Recommended Ride

[zoom45]

I live in Terry, MS (just south of Jackson in the central part of the state). Does anyone have a recommended ride for a 3 day (maximum) trip? I have ridden in one day to Fayettville, AR, Panama City, FL, nashville, TN (by way of the Natchez Trace), and Knoxville, TN. I'm always limited on time to ride but sometimes get a Monday off so I could make a long weekend. Any ideas to make it a trip worth the time spent? ??? Usually when I get a chance to ride in the summer it gets screwed up by a hurricane. (Just works out that way).
Thanks,
Zoom45

[dogdoc]

Look out for them der Hurri'canes, they are on the rapage again I hear.

Doc

[unwind2]

What about the Blue Ridge Parkway around East TN and Chehola Skyway, also there's Maggie Valley and Cherokee NC and the Dragon all in the same area. Or you could go towards Branson MO.

Not sure may be too far for 3 days. You could run up thru Memphis to 51 north up to Kentucky to the Land Between the Lakes region.

Thought of another pretty area. Mark Twain Forest in Southern Missouri has lots of nice curvy roads. It's about 4 hours from us here in West TN at the Missour bootheel.

[zoom45]

I thought about the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have been through there in a car years ago and it looks like it would be a nice motorcycle ride. Are there any maps that mark where gas stations are located? My Nomad with 2 up only gets about 33 mpg. I hate to push it when I don't know where the next station is located.
Zoom45

[unwind2]

Gas not available as you say on the parkway. Gas availability just off parkway at any of the following:
Virginia:
US 250- MP 0
US 60-MP45.6
VA130 - MP 61.6
US 501 - mp 63.9
US 460 - mp 106
VA 24 - MP 112.2
US 220 - MP 121.2
US 220 - MP 121.4
US 58 - MP 177.7
US 52 - MP 199.4
VA 89 - MP 215.8

North Carolina:
US 21 - MP 229.7 -------- US 70 - MP 382.4
NC 18 - MP 248.1 ------- US 74A - MP 384.7
NC 16 - MP 261.2 ------- US 25 - MP 388.1
NC 321 - MP 291.9 ------- NC 191 - MP 393.6
NC 226 - MP 317.5 ------- US 276 - MP 411.9
NC 226A - MP 334 ------- US 74/23 - mp 443.1
------- US 19 - MP 455.7

The Parkway is 469 miles thru mountain meadows and vistas. The Parkway incorporates several recreation ares, some 6,000 areas. These parks within the Parkway have visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and some concessioner-operated lodges and restaurants. the speed limit on the parkway is 45 miles per hour. You do not have to be at a overlook to stop and enjoy the scenery. Unless otherwise posted parking is permitted along road shoulders. Be alert for wildlife. Motorcyclists are required to wear approved helmets. In North Carolina the headlight must be on anytime the m/c is in motion. Sudden changes in weather are common in the mountains.

The Parkway web site for more info is:
http://www.nps.gov/blri/
or you can call 828-298-0398 and I bet they will send you a brochure.

Happy Motoring. We've don the entire BRP and have gone back and done portions again. It's really pretty. One June up in the mountains we hit cool temps and some fog.....it was refreshing from the heat.

[dharris]

Da** Unwind that maam is one great answer....Have done most of the Parkway and really enjoyed it....Zoom you will like it..

[trip]

<<<Usually when I get a chance to ride in the summer it gets screwed up by a hurricane. (Just works out that way).>>>

Know the feeling, zoom45. TS Erin almost ruined my ride last weekend to Abilene. I got drenched more than I ever have. But, it was fun.

[unwind2]

dharris - thanks :)

[legend82]

That's crazy trip! I used to be stationed in Abilene, Dyess A.F.B..
Wide open flat lands and nice mesa back drops.
I would love to ride out there on my current set up. Maybe one day.

[Todd]

Let me second the Blue Ridge Parkway Recommendation....It is a great road (nice and smooth for the most part)..no commercial traffic...beautiful views. I prefer the south end if I had to choose. Go on up to Central Virginia and pick up Skyline Drive if you have time..there's an old lodge up there about half way up the drive that is run by the Parks department....Big Meadows Lodge...Constructed entirely from Chestnut before all the Chestnuts trees died up there...very rustic....cool up there all year around. Nice stop over or destination

[legend82]

I did Skyline drive and the Blue Ridge for my first trip last year. Took it from Front Royal to Asheville, what a ride! This is a must do!

[zoom45]

Thanks UNWIND! I'm going to take that trip. I had it planned a few years ago. We had ridden through the west side of Tenn and were making our way east when and a hurricane turned and came straight up through MS. I turned around to get home before it hit and there were no hotels available anywhere from that point south. We rode 16 hours that day but it was a fun ride.
Zoom45

[trip]

<<<That's crazy trip! I used to be stationed in Abilene, Dyess A.F.B..
Wide open flat lands and nice mesa back drops.
I would love to ride out there on my current set up. Maybe one day. >>>

Those nice mesa backdrops have windmills churning on them now Legend. They call it the windmill farm.