Ride to the Blue Ridge Mountains - Ducati.ms

va duc · May 18th, 2011, 5:18 pm

I took a short trip last week, taking off to explore the Smoky Mountains here in Virginia and West Virginia. I had read about a route from Harrisonburg up route 33 to Elkins West Virginia. Many good roads up that way including the Blue Ridge Parkway! I had heard that traveling during the week and before Memorial Day was the time to go so I decided to make the journey.
The roads were deserted and in good shape. I had a blast traveling up and down the mountains and was laughing like a kid on his first bicycle ride the whole time. I was amazed how technical the ride was with plenty of curves and switchbacks along with some breathtaking scenery. The weather was perfect, 75 for highs and lows around 60 degrees. I stopped in Harrisonburg Virginia to see some of my old co workers and then headed up route 33 towards West Virginia. The climb up to the eastern continental divide was awesome.

Everywhere I stopped I meet friendly people that asked where I was from, where I was going and what a great time of year it was to be out on a bike. Once I made it into Elkins West Virginia I headed back towards Staunton Virginia on route 250. What an incredible ride! I came across a switchback that was on the outside of the mountain that dropped 50’ around the corner, I about crapped myself on that one, didn’t see that coming!

The second day I spent riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, exploring every decent looking exit, man what a frikken blast!

While you are riding on the BRP you are basically riding the ridge of the mountains so anytime you get off the parkway it’s a 5 mile trip down the mountain to get to someplace to eat or get some gas with plenty of tight corners and switchbacks!

All in all a terrific time, next time I would like to go with someone to share the experience, but then again, riding solo does has its advantages!

va duc · May 18th, 2011, 5:22 pm

This one reminded me of Rocking_m

This reminded me of metalhead

Good to be back in Virginia!!!!!!

DuckMan · May 18th, 2011, 5:37 pm

Looks like an epic ride with perfect weather. Damn you! I already want to go back.

Lumox and I road a part of the BRP last week (I'm not sure where we were) and I must say that's got to be the most beautiful road I've even been on. I was surprised that it was totally empty of traffic. I'd love to spend some more time on it. Your photos are great too!

va duc · May 18th, 2011, 5:49 pm

Thanks Mike, I was down about missing the ECM and since its only a 180 mile trip up from my place I decided to go, anytime you can make it up this way I would love to show you around Virginia!

I swear I heard banjos while in WV.

Just kidding!

bruce19 · May 18th, 2011, 7:11 pm

That's awesome. Nice pics too. Did you happen to hit that red clay dust covering the apex of one of the turns on Rte. 33? Scared the hell out of me. Love the pics. Gonna make my gf look at them right now. Thanks.

va duc · May 18th, 2011, 7:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce19

Did you happen to hit that red clay dust covering the apex of one of the turns on Rte. 33? Scared the hell out of me.

I did run across some of that, while ascending up one of the mountains I noticed that it had been recently swept. As I neared the top of the mountain I was stopped by a road crew cleaning up from the rainfall they had received. I was a little peeved to see 5 tractor trailers in front of me. I shut the bike off waiting on the DOT folks to let us go when one of them walked up and started talking to me about bikes, long story short they waived me to the front of the line and I had the entire descent to my self

**Chuckracer** · May 18th, 2011, 8:19 pm

Wow! That was a beautiful ride!
Thanks for sharing!!

spyvito · May 18th, 2011, 8:34 pm

VaDuc, I was at the ECM with my son and neighbor and the best ride we had was about 150 miles on the BRP ending with winning at Harrahs in Cherokee. I think the Parkway is God's driveway. And usually the roads up and down from the crests are more fun than the dragon for me. See you next year.

bruce19 · May 19th, 2011, 6:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by va duc

I did run across some of that, while ascending up one of the mountains I noticed that it had been recently swept. As I neared the top of the mountain I was stopped by a road crew cleaning up from the rainfall they had received. I was a little peeved to see 5 tractor trailers in front of me. I shut the bike off waiting on the DOT folks to let us go when one of them walked up and started talking to me about bikes, long story short they waived me to the front of the line and I had the entire descent to my self

Now that's a good story. We got stuck behind a tractor trailer for a bit near the end and it sucked. We finally found a spot and got by. That road is special. As much as I like the BRP some of the roads off it are crazy good. Really technical. Although I have to say I'm not a fan of not being able to see around the turn. Scary shit sometimes. BTW a road in that vein is Rte. 60 at Humphrey's Gap on the BRP that leads into Buena Vista (which the locals insist on pronouncing Byoona Vista.

). Wow! Amazing stuff.

va duc · May 19th, 2011, 6:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckracer

Wow! That was a beautiful ride!
Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Chuck!

(normally its not good when Chuck posts on your page)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyvito

VaDuc, I was at the ECM with my son and neighbor and the best ride we had was about 150 miles on the BRP ending with winning at Harrahs in Cherokee. I think the Parkway is God's driveway. And usually the roads up and down from the crests are more fun than the dragon for me. See you next year.

I don't have any seat time on the parkway in NC, I need to make it happen!