Be sure to hit the Dragon mid-week.

I've skipped Skyline Drive ever since the first time I took it back in the 90s. It's slower, more crowded, and not any more beautiful, plus they charge you... screw that.

Quote from: Kev M on January 13, 2014, 01:36:01 PM
Be sure to hit the Dragon mid-week.

I've skipped Skyline Drive ever since the first time I took it back in the 90s. It's slower, more crowded, and not any more beautiful, plus they charge you... screw that.

Cool, thanks for the advice. Right now it's looking like it would probably be a Monday when we get to the Dragon. I don't like toll roads either.

I enjoyed the BRP the first time I rode it in early September 2007, as it was dead and I was able to ride it hard and fast in two days, from skyline drive to Gatlinburg.

The second time I tried to ride it, there were lots of park rangers checking speed and it was just really, really slow. After an hour and a half I bailed and took side roads. What I found is that I actually enjoyed the various side roads that parallel the BRP more than the BRP itself.

Quote from: pitbull on January 14, 2014, 03:41:01 PM
What I found is that I actually enjoyed the various side roads that parallel the BRP more than the BRP itself.

That can be true if you have enough local knowledge..., and 151 in VA could be an example. Not quite as scenic of course, but faster and twisty if you really want to do 80 MPH.  Some of the roads OFF the parkway are like riding off a cliff BTW. 

I can't agree more with people saying to cut in W. VA on the way back. There are roads that really can't be beat.

Not much more other than hit the Dragon and love on to oter roads around the area. There is a ton of good riding in those parts.

I will second all of the advice here.
We used some of Journeyman's recommendations around Franklin while we enjoyed some of the worst
July weather NC had to offer (as mentioned the mountains got a good soaking last year).
BRP was hit or miss for us, rain / fog and 50F we had it to ourselves.
We tried a chunk when coming back north, but weekend traffic was no fun.

I expected the Dragon to be over rated, but even with all the amazing roads, that was a blast.

Keep your shit dry and have safe trip.

Great picture man!

And yeah we'll be sure to take everyone's advice and look for opportunities to explore side roads. We just want to ride and have fun doing it, not too glued to the parkway. But it's definitely a good starting point.

If anyone's bored take a look at the Google Maps view of the area I live in. You'll see A LOT of straight, flat roads. Any road out there will be better than what we have to work with.

https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&q=dixon+il&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8809a9559ff89679:0xa5fc2dff78e94501,Dixon,+IL&gl=us&ei=iKPWUr3bEqnWyQHz0IDgCA&ved=0CKABELYD