Boston to the Blue Ridge Parkway

[markbvt]

Its all about how much time you have. There is a lot of entertainment to be had enroute if you have the time. FWIW, I've never bothered with the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Tail of the Dragon. I'm certain it's worth doing but there are tons of good roads all through WV and NC that have nothing to do with these two. I spent a solid week riding WV a couple years ago and wasn't bored for one minute....

Agreed about the Dragon, but you owe it to yourself to ride the BRP at least once. Before Memorial Day, midweek -- very little traffic then.

It's not so much about the twisties like the Dragon is (though there are some very fun ones, on the southwestern end especially); it's just one of the best motorcycle roads in the east. Well over 400 miles with no stop signs, no traffic lights, incredible scenery, and some fun elevation changes and turns.

I'm right there with you regarding lots of better roads to ride in the Great Smokies region than the Dragon, but I will always take the BRP in at least one direction when going down there or coming back. It's that good.

But I also agree with you about WV. Spectacular state for motorcycle riding.

--mark

[DucDave]

You going back to Labrador this year Mark?

We're headed to Newfoundland.

But we should seriously hook up for a trip some time. I have the hots to ride through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, etc etc...and also the Dempster!

[xsiliconkid]

As others have said, best to trailer down then spend more time riding further south into the smokey mountains.

[markbvt]

You going back to Labrador this year Mark?

We're headed to Newfoundland.

No Labrador for me this year, though I'm dying to test out the Tiger on the Trans-Lab. Planning a trip for late August with a couple of friends, but they're on street bikes, so we have to stick to pavement. Not 100% sure yet on route, but it'll probably be two weeks in the Maritimes including Newfoundland, Cape Breton, PEI, and Gaspé. I absolutely love Newfoundland and want to spend more time exploring up there. Unfortunately the timing of your trip didn't work out for me, which is why I didn't get in touch about it.

But we should seriously hook up for a trip some time. I have the hots to ride through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, etc etc...and also the Dempster!

Yeah, I really want to do all of those as well. The trouble is finding the time (and the money!)...

I have a couple of friends who've moved out to Idaho in the past year or two (one in Idaho Springs, the other in Boise). I'd really like to get out there and do a big western loop from one of their houses. As much as I hate the idea of trailering, it does make sense for getting out there and back. We'll see; certainly isn't going to happen this year or probably next, but maybe the year after that.

I also really want to do Alaska.

We should definitely talk more.

--mark

[Garandman]

There are two schools of thought: one to make it scenic on the way down, the other to blast down there as quickly as possible to spend more time in the region. Haven't decided yet.

I've proposed leaving afternoon on Sunday 4/29 and ride for 3-5 hours that day, avoiding Monday AM eastern corridor traffic and allowing us to arrive in VA earlier in the day and without being wiped out.

As far as trailering, the V-Strom has a longish wheelbase, windscreen, 5.8 gallon tank and upright riding position. It's really no big deal to ride it a couple hundred miles at a whack. The guy I'm going with has a Ducati ST3S (5.5 gallons) so it's not like we'll be stopping every hour.

I bought a Zumo 665 but never hooked up the satellite antenna: I'm going to do it for this trip so w'll have real-time traffic and weather as well as XM radio.

[Garandman]

Well, Twisted Throttle is happy I'm making the trip.

Kaoko throttle lock,


highway pegs,


and a double-ended dry bag all on order.



And another shorty windshield for once I get off the highway. I've got a giant CalSci for the trip down.

[markbvt]

and a double-ended dry bag all on order.

I've actually been planning on buying the two-piece DrySpec tail bag setup they're selling, which includes that bag. I love the fact that the larger bag has rigid sides so can be effectively mounted on the bike even when it's not full, and that both bags have a shitload of tiedown points. And, of course, that they're fully waterproof.

--mark

[NobodySpecific]

I like my Kaoko, but it's not quite as convenient to use as my old thumb activated throttle lock. Nobody even notices the Kaoko though, and it doesn't get in the way, so for an everyday item it wins hands down. Twisted Throttle was also really happy that I took my trip last year.

[nhbubba]

Are those dry-bags new products? I hadn't seen them before.
I had been thinking I would buy a Wolfman dry duffel one of these days.

I thought you already had a shorty screen for the 'strom?

[Garandman]

Not bad - ordered 9am, products are already in shipment!

[Falko]

They should commission you for this thread. I'm going to order one of their dry bags for the Gaspe trip in June. May pick up a fender extension as well.

[markbvt]

Are those dry-bags new products? I hadn't seen them before.

Yes, new product for this year.

--mark

[Garandman]

They should commission you for this thread. I'm going to order one of their dry bags for the Gaspe trip in June. May pick up a fender extension as well.

I totally agree.

It comes with four long and four short straps plus all the tabs. Very slick.

[zombie]

I'm heading down 23rd june.
Been there before and no way would I ever consider trailering the bike.
600 mile days are no big deal , just hop on and ride.
The BRP is a great ride , I'll do it going down and come back thru kentucky , ohio and up to upstate NY.
Going back to Alasaka 2013

[Garandman]

CalSci rocks. I called them to order a replacement Shorty windshield. When he learned I was replacing one that got broken in storage, he gave me a discount and it shipped within an hour!

I'm going to look at hooking up the antenna to the Zumo 665 and get a subscription so I'll have live traffic and weather.

This might be the time to finally join AMA for the three year / towing deal.

Have to say, while I've been looking at other bikes, for a trip like this the V-Strom is looking mighty good. Since I'm not camping, I'll have luggage space up the ying yang, I'm bringing a big windshield for the trip down, 250 mile range etc etc.

For the colder months I usually wear the one piece [solid] Olympia suit. But for this trip I'm planinng to bring my "warm weather" gear, which is Olympia AirGlide suit and pants plus insulation and rain suit. Is this the right choice or wishful thinking?

Should I bring my heated jacket? I have heated grips and handguards, so I don't usually wear that unless I'm riding in sustained temps under 45 degrees, or under 50 rain.

[RandyO]

A 520 mile day is really not bad, especially if much of it is slab.

On the other hand, you're right, I-95 sucks ass. But that's also entirely the wrong way to get from Boston to Front Royal. The better way to go is I-84 to I-78 (to throw in a little scenery, take I-84 all the way to Matamoras, PA, and hop on Rt 209 through the Delaware Water Gap, then Rt 191 to Rt 33 down to I-78). From Harrisburg, PA, two routes work: either I-81 down to Front Royal, or Rt 15 down to Frederick, MD, and Rt 340 from Frederick down to Front Royal.

Yes, this route is still a shitload of slab, but much of it is actually really nice as far as slab goes. I-78 through PA is surprisingly scenic, and even a little twisty in some areas.

I routinely make the ride from the Burlington, VT, area down to my parents' house in Leesburg, VA, and I actually spend much of my route on surface streets, not slab. It's really not bad at all.

--mark

I took a very similar route once, rt 2 out to NY state, then 99 to Jamestown where I picked up 209 all the way to Millersburg, PA, then I slabed about 50 miles to get around Harrisburg, don't remember the exact routes but I stayed my first nite in Gettysburg, I remember some kickass roads near Thurmont, MD, iirc, I went thru Frederick to Front royal, stayed second nite in Roanoak

[jtryz]

.

OOOO i like that bag, i will check this out too. need something for the motomarathon

[markbvt]

Have to say, while I've been looking at other bikes, for a trip like this the V-Strom is looking mighty good. Since I'm not camping, I'll have luggage space up the ying yang, I'm bringing a big windshield for the trip down, 250 mile range etc etc.

The Strom is a great bike for that trip. I took mine on one of my BRP trips (two, if you count the shorter trip I did into WV and the northern end of the BRP). The upright riding position and comfort really lend themselves to enjoying the ride and the scenery, and the moderate speed on the BRP means the Strom gets around 55-60mpg.

--mark

[Garandman]

Here's our tentative itineray, for comment.


• Monday to Front Royal - about 570 miles (Or may leave Sunday night.
• Tuesday - halfway down Skyline/Blue Ridge (no idea where to stop)
• Wednesday - continue the Blue Ridge to somewhere near the eastern end of the Dragon.
• Thursday - Ride the Cherahola Skyway west into TN then the Dragon east back to wherever we stayed Wednesday night.
• Friday - back on the the Blue Ridge to Mt. Airy, NC for the US Desmo event
• Saturday - 250 mile ride with the Ducs
• Sunday - back to Front Royal
• Monday - Home

[trider143]

Here's our tentative itineray, for comment.


• Monday to Front Royal - about 570 miles (Or may leave Sunday night.
• Tuesday - halfway down Skyline/Blue Ridge (no idea where to stop)
• Wednesday - continue the Blue Ridge to somewhere near the eastern end of the Dragon.
• Thursday - Ride the Cherahola Skyway west into TN then the Dragon east back to wherever we stayed Wednesday night.
• Friday - back on the the Blue Ridge to Mt. Airy, NC for the US Desmo event
• Saturday - 250 mile ride with the Ducs
• Sunday - back to Front Royal
• Monday - Home

I would look for lodging around the 1/3 point south on BRP (doing Skyline and the 1st third of BRP in one day should be straightforward and an easy day.) Do the southern 2/3s on Wednesday. Or alternatively, think about going through to Asheville on Tuesday, and then Asheville south to gap, etc on Wednesday (give you more time on hte Skyway and off the BRP on that day.)

Consider returning through Clingsman Dome (ref: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm) on your way from (or to) the Gap.

To/fro Front Royal in 1 day should be no problem.

[markbvt]

Here's our tentative itineray, for comment....

Looks like fun, but you should also try to work in the Snake (Rt 421 between Mountain City, TN, and South Holston Lake). Wicked fun road -- great twisties, nice elevation changes; much better than the Dragon.

--mark

[jtryz]

you are gonna have fun, be safe

[Garandman]

In the interests of science I picked up some wicking quick dry underwear - 3 Champion @ Costco and 2 of some no-name but similar style/fabric at WalMart.

The WalMart stuff is thinner and smaller - I wear XL in 3 different brands and they're clearly smaller. Champion it is - $28.89 for 3 on Amazon, $18.50 at Costco. The WalMart stuff was 2 for $9.50.

[Cheese]

Did this thread just go from great riding to Walmart underwear?

[Garandman]

It took another turn today. My 90 year old mother is going into hospice care. Trip cancelled.