Deals Gap/Blue Ridge Pkwy/Skyline Drive

[M38A1]

Has anyone run all three in one shot? If so, can you do it in two days or is more like three? Sure looks like a lot of twisties for 500 miles or so.

Is there an easy way to avoid paying multiple park fees going in and out? Such as a park pass, or are the fees reasonable for just running through?

Thx-

[poser]

are you bored?

[Rexter]

Has anyone run all three in one shot? If so, can you do it in two days or is more like three? Sure looks like a lot of twisties for 500 miles or so.

Is there an easy way to avoid paying multiple park fees going in and out? Such as a park pass, or are the fees reasonable for just running through?

Thx-

no fee except for skyline...which has a 35mph limit

MOTORCYLE
$10.00
Pass is valid for day of purchase and next six days

[Hotboot]

You can blast through it but will be missing a lot and exceeding prudent speed most of the time. It takes us 4-6 hours for a very spirited 250 miles on those roads on FZ/GSXR's. Plan many stops to see the streams and enjoy the area, smell the flowers as it were.

[Tourmeister]

Is Skyline the road on the Gatlinburg side of the park? Or are you referring to the Cherohala Skyway between Robbinsville and Tellico Plains? The Cherohala is only 55 miles or so and can be done in an hour at a reasonable pace.

Doing the entire BRP in one day would be tough, but doable if you ride all day long. It is 45 mph and usually has construction in various places. Also, there are many places where you will be wanting to stop to take pics.

Are you pressed for time?

[ctoons]

2 days is doable, 3 days is more fun

[M38A1]

are you bored?

Sort of....

Is Skyline the road on the Gatlinburg side of the park? Or are you referring to the Cherohala Skyway between Robbinsville and Tellico Plains? The Cherohala is only 55 miles or so and can be done in an hour at a reasonable pace.

According to my map, Skyline is what the Blueridge Parkway is called up on the North end just West of Charlottesville, VA on up to I66. It runs up through the middle of the Shendoandoah National Park. I looked at the Cherohala Skyway and sort of opted for a Deals Gap/BRP/Skyline option.


I just can't decide what I want to do. Too many choices out there!

.

[bushwhacker]

Skyline Drive starts in Front Royal, Va and Runs ~100 miles south thru Shenandoah National Park to Mile 0 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs another ~470 miles to the Smokey Mountains.

Straight freeway getting to Front Royal from Houston is about 1350 miles so thats three days. I would take at least three days riding the 600 mile combined length of Skyline Drive and the BRP.

Then once you get there you can take 441 across the park, Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway in 1 Day.

However there are lots of other good roads in the area to ride.

Then three days to come back thru Arkansas.

If you really want to take your time and enjoy the ride then you are talking at least 10-12 days. Two weeks to really meander and stop a lot.

I have ridden the BRP, Deals Gap and the Cherohala Skyway a couple of times and generally enjoyed other roads in the area as much or more than these three.

I have planned to get to Front Royal and include Skyline drive each time but just have not been able to find the time to get that far north.

[hcope1]

Bushwacker has it right. Two roads that I would skip are #441 and Skyline Drive. #441 has a lot of traffic and Skyline is very boring (35 MPR and strictly enforded). The Blue Ridge Parkway from Ashville to Cherokee is fantastic; and as long as you keep below 60 MPH, the Rangers will leave you alone.

Tourmeister can give you some great routes.

[chipset]

I am headed there next month. I liked the BRP and Cherohala. I don't recall doing Skyline. But, I had a blast last time. Looks like I will be solo this time.

[WoodButcher]

So, when are you thinking of doing this Scott? I'm heading for TN next month with the bike on the truck. After I drop the kid off, I'm going to do some riding in that area.

[M38A1]

So, when are you thinking of doing this Scott?

Soon. Very Very Soon. :trust:

[M38A1]

Well, I'm back from the trip and wanted to chime in on my observations...

Skyline Drive was interesting, but the speed limit was horrible. The Blue Ridge Parkway was very scenic and faster, but the overcast cloudy days made it sort of blah. In fact, I thought BRP sort of started to look the same after the first hundred or so miles. I opted out for about a hundred of it to zip down the Interstate to make my campsite reservation at a decent hour.

Deals Gap/The Dragon was a lot of fun. Twice. It's a fair amount of work as well riding a loaded bike. Fun? Sure. But not a 'mecca' as I've heard it referred to. Way to much 'tourista' influence and I was there on a nice Saturday. Even with that I only had one car each way in front of me so I could run it at my pace of 30-40mph which was plenty.

Cherhala Skyway, in my opinion was probably the nicest part of the four. The wide sweepers, excellent road surfaces and vistas at every turnout made for a very nice ride.

My trip report is over in the Storytelling section. "It all started with pie" is the title.

Thanks for all the input!

[Tourmeister]

You missed all the good roads :doh: :-P

[Eulogite]

Okay, TM. Debbie and I are heading there in October and will have about three full days to ride around the area. My plan was to ride from Front Royal to Cherokee, but since I found this thread, I know I don't need to do Skyline. Cherohala sounds like a must. I've done the Dragon, Debbie has not, so we may do that. What were your referring to about the "good" roads above?