Another Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive Thread
08-26-17, 03:51 PM
#26
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Friday was a hard day. 1000 more vertical than advertised.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1153743788
Skip the crappy continental breakfast, and get a homemade biscuit with country ham at the Northwest Trading Post.
Doughton Park wasn't much but a place to get water at the Park Service Store.
Brinegar Cabin was interesting. If I was only stopping at one such place, Mabry Mill is similar and much more interesting.
Blue ridge Music Center is definitely worth the extra mile round trip. Live Music everyday 12-3pm. Gift shop with snacks cokes and water. Interesting display about history of mountain music and bluegrass
The Deli at the Gap in Fancy Gap, maybe 100 yards off the Parkway is very nice, and very friendly people.
Grassy Creek Cabooses was a neat place to stay, with a lovely view, albeit with a PITA of a climb up a dirt road.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1153743788
Skip the crappy continental breakfast, and get a homemade biscuit with country ham at the Northwest Trading Post.
Doughton Park wasn't much but a place to get water at the Park Service Store.
Brinegar Cabin was interesting. If I was only stopping at one such place, Mabry Mill is similar and much more interesting.
Blue ridge Music Center is definitely worth the extra mile round trip. Live Music everyday 12-3pm. Gift shop with snacks cokes and water. Interesting display about history of mountain music and bluegrass
The Deli at the Gap in Fancy Gap, maybe 100 yards off the Parkway is very nice, and very friendly people.
Grassy Creek Cabooses was a neat place to stay, with a lovely view, albeit with a PITA of a climb up a dirt road.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-26-17 at 04:23 PM.
08-26-17, 03:56 PM
#27
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Today was the best day of the trip.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1153743788
Beautiful weather.
Mabry Mill is worth the stop to see the mill, an log cabins, particularly on the weekend, with demonstrations of old time Appalachian life. Also there's a restaurant and Wifi available there.
Chateau Morissette is just off the Parkway, Beautiful building and setting. Wine IMHO was mediocre, but the food was outstanding. (first lunch of the week that wasn't a cliff bar)
5mile distillery on 221 into Floyd was a fun unexpected find.
In Floyd Viriginia now at the Floyd Hotel, going to a bluegrass concert at the Floyd Country Store tonight.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1153743788
Beautiful weather.
Mabry Mill is worth the stop to see the mill, an log cabins, particularly on the weekend, with demonstrations of old time Appalachian life. Also there's a restaurant and Wifi available there.
Chateau Morissette is just off the Parkway, Beautiful building and setting. Wine IMHO was mediocre, but the food was outstanding. (first lunch of the week that wasn't a cliff bar)
5mile distillery on 221 into Floyd was a fun unexpected find.
In Floyd Viriginia now at the Floyd Hotel, going to a bluegrass concert at the Floyd Country Store tonight.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-26-17 at 04:25 PM.
08-26-17, 07:56 PM
#28
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Sentimental sappy personally indulgent note.
I feel a connection to this area. My father's family is from Shawsville. My mother's family from Bedford. I vacationed as a child at Crater Lake.
I remember as a young adult just old enough to drink,sitting on the patio of the family home having a cocktail looking up to the Peaks of Otter, before driving up there for dinner.
Tommorow is 80 miles and 9000 vertical. My mother, Aunt Catherine and Mary Fred will carry me up the final climb.
I feel a connection to this area. My father's family is from Shawsville. My mother's family from Bedford. I vacationed as a child at Crater Lake.
I remember as a young adult just old enough to drink,sitting on the patio of the family home having a cocktail looking up to the Peaks of Otter, before driving up there for dinner.
Tommorow is 80 miles and 9000 vertical. My mother, Aunt Catherine and Mary Fred will carry me up the final climb.
08-28-17, 07:35 AM
#29
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Sunday was Floyd to Peaks of Otter.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1156416503
79.3 miles 6752 vertical feet.
Worst part of the day is the Fresh tar and chip the Park service has laid. Two sections (one 40 miles, and one 30) with advisories against bicycle and motorcycle travel due to loose gravel.
It wasn't really dangerous, but the ride and rolling resistance of yet to be fully compacted tar and chip wasn't terribly pleasant.
I was able to avoid some of the loose gravel by taking Franklin Pike out of Floyd to a spot further r up the Parkway, and It was a great country road to ride on.
Dropped into Roanoke to get water and lunch, on Mill Mountain Parkway. (later learned there may be water available at explorer park just off the Parkway outside Roanoke)
Mill Mountain Parkway was lovely, and shoots you right into downtown Roanoke. Got a nice lunch at the Wall Street Tavern in a Market area off Cambell Street.
Took US 221 out of Roanoke to hit the Parkway futher north and avoid having to climb back up Mill Mountain. It's a relatively busy 4 lane road, but has shoulders for most of it, and I did not feel unsafe.
There was more chip seal between Roanoke and Peaks of Otter, which kinda sucked at the end of a long day.
But Peaks of Otter is nice.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1156416503
79.3 miles 6752 vertical feet.
Worst part of the day is the Fresh tar and chip the Park service has laid. Two sections (one 40 miles, and one 30) with advisories against bicycle and motorcycle travel due to loose gravel.
It wasn't really dangerous, but the ride and rolling resistance of yet to be fully compacted tar and chip wasn't terribly pleasant.
I was able to avoid some of the loose gravel by taking Franklin Pike out of Floyd to a spot further r up the Parkway, and It was a great country road to ride on.
Dropped into Roanoke to get water and lunch, on Mill Mountain Parkway. (later learned there may be water available at explorer park just off the Parkway outside Roanoke)
Mill Mountain Parkway was lovely, and shoots you right into downtown Roanoke. Got a nice lunch at the Wall Street Tavern in a Market area off Cambell Street.
Took US 221 out of Roanoke to hit the Parkway futher north and avoid having to climb back up Mill Mountain. It's a relatively busy 4 lane road, but has shoulders for most of it, and I did not feel unsafe.
There was more chip seal between Roanoke and Peaks of Otter, which kinda sucked at the end of a long day.
But Peaks of Otter is nice.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-28-17, 07:42 AM
#30
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Today, Monday is a rest day. Just hanging out at the Peaks of Otter.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-28-17, 08:43 AM
#31
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08-28-17, 05:49 PM
#32
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Riding the Storm out; waiting for the thaw out on a full moon Appalachian summer (apologies to REO Speed wagon).
90 percent chance of torrential rain tomorrow.
But you can't have an epic ride without epic weather.
90 percent chance of torrential rain tomorrow.
But you can't have an epic ride without epic weather.
08-28-17, 06:57 PM
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Never knew the BRP was chip 'n seal, older sections seemed OK, a wee bit rough. Weather's really turned quick, hope it blows away soon.
08-30-17, 04:26 PM
#34
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Only sections are chip seal. Not sure if the fresh chip seal is replacing old chip seal, or whether they redoing old asphalt sections with chip seal.
Tuesday was brutal 79 miles in a cold rain, from Peaks of Otter to Love Virginia, and the Royal Oaks cabins. I don't think it got above 53, and a lot of time in the low 40's.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1161185479
I thought I was going to freeze on the 3200 foot descent of Apple Orchard Mountain with socked in fog and a pelting rain.
Thought I'd warm up in the James River Visitor Center. But it was closed, apparently because there was virtually no one on the Parkway.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-31-17 at 05:59 AM.
08-30-17, 04:33 PM
#35
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Worst part of Tuesday was 3 flats, and I was only carrying 2 tubes.
2 of the flats were right between tire and valve stem. I think pumping tires with long valve stems and a frame pump added to these failures. Next time, I'm bringing my Topeka Roadmorph, instead of a frame pump.
So those tubes were basically unrepairable, but I wasted patches trying anyway. The last tube was a snake bite, with the two holes far enough apart most of my patches didn't cover both, but too close to use two seperate patches.
On literally my last patch, I got it to hold, and finished 23 miles into Love, praying for no more flats.
With all the lost time with the fog, and the flats, I had to hammer into Love to arrive before the little deli and Country store closed. Fortunately, I just made it.
2 of the flats were right between tire and valve stem. I think pumping tires with long valve stems and a frame pump added to these failures. Next time, I'm bringing my Topeka Roadmorph, instead of a frame pump.
So those tubes were basically unrepairable, but I wasted patches trying anyway. The last tube was a snake bite, with the two holes far enough apart most of my patches didn't cover both, but too close to use two seperate patches.
On literally my last patch, I got it to hold, and finished 23 miles into Love, praying for no more flats.
With all the lost time with the fog, and the flats, I had to hammer into Love to arrive before the little deli and Country store closed. Fortunately, I just made it.
08-30-17, 04:41 PM
#36
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My packing system did hold up to the Weather. My cheap decades old Nashbar panniers are at best weather resistant.
So I packed everything, including my computer in heavy duty one and two gallon Hefty slide lock bags. So while the was standing water in the bottom of the panniers, apparently coming up from the road, all my stuff stayed perfectly dry.
So I packed everything, including my computer in heavy duty one and two gallon Hefty slide lock bags. So while the was standing water in the bottom of the panniers, apparently coming up from the road, all my stuff stayed perfectly dry.
08-30-17, 04:48 PM
#37
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Royal Oaks cabins in Love Va was very nice. Just of the BRP( although be careful Love Rod is easy to miss, and like everything else on the BRP, there's no sign; look for the signs to Sherondo lake and turn left heading north).
Keith, the owner was very accommodating keeping the Deli open late for me. The Country store is a bit hit or miss, but I got a nice hot panini and a Miller Lite, for dinner, oatmeal and OJ for breakfast, and stocked up on Gatorade.
The cabin was great, with a gas fireplace, jacuzzi tub, deck, and grill.
Only negative is wifi was spotty, but you are up in the mountains.
Keith, the owner was very accommodating keeping the Deli open late for me. The Country store is a bit hit or miss, but I got a nice hot panini and a Miller Lite, for dinner, oatmeal and OJ for breakfast, and stocked up on Gatorade.
The cabin was great, with a gas fireplace, jacuzzi tub, deck, and grill.
Only negative is wifi was spotty, but you are up in the mountains.
08-30-17, 06:34 PM
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Freakish weather, temps more like Oct/Nov. Maybe budget cuts causing transition to chip/seal. Some valves/stems a bit tricky. Lately I've been buying Schwalbe tubes with the assumption that Presta stem is a bit sturdier than std brands. One tip I read long ago was when using frame pump, after inflating, use side of fist to knock the pump off vs pushing/wiggling it loose.
08-31-17, 06:03 AM
#39
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Wednesday's ride Love Va. (MP 16 to Big Meadows). 77 miles 7100 vertical.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1161185789
The climbs on the Skyline drive are a bit steeper than most of the BRP.
There's a hot dog stand just off the BRP at Afton above Waynesboro where the Skyline Drive and BRP meet.
Loft Mountain wayside is also a good place to get lunch, and fluids.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1161185789
The climbs on the Skyline drive are a bit steeper than most of the BRP.
There's a hot dog stand just off the BRP at Afton above Waynesboro where the Skyline Drive and BRP meet.
Loft Mountain wayside is also a good place to get lunch, and fluids.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-01-17, 08:25 AM
#40
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Finished!
Thursday's ride was pretty easy, 58 miles (including the last 6 to the Hotel) and 4100 vertical feet.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1162092488
The section of the Skyline Drive north of Big Meadows has about the most access to food and water of any stretch of the Skyline Drive/BRP, with food and water available at Skyland, and Elkwallow, and water at the Visitors center.
Last 5 miles are a nice descent into Front Royal.
Highlight of the Day was I saw a bear, right in front of me, standing on the stone guard rail.
Thursday's ride was pretty easy, 58 miles (including the last 6 to the Hotel) and 4100 vertical feet.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1162092488
The section of the Skyline Drive north of Big Meadows has about the most access to food and water of any stretch of the Skyline Drive/BRP, with food and water available at Skyland, and Elkwallow, and water at the Visitors center.
Last 5 miles are a nice descent into Front Royal.
Highlight of the Day was I saw a bear, right in front of me, standing on the stone guard rail.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 09-02-17 at 07:25 AM.
09-01-17, 08:36 AM
#41
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A word about equipment: The bike was Merlin Extralight. Pretty much classic road race geometry.
It worked fine as a touring bike. Limited to 25mm tire width, but the Continental GP 4000, 25's worked out fine.
Short chain stays, didn't cause any issues with heal clearance of the panniers. The Blackburn skewer mounted rack worked out fine.
With most of the weight in the rear panniers, no front panniers, and no handlebar bag, the handling was quick and a bit skittish, but I adjusted to it quickly, and before long didn't really notice a difference in how it handled, compared to handling with no bags.
Gearing: I'm glad I put on the 11-32. I could have done it with an 11-28, but it would have been a grind a few places. I really thought before hand that a 28 low would be fine. The BRP climbs are not terribly steep, I'm reasonably fit (Cat 3 racer), and I've ridden all over Colorado with a low of 28.
What I didn't fully appreciate, until I was into the trip is how much difference 25-30lbs of luggage makes.
Spare Tubes: I thought 2 and a patch kit would be plenty. What I didn't appreciate is that there are very few accessible places to replenish tubes. Liberty Bicycles is just off the Parkway (U.S. 25) in Asheville. Beyond that, the only places to buy tubes are well off the Parkway. I added a 3 mile climb out of Waynesboro Wednesday in order to hit Rockfish Gap Outfitters to replenish tubes. Next time, I'm carrying at least 3 spare tubes, and 2 patch kits.
It worked fine as a touring bike. Limited to 25mm tire width, but the Continental GP 4000, 25's worked out fine.
Short chain stays, didn't cause any issues with heal clearance of the panniers. The Blackburn skewer mounted rack worked out fine.
With most of the weight in the rear panniers, no front panniers, and no handlebar bag, the handling was quick and a bit skittish, but I adjusted to it quickly, and before long didn't really notice a difference in how it handled, compared to handling with no bags.
Gearing: I'm glad I put on the 11-32. I could have done it with an 11-28, but it would have been a grind a few places. I really thought before hand that a 28 low would be fine. The BRP climbs are not terribly steep, I'm reasonably fit (Cat 3 racer), and I've ridden all over Colorado with a low of 28.
What I didn't fully appreciate, until I was into the trip is how much difference 25-30lbs of luggage makes.
Spare Tubes: I thought 2 and a patch kit would be plenty. What I didn't appreciate is that there are very few accessible places to replenish tubes. Liberty Bicycles is just off the Parkway (U.S. 25) in Asheville. Beyond that, the only places to buy tubes are well off the Parkway. I added a 3 mile climb out of Waynesboro Wednesday in order to hit Rockfish Gap Outfitters to replenish tubes. Next time, I'm carrying at least 3 spare tubes, and 2 patch kits.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-03-17, 06:18 PM
#43
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Hey, merlin, thanks for the thread. One of the real benefits is that people who have spent most of their cycling racing may get a perspective on the differences between that and touring. Your experiences with the additional load and its effects on handling, plus the gearing are essential reading. Plus, the stopping and sampling the wine and food (mediocre of not) adds to the notion that touring does not have to be a race between Point A and Point B.
09-04-17, 07:11 PM
#44
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enjoyed this thread very much.....thanks for posting
