Looking for advice for SC ride!!

[RCR]

Hi, I'm leaving the great white north(Canada) for a much needed week of riding. Looking at Myrtle beach area because of the weather (first week of April) hopefully will make it into at least the foothills of SC and into the higher elevations if it's warm enough. Looking for a place to stay in SC that's reasonable and suitable for 3 guys on bikes. State parks with cabins look nice. Any advice for a place to stay that's in good proximity to some good riding roads?  Thanks in advance!  

[MK96xj]

SC is a large state. If you gave us a plan on were you maybe it might help.

Myrtle Beach area should have some dirt cheap hotels this time of year.

Where in the upstate are you planning? Greenville/Spartanburg area or South of Charlotte?

If you are looking for the mountain rides I would stick West of rt 26 in and around the NC boarder.

[RCR]

We'll that's just it, right as of now I'm not sure where to hang my hat for the first night let alone the week. I am watching the weather and realize that the higher elevations are gonna be cool . i guess I'm looking southern mi state to a t least make a one night reservation and go from there!  Thanks for your input!  RCR

[bogfro]

If you're looking for cabins in a state park, I'd go with Table Rock State Park.  If you hike, there's a really good 3.5 mile hike up to the top of Table Rock, with some great views.  If you hike it, be sure to go all the way to the end, where you get the overlook of Table Rock Reservoir.

The good curvy roads in the upstate are (starting from the west): 76, 28, 107, 130, 178, and 276.  Hwy 11 is straight and very scenic.

Let me know if you have any other questions.  I'm originally from Easley and know upstate SC like the back of my hand.

[bogfro]

Also, you might want to try some roads in west NC and north GA while you're in the area.  It sure beats Myrtle Beach, in my opinion.

[RCR]

If you're looking for cabins in a state park, I'd go with Table Rock State Park. If you hike, there's a really good 3.5 mile hike up to the top of Table Rock, with some great views. If you hike it, be sure to go all the way to the end, where you get the overlook of Table Rock Reservoir.

The good curvy roads in the upstate are (starting from the west): 76, 28, 107, 130, 178, and 276.  Hwy 11 is straight and very scenic.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm originally from Easley and know upstate SC like the back of my hand.

Thanks for the input, do you think Table rock will be thawed out by the first of April?  Looks like a great spot just a little high in elevation to be bookin in advance. probably do more riding then hiking but always in for a little tourist jaunt.  Thanks!

[bogfro]

Thanks for the input, do you think Table rock will be thawed out by the first of April?

In a normal year, it's likely to hit 80 degrees by the first of April!  This year I'm sure will be a bit different, but I'm sure it will be warm enough.  I was down that way last weekend, and highs were in the upper 50's, lows around 35.

[kyzrex]

from what I've seen of the state, closer you get to the coast, the straighter and flatter the roads get.  However, the weather might be better further south you go.  

I did a week long tour of that state the first week of april about 3 years ago.  Started in Charleston 1st 2 days, then went to Aiken along the Ga Border.  From there stayed in Clemson and then up to Ashville, NC.  Weather was GREAT until we got to Ashville, where we hit rain.  Nicest place to stay was Aiken, where we used a Holiday Inn Express, really like that little town and the Brewery right downtown.  I could live there.  Best riding is in upstate area however.  

[RCR]

Thanks for the advice , always nice to hear it from the locals    Last year we headed down in March to Atlanta area( Helen GA), and buy the end of the trip we were in key West. weather was cold and wet. Guess we'll try again. little later this year..probably some where mid state so i can bail to the warmer coast or go play in the Mnt's if it's rideable.     Thanks again!

[Hunter]

Don't bother with Myrtle Beach unless your idea of riding is going bar hoppin. Roads are flat and the only curves you'll find are changing roads at 4 way intersections. If you want to go mainly for food just stop in Murrells Inlet on your way through.

A lot of the SC state parks in the mid state and low country have cabin rentals, the upstate however not so much. They are also booked out frequently. If it were me I'd plan my trip with more mountain riding of course the further south you go the better the food gets.

Here is a place I found years back when the koa was booked up. It is in North Carolina but not far from the SC/NC border so you could do day rides into both states...it would be about 5 hours to Myrtle Beach though if you really wanted some good seafood. It would be crowded for 3 guys but it would be real cheap and works perfect for a "base camp". Multi night rates are only $40 USD and way cleaner than any KOA I've ever been to.

http://www.mamagerties.com/

[RCR]

Thanks Hunter, thats the kind of place im lookin for at least for a couple nights  if the weather is desent. thanks for the link!  RCR

[Gohot229]

I'm in south central North Carolina, I could let you guys stay here a night or two when you initally get here to get your bearings. Myrtle Beach is over rated and a bit cold untill spring comes in earnest, better yet summer. PM me and see whats up, this is no grand hotel, just a farm, but a good leaping off point to start.

[RCR]

Hey thanks gohot229, that's a very generous offer, right now I'm trying to talk the guys in to Pigeon forge.  TN   The reason being is there are lots of hotels there and it's a slow time of year. the roads are awesome and as long as the weather is descent we'll be in good shape!  Or coarse I'm always lookin for advice on my decisions as long as your not my wife!   Thanks guys!

[bogfro]

Pigeon Forge is crowded almost all the time.  Just more so in the summer.  But expect it to be pretty busy the first week of April.

If you want to meet me for a day ride in Northeast TN, look me up!

[lizard]

Hey thanks gohot229, that's a very generous offer, right now I'm trying to talk the guys in to Pigeon forge.  TN   The reason being is there are lots of hotels there and it's a slow time of year. the roads are awesome and as long as the weather is descent we'll be in good shape!  Or coarse I'm always lookin for advice on my decisions as long as your not my wife!   Thanks guys!

My experience in PF is that it's Myrtle Beach w/o the beach! One road in & out, traffic everywhere, everything's over priced, and except for the "mines" all the other tourist trap crap is the same. They even have the Wings stores from the tourist trap beach towns...

[kitesurfer]

+1 for Table rock st park.  that's a great area to ride.  from there go west to helen/wolf Pen gap area.  north west is the waterfalls, waya bald and the dragon.  North/north east is the Blue ridge parkway, Shady valley Tenn and EAST ...IS FLAT AND STRAIGHT.  That area is also primo whitewater country.  If it rains, take a raft trip on the mighty Chatooga river.   Oconee State park also has cabins and campground as well as amacaloa state park.  Blue ridge MC campground also rents 'rusttic' cabins.

[Gohot229]

My experience in PF is that it's Myrtle Beach w/o the beach! One road in & out, traffic everywhere, everything's over priced, and except for the "mines" all the other tourist trap crap is the same. They even have the Wings stores from the tourist trap beach towns...

That was my take on the place too. it just wasn't the Quaint little coastal town one might envission, but a mony pit. And their not ....NOT... biker friendly, and have voted to stop the yearly gathering there much to the dismay of merchants there. The political 'click' there has effectivly shot themselv's in the foot on that one. Serriously, Myrtle....naaa, I would consider Northern coastal NC. and a ride through the outer banks, but would pass through Myrtle Beach en-route to a more southern destination.

[RCR]

I'm booked in at Pigeon forge, not an ideal place to stay i know, but i found a suite with 3 beds for 65 a night with a kitchen. Cant beat the price for 3 on bikes. With all the closed roads and detours we might be out for extended rides to get where were going. I'm thinkin Georgia for a night, Savannah looks nice. We'll see where we end up...Just lookin forward to getting away for a week. Thanks for all the input. I'll be putting on lots of miles so the area where we lay down doesn't concern me a whole lot.

[kitesurfer]

UNBOOK them...NOW!  that's probbably the worst riding area.  you still have the cherohala but the in and out process of pigeon forge sucks.  look up www.noc.com.  they have cabins on the side of the mountains, small hotel units, and bunkrooms.  Also google blueridge motorcycle campground.  they have small cabins too.  NOC is natahala outdoor center, on the banks of tthe natahala river.  very cool place.  5 miles left is hwy 28--excellent road either direction.  5 miles right is WAYA ROAD, another good one.

[RCR]

UNBOOK them...NOW!  that's probbably the worst riding area.  you still have the cherohala but the in and out process of pigeon forge sucks.  look up www.noc.com.  they have cabins on the side of the mountains, small hotel units, and bunkrooms.  Also google blueridge motorcycle campground.  they have small cabins too.  NOC is natahala outdoor center, on the banks of tthe natahala river.  very cool place.  5 miles left is hwy 28--excellent road either direction.  5 miles right is WAYA ROAD, another good one.

Hey!  i hear ya...I originally wanted a cabin in the woods but...Not for 65.00 a night . the PF hotel gives us 3 beds and a kitchen.  You show me a cabin for that and I'm buying the beer!  We tend to get on the bikes in the morning and come back at midnight, ride most of the day with a few meals!   One triumph st 1050 , One kawai conti...14??? and a H**LEY  yep...a H**LEY.   The bike does a hell of a job keepin up  Lookin at Savannaa Ga. for a night, maybe be a redneck for a night or two.  I do Much appreciate the feedback!   RCR