| BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY | Rate Topic |
| Moderated by: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page: 1 2   |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 08:00 am | 1st Post |
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it seems like these two words go together like peanut butter and jelly. if someone owns a goldwing, he or she has ridden the blue ridge parkway. after i bought my 93 wing, my wife and i just had to go to the brp, and ride it from skyline drive down to cherokee north carolina. i got out all the maps, and sent via snail mail, 1993, for all the info i could get, and sat down at the dinner table, in order to pick out all the hotels, and motels, and bed and breakfasts, on the entire route. we stayed at 14 different places( i say places because most of them werent hotels). a few memories: banks of otter, meadows of dan,(i love that one!,) hill top inn, (remember this was 16 years ago), and im not looking at any memrobilia, tunnels, many tunnels, and some of the most beautiful scenery that any person could hope to see in a lifetime! and i remember fog, my god fog , like we have never seen before, waking up to leave and everything on the bike looking like it had just poured down the rain. we would have to take a towel from the bathroom of the place outside and wipe down the wing before we could see through the windshield. oh and did i mention that this was in august? the first two weeks to be exact. and i remember my wife on the back of the wing, video camera in hand, most of the whole trip, unless it was raining, videoing everything that happened, every turn, every swooper, every deer, and a whole lot of her blue jeans when she thought she hit stop and didnt. i remember looking for what we thought was a hotel, but turned out to be a bed and breakfast, going up these roads and back down the same roads that werent fit for a TANK, looking and looking, and finally finding it and being very surprised at it being a b and b. see the fun we had before gps?  this is what we felt like right here. but we endured, and ill tell ya what, i wouldnt trade those memories for all the money in the world. ( well lemme rephrase that), all the tea in china.... whatever that means. so how bout it wingnutts, lets hear your story/storys, bout the blueridge parkway. was it everything you thought it would be or was it a bust for you? did you enjoy the putt, or was it a pain in your a**? inquiring minds want to know!  rick 
____________________ ALWAYS LET YOUR BACK DOOR MAN KNOW WHEN YOUR FRONT DOOR MAN IS COMMING HOME. RICKS WISDOM: GRAB LIFE BY THE THROTTLE AND DONT LOOK BACK. |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 09:02 am | 2nd Post |
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wingtrick..... sometimes I could hate you!!!!!  I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway last September with Helen the Viking. Yes, please note the word drove. We were in a flippin' cage and what did we see all along the route? Motorcycles that's what!!!!! Darned Goldwings everywhere, blasted crotch rockets and to compound my frustration and to rub salt into the wound, we were accompanied for many a mile, by a guy on a scooter, something like a Suzuki Burgmann and he was having a wonderful time, and seemed to stop at just about every look out that we chose to stop at. So pleeeese everyone, no more mention of the Blue Ridge Parkway and how wonderful it is to ride on a Wing, or I shall have to send the boys round to rip your arms off and beat you with the soggy ends!!!!!!!  I dream of coming back and riding that road on a Wing!!!!  
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 09:27 am | 3rd Post |
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I have not ridden the BRP on a Goldwing, but I have on a BMW R75/5, 1972 Model. It was a wonderful ride!! Silverfox, it is okay in a cage, but much better on any bike!!! Now I need to go do it on a Goldwing...........
____________________ John C My Rides; 1979 Goldwing, 1996 Dodge Cummins 400K miles Plus, 2005 Toyota Prius. Previous Rides, lots of Hondas, 1972 BMW R75/5, SSBN Submarine. Iron Butt Association #27222 HAM RADIO KB0OU |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 09:56 am | 4th Post |
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kb0ou wrote: Silverfox, it is okay in a cage, but much better on any bike!!! Thank you for reminding me kb0ou.... you are off my Christmas card list!!!!  
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 10:24 am | 5th Post |
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I ride parts of it quite often as I can be on it within fifty miles of my home. I love it.
____________________ If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you're lucky enough. Charlie |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 10:35 am | 6th Post |
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LUV2WING wrote: I ride parts of it quite often as I can be on it within fifty miles of my home. I love it. I now look like that puppy in your Avatar!!!! 
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 11:00 am | 7th Post |
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Red and I rode it in 1997 on our 81' 1100...... and, Silverfox, the previous posters are right, it's much better on a bike! One of the great attractions to us was just off the BRP, Lexington, Va., a place shot through with history (Lee's Tomb, Stonewall's Grave, Virginia Military Institute). Silverfox and "the aulde country types" might not be impressed, but we had a great meal in a building that was built in 1827, quite a treat for us hick westerners! The only drawback to the BRP is the 45 mph speed limit, absolutely painful for a rider with the flair and reflexes and skills like I have!
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 11:23 am | 8th Post |
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Red and I rode it in 1997 on our 81' 1100...... and, Silverfox, the previous posters are right, it's much better on a bike!
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 11:37 am | 9th Post |
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I try to ride the BRP at least once a year. Usually tow or three times. I never tire fo the majesty of God's creation; and it is in my back door! Bernie
____________________ Work for tomorrow, live for today. Live life like you mean it! GWRRA, Tenn. Chapter T Patriot Guard Rider Member Vietnam Veteran 68/69 MSF Instructor |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 12:45 pm | 10th Post |
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I've managed to ride the parkway a few times. It is my favorite ... the slow pace, good road surface ... great scenery ... OH SORRY! I got carried away... I have never experience fog like on Blue Ridge Parkway. It was so thick, I couldn't see the overlooks. We rode in it for a couple of hours before finding our way to an exit. It felt like being released from some sort of dungeon as we came down below the clouds. So now, I ALWAYS check to weather forecast before leaving. Bob
____________________ Retired and Riding the Ozarks 2008 GL1800 Darkside #623 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus 205/55/16 - 36 psi IBA #42128 |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 12:48 pm | 11th Post |
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If I start writing about the BPR it'd turn into a novel.
____________________ Michael Too much chrome to polish, too little time!! Have trailer, will travel!! Not all Wingers are old Wingers. PGR member. Riding in memory of my father, Clyde D. Ward, USN. WWII Myself, USN, Vietnam Vet. 68-72, 74-76 VF-194 aboard the USS. Oriskany USS Saratoga, ships company |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 01:03 pm | 12th Post |
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2wings has put together a ride up there each summer for the couple of years. From what I have read it has been a great time with many Wings. I have ridden good parts of it but never the whole thing. Someday I will do it from top to bottom.
____________________ Whiskerfish 1978/9 Dressed daily rider 33k miles 1978 Dressed w/160k plus miles (RIP) 1975 Nekid project, almost ready 23,000 miles 1975 Nekid 22k miles running, Currently use as engine test stand |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 01:14 pm | 13th Post |
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For me I have ridden it from south to north through and onto the skyline drive twice and from the skyline drive to part way on the BRP in 2007 where my frind and I met up with Roscoe for the first time and last year going to Calhoun with Johnboy aptley named "the Deer Slayer" . My first encounter with a bear fortunately for me he was peeking out of a ditch by the side of the road, I dont know how big he or she was, I didnt hang around long enough to find out, I was riding tail gunner with Johnboy to make sure he wasnt attacked from behind by another deer Beautiful isnt the word to give it justice... perfect might be better.
____________________ While any advice given may concern earlier or later models it specifically pertains to the 1985 Aspencade. Click here for another place for 1200's to gather! |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 01:15 pm | 14th Post |
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The last ride of the year 2008 for us was to ride from Fancy Gap VA to Boone NC on the parkway. It was my wife's first time on it. We both loved it. I have rode it many many times over the years and truly love it. My favorite time to ride it is in the spring when the Rhododendron's are in full bloom if you haven't rode it at that time you dont know what you are missing. We live about 80 miles from Fancy Gap so we can ride it about anytime. I have ridden North a couple of times from FG but I think the southern route is prettier.
____________________ 99 Goldwing SE 95 Interstate 85 Interstate 20000 sold 82 Aspencade 45000 sold 78 Kaw chips bike 20000 sold 750 Honda 12000 sold 69 BSA Lighting dont remember traded Ride safe and always keep the shiny side up. Roy |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 01:41 pm | 15th Post |
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There was no mist or cloud when we drove along it!!!! 
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:13 pm | 16th Post |
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Cousin Jack wrote:
Linvale Falls
Dusty
____________________ Ken - 1992 GL1500 Aspencade. Find your Path and share the Journey! "It's never too early to plan and never too late to go!" - Dusty Boots Hmm ..... wonder where that stretch of blacktop leads to ...... What has Dusty been up to |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 03:43 pm | 17th Post |
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That highest elevation point where you are posing with the Wing is one of the points that we stopped at with the scooter rider close behind. If I remember rightly Mirror Rock wasn't too much further on, if I have remembered its name correctly. We also stopped at another pretty high altitude spot where there was a small shop and we bought the obligatory sticker saying we had driven the BRP, although I would have prefered to have been bying the one that said "I RODE the BRP"
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 06:42 pm | 18th Post |
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Rode the Skyline/BRP for the first time in September of '81 with my wife hugging me all the way. It was our second summer of married life. She's grown out of the need for hugging on a bike. Still get one at home the odd time . I was loving the scenery, curves, lack of traffic/trucks and having a hoot. On the second day in the morning my wife suddenly gave me a shot in the ribs and told me to stop. NOW! I did the emergency stop and she jumped off and ran into the bush and hurled her guts... you get the picture. We had been spending nights at HoJo's because if there's one thing the wife can't resist it's ice cream. The little thing (120 lbs) will outeat anyone when it comes to ice cream. At 200+ lbs I can only sit and marvel at the ice cream she is able to wolf down. Anyway, we had been staying at HoJo's and she was determined to sample every flavor they offered (I think it was 18?) at least once. That evening we stopped at HoJo's and she was feeling better, and famished, so she ordered the bowl of ice cream that had one of each flavor. And she finished the whole thing! Took her 1/2 an hour but she did it. Except for a couple spoonfuls of the Coffee flavor. We went for a walk and came across a telephone booth (no cell phones in those days) so we called home to Canada to let the family know we were doing alright. When her mother asked how the day had gone she related the fact that she hadn't been feeling well earlier in the day but had been craving ice cream by the time the evening rolled around. It turned out that the queasy stomach was probably a result of an exuberant driver blasting thru twisties and giving her a bout of motion sickness but that wasn't the story we heard when we got home. Mother-in-law had spread the word that the wife was having morning sickness and craving ice cream! I was doing a pastoral internship at the time and it seemed the whole congregation heard the story before our return. It was amazing how many congratulations we received our first Sunday back! Almost embarrassed that it wasn't true. We've been back to the BRP three times since then and each time we call home the first words out of our mouths is always, "No morning sickness!" Telephone..... Tell-a-mother-in-law.....Told the world Last edited on Tue Mar 17th, 2009 07:05 pm by wpgfire ____________________ Lawrence '97 1500SE '87 Aspencade '86 Interstate '83 Interstate '81 Silverwing '86 Venture Royale '84 450 Nighthawk '78 Wing '75 500T '74 CB350 |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 06:47 pm | 19th Post |
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Silverfox wrote: That highest elevation point where you are posing with the Wing is one of the points that we stopped at with the scooter rider close behind. If I remember rightly Mirror Rock wasn't too much further on, if I have remembered its name correctly. Pete, ..... I can't remember it's name(Dome Rock??) but this was just minutes up the road .....  I loved this sign at the Visitors Centre at Linville Falls, warning riders about the hazards of decreasing radius turns on the BRP.  Dusty
____________________ Ken - 1992 GL1500 Aspencade. Find your Path and share the Journey! "It's never too early to plan and never too late to go!" - Dusty Boots Hmm ..... wonder where that stretch of blacktop leads to ...... What has Dusty been up to |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17th, 2009 07:00 pm | 20th Post |
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Nice one Kaz, made me chuckle!!!
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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