First Annual Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) run Oct 2012?

IwantmyMMnow!

IwantmyMMnow!

New member
So, while I was sitting at work last night, with absolutely nothing to do (or reason to be there to begin with), I began seriously thinking about introducing a BRP run into the long list of yearly events everyone seems to plan on attending (Marauderville, Louisville, Carlisle). I had come up with an example itinerary and everything and at 2am was going to post it up...but alas, the website was down.

To help explain why this would be something great to do, I can't...there's no way to describe how beautiful the BRP is in the fall--it's one of those things that you just have to see for yourself. I'm not suggesting driving the entire length of the Parkway (almost 500 miles) or this event being several days long. Basically, a day/day and half event covering approx 50-100 miles. I will be moving to Asheville at the end of this year, so I can do plenty of researching, etc in prep for next Oct.

There are several obsticles to think about. I know this event will have a limited draw...I would guess roughly one-third of all MM.net members could feasibly attend, with a portion of that number actually going. There aren't many major cities along the BRP that can be used as 'assembly points' or 'home base'. (Asheville, Roanoke, and Lynchburg are closest cities to BRP)

The positives: The BRP is nearly 500 miles long; doing 50-100 mile segments each year will allow for venue change for at least 5 years before repeating itself. The BRP run will occur approx 6 weeks after Marauderville and can help curb 'withdrawals' most people have after such a huge event. And last, but definitely not least, it's a chance for MM owners to get together!

So, with all of that said, I would like to see how much interest there is in having such an event. I've attached an example itinerary...just something to help give everyone an idea of what can be done. Would also like some feedback on it...too many things? Not enough? Things I forgot to consider?

Just trying to see if there's interest in adding a new venue of 'places to go/things to see', and help chase away those Marauderville blues...and blacks, and silvers, and DTRs...

Would it be possible to make this thread a sticky to help gauge interest?
 

Attachments

Yes that might be something to look into the BRP is really a gem of parkway:up:

For Northeast marauders it's not far. (IHMO)
 
At the risk of sounding DTR-ish:P, and also someone saying that's what she said:D, where does it start and where does it end?
Specifically.
 
It is a destination for me and my motorcycle buds almost every year, For us flatlanders its a welcome drive . Beautiful overlooks switch-backs and roundy rounds. I can see a line of Marauders snaking thru the parkway.
 
CBT said:
At the risk of sounding DTR-ish:P, and also someone saying that's what she said:D, where does it start and where does it end?
Specifically.
Click to expand...

The north end (Mile Post 0) is near Staunton, VA, and the south end (Mile Post 468, I think) is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, about an hour west of Asheville. My example itinerary covers MP 315-380 (roughly).

When I was a kid, my family would take a trip on the BRP every summer. We always stayed at the Switzerland Inn. Back then (30+ years ago), some of the Parkway was concrete and I believe there was actually a 'gap' (no Parkway) just north of Linville Falls, until the Linn Cove viaduct was constructed. Check out link for info on the BRP and specifically the Linn Cove viaduct: http://highcountryparkway.com/high-...the-parkway-history/linn-cove-viaduct-history
 
Us Carolina guys did a run up through the mountains a few years back, including a stretch on the BRP, beautiful scenery in the fall, would love to do it again.
 
IwantmyMMnow! said:
The north end (Mile Post 0) is near Staunton, VA, and the south end (Mile Post 468, I think) is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, about an hour west of Asheville. My example itinerary covers MP 315-380 (roughly).

When I was a kid, my family would take a trip on the BRP every summer. We always stayed at the Switzerland Inn. Back then (30+ years ago), some of the Parkway was concrete and I believe there was actually a 'gap' (no Parkway) just north of Linville Falls, until the Linn Cove viaduct was constructed. Check out link for info on the BRP and specifically the Linn Cove viaduct: http://highcountryparkway.com/high-...the-parkway-history/linn-cove-viaduct-history
Click to expand...


Wow, it sounds like a great "long weekend" trip, but that is 8 hours or so from us (we are north of Baltimore). We'd need to take off an extra day or so for traveling to Asheville; we don't have much vaca time:(; BUT, if you ever do the north end--now that is about 2-1/2 hours from us--we could do that in a 3-day weekend!!!
 
IwantmyMMnow! said:
So, while I was sitting at work last night, with absolutely nothing to do (or reason to be there to begin with), I began seriously thinking about introducing a BRP run into the long list of yearly events everyone seems to plan on attending (Marauderville, Louisville, Carlisle). I had come up with an example itinerary and everything and at 2am was going to post it up...but alas, the website was down.

To help explain why this would be something great to do, I can't...there's no way to describe how beautiful the BRP is in the fall--it's one of those things that you just have to see for yourself. I'm not suggesting driving the entire length of the Parkway (almost 500 miles) or this event being several days long. Basically, a day/day and half event covering approx 50-100 miles. I will be moving to Asheville at the end of this year, so I can do plenty of researching, etc in prep for next Oct.

There are several obsticles to think about. I know this event will have a limited draw...I would guess roughly one-third of all MM.net members could feasibly attend, with a portion of that number actually going. There aren't many major cities along the BRP that can be used as 'assembly points' or 'home base'. (Asheville, Roanoke, and Lynchburg are closest cities to BRP)

The positives: The BRP is nearly 500 miles long; doing 50-100 mile segments each year will allow for venue change for at least 5 years before repeating itself. The BRP run will occur approx 6 weeks after Marauderville and can help curb 'withdrawals' most people have after such a huge event. And last, but definitely not least, it's a chance for MM owners to get together!

So, with all of that said, I would like to see how much interest there is in having such an event. I've attached an example itinerary...just something to help give everyone an idea of what can be done. Would also like some feedback on it...too many things? Not enough? Things I forgot to consider?

Just trying to see if there's interest in adding a new venue of 'places to go/things to see', and help chase away those Marauderville blues...and blacks, and silvers, and DTRs...

Would it be possible to make this thread a sticky to help gauge interest?
Click to expand...

I would be in for that as the BRP is a beautiful ride. Just don't schedule it for a weekend...ask me how I know.:eek:
 
Wow I'm from lynchburg. I use to ride along with my fam alot on the brp alot very nice. In roanoake there's star mountain where you get a nice view of roanoake
 
slickster said:
Wow I'm from lynchburg. I use to ride along with my fam alot on the brp alot very nice. In roanoake there's star mountain where you get a nice view of roanoake
Click to expand...

Yup, we stayed over night in Roanoke on the way back from MV9, and took backroads down to I-77, beautiful drive.
 
Bigdogjim said:
Ok? So tell us how you know?
Click to expand...

Rita and I were coming back from Nashville and thought we'd do some leaf peeping on the way.:) Tried to do the Cades Cove route in Tn but was bumper to bumper there:(. Next we thought we'd go to Gatlinburg but couldn't even get near it, and had to pee really bad,:P so turned around and went through the Smokey's to Cherokee and we passed at least ten miles of cars trying to get to Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge.:eek:
 
HammerDown said:
Wow, it sounds like a great "long weekend" trip, but that is 8 hours or so from us (we are north of Baltimore). We'd need to take off an extra day or so for traveling to Asheville; we don't have much vaca time:(; BUT, if you ever do the north end--now that is about 2-1/2 hours from us--we could do that in a 3-day weekend!!!
Click to expand...

Good point, which is why I think the BRP can be a succesful event with different 'areas' being selected each year. The southern end will appeal to those in TN, GA, AL, NC, SC, and maybe northern (if not all of) FL. The northern end will appeal to those near it. Like I said in my OP, it will have a limited draw, but still generate interest across the board to those east of the Mississippi River.

dakslim said:
Rita and I were coming back from Nashville and thought we'd do some leaf peeping on the way.:) Tried to do the Cades Cove route in Tn but was bumper to bumper there:(. Next we thought we'd go to Gatlinburg but couldn't even get near it, and had to pee really bad,:P so turned around and went through the Smokey's to Cherokee and we passed at least ten miles of cars trying to get to Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge.:eek:
Click to expand...

The areas you are talking about are in TN; the BRP is in NC/VA only. It was "peak peeping" season two weekends ago when I went. Yes, it was the most traffic I had ever encountered, but it was by no means bumper-to-bumper.
 
SC Cheesehead said:
Us Carolina guys did a run up through the mountains a few years back, including a stretch on the BRP, beautiful scenery in the fall, would love to do it again.
Click to expand...

Kyle--I truly think your idea is absolutely fabulous--something on the idea of what Mike has created for Louisville each year--and we have it ..

The thought of segments annually does bring into account a lot of folks from different areas----

My thoughts go to a two day event like Louisville where we do say Mile marker blank to blank--have a pre-established stay-over where we all gather for the night and discuss it and the next days trip--no rush --no worry--just us--wow--that is a terrific --I always wanted to drive the entire route someday--and doing it in segments is terrific--plus the new friends and another plus--we keep the MM interest and events going on and on---
 
Marauderman said:
Kyle--I truly think your idea is absolutely fabulous--something on the idea of what Mike has created for Louisville each year--and we have it ..

The thought of segments annually does bring into account a lot of folks from different areas----

My thoughts go to a two day event like Louisville where we do say Mile marker blank to blank--have a pre-established stay-over where we all gather for the night and discuss it and the next days trip--no rush --no worry--just us--wow--that is a terrific --I always wanted to drive the entire route someday--and doing it in segments is terrific--plus the new friends and another plus--we keep the MM interest and events going on and on---
Click to expand...

Thanks for the nice comments, Tom...you're not just saying this because I bought your MM, are you? ;)

My goal in all of this is to create something that can be fun, generates continuous interest, isn't too long of an event to avoid making people choose one over the other, and avoid at all costs it being something that is too 'busy' to enjoy. MV9 had a great pace to it...just the right amount of things going on. The convoys were challenging, but I don't think that will be a problem on the BRP, as the speed limit is 45mph (slower in some areas) and not many people on it are 'in a hurry'.

Maybe also serve as a 'stepping stone' to help people come out for other events. Shortly after I bought my MM and saw all the talk about MV9, I knew I wanted to go, but was still unsure. After meeting a good portion of the Carolina Marauders at the BOC in May, I knew that I DIDN'T want to miss it! Possibly a BRP run could serve the same purpose?

Another good thing about this is the same group of people don't have to be 'tagged' in organizing it year after year. It can rotate between regional clubs in the eastern US, and then amongst the members within each regional club.

I just see the amazing potential in trying to establish a BRP run, and the possibilities to be endless in keeping it an interesting venue year after year. Even when the skies aren't cloud-free, it's still a beautiful place. When I was stationed/living in Asheville 10-12 years ago, I went up to Mt. Mitchell on a hot summer day. Storms had started to pop by the time I got there, but it was amazing to see pieces of clouds racing up the side of the mountain, across the road, then continuing up until out of site. Also, it was 62 degrees at the summit...a nice break from the 90+ temps in town.
 
You may want to consider a jaunt on the BRP one of the days and a trip to ???? something the other. Not that driving on a road with amazing views isn't fun but for members who might travel from a great distance getting to see some of the local points of interest would be better draw. I know if I drove from NJ to Va or NC I would like to see something besides more road.:)
 
Mr. Man said:
You may want to consider a jaunt on the BRP one of the days and a trip to ???? something the other. Not that driving on a road with amazing views isn't fun but for members who might travel from a great distance getting to see some of the local points of interest would be better draw. I know if I drove from NJ to Va or NC I would like to see something besides more road.:)
Click to expand...

Exactly on point of what Kyle has in his thinking am sure--for example--get an established date --say 2 days--in that period the objective will be to go from marker x to y and in between there will be such and such to stop and visit /see/ browse, then back onto the Parkwway to the next little nich /town /secret place or whatever--the point is drift off the parkway and then back on--tihs way , we're keeping the entire useage of the parkway to a short area each year , but still using it as the rail from which to dart off and on to -----

Is that what your thinking or had in mind?
 
The BRP is full of overlooks and larger viewpoints. Stopping at the overlooks would not be feasible, as most have limited parking areas (10-15 spots or less). The larger viewpoints have more parking...Craggy Gardens has a parking area that can handle approx 40 cars and Mt. Mitchell can handle 60-70.

I would need to look over the maps again, but I'm certain 'stopping points' can be chosen within 15-20 miles of each other, thus keeping the driving time needed from point A to B to C, etc, to around 30 minutes. Also, some points have hiking trails (such as Craggy Cardens), which I realize hiking is not everyone's cup of tea, but they will provide the opportunity to 'stretch your legs'.

Since I will be living in Asheville, I will have the ability to do a lot of 'research' on the NC portion of the BRP, determining good stopping points, etc. I can also venture into the VA portion as well when I have the time.

I appreciate everyone's feedback so far...
 
Marauderman said:
Exactly on point of what Kyle has in his thinking am sure--for example--get an established date --say 2 days--in that period the objective will be to go from marker x to y and in between there will be such and such to stop and visit /see/ browse, then back onto the Parkway to the next little niche /town /secret place or whatever--the point is drift off the parkway and then back on--this way , we're keeping the entire usage of the parkway to a short area each year , but still using it as the rail from which to dart off and on to -----

Is that what your thinking or had in mind?
Click to expand...

My thought was more BRP one day and visit something(s) the second or vis-versa. I was just thinking for those who might come from far away the trip would be more than a weekend trip and I for one would like to do some vacationy type stuff, hence the side trips to whatever.

Tom I think you and I are dancing around the same idea. :)
 
Mr. Man said:
My thought was more BRP one day and visit something(s) the second or vis-versa. I was just thinking for those who might come from far away the trip would be more than a weekend trip and I for one would like to do some vacationy type stuff, hence the side trips to whatever.

Tom I think you and I are dancing around the same idea. :)
Click to expand...

Your point is even better actually--I like it --puts the whole purpose in a better perspective and focus on specifics rather than the maybe's---such the work for Kyle to do for us ---yeah - a great bunch of ideas --

Are there more thoughts from anyone else to help Kyle in his researching.....come to think about it --I will talk to preacherman this weekend at the SSHS--he lives up there/that way---
 
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