.... where would you go? Here's why I ask: I have a.... ahem... significant birthday coming up early next year (May) and I'm thinking of grabbing my Dad (who I ride with a lot) and taking a week-long motorcycle journey to celebrate. I know a week isn't a long time in the scheme of things, but with a crazy job and 2 small kids, that's going to be about the extent of it. Only requirements are that I can start at my front door (outside of Atlanta) and that it allows for time to stop and "smell the roses" as it were....

Blue Ridge Parkway

Absolutely the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding areas, especially if you’ve never been. I went year before last and will go back again next year if time permits. Also, in my opinion, the prettiest sections and best ridding is the southern part within North Carolina. And if you have the time the southern terminus is close enough to hit the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.

If you plan on the Blue Ride Parkway in May, you'll definately want to check for closures. If this winter is anything like last winter, there may still be sections littered with trees and rocks until May and beyond.

I've spent a lot of time in the "Dragon" area, so I'd like to see something different. But, a larger portion of the BRP might be nice!

Maybe you could blast down I-85 to the SC border and pick up Hwy 11 to North on 130* which becomes 281* at the NC State Line, Take a right onto Charlie's Creek / Camp Pinhook Road* to North on 215* to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On the way you can see some waterfalls and numerous great overlooks on the way. If you leave early enough, you should be able to catch a late lunch / early supper at the Pisgah Inn near Asheville. Head down the Parkway to Hwy 151* and find your way to Asheville for the night with the highest brewer per capita number of any city in the USA.



* = Delightfully twisty.

Oooohhh. Asheville would be nice!

You could spend a few days in Asheville and do "spur" rides each day:

Hot Springs, Mt. Mitchell and environs, Lake Lure and environs.

This way you can spend your days riding with no luggage instead of travelling with full cases and spending otherwise rideable hours packing, checking out, checking in and unpacking, etc.

I could give you a bunch of entertaining routes in the area. Of course. payment for this service can be made in "pints" next May at the Wedge Brewery or Asheville Pizza and Brew or Jack of the Wood or even Barley's.

You could buy yourself a DeLorme Gazetteer for NC and just pick out the squiggliest route. The only downside is the gazetteer isn't real good at indicating where the paved roads become unpaved.


Cheers,

Norm

Haha - gladly!

I definitely would recommend taking StrominNromans advice. You could easily spend a week riding the mountains of Western North Carolina and SE Tennessee. Absolutely the best riding I have ever experienced.