I’d like to thank Paul and Cindy for being such great hosts, I really should have stayed another day but the weather today was perfect and I didn’t want to lose such a great riding day. They understood my need to take advantage of the weather, and I was on my way a little after 10:00. Stopped in town for a quick bite and to verify my route. Paul and Cindy live in God’s Country – truly one of the nicest places I’ve seen, but it’s remote enough that the cell coverage and internet out there is a little sketchy (depending on where on the property you are). Anyway – route verified, belly full-o breakfast, and ice chest re-stocked, I headed for the north end of Skyline Drive, a designated National Scenic Byway.
I really couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise, cool and sunny without a chance of rain. I was a bit concerned that being a weekend, the traffic might be heavy; but I had the road to myself all day (with a couple exceptions). There was a little bit of traffic northbound – including a classic car club. These guys looked great – about 40 cars, ranging from 30’s to 60’s and everyone in the vehicle was dressed in period correct (matching the car) clothing. If I’d known they were coming I would have pulled over and taken a video. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway run along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The traffic would have been much worse in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.
The Shenandoah River Valley from the park’s welcome center.
Looking southeast from one of the many overlooks along Skyline Drive
The ride on Skyline Drive was very scenic and the roads were flawless. Only problem was that the speed limit is 35 for 105 miles. I pushed it up to 40 a few times, and that made things a little more fun but the guys with the blue lights were out and active so I just putted along spent a lot of time looking around. And, I wasn’t in a hurry to get anywhere so that was fine, just a little boring after the first couple hours. Then… I got to the Blue Ridge Parkway (now that was FUN) – speed limit up to 45 which isn’t really all that fast but after over three hours of 35 it seems like you’re FLYIN – and, no blue lights in sight. I didn’t push it much over 50 which was about as fast as I could go in the corners anyway; and there were lots and lots of those. It was a good time and the same or better as far as scenic, just not very many pull outs to take your time and really get a good look. There is a short stretch where you are right on the top of the ridge line and you can see Virginia to the east and West Virginia to west from the same spot. I’d recommend the Parkway over Skyline Drive if you can only do one (it’ll save you some money too as Skyline Drive is part of the Shenandoah National Park so you have to pay to get in). Looking forward to camping again – this KOA was nice but the roads inside are steep and are covered with pretty deep gravel – not really “motorcycle friendly”.
Dang, I shipped my fishing pole back with my golf clubs. Lynchburg/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA
Hi Lenny and Robin——–Just to let you know im following your trip.–I like the pictures and the history of the places you’ve been to— Have a safe trip—- Prairie—-:)