First Trip to Blue Ridge Parkway

[Carmen]

Just got back from a four day, three night solo trip. First night was spent at Front Royal VA. Second night was spent in Marlinton WV and the third night was spent in De Boise PA.

I rode the Skyline and BRP from Front Royal to Roanake VA. From there a rode a wild rollercoaster of a road called 311 which led me indirectly to 219 north (did I mention that I got lost several times), which led me to my destination for the night, Marlinton WV. This town was hosting a Ducati Rally and my lodge was hosting several Ducati faithful who proved to be wonderful companions. They were all over the age of 40, from places like North Carolina, Tennesee, Alabama and Virginia. We talked about bikes and they were curious about Canada. The three guys I spent time with all had at least six bikes in their garage. Must be an American thing.

In Front Royal I met three guys from Quebec on their way to Deals Gap. My third night in PA was also eventful. There I met a father and son team from Brighton, Ontario also on their way to the Dragon. I was at a local steakhouse. I was finishing up my dinner and they were just arriving so left my dinner payment on the table and moved over to join my new friends when my waitress approached me with my payment in hand. I immediately thought, what have i done. Perhaps I didnt leave a large enough tip or maybe someone stole my payment. Anyway, I was informed that my meal had been paid by an anonymous benefactor. I was floored. It just felt weird. Apparently someone had eyed me eating alone and decided to pay for my dinner. I felt awkward so I gave the $20 to my waitress.

Here are my impressions of the areas I covered:

Virginia is beautiful. WV is pretty but very poor. PA is pretty but cannot hold a candle to the likes of the Appalachians or Adirondacks. People from the southern US are very cordial and people from Pennsylvania are nice too.

I was amazed how people took on a very thick southern accent the minute I crossed in WV from Maryland.

Had grits for the first time. One of my southern friends insisted I try them.

Sidenote:
Was seeking refuge from a hail storm under a bridge in central PA on Saturday, where I met a couple of bare-headed Harley riders doing the same. (That has got to hurt).

 

[mlc]

Sounds like a great time.

Marlinton (pronounced by locals as "Marlington", even though there is no letter g in the word) is also home to an annual "Road Kill Cook-Off". You can dine on many interesting animals, such as possum, squirrel, and others.

 

[smergy]

sounds like a great trip! post more pics if you have them, was at the gap this year, looking at WV next year

 

[inferno]

Heya nice trip.
I am looking into doing this route soon so id be awesome if you could post more about your trip.

 

[wonderings]

How did you find Marlinton? I am doing a trip down to the gap, then hit the atlantic then work my way up through virginia and west virginia towards home. I love the back roads in WV, curvy and through the hills, lots of fun and amazing scenery.

Marlinton fits nicely how I want to go home, just wondering if you thought it was a worthwhile place to stop for the night

This is the intended route so far, I put Marlinton in there to get an idea of what it looks like:

 

[Carmen]

How did you find Marlinton? I am doing a trip down to the gap, then hit the atlantic then work my way up through virginia and west virginia towards home. I love the back roads in WV, curvy and through the hills, lots of fun and amazing scenery.

Marlinton fits nicely how I want to go home, just wondering if you thought it was a worthwhile place to stop for the night

This is the intended route so far, I put Marlinton in there to get an idea of what it looks like:

Regarding Marlinton; I just stumbled across it online in planing a return route. It suited me fine because it was 450 km south of De Boise PA (my next destination).

The "Old Clark Inn" was full because of the Ducati Rally but is a nice place and only $60-70 a night. The attached site link has 13 pictures of the town.

The Greenbrier Restauant and lodge is where I stayed. It is one of my pictures. It is right on the river and has a huge deck facing the river. Its a magical place. But be warned, they don't serve alcohol, so just buy some beer at the gas station across the bridge if you like. The rooms are basic but clean and cheap ($44-54). You are sure to meet other riders for a chat on the porch.

I'm not knocking the Dragon-I've never been, but two guys from Tennese I spoke to told me its over rated. They said there's not a lot of scenery on the road and its more of a tourist destination. Talk to locals and they will show you the undiscovered roads. Like I said in my original post, you have to experience 311 from Roanoke to Marlinton. It has elevation, scenery, and switchbacks. It will exhilarate and scare you. Beware of rednecks in pickup trucks on this road. Some of the mountain switchbacks are concurrent off-camber S's. If you look up Roanoke on a map, you will see 311 going in a north westerly direction out of Roanoke. However, its tricky getting there from town (I got lost here). You have to jump on a couple of interstates for about 10 minutes total to make your way to 311 out of Roanoke. Once you find it 311 will entertain you for about 45 minutes. You will have to jump off 311 onto I-64 west for 10 minutes in order to get to 219 north, which brings you to Marlinton. Check your google map for estimated distances and times. I found all my riding days longer than I liked except for my return trip from PA to TO which was only 7 hrs. You will not cover as much distance as you think in the twisties. Besides who wants to ride technically challenging roads when exhausted. My first day from TO to Front Royal took me 13 hours. My second day from Front Royal to Roanoke (all BRP) and through to Marlinton took me 11 hours. I found it hard to concentrate on 311 after riding the BRP for 200 miles. The BRP was beautiful but never scared me at any time. 311 is much more technical. http://www.oldclarkinn.com/

 

[shanekingsley]

Sounds like a great trip. It's nice that you got to meet many people along the way and had really good encounters with everyone you met. The 219 through Monongahela Forest heading south to Marlinton is a sweet ride with beautiful scenery.

I would have to add that the BRP is far more technical south of Roanoke - in fact, south of Boone, North Carolina down to Asheville is where it begins to really get good. Not sure if I would say it's scary, but it's a pretty technical run although you do have to speed a bit to fully enjoy it. If you ever get the time to make journey along the BRP again, I would say that it is much, much more technical than the top half.

The 311 is a great road too, considering how much further north it is. Further south, the area has hundreds of roads better than the 311, but just takes a day or so longer to get there...

 

[Carmen]

Sounds like a great trip. It's nice that you got to meet many people along the way and had really good encounters with everyone you met. The 219 through Monongahela Forest heading south to Marlinton is a sweet ride with beautiful scenery.

I would have to add that the BRP is far more technical south of Roanoke - in fact, south of Boone, North Carolina down to Asheville is where it begins to really get good. Not sure if I would say it's scary, but it's a pretty technical run although you do have to speed a bit to fully enjoy it. If you ever get the time to make journey along the BRP again, I would say that it is much, much more technical than the top half.

The 311 is a great road too, considering how much further north it is. Further south, the area has hundreds of roads better than the 311, but just takes a day or so longer to get there...

Thanks for the input Shane. I will have to do the southern portion of the BRP when time permits. I am sure there are better roads than the 311. However, I picked that road because it appeared to take me to 219 into Marlinton. The fact that it was an entertaining rollercoaster was all bonus. What made it scary for me was the random gravel kicked up by pickup trucks directly at the apex of the most challenging corners. Dude, I am blown away by the places you have been to. The Amazon jungle. Amazing!

 

[Ritchard]

Sounds like a great trip, but 4 days? What's the rush? I did a similar trip last month in 6 days, and that seemed like it was rushing.

Oh, and the Tail of the Dragon was kind of touristy - however a special kind of tourist - but well worth doing once.

R

 

[BeastieGirl]

When you have more time, do try to make the run right to the end - you will be blown away by the N.C. side of the Blue Ridge, but watch out for the deer and wild turkeys.

And if you run to the end of the Blue Ridge, I personally loved the Cherahola Parkway as well - and when you are down there, you might as well do the Dragon to get the T-shirt and bragging rights. While it is technical, probably no one curve was anymore difficult than any other curve I've found on many other mountain roads, but the sheer number can be disorienting the first time you run it, or at least it was for me.

 

[theshnizzle]

I am heading down to WV and SE Ohio on Sunday for 7 days of riding. It's my 4? 5? time down there. The roads are un-populated and twisty. If you find the "right" roads, very challenging. I am always amazed that no one ever mentions SE Ohio.

The riding in that area is incredible. So, I am happy to keep it all to myself. The BRP is much nicer down the southern end. I rode to the Gap in one very looong day last year and didn't hit an interstate all the way back until I popped out close to Buffalo, actually I think I was east of Buffalo.

I mapp ed out a great route on the way home, one curve I remember than came out of nowwhere and before I knew it I was looking at my tailights, just remembering that brings a smile to my face. It came to quickly to even have time to go.." Oh sh**"

Everyone need to ride WV. It's so close to home, so easy to ride too, you are there in a minute. Please don't forget to stop at ALL welcome centers and pick up free maps ect. WV has a great WC that even has many booklets and pamphlets laying out motorcycle riding roads.

Americans are the friendliest people for the most part. I have had people invite me into thier homes for dinner, ridiers escorting me on homegrown roads, too many stories to tell.