Riding Skyline
One of the many beautiful views on the side of Skyline Drive
I woke up early and left late funny how that works out sometimes. First order of the day was pickup some water and smokes for the road. I’m headed to Skyline Drive; 100 miles of no side road access scenic road in the blue ridge mountains. As I’m riding to there I get stuck behind a group of Harley riders, not a group I want to be stuck behind later on, luckily they pull off en masse at a gas station and I sneak by them, also stopping at a station to gas up and get the days supplies. I head out, narrowly beating the pack of Harleys back on the road. It’s only 100 miles long, but the roads are glass smooth, the corners are long sweepers and the views of the surrounding Shenandoah valley are breathtaking, it went by all too fast.
I wrapped that up quickly, and it just dumps you onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Much of the same, except 470 miles long, a higher speed limit, connecting roads to explore the surrounding areas and no cover charge to enjoy the area. The Blue Ridge Parkway is simply one of the best, if not the best motorcycling roads I’ve ridden. The corners come often and are nice long sweepers with the occasional more technical corner and the views are fantastic, I find myself pulling off often and just drinking in the views, pictures honestly can’t do it justice. I behaved myself for a while but after a bit I can’t control myself any longer and dive into playing in the curves. The roads are just too good, the corners too voluptuous, I’m in heaven. And then the gas light came on.
I pulled off into a “Scenic” overlook that overlooked trees and nothing but trees. 50 miles ahead was the closest road that led to a gas station, so off I went. The road leading off the BRP was just insane, a steep downhill road with sharp corners and switchbacks. One side of the road is just cliff face, the other side is just a cliff. After filling up we talked a little and I headed back onto the BRP, I should have stop and tried the BBQ at the place across the street but I didn’t. The road isn’t nearly as insane on the uphill, just make sure you don’t cut a corner and end up falling down one of the cliff faces.
The rest of the day was uneventful, occasionally getting stuck behind slow drivers but that’s ok, just gives you more time to soak in the views. And when I’m sick of that an illegal overtake gets me past them. I ended up pulling into a visitor center right before they closed to get some water. The two woman inside were supremely helpful with local stuff, local history, what hotels to stay in and how far the next major town is. I thank them for their time and grab a bottle of water and a sticker. As I was walking out she handed me a map of the BRP which I used to the end of the trip.
One of the many fantastic curves that day
Standing by my bike smoking another cigarette a family pulls up, I tell them they visitor center had just closed. The dad begins talking to me about my bike, his accent immediately giving away that they’re Italian. We have a short discussion about motorcycles and Italy, turns out they’re from about an hour north of Bologna, where Ducati is from. He wishes me safe travels and as he’s about to get in the car his wife gives him a dirty look. He turns around and says “Oh, the reason we pulled in was to get directions. I got distracted by your motorcycle and she’d kill me if I didn’t ask for help” None of their phones got an internet connection and were having problems finding themselves on a map. At this point the whole family came over and we had a grand time looking at maps and talking about our trips They were headed to Miami and had a hotel in Charlotte for the night. I’m just headed south with zero forplanning. I helped them find their way to Charlotte, said our goodbyes and we headed our separate ways.
The next hour and a half was gorgeous riding during sunset on the Blue Ridge. I’m starting to think of grabbing a hotel and pull off onto route 8 into Flynn and promptly get stuck behind a group of Harley riders, one of which who cannot turn. After riding with them for a bit they turn off into a parking lot and clear the road. I spent the next half hour trying to find a cell phone signal just to get a hotel room. I find a room in Christianville for the night, grabbing a favorite of mine Hardee’s. We don’t have them up in New England, more of a novelty than a favorite, again I should have tried the BBQ near by. Next time I’ll eat more local fare and less fast food. Another good 200 mile day, a couple hours of sleep and it’ll be my final day on the parkway.
This bumper sticker perfectly captures the battle on the Blue Ridge Parkway