Smoky Mountains/BRP Recommendations?
05-27-09, 10:06 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Smoky Mountains/BRP Recommendations?
Next week Mrs. Mono and I are headed to the Tennessee Tandem Rally (June5, 6, 7) in Maryville, TN.
We have no real schedule other than the rally, and might be there for a week to ten days.
I plan to take at least one day on the return trip to visit the Chickamauga National battlefield area, as it is the last of the large Civil War sites that I've not visited.
We were also thinking of taking one or two days for an out and back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We don't mind driving a few extra hours for a some pleasant riding. For an out and back with touring gear we would prefer motel/hotel rather than camping out.
We'd like to keep daily mileage at 35-50 miles or so.
Any recommendations regarding a possible two day trip on the BRP would be appreciated.
We have no real schedule other than the rally, and might be there for a week to ten days.
I plan to take at least one day on the return trip to visit the Chickamauga National battlefield area, as it is the last of the large Civil War sites that I've not visited.
We were also thinking of taking one or two days for an out and back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We don't mind driving a few extra hours for a some pleasant riding. For an out and back with touring gear we would prefer motel/hotel rather than camping out.
We'd like to keep daily mileage at 35-50 miles or so.
Any recommendations regarding a possible two day trip on the BRP would be appreciated.
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Last edited by Monoborracho; 05-27-09 at 03:31 PM.
05-27-09, 11:05 AM
#2
gone ride'n
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My only experience with the southern BRP is from about Floyd VA to I64 at Afton Mtn. Mt first overnight bike tour was when I was about 25 YO when I went from the base of Mill Mountain in Roanoke to the Peaks of Otter (about 40 miles as I recall) with full camping gear all strapped to my old Raleigh Grand Prix. My brother and I camped out in the campground - although there was a nice lodge there. There was an all you could eat buffet - we got our moneys worth. We road back the next day. I remember those as some tough 40 miles, but I suspect I could handle them much better today. To this day - I foundly remember that as a great adventure.
06-01-09, 12:03 PM
#3
Bikin' and Hikin'
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Try the Pisgah Inn which is right on the BRP about 40-50 miles north of the Southern Terminus in Cherokee and 20 miles south of Asheville, NC. I've never stayed at the Pisgah Inn but the food is excellent. There are also many great places to stay in Asheville; The Grove Park Inn being the top of the line if that is what you are looking for.
06-01-09, 12:47 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Thanks. You're the second person to recommend the Pisgah as a place to stay. We're probably going there on Sunday and do an out and back for one or two days.
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06-01-09, 12:51 PM
#5
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That's a good idea too, instead of the ride to the Pisgah and back. There is a great ride I call the Pigeon loop which can start from the Inn. Read about it here.
06-01-09, 01:14 PM
#6
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Thanks BikeWNC. I have had some great replies from folks. We're really looking forward to the better part of a week in the Smokey Mountain area.
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06-01-09, 02:12 PM
#7
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Be sure to take a sweater or jacket. The Pisgah Inn is shrouded in fog many nights and also subject to high winds. The view from the dining room is very nice if you catch some clear weather. If your butt tires out, the famous "Mountain-to-Sea" hiking trail runs right through the parking lot of the inn. If you want a nice hike or stroll, look for the white circular blazes. This section of the BRP contains the Great Balsams and Plott Balsams and 14 peaks over 6000 feet with some of the best views in the southeast.
06-01-09, 02:40 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Be sure to take a sweater or jacket. The Pisgah Inn is shrouded in fog many nights and also subject to high winds. The view from the dining room is very nice if you catch some clear weather. If your butt tires out, the famous "Mountain-to-Sea" hiking trail runs right through the parking lot of the inn. If you want a nice hike or stroll, look for the white circular blazes. This section of the BRP contains the Great Balsams and Plott Balsams and 14 peaks over 6000 feet with some of the best views in the southeast.
Mrs. Mono's new J&G jacket was just delivered to the office. We're really looking forward to the cooler (hopefully) weather since it is already running in the 90's down here in CenTX.
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