Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Ultimate Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Run

My best friend back in Louisiana had plans on hitting the Lone Star Rally in Galveston at the end of Oct. Sadly, probably not going to happen. So he tells me, instead he'll wait until after the holidays and take a week or so off, ride up to see me here in VA so we can hit some major bike roads. So I would GREATLY appreciate some planning assistance; even though it's some time away, it's sooo easy to get stoked about something like this.

From where he is in LA to Norfolk is a solid 2 days (at least in a truck...just over 1200 miles). I'm hoping it won't have to spill over into three on 2 wheels. Atlanta is roughly the halfway point. I told him if he can make it there, I'll meet him and we can ride the superslab back to my home, rest for a day and then hit it good taking some of the most famous and infamous roads back down south.

What I could use is two things. First, how long on average does it take to travel a particular road? (Provided all goes realistically well.) Second is filling in the road gaps in getting from point x to point y. So here's what I'm thinking....

1. Make our way up to the Front Royal area and begin our trek down Skyline Drive.
2. From Skyline Drive continue down Blue Ridge Pkwy.
3. Take Blue Ridge all the way to Asheville. From there I'm thinking up and over through Pigeon Forge to catch the Dragon southbound.
4. Now I'm at a loss. I've heard so much about northern GA but don't know enough to know what are the coolest roads to take. Somehow we need to get from the bottom of the Dragon to somewhere around the Atlanta area. From there we split and head back to our respective homes.

Timing is playing a key part; we're only talking 7-9 vacation days and at least 3 will be hauling on the superslab. So I'm hoping between everyone here, most if not all of this layout has been covered by someone. If you could pass me your experience on how long it took to travel a particular segment, I could add it all up and make sure I have something doable and exciting to work with. OR, if you think a different route would make sense. Like I said, I'll definately need this help for the north end of GA.

I know this is long and a lot, but Rob and I have been talking and dreaming of this for 20+ years. Not this particular route, but simply climbing on our bikes and heading out on the great roads. On thing or another has always prevented us. I think we both got old enough or fed up enough and are finally determined to live out our childhood dreams (I know, sounds like a sappy movie...kiss it! LOL).

Ultimate...there can be only one "Ultimate" Mid-Atlantic Ride...and it includes the 3 B's...bikes, booze, broads.

Mark nailed it. but as it is, you should PM him to get some NY Creole. Anyways, you are an ambitious one no? Meeting up with your friend in Atlanta is 500 miles one way.

Day 1: 500 miles
ride to Atlanta, meet Rob.
Day 2: 500 miles
ride to Norfolk
Day 3: 260 miles
ride to Front Royal (210 miles)
end of slabs
ride Skyline Drive to Big Meadows Lodge (50 miles)
Day 4: 350 miles
ride BRP to Little Switzerland

Not fleshed out yet:
Day 5: Ride Dragon/Cherohala
Day 6: Wolf Pen Gap Road, then back to Robbinsville TN
Day 7: ride to Norfolk

Route

Gotta ask, why you are wanting to meet Rob in Atlanta then spend two days getting to some twisties? Why not head to Robbinsville from Atlanta. Actually some nice hotels are in Commerce which puts y'all on a pleasant side of the Atlanta.

Succinctly, to ride the combined length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive you will need at a minimum two full days. Extremely full days of pushing and pulling. All day long never stop never eat just ride. Okay a couple of stops but you catch my drift eh? Three days is comfortable 4 days is easy mom and pop speed.

Skyline is 105 at 35mph. You can run the Skyline in 4 hours.

Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 at 45mph. 13 hours.

Either one I'd say you could run 50 miles of in 1 hour. cept for the BRP below Asheville. That section is twisty and 50 miles will take ya closer to 1 and one half hours.

I've run both Skyline and the Blueridge Pwy a few times and have run into radar every time. Skyline is 35 mph and Bluridge is 45, good luck.

GREAT information guys! This is exactly what I'm looking for.

We're still undecided about riding BRP south of Asheville, or heading north and over to get to the Dragon. I guess what I need is, is it better to ride the Dragon southbound or northbound? Or does it really not matter?

I am currently planning my run through the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and Skyline Drive (SLD) on my way to Ohio. I will initially go over to Tallahassee and spend the night with my Daughter. Then head north to Cherokee, NC and spend the night probably at the Cherokee Fairfield Inn. The next day I will run the BRP north to Milepost 367.6 and detour around the rockslide/road construction (between Asheville and Mt Mitchell), and return to the BRP at milepost 355.3, then later on divert again at milepost 285.5 and detour around the Goshen Creek Bridge repair, returning to the BRP at milepost 291.8. I plan to stop for the night at the Woodberry Inn near Marby Mill, VA. Then it's north again along the BRP onto the SLD. There is some more road construction around Roanoke between milepost 105.8 and 112.2, but the road isn't closed (yet). I plan to stop at the Big Meadows Lodge (the one Moe mentioned). Then finally finish the ride through the SLD into Front Royal and make a speed run to Ohio.

I figure the two full days that I will be running the BRP and the SLD will each be at least 12 hours total, so each day will start around 6am to insure I am not running in the dark too much on either end of the day.

That's my plan....I'll see if I stick to it once I get going. I just hope there isn't a shortage of gas around Atlanta still.

Tom

Definately let me know how this run goes for you Tom. I don't think we'll be hitting it that early each day, but we can work the details later. Just looking for the estimates for now.

Cale

Tom, when are you rolling?

LOL...wanting to get in on some of the ride action? Thought had crossed my mind also; opposite side of the state isn't that far.

If, and that is huge, I roll NW, I would be heading out the 21st/22nd. I sure hope if becomes reality.