Riding in the Eastern US

[BanannaMan]

Originally Posted by Bluefish

Isn't there a 50 or 55kph limit on the parkway Bill?

45 mph (72 kph) and 35 mph in a few places.
However it's not widely enforced. For the most part, Ride as fast as you feel safe or lucky.
As long as you slow up for the tourist areas you can ride at your own pace.
And even there they seem more concerned with noise than speed.
If your quietly motoring along 10 to 15 over they won't blink an eye where as making a lot of noise (high rpms) even at or below the speed limit you'll likely be seeing blue lights.

In short, respect other visitors in the park, wait till you're riding those many winding miles alone to play and you've nothing to worry about.

But, It's not a speeding ticket you need be worried about.
You need to be able to set you own speed limits.

It's a fairly remote area. Should you crash medical help may be hours away. It is one of the highest motorcycle fatality per accident roads in the country.

I try to ride 65-70'ish as much as possible, many places you must go slower. There are a few places you can go faster and a few bends you're not going through faster than 25 to 30 mph! It's about a 50/50 split between the fast sections and the slower sections.
It's constructed more like your one lane roads in terms of bends and elevational changes. 45mph seems like 70 in some places, 65 seems like 100! LOL
It's only 469 miles long but cannot be ridden in one day. (seriously)


You 'will see' wildlife of various species in the roadway, occasional fallen rocks and limbs, slower traffic in areas where you're unable to pass, strange weather, stranger city people who abandon their cars in the road to get and see 'the deer' as if it were some sort of bloody miracle occuring and other assorted hazzards.
But there's more than enough endless miles of good riding and good views to make up for all that.

Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway always promises to be nearly as much adventure as it is ride, at any speed.

All good then bill, as long as you don't have to tootle along do you usually go oyut on your own or with a buddy? In case of being bitten by a rabid bear or summat lol

[BanannaMan]

Weekend trips I usually ride alone unless the mrs comes along (only occasionally).
Probably not the safest but I've been taking trips alone through the mountains for years. (up to 2500 miles)
Think nothing of it now. The Mrs doesn't even worry anymore.
My how mobile phones have changed the world.

As for bears. I've seen one ****ed off. I don't think having rabbies would make it any worse.
Stay away from bears!
That being said,

Nice pics Bill

What temperature was it at the top? (and for comparison what temperature was it at the bottom?)

[BanannaMan]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Nice pics Bill

What temperature was it at the top? (and for comparison what temperature was it at the bottom?)

Interesting point and another reason I like riding here.
Below the mountains, high's for the day were at 32 degrees or better.
At the hotel (3500 ft.) in Little Switzerland the high was 24.
At the top of Mt. Mitchell (6684 ft) at 12:00 noon it was a cool 17 and I was happy I had my motorcycle jacket on as I watched the tourists in t-shirts shiver every time the wind blew. LOL

[tonyk]

Bill,
you said "It's only 469 miles long but cannot be ridden in one day. (seriously) " so do you camp or is there hotel where you spend the night.
If your camping, what about the bears ?.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Bill,
you said "It's only 469 miles long but cannot be ridden in one day. (seriously) " so do you camp or is there hotel where you spend the night.
If your camping, what about the bears ?.

Camping with bears around is fine...so long as you are meticulous with how you handle and dispose of any food you have...there are other concerns, but it is also possible to camp safely over there.

Bill, those roads look amazing...I cannot wait to try them out. Haven't had a catch up with you for ages, so hope all is well over there, seems like you are getting some good bike time in

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Bill,
you said "It's only 469 miles long but cannot be ridden in one day. (seriously) " so do you camp or is there hotel where you spend the night.
If your camping, what about the bears ?.

Camping with bears around is fine...so long as you are meticulous with how you handle and dispose of any food you have...there are other concerns, but it is also possible to camp safely over there.

Bill, those roads look amazing...I cannot wait to try them out. Haven't had a catch up with you for ages, so hope all is well over there, seems like you are getting some good bike time in

I'd love to fly over, rent a bike and ride that road. Looks brilliant, great pics!

Quite warm still at the top then. On Serra d estrela in Portugal last August which is a similar height, it was 7 degrees celcius, but 35 at the bottom. I was wearing one of these fully perforated air flow jackets and I was frozen!!