I concur with majority. Just did SKP & BRP in October, 1st time! Loved it even though it was freezing, raining, foggy. Going to go again next summer.
2013 Tour: Blue Ridge or East Coast?
- Thread starter Cranky Pete
- Start date
Add me to the South list. I've done both, east coast once, brp/skyline probably more than four times. Can't get enough of it. The mountain scenery is beautiful.
You might want to consider going out west to Colorado as well. Similar mileage as the east coast, and like the east coast the route there and back is pretty boring. The destination is nicer though
You might want to consider going out west to Colorado as well. Similar mileage as the east coast, and like the east coast the route there and back is pretty boring. The destination is nicer though
I did it on the bike when I was out there, found it pretty boring for the most part. Was tight on time though so that might have something to do with it.
If you decide to go to the east coast in June there is a 100% chance you will spend at least one day riding in the rain, all day in the rain, I suspect the wife would be less than thrilled with that. If you ride the Blue Ridge in June you will overwhelmed by the blooming mountain sides. Azleas, Rhododendrons etc. all are in bloom in June. There is a constant smell of flowers in the air, pretty awesome. But it isn't the ocean, and the rugged coast etc. or Canada. I would guess though you will be staying in motels and the southern route is magnitudes cheaper, everything is just cheaper down south, food,fuel,Super Eights, must be the taxes.
Cranky Pete
Well-known member
Thanks for the advice. The $$ issue is a good one. I'm not sure why it costs more than $100 to stay in a downmarket motel in Canada. With the exchange rate as it is, Canada just seems ridiculously expensive vs. the US.
homme de fer
Well-known member
Yup, I stayed in a motel in Front Royal, the start of the Skyline, for $45. It was actually pretty clean too. Tons of places like that down South that make a hotel stay more preferable than camping, especially after a long hot day.
Emerald94
Well-known member
I did the BRP a few years ago and we based ourselves at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground for three nights and rode all over the place while there. Amazing roads and the Dragon isn't too far away.
Here's their website: http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/
The largest town is about 20 minutes away (Waynesville) which is where we went for dinner. Look for Bogart's.
Good food and good service.
BTW, the road taking to the campground fromthe BRP is a hoot (#276 coming the Parkway is an absolute blast). Don't miss #215 also.
Here's their website: http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/
The largest town is about 20 minutes away (Waynesville) which is where we went for dinner. Look for Bogart's.
Good food and good service.
BTW, the road taking to the campground fromthe BRP is a hoot (#276 coming the Parkway is an absolute blast). Don't miss #215 also.
homme de fer
Well-known member
I stayed at the IronHorse motorcycle campground but heard nice things about the Blue Ridge campground above. If a rider doesn't mind camping it's definately the way to go.
Emerald94
Well-known member
Actually, I stayed in a small cabin, basically a bed and a small table and chair. You do have access to the showers and breakfast like the other campers.
Cranky P,
I think you should go south. I've been east 3 times in the cage and this summer the squeeze and I 2upped it to Deals Gap and then back north via the BRP.
We super slabbed it to Kentucky the first day (800KM) and were in Deals Gap by noon the second day. IIRC going east is about 2 1/2 days of non stop highway and even then the roads were just OK. Cabot trail has some great elevation and sweepers but nothing like the twisties down south. Roads leading up and down from the ridge are amazing. Some times we'd ride down the mountain only to turn around and enjoy the same road in reverse ( not that you need to - there is no shortage of great roads)
And unlike up here the road conditions were great. No frost heaves and pot holes must be filled over night because I don't remember seeing any. Average motel room cost was 50$ + tax. Every day we had a picnic lunch at state run road side parks or stops. Just about every gas station sells beer - 6packs for under 4$, what's not to like.
FYI 1986 GL1200 GoldWing, 6 days, 5 nights ~3400kms
I think you should go south. I've been east 3 times in the cage and this summer the squeeze and I 2upped it to Deals Gap and then back north via the BRP.
We super slabbed it to Kentucky the first day (800KM) and were in Deals Gap by noon the second day. IIRC going east is about 2 1/2 days of non stop highway and even then the roads were just OK. Cabot trail has some great elevation and sweepers but nothing like the twisties down south. Roads leading up and down from the ridge are amazing. Some times we'd ride down the mountain only to turn around and enjoy the same road in reverse ( not that you need to - there is no shortage of great roads)
And unlike up here the road conditions were great. No frost heaves and pot holes must be filled over night because I don't remember seeing any. Average motel room cost was 50$ + tax. Every day we had a picnic lunch at state run road side parks or stops. Just about every gas station sells beer - 6packs for under 4$, what's not to like.
FYI 1986 GL1200 GoldWing, 6 days, 5 nights ~3400kms
I plan on doing the Cabot next summer but I have a friend and free accomodations down there. The trip to and fro will be a drag.
Canada has much do do and see but unfortunately it is spread out too much compared to the USA.
If you want to be noble and patriotic go to the east coast. If you want to save money, make new friends and enjoy seafood go south. A half an hour south of Buffalo the roads just open up.
Canada has much do do and see but unfortunately it is spread out too much compared to the USA.
If you want to be noble and patriotic go to the east coast. If you want to save money, make new friends and enjoy seafood go south. A half an hour south of Buffalo the roads just open up.
There are some nice things to see along the way.
- Adirondacks
- Mount Washington
- Vermont is pretty
- New Hampshire has unbelievable stars at night
- Maine has the coast and plenty of seafood
+1 on the BRP for so many reasons
- Tail of the dragon and other amazing roads at the South end of it that most consider to be the best riding East of the Rockies
- Amazing scenery for hundreds of miles (imagine yellow morning sun streaming through the tree canopy and tendrils of mist over a rolling landscape with the occasional wild deer)
- The skyway has very few cars and no speed traps that I've seen (not true for the skyway on the North end though)
- Gas is cheaper in the US
I could go on, but really... It's the BRP and Dragon! How is this even a discussion?
- Tail of the dragon and other amazing roads at the South end of it that most consider to be the best riding East of the Rockies
- Amazing scenery for hundreds of miles (imagine yellow morning sun streaming through the tree canopy and tendrils of mist over a rolling landscape with the occasional wild deer)
- The skyway has very few cars and no speed traps that I've seen (not true for the skyway on the North end though)
- Gas is cheaper in the US
I could go on, but really... It's the BRP and Dragon! How is this even a discussion?
l84toff
Well-known member
I take it you've never been to the Cabot Trail?
TorontoCruser
Well-known member
Blueridge is def. fun, and alot closer!!
Ditto - I've been to Cabot several times and the Blue Ridge as a kid with parents and once on mcycle a long while ago and the Blue Ridge far and away..
Much greater elevation ( I used to get nosebleeds as a kid ) and ffs it's 500 miles of twists - there is very little in the Cabot that even compares tho looping the island in both directions and some touring in the centre ( Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish info centre and Meat Cove are worthwhile but the BRP is a whole category up for duration and views.
and it's waaaaaaaay closer.
Cabot is equivalent to driving to Florida and parts of getting here seriously boring.
Much greater elevation ( I used to get nosebleeds as a kid ) and ffs it's 500 miles of twists - there is very little in the Cabot that even compares tho looping the island in both directions and some touring in the centre ( Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish info centre and Meat Cove are worthwhile but the BRP is a whole category up for duration and views.
and it's waaaaaaaay closer.
Cabot is equivalent to driving to Florida and parts of getting here seriously boring.
djez
Well-known member
I've been to both, but will say Cabot Trail is still special (i like the smell of the sea). I reserve BRP and Dragon for Fall and Summer for Cabot Trail.
Too much traffic at dragon (was there 2 weeks ago) vs riding alone for a hour without any other vehicle in Cabot.
BRP is all mountains, Cabot is Mountain and Sea.
l84toff
Well-known member
Curious what the OP decided on?
Incidentally I just got back from (another) 7 day 3361km trip to the BRP. Initial weather reports were in the high 20's feeling like the high 30's everywhere. Not so when you get up into the mountains. Between Roanoke and Asheville we got caught in some nasty weather; windy, 55f, cold, wet, and completely fogged in. Cool riding through the clouds and all but I've not been in anything like that for so long. Even our last day from Harper's Ferry was pretty cold and wet. First biker we saw all day was in NY at 430pm.
Incidentally I just got back from (another) 7 day 3361km trip to the BRP. Initial weather reports were in the high 20's feeling like the high 30's everywhere. Not so when you get up into the mountains. Between Roanoke and Asheville we got caught in some nasty weather; windy, 55f, cold, wet, and completely fogged in. Cool riding through the clouds and all but I've not been in anything like that for so long. Even our last day from Harper's Ferry was pretty cold and wet. First biker we saw all day was in NY at 430pm.
Cranky Pete
Well-known member
Unfortunately, work is taking priority over my vacation plans at the moment. I work for myself, and I was offered a couple of projects I couldn't turn down. Still hoping to get away later in the summer. It will be the Parkway this year, if possible--definitely not enough time for an East Coast trip.
Thanks to everyone for their advice.
