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

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. :)
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That is also my thought--drive BRP for a good bit of one day, and see some local sights the next. It's just that darn "lack of vacation time" that gets in our way:(
 
HammerDown said:
That is also my thought--drive BRP for a good bit of one day, and see some local sights the next. It's just that darn "lack of vacation time" that gets in our way:(
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You and Jack should just retire, and then you would have as much vacation as you would like.
 
An idea for a place to stop by for a BRP run.

A possible stopover destination for the BRP run could be the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley on US 19N. {Its about 5.5 miles from the parkway @ MM 455} I haven't been there, but would be interested in paying them a visit sometime.Here is their website: www.wheelsthroughtime.com
 
Hey y'all....

I know it's been a while since I've posted on this thread...I still want to make the BRP run happen. I've been very busy lately and haven't had as much time to devote to this website as I have in the past.

I still firmly believe that this is a doable event that can consistently draw 20+ MMs every year. If it takes off and becomes as popular as the Maraudervilles, Louisvilles, and Carlisles, then that's icing on the cake. My goal is getting it established, gauging the interest level, create a BLUEprint, and go from there.

The BRP can be flexible...1 day, 2 day, and even 3 day runs on the BRP are feasible, but not every year. There are also many venues within a short drive (<2 hours) of the BRP where a day can be spent as well.

I don't want interest to wane by making it too long of an event...I'm thinking 3 days max (Fri/Sat/Sun) at this point, leaning more closer to 2 days (meet Fri evening/disperse Sun). With the 'big 3' mentioned above, I realize the effort it takes for MM owners to pick and choose which ones they want to attend. Another goal is to give MM owners another venue to meet in case they are unable to attend one, two, or all of the 'big 3'. It's also one last opportunity to showcase your MM for those that "GQ" (garage queen) their MM for the winter.

I'll be moving to Asheville in approx 2 weeks; once I get settled in and the 'spring thaw' begins, I will be spending as much time as I can on the BRP to do research. In the future I will create a poll to start gauging interest. As always, I welcome any suggestions, comments, etc. from you all...especially those that have had a hand in organizing events.

Happy Holidays! :)
 
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If people are traveling any great distance Sunday is breakfast and go home day. I think if your looking to make this an "event" for the MM community and you want people to come from far away you are really looking at-arrive on Thurs and depart Sun after breakfast. That gives you Fri and Sat to do events. Thursday nite could be set up at a restaurant for those who arrive in time.:)
 
The Museum in Maggie Valley is very nice, especially if you like motorcycles, specifically Harley-Davidson. The displays are unique. The cars on display are limited tho. At least when I was there 3 years ago. I read an article about the owner of the museum, it said that he has gotten almost every bike in there in running order. He shows up from time to time and will fire them up. for what it's worth, I have been a visitor to that area since I was 12 yrs old. It is very beautiful. If you think you will find a lot of night life, you may be disappointed. It's still for the most part is a small town additude. I go there for that exact reason, to get away from the madness. Also, for the uninitiated, October is when the leaves change, the out of staters go there in droves, surprisingly, the locals crowd the roads as well and really pack the roads. My point is , the BRP will be a slow-go as well. There are certain times that the BRP is so empty that it seems to be your own private road. That's when the fun starts. JMTCW.
 
Blue Ridge Trail

The Family and I have been wanting to make this trip for a long time.I hope we are able to put it together as a group.We would love to be a part of it....bugsy
 
An idea for the northern leg of the BRP.

Among the many attractions along the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, here's another one that could be of interest. It is the Virginia Museum of Transportation in downtown Roanoke,Va. ( www.vmt.org ) A very good source of information for planning activities, accomodations, places to eat etc. is the Blue Ridge Parkway Directory & Travel Planner available at NC welcome centers, comfort areas along the Parkway or online: www.blueridgeparkway.org
 
6 months later...

This past Friday I spent about 5 hours on the Parkway; drove from my place up to the Linville Falls area, then back down to Craggy Gardens to watch the sunset. Stopped at a handful of places along the way, just doing some general 'recon', not really following a plan, and mainly made the drive to beat the heat. Was 95* when I first got on the Parkway, and the temps dropped down into the upper 70's during the stretch from Craggy Gardens to the Mt. Mitchell area, but then popped back up into the mid and upper 80's after that...it's HOT!

Needless to say, it re-kindled my interest in wanting to organize an annual BRP run...not necessarily a MM.net event, but something between a get-together and a full-blown meet. I realize it's a bit late in the game to do something substantial this year, but would like to know if there would be anyone interested in coming out this fall for a day and kind of make it a 'test' run; mainly interested in running the BRP from MP 385 to MP 330. (Asheville to Little Switzerland)

Even though that's only 55 miles, there's plenty to do/see in this stretch alone; enough to make it a full day (11-5) and get back to Asheville in time for dinner. Also want to keep it a bit short, as I'm not certain how 'busy' the Parkway will be. I'm thinking the 3rd weekend in October. It would be great to have some 'veteran' experience come along and help with suggestions, potential problems, etc. I have a rough idea of what can be planned for two years of what would most likely be a 4 or 5 year running event to cover the entire length of the Parkway (468 miles)...my rough idea for these two years, the BRP run will focus on the southern half (NC portion) of the Parkway.

At any rate, if there are members that live in close proximity to the Parkway (either NC or VA) and would like to be a part of making an annual BRP run a reality, please let me know and we can get in touch and start the brain-storming process.

To restate my goals of getting a BRP run going:

1. Not wanting to replace any of the 'Big 3' (Spring regional, Carlisle, MV) or other events; just provide another opportunity for those that may not have been able to make it to any/all of those events
2. Help us cope with the post-Marauderville 'let down'...:)
3. For some, it will be the last chance to 'showcase' your MM before you store it for the winter
4. Beautiful cars and beautiful scenery...it just makes sense!

I am open to feedback as to why a BRP run is/isn't doable....I realize having too many get-togethers on the schedule will cause people to have to pick and choose which ones they want to go to. It looks like the SSHS event is gaining momentum and I don't want to draw people away from that and I realize Marauderville will have higher precedence as well (as it should). Just want to provide another option...
 
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I'll be up for this. Let me know what can I do to help with the "brainstorming" part. I won't be able to go to MV 10, so I can make this one ( Saturday or Sunday), barring any unforseen circumstances.
 
I'm planning on taking my kids to Linville Caverns the weekend after next. Part of our trip includes staying at the Switzerland Inn, which is just off the Parkway. Was perusing their site to find rates and whatnot and stumbled across some interesting information. They LOVE having groups associated with cars! They have a Jaguar group and Porsche group that holds an annual meet there.

There was even this blurb: "Riders and sportscar drivers challenging the Diamondback Motorcycle and Sportscar Route (226A) will find the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance and the Switzerland Inn right at the crest of the route.

This hotel was one of the places I was considering as a stay-over during the BRP run...can you image our MMs in the pic below? FULL OF WIN!!!

Will find out more info when I go up there with the kids...
 

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If it was the weekend before SSHS I could be swayed...
I think by the week after the colors will be close to gone.
 
boatmangc said:
If it was the weekend before SSHS I could be swayed...
I think by the week after the colors will be close to gone.
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Below is this year's fall color 'forecast' for the BRP area near Asheville:


October 4-12: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, especially in the Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain and Rough Ridge areas.
October 10-19: Color will increase in elevations greater than 4,000 feet, including the Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam, Devil's Courthouse, Waterrock Knob and Graveyard Fields, southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will also be peak color in the Highlands area, with plenty of waterfalls to enjoy, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
October 15-24: Many of the surrounding mountains around Asheville show plenty of color, especially in the 3,000-4,000 foot elevation range. Take the Parkway north or south from Asheville. A great hike in Pisgah National Forest would be Looking Glass Rock or Cradle of Forestry. North of Asheville, head to Linville Gorge with hikes to the top of Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain.
October 20-30: The city of Asheville (2,000 feet elevation) shows the brightest colors this week, along with areas around Hendersonville and Brevard. This is the perfect week for a waterfall hike in DuPont State Forest or leisurely walk at the NC Arboretum. This is also the peak leaf color for Biltmore Estate.
October 24-November 5: The color show concludes in the Chimney Rock area (elevation of 1,300 feet). Ride to the top of Chimney Rock or take a boat tour on Lake Lure.
 
Blue ridge cruise in

Sounds like something I'd like to be part of.Always wanted to drive that highway but,never have..Count me in..
 
bugsyc said:
Sounds like something I'd like to be part of.Always wanted to drive that highway but,never have..Count me in..
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SC Cheesehead said:
As always, my work schedule will predicate my availability... :(
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Thanks for the input, fellas.

This year I just want to do a test/practice/recon run. Am thinking Saturday only to avoid making hotel reservations a necessity for those that are interested...but still an option. Probably hit the Parkway late morning til late afternoon (11-5)....that will give those that are within 2-3 hours of Asheville the opportunity to come out and get back home the same evening.

Will only be covering approx 50-60 miles, so 6 hours will be plenty of time, unless the Parkway is REALLY busy. If others are coming from farther out, then they can determine/plan what's best for them...stay Fri or Sat night, or both if they want. There will be things to do during the evenings...just wandering downtown alone is a full night...literally dozens of bars/shops/whatnot to check out.

MVX will put a strain on most peoples' budgets, so want to allow time to 'recover' to help with participation. SSHS is the first weekend in Nov, so don't want to be back-to-back with that event as most members won't be able to attend events on back-to-back weekends. Want to find a happy medium between these two events, as well as what would be a good weekend for fall colors, which is why I'm thinking Oct 20th as first choice this year.

If it turns out that only a few can make it out this way, I will be more than happy with that. If more than 7-8 can make it, then I'll have more than expected (and will be wondering if I bit off more than I can chew...:eek:).

Those that do make it out this way I want to give me feedback on everything...from the time you leave your place until you get back.

Thanks for the help....as of now, this 'test' run will take place on Oct 20th; on the BRP from 11am-5pm. Before/after BRP run activities will be determined at a later date...ideas/suggestions/comments welcome...tell me what you would like to do/see and we'll go from there...
 
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