FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

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

US highway 276 south of Brevard down into South Carolina and SC 11 is a fun
 ride on a good surface with lots of turns and changes in elevation.

        Gary and Curtis went going hiking on day 3 and I, of course, went riding. My plan was to get out to US 276 and then ride south into South Carolina to SC 11, then turn left to head east. At some point I would turn back north and get on the BRP for a while. Later I would ride back to the cabin. 

Morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway on a beautiful day.

        It was in the 50s at 9:30 when I rolled down the driveway. Turning right I rode down DuPont road to Cascade Lake Rd. and turned left. That led me to US 276 where I turned left. US 276 is a fun ride with S-turns and 15 mph curves with some straight stretches right across the South Carolina State Line. You pass Caesars Head State Park  and the road gets really curvey. It intersects SC 11 where I turned left again heading “generally” east. I reached the town of Cleveland SC. and stopped to decide which way to go. As I looked at the map I saw SC 11 intersected US 25 which I knew headed back north into North Carolina and the town of Hendersonville. My plan now was to go north and then get on the BRP and ride north to Craggy Gardens. Sounds good to me!

Surprise! I found a wonderful diner in Hendersonville NC called Pops Diner.

        As I rode towards Hendersonville I realized it was about lunch time so I decided to ride into Hendersonville rather than take the bypass around it. I rode right through the center of town which was filled with many neat shops, coffee shops and such. None of the food establishments attracted me so I rode  out the other side of town. Just as I was about to leave the town proper I caught sight of an interesting sign to my right. Pops Diner. I had to turn around to go back to it but it was worth the trouble. A real authentic old American diner with simple but good food. I had Pops Smashburger and I recommend it highly!

My bike in front of Pops, and my lunch. Great! The easiest way to
find it is that it is located right across from Hendersonville High School. 

        From Hendersonville I rode US 25 north into the outskirts of  Asheville where US 25 intersects the BRP. Once on it I rode south, seeing a marker that said Mount Pigah was 20 miles away. The  early part of the ride is right through Ashville which means an increase in traffic until you are leaving the town. Then it is back to typical BRP riding with little  traffic, great views, and many overlooks. I chose one and set up my chair, got out a cigar, and did some reading off of my I-Pad. Sitting there with a wonderful view in front of me, warmed by the afternoon sun, I probably snuck in a little knap. 

If you look real close you can see the top edge of my
chair sticking out in front of my windshield.

        

        I received a text from Gary with a proposal to meet at the Pisgah Inn for a cold beverage. I left, riding about 8 miles to the Inn where Gary and Curtis were waiting. Gary generously bought me a cold one and we sat in chairs overlooking the view to the south. Wonderful.

Yet another great view along the BRP.

        After our beverage we rode south about 3 miles until US 276 intersected the BRP. Then south on 276 along a very curvey road off of the mountains down to the outskirts of Brevard, where we stopped for dinner at a barbecue place. From there south on US 64 to the turn off into the neighborhood where the cabin is located. Another fun, great day on motorcycles. Tomorrow back up on the BRP and north to Craggy Gardens. 

The view from the chairs at the Pisgah Inn from a trip in 2017.