A DAY ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 8/25

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

What a way to start out a day, above the clouds.

        I’ve probably been riding the Blue Ridge Parkway for over 45 years. When I first rode it a section south of Boone NC was not completed. You had to get off and take a detour around it. The fun part was that as you rode the detour you could look up and see the part they were working on. It’s is scaled the Linn Cove Viaduct. It is spectacular! 

The beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway just south of Waynesboro VA.

        After breakfast at the motel I rode east on I 64 up to exit to exit 99 where I got off. Just a short way was a sign for the BRP. One of the great things about this road is that the speed limit is 45 rather than 35 on Skyline Drive. Generally I find I can run 55, or even 60 as, unlike Skyline Drive, it is not a national park. There are several parks along the BRP, and around those you have to observe the speed limit as there are usually Park Rangers around them. 

The first 45 miles or so are mostly a series of S turns
with the occasional straight part. LOTS of fun!

        I rode the first 35 miles of the BRP and then decided to find a nice overlook to sit for a while and read. I had been there for only 5 minutes or so before a light blue BMW convertible pulled in. Two women got out. I was setting up my camping chair as they pulled up and they were curious about where I bought it. This led to about a 45 minute interlude about various topics. Both of their husbands have motorcycles, but I don’t think they tour on them. Riding a motorcycle on the BRP is an exceptional experience, and they appreciated how great it must be to ride a bike on the BRP. The ladies then got back in their car and continued north, while I sat back and read for a hour or so. Towards the end of the day, as I headed back north to Waynesboro I did see them a couple of more times. This kind of encounter is what makes motorcycle touring so special.

The ladies posing by the sign at the overlook.
( I hope you like your picture! It was nice meeting you both today! )

        As I continued to ride south I thought about how far south I wanted to ride, and where I would get lunch. Riding south I saw a sign for Otter Creek, which is a campground. I remembered that after Otter Creek you can continue south to The Peaks of Otter, which is a restaurant and also a place to stay. Sounded good to me. 

Simply one gorgeous view after another!

        Otter Creek is about mm 60, and Peaks of Otter is about mm 85. At this point Mother Nature decided to get involved in the adventure. As I continued south I ran in and out of VERY small amounts of drops of water, not enough to be a shower; more like “spitting” water. I rode under dark clouds, and then out into sunlight. Wondering if I should turn around, I continued south, eventually arriving at Peaks of Otter. I went in and had a nice lunch…as I sat right next to a window I could see what appeared to be rain drops hitting the lake located there. Was I going to get wet? 

Early in the day little threat of rain; this changed by the afternoon.

        I looked at a map of the BRP that I have on my I Pad. I didn’t want to get caught up on the BRP in rain and fog ( I have done this WAY too many times in the past! ). I decided to ride north to the James River Visitor center, around mm 62, and then get off of the BRP on to VA 130. I would take that to US 29 north and then head north. After Amherst I would take VA 151 north to US 250, then onto I 64 to US 340, and to my hotel. The best part of this trip was VA 130 down off of the mountain over to US 29. LOTS of curves! 

Just another spectacular view as I rode south on the BRP!

        I ended up stoping for ice cream in Amherst and arriving back the hotel by 4:30 pm. Even with the threats of rain in the afternoon it was an exceptional day on the BRP. The Interceptor is an excellent handling bike and a JOY to ride through the curves. I love the sound of it, but the engine performance is a real treat. Often down shifting from 6 to 5, or even to 4 slowing for curves and accelerating out of corners is a real treat. Back at the hotel, dinner, and then do today’s blog entry. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy, at least in the morning. We’ll see how that goes!

I LOVE riding this bike on the BRP!