 Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34 |
This Friday (30th) me and three friends are setting out for DC via the Tale of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Pkwy. Me 05 TBA, 1 Honda and 2 HDs. I was wondering if anybody could give any hints/ideas about things to see/do along the route. We will end up in Lorton VA and catch the Autotrain and then ride back home from Sanford, FL. 
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 591
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 591 |
I took that trip in reverse a few years ago, beautiful ride. Stay close to the speed limits 45 on th Brp and 35 on Skyline, cops everywhere in them hills.
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Wow! How much is amtrak hitting you up for? I keep forgetting the autotrain transports motorbikes too. The BRP has various closures up to Linville Falls. Yes you can ride a portion but check out the BRP Road Closures for up to date information on road closures.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Here is a rough route What exactly is google maps problem anymore? One can't route along the Dragon? Talk about political B.S.! So the route brings you to the dragon. I would suggest riding the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville then taking the Dragon back. Out of Jacksonville, up through Hillard is a very fast route. One of my favorite ways to roll to Dahlonega, GA. GA Rt 17 too. Rural roads in GA rock. slow up in towns, but you can roll interstate speeds between towns. 80mph+ The speed limits on the BRP and Skyline. On weekends and holidays one has to observe the speed limits, sortof. During the weekdays, slow up around major towns and interstate intersections, Like Fancy Gap (I-77) and Roanoke. And slow up around brp parks and natural wonders. Interstate speeds have been run North of Boone all the way to Front Royal. Talk about fun! Stay alert. Pull over if you have to because IF you travel the BRP and the Skyline Drive at the posted speed, you will be nodding off. Blue Meadows Lodge is closed. Skyline Lodge is open. Peaks of Otter you have to check on. A real cheap hotel is at the brp access in fancy gap. Greasy spoon too. Called the Mountain Top Motel. Gas station right across the street. Would help if yous had a gps. Help meaning routing you away from the slabs. $10 each to roll the Skyline Drive. Stay away from the diner at the Northern terminus of the Skyline drive if you curse.  Bring insect bite balm. Bring COLD WEATHER clothing as you will wish you had brought arctic rated gear no matter what you bring. CARRY your spirits. Blue laws live in them thar hills. You'll be riding on the ridges. who will have time stop? (other than at the numerous overlooks?) Those are the real deal. Sights: Toccoa Falls. Blowing rock. You could route through the Smoky Mountains and hit Clingman's Dome. Cades Cove Loop. Luray Caverns. Mt. Airy NC
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34 |
The fare on Autotrain was $215.00 but since I retired from Amtrak then for me it was free. 
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 410
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 410 |
Frank--enjoy the ride--it sounds great. Watch the weather around May 2-3 up near DC--chance of thunderstorms and some really rotten drivers to be watchful for! Stay safe!
John
============================
"The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is planning" - Charles Hutchins
2008 TBA / Black / NCHD Windscreen / Saddlebags / De-Baffled Pipes / Flat Black Console
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
I could book for $205 right now. without a room. The Auto Train appears to be a great and inexpensive way to transport the bike! With a berth in a Superliner Roomette, the price would climb to $331.00. Not bad either as that includes meals.
y'all have fun!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,465 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,465 Likes: 2 |
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 34 |
Thanks alot for all the advice. I'm sure we will have lots of fun.
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
wheelsthroughtime.com
+1
This might be a nice overnight layover as well, given that a real nice hotel is on the other side of the creek. the Meadowlark Motel, 828-926-1717 or 888-326-1717 (at least those were the numbers May 10, 2005) Has a washer and dryer and back in '05 they gave me a coffee cup full of powder for the washer.
Across the road from the Meadowlark is a restaurant that served some good steak and seafood: Saratoga Café Maggie Valley NC. Beer too. ABC down the street. What more could you ask for?
And (you have to check yourself) I think you can get some saddle time on the BRP getting there. Yeah, there are closures West of Asheville, but as 19 twist with the brp you could get a taste of the higher elevations.
The highest elevations and the tightest sections are from the Qualla Boundary to basically Boone, NC. But especially in the Asheville Water Shed (Mt. Mitchell) area. You begin to drop out of the mountains North of Linville Falls where the BRP starts to flatten out and get real fast.
Wheels Through Time Museum as viewed from the Meadowlark Motel.
Motel
Finally, when riding the ridges, have rain and cold weather gear.
At the Qualla Boundary, heading North
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Jacksonville, Fl. to Washington, DC
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
This Friday (30th) me and three friends are setting out for DC via the Tale of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Pkwy. Me 05 TBA, 1 Honda and 2 HDs. I was wondering if anybody could give any hints/ideas about things to see/do along the route. We will end up in Lorton VA and catch the Autotrain and then ride back home from Sanford, FL.
How went the trek?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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