Where to go in 7 days

[cb919er]

So, I'm asking this of the guys local to my region, (I live in Knoxville, TN)

I just started a new job, and I get one week vacation to take this year, I'm thinking about taking a bike trip somewhere, I was thinking about riding up the Blue Ridge, or heading to the Mt Rushmore area. So, let me hear some suggestions, I don't want to push myself, so I'm not looking for an epic run to northern Alaska or anything, so, lets here what you've got! It'll probably be late August when I get to go...  

[SLK50]

  I've done the BRP down and back in 7 days and had a blast.

  I went back and forth to Mt Rushmore in nine days and felt rushed most of the trip.

  I think it is easy to underestimate the vastness of the central States.

  What's nice about the BRP and the roads near it is they allow you to mix it up:

hard and fast, slow and easy, whatever your mood.

  This makes it both satisfying and relaxing. Perfect if you'll only get one chance this year.

[cb919er]

I'm leaning more towards the BRP because I like to camp, and can save a fair amount of money camping along the way...

to make it to Mt Rushmore I'd have to cover at least 500 miles a day... hummm... maybe I should head south... but I don't really want to go to florida...

[cognosticator]

So, I'm asking this of the guys local to my region, (I live in Knoxville, TN)

I just started a new job, and I get one week vacation to take this year, I'm thinking about taking a bike trip somewhere, I was thinking about riding up the Blue Ridge, or heading to the Mt Rushmore area. So, let me hear some suggestions, I don't want to push myself, so I'm not looking for an epic run to northern Alaska or anything, so, lets here what you've got! It'll probably be late August when I get to go...  

In 7 days you can have a blast riding SE TN, Western NC go up into WV ride some BRP.  There are some great roads in those areas.  I Went from Savannah GA to Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower down into CO over to Iowa down into MS, 5600 miles in 10 days and saw all the sites I could see.

[blackbuell]

The Black Hills are very cool; too bad you have to cross the Great Plains to get there. What I generally do when I go there is slab it the first 6-700 miles on the first day and on the last day. That way I have more time to spend riding in South Dakota. In Nebraska you can get off the slab and ride on rt 20 through the sand hills--neat ride!

NW Arkansas is certainly an easy reach for you. Great roads, motorcycle friendly area, camping available.

You could probably do the BRP trip on a 3-day weekend. When you get a whole week off, why not go somewhere less accessible?

Jon

[kyzrex]

If you have lived, and ridden, in the Knoxville area for awhile then you are probably fairly familiar with the roads and attractions in the tenn/no ga./ nc area.  So why not head somewhere different on vacation?  Use the parkway to get you headed north, then go explore West Virginia and Virginia.  Maybe even head out to the east coast around the Outer Banks if you want to visit the ocean.  Parts of Maryland are also worth visiting.  Decide if you want to make good TIME or have a GOOD time.  For me, when I travel on a bike trip, especially during hot summer months, I like to get up early and ride when it is cool, then stop early in a place that I want to explore.  I would NEVER recommend heading to Florida in August!

[cb919er]

If you have lived, and ridden, in the Knoxville area for awhile then you are probably fairly familiar with the roads and attractions in the tenn/no ga./ nc area.  So why not head somewhere different on vacation?  Use the parkway to get you headed north, then go explore West Virginia and Virginia.  Maybe even head out to the east coast around the Outer Banks if you want to visit the ocean.  Parts of Maryland are also worth visiting.  Decide if you want to make good TIME or have a GOOD time.  For me, when I travel on a bike trip, especially during hot summer months, I like to get up early and ride when it is cool, then stop early in a place that I want to explore.  I would NEVER recommend heading to Florida in August!

This is a lot of what I was thinking, I want to go somewhere I haven't gone. I do like the idea of heading to the east coast and riding south from Maryland,

Maybe I just need to sit down with a map and see what looks most appealing,

I also like getting up early to get going before it gets to hot, when I take off, I usually head out about 8ish... I like to pack the night before, so I can just get up, shower, gear up, and hit the road...

[nantahala]

With 7 days in August, you don't want to go west and you don't want to go south.  If this is your one shot this year, I would go to the Montreal/Vermont/Upstate NY area.  Could get there in a day and a half and it would really feel different than being around here or the mid-Atlantic - more of a vacation.  Especially Montreal.  

Have fun whatever you do!

Matt

[blackbuell]

cb919er,

kyzrex and Matt have some good suggestions and you could accomplish both. You could explore parts of WV and VA (Lewisburg, WV is a great place to stay) on your way to NE NY (the Adirondacks are very cool) and the VT and NH border area is gorgeous. There are lots of great roads on the way to and around the White Mountains.

Keep us posted,

Jon

[cb919er]

thanks for all the suggestions, I'm thinking I'm going to run the BRP, take my time, and have a good ride. anyone feel like joining me?

[NoGear]

thanks for all the suggestions, I'm thinking I'm going to run the BRP, take my time, and have a good ride. anyone feel like joining me?

I wish I could but I'll be prepping the bike to sit for a year at that time. I leave for Iraq at the end of August.

[cb919er]

I wish I could but I'll be prepping the bike to sit for a year at that time. I leave for Iraq at the end of August.

suck man...

But if you're military, which I assume you are since you're going over there, then I thank you for what you do. I don't agree with why we are there, but as a member of the motorcycling family, I'll pray for your safe return, and where you're back, and feel like riding the dragon, you've got a wing man, and the first round is on me!

[zer0netgain]

  I've done the BRP down and back in 7 days and had a blast.

  I went back and forth to Mt Rushmore in nine days and felt rushed most of the trip.

  I think it is easy to underestimate the vastness of the central States.

+1

Only 7 days (are you counting weekends which can make it 9 days total)?

Better plan on 3 days out and 3 days back.  Avg of 500 miles a day means you better set a radius of 1,000-1,200 miles from your point of origin.

This map shows what 1,200 and 1,000 miles covers.  You could visit the Ozarks for a day or two from where you're at.

[cb919er]

So, I'm thinking about the Natchez Trace Pkwy as well. I'm thinking that late into the year it might be a little chilly to ride north...

[tpierce (MP)]

I just ran the BRP last week (Wednesday through Friday).  My first time and it was awesome.  Happily, i was completely alone through most of it.  Sadly, all of the campsites were still closed (i was told many will be opening in the next week or two), and many of the overlook bathrooms were closed...  Other than that, i had a great time.  I saw probably 4-5 officers the entire way, i passed each doing 10-15mph over and they didn't bat an eye.  I cruised most of it at 55-60MPH on the loaded down GS.  Have fun and be safe.

[Tyrroneous]

So, I'm thinking about the Natchez Trace Pkwy as well. I'm thinking that late into the year it might be a little chilly to ride north...

July and August are two of the worst months to ride in MS.  The heat and humidity are killer.  Plus, the Natchez Trace is really, really mild.   Its nothing like the BRP.  

My vote is the Ozarks.  Its still gonna be hotazell but the roads are great.  You should be able to get there in one long day or 1.5 easy days.  Spend about 3 days exploring and then head back to Knoxville.  

[kyzrex]

So, I'm thinking about the Natchez Trace Pkwy as well. I'm thinking that late into the year it might be a little chilly to ride north...

August is usually the hottest and driest month of the year around here, but very nice when you get into WV and other higher elevation areas.

[cb919er]

So, I rode the Blue Ridge from the southern end to the camp ground at mile marker 340. (which is still closed) I had planned to camp out, but that failed... regardless, I actually found myself quite bored with the blue ridge... It's just like the Foothills Parkway, and Cherehala Skyway, just longer with more pulloffs... So... I guess it's back to the drawing board...

[blackbuell]

So, I rode the Blue Ridge from the southern end to the camp ground at mile marker 340. (which is still closed) I had planned to camp out, but that failed... regardless, I actually found myself quite bored with the blue ridge... It's just like the Foothills Parkway, and Cherehala Skyway, just longer with more pulloffs... So... I guess it's back to the drawing board...

That's exactly how I felt about it. My expectations of it were very high and the first 30-40 miles were quite pleasant, but after a while it became boring, and I kept thinking that damn, I've got to find an exit and get the hell off of this road!

Jon

[zer0netgain]

That's exactly how I felt about it. My expectations of it were very high and the first 30-40 miles were quite pleasant, but after a while it became boring, and I kept thinking that damn, I've got to find an exit and get the hell off of this road!

BRP is one of those things you need to do at least once....then question if you ever want to do it again.  Some do...some don't.

I have no regrets about the time I did it.  Some portions were worth the hassle of the slow speed.

[NoGear]

suck man...

But if you're military, which I assume you are since you're going over there, then I thank you for what you do. I don't agree with why we are there, but as a member of the motorcycling family, I'll pray for your safe return, and where you're back, and feel like riding the dragon, you've got a wing man, and the first round is on me!

Actually just booked a vacation in July in Gatlinburg so I can ride down there before I go.

[cognosticator]

That's exactly how I felt about it.

You gotta run it at 60-80 mph to make it fun    which I have on a number of occassions, with only 1 ticket to show for it, yep, I am lucky

[cb919er]

I think I've done enough of the blue ridge...  Maybe I'll Iron butt my way to Calgary, AB and hang out with some Canadian friends...

Actually just booked a vacation in July in Gatlinburg so I can ride down there before I go.

Rock on man! keep my post as to when you'll be down, and we'll rock the smokies!  

[Moto4Life]

So, I'm thinking about the Natchez Trace Pkwy as well. I'm thinking that late into the year it might be a little chilly to ride north...

If the BRP has to bored, the Trace will put ya to sleep.  The 20 miles or so from Nashville are OK, but the speed limit is the problem there.

Go ride West Virginia and SE Ohio, fun roads everywhere!  
Or how 'bout going to the MotoGP in Indy and head towards WV from there and loop home.

There are some nice roads in Southern Indiana into Ohio along the Ohio River.  Lots of options for camping as well-many state parks.
Hit me up if you want route ideas.  I grew up in the Louisville, KY area.

[NoGear]

 I grew up in the Louisville, KY area.

I'm sorry!!!    Go Big Blue!!!!!   LOL

[Bounce]

Avoid Mt. Rushmore during the gathering of the pirates. Go at least a month outside in either direction. You'll also see increased RV traffic that will turn great roads into plodding, mind-numbing tests of patience.

[sprint_st]

I just got back from three days in WV, VA, OH and NC.   IMO, you could have an absolute blast heading up through KY, into SE Oh, into WV then central PA to NY border then drifting back home through WV, VA to TN.   Pick twisty roads and just meander.   I rode a pretty quick on road pace without lots of sight seeing but all twisty roads.  Spartanburg to Marietta, Oh, in about 11 total hours.  Canaan Valley, WV to Spartanburg in about the same.  So you could go up into the Adirondacks even at a leisurely pace without a lot of trouble in seven days.  IMO, the BRP is OK, but with a bit of planning you can do a lot better than OK.  As far as the Great Plains, I'd rather mount a stationary bike in front of a large screen TV on some green indoor outdoor carpeting.  

[jfurf]

I vote for a swing over into NC, then up into VA and WV.

I love WV. Best riding east of the Rockies. You could easily waste 7 days riding there and never get bored.