get to the Fancy Gap, VA Area the Mountain Top inn is CHEAP and clean. (276) 728-9414 Self checkin too, sorta. 37 bucks May 18, 2005. Also, A quick roll to the South of the BRP will get you into Mayberry RFD...Mt Airy!

Spruce Pine Little Switzerland area
Skyline Inn
Excellent selection of brews for sale in the package store there.

Switzerland Inn
The most absolutely remarkable New York Strip Steak (13 ounces)
thirteen ounces of steak topped with a bleu cheese and garlic butter that I have ever eaten. Without a dought if you are tired as a dog and hungry as a bear, order that from the Bar! Served after hours on a Sunday night too! Amazing. Chase it down with a Magic hat brew or two.


You will not be disappointed. Wally world is just down the mountain in case you need a headlight bulb. or gas.

Therearemoremanymore...

Most helpful, Moe. Thanks much. Let me ask you this...

As we have no idea the distance we'll cover daily or the weather, it is virtually impossible to determine where we'll end up each day. Do you think it is a fairly safe gamble, given the time of year, to take our chances - or do you think it may be too risky. We're looking at 3-4 days from SW PA, through WV, and NC on the slooow train. Any advice from an old vagabond like yourself would be greatly appriciated.

Yes please more advice would be most appreciated.

I booked a room at Skyland Resort (mile marker 41, Skyline Drive) for Saturday night, 04/26.

Gonna try to run the full length to Cherokee this year - an important to-do on my bucket list.

Cabins weren't available online at Skyland's reservation web site,
but a phone call fixed that, and I got a cabin for the 26th, $70 and change.
Hope it looks like this

If not, that's cool too.



Then on the 27th, a cabin at Rocky Knob, near Mabry Mill,
at milemarker 174 on the BRP

"Mabry Mill is known for its stone ground grits, cornmeal
and buckwheat flour, which is why travelers and locals alike
come back year after year for the Mabry Mill Restaurant's
famous buckwheat cakes, country ham, Virginia barbecue and
blackberry preserves."

I believe I'll be investigating the above in fine detail.
{I loooove good food. Does it show?}



http://foreverlodging.com/foreverinfo.cfm?PropertyKey=74&ContentKey=124666

$71.50 includes tax

The web site claims they open the 28th, but Veta in reservations says the 26th.

Is it the 26th yet?

The 28th should put me near Mt Pisgah Lodge, but the lodging there is a might plain / early HoJo looking.
The food there is off the hook good though. Last year I had a hot turkey dinner and all the trimmins'
and hot apple pie and coffee for desert for around $12 or $14,
not to mention the incredible mountain top view out the dining room window.

Any thoughts on alternative lodging near the lower end of the BRP?
Maggie Valley has a number of motels. Maybe that'll do.
Maybe try to catch the motorcycle museum before they move.
http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
It was closed last time I was there in '06.

Figure three days to roll the entire Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway combo. May good weather find you there.

For example, NY Rally 06.

Day two: Rode from Commerce GA to Boone, NC. (Got on the BRP in Asheville, NC)
Day three: From Boone to Big Meadows Lodge, Skyline Drive.
Day four: Big Meadows to Mansfield, PA

For Example, Post GA Rally 05
Day Two: Rode from Deals Gap NC to Maggie Valley (hungover and it was raining)
Day Three: Maggie Valley to Roanoke, VA (should have stayed at the Peaks of Otter instead of Vinton...)
Day four: Roanoke VA to Big Meadows Lodge, Skyline Drive.
Day five: Big Meadows Lodge to Silver Spring Maryland.

NE Rally 07
Day one: Wash rider road to Little Switzerland, NC.
Day two: Little Switzerland (Spruce Pine) to Bedford VA (Peak of Otter was full)
Day Three: Bedford VA to Silver Spring, MA.
Yeah I spend a lot of time looking for a tire after spending the night in Little Switzerland.

Some considerations:
The Skyline is 106 miles at 35 mph. Big travel trailer/motor home area. You can run as fast as you can without much worry of LEO. You can ride this in one good day.

The BRP is a snake. Easy roll from Waynesboro, VA down into Blowing Rock NC. From Asheville to the Qualla Boundary the 45 mph speed limit is a good number. The BRP from Asheville is also a desolate section with major elevation changes and steep mountain sides. You might consider dropping off the BRP at say, NC 215.

Again, give yourself a minimum of three FULL days to roll the combo. The first scenerio was just over two days. Yet the BRP south of Asheville was not traveled. That is 3/4 of a day.

Thanks to all for the contributions. I still have a while to ponder it but i think my plan will be to hammer down the interstates on the way from Ottawa to Dahlonega. When I leave there on Sunday I'm going to head for Nashville (I missed the Johnny Cash museum last year)on Monday I'll head back to Cherokee/Deal's Gap, Tuesday I'll run the dragon and start back on the BRP. I'll give myself 4 days to get home but if it stretches to 5 I'll be fine - I'd like to be home for mothers' day.

Thanks a ton, Moe. Great info.

Now all I have to do is get Snert to digest it and I'll be free to sleep in the saddle while he picks the stops.