Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

[JrGman]

Looks like I will be taking some time off work to ride the BRP in a couple of weeks. I considered buying a GPS but am short of cash and was wondering how you know where gas stations, restaurants and hotels are located without any signs at the exits? Thanks in advance and this is my first posting on this board, it seems like a really useful/friendly kind of place.

[MK96xj]

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

Here you will find probably all the info you need. Check the maps and know how long you have per tank. You will likely get better milage on the BRP as you are keeping the speeds down. I have gotten some of my best MPG on the parkway

If you are really worried bring a small 0.5gal gas can. I do not think you will need it.

[sprint_st]

Looks like I will be taking some time off work to ride the BRP in a couple of weeks. I considered buying a GPS but am short of cash and was wondering how you know where gas stations, restaurants and hotels are located without any signs at the exits? Thanks in advance and this is my first posting on this board, it seems like a really useful/friendly kind of place.

I've had GPS since there was GPS.  Sometimes following GPS is a recipe for taking you places you really don't want to go.  IMO, getting lost on the BRP is like getting lost in your bathroom and there is no real "need" for GPS.  Gas station info can be obtained easily on the web and there are lots of guys who will recommend places to eat.  If you provide a general idea of what you want to do, you'll get plenty of recommendations.

[jschmidt]

It can be a stunningly boring and slow stretch of road. If traffic bedevils you, there are parallel routes in the valleys on one side or the other.

[SuperHans]

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

Here you will find probably all the info you need. Check the maps and know how long you have per tank. You will likely get better milage on the BRP as you are keeping the speeds down. I have gotten some of my best MPG on the parkway

If you are really worried bring a small 0.5gal gas can. I do not think you will need it.

That's a good link to check out, you can request a set of maps from it for free. I don't ever remember having an issue finding gas the couple of times I've ridden the BRP.

[wvrider]

It can be a stunningly boring and slow stretch of road. If traffic bedevils you, there are parallel routes in the valleys on one side or the other.

My god, you must either be way too jaded to appreciate beauty when you see it or are just an adrenalin junky who is better off on the track than any public thoroughfare (better for us and you). Skyline drive I can see some boring parts due to the high traffic but every time I have been on the BRP I am constantly smiling....constantly...cant beat that. There are meandering parts, twisty parts, up down parts and country flats but its all good. wow

Phil

[sprint_st]

Just got back from about 100 or so miles from NC80 to south of Mt.Pisgah. Weekend traffic density is really high now and it will probably stay that way until the leaves are all down.  So if you want to really make time, it AIN'T the way to go.  Then again, making time isn't what the BRP is about, is it  

[chornbe]

JrG... I did the BRP end to end last year. If you're looking for a decent little, all-inclusive place to spend the night, or just grab a meal and hit few little shops, Little Switzerland is pretty cool. After a day of riding and taking pictures, I stopped there at about 7pm, had a great buffet dinner (all you can eat of pretty much everything you can imagine). The restaurant is nice and hey... end the day with a few cold beers...  

There are several interchanges along the entire length of the BRP with short trips to gas, food, convenience stores, etc.

Once you cross (going south to north) into Virginia, the BRP gets downright boring; the altitude drops, several places are very residential and you can hear the highway from it. From 50 miles north of the state line all the way down to the south end, though... absolutely WONDERFUL.

I wouldn't get worked up about fuel stops, though... like I said, there are adequate opportunities to hop off and find fuel. I was pushing it during one part and the GPS had me get off onto a fire/logging road and cross into this little town that time completely forgot to get gas.

The whole thing was a zen, restorative experience for me; solo, 3 days, BRP and lots of pictures.

Also, there's a little settlement at Cool Springs in the VA part were you can stop and walk around an old church town. Pretty cool. No facilities, but a great place to stretch your legs.

[fjrSKI]

I considered buying a GPS...

You will do fine without GPS following the advice above.  There's usually gas not too far from exits to major highways.

GPS is a good tool, but it isn't error free.  EJ can tell you about following me in circles around Duncannon looking for a gas station that GPS said was there but didn't exist.  Two weeks ago in WV it put our group on a county road that was supposed to be paved, but turned into a goat trail.  We had to turn around.  This happens more often than you think.  SOmetimes you are better off following your instincts.  It pays to have a paper map and a feeling for where you are going.

[wvrider]

Little Switzerland is a good place to stop for a night, also the Mt Pisgah Inn (right on the parkway outside Asheville) which also has a camp ground. There are some cabins right on the parkway in VA that are very nice also. One I stayed at with the wife had a hot tub and the porch faced the parkway (about 100 yards off it) so you could watch the bikes, etc. go by as you just relaxed. Also some good b and b's along it. Dont go to make time, go to ride, see it, unwind on it. This is a busier time of year with the leaf watchers (spring can be spectacular with the flowering plants but come with some extra clothes for the temp swings) and mid week is not as bad as weekends.

Phil