Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Blue Ridge Parkway

« on: January 22, 2010, 07:23:36 pm »

ezdoesit - I had the same question as you when I did my trip.  I ended up leaving my bike and gear at a friend's store in downtown Front Royal (Helen's Antiques/Weasel Creek Outfitters) and then catching a cab back to FR after dropping off the car.  I don't think the fare was all that much - maybe $20. 

We came back in 522/340 and I think the ride would be ok - the road was in good condition, easy rolling hills and there is a bit of shoulder.  The only thing is that the cars seem to drive pretty fast - the speed limit was 55 I think but they were going a bit faster than that. 

For me it was worth the money especially since the first 6 miles or so of SD are brutal and needed the extra time to get to Big Meadows (and could pick up some last minute supplies at their camping store).  I'd be interested to hear other thoughts - especially on Route 11.

2

Routes / Re: Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway

« on: November 30, 2009, 09:14:25 pm »

For Furiousapathy: You say the weather was beautiful. Did you get any rain? How about headwind? I'll be calling some of the prospective sites before leaving home to ensure they are still operating and open.
Any other advise is welcome.

Miguel

I did not get any rain fortunately.  Now that you mention it there were strong winds.  When I started from Front Royal the Ranger made a comment about having "tailwinds" - apparently her definition is a little different than mine.  The wind came from all directions on Skyline Drive but only when there was an overlook.  For a good portion the trees provide a nice canopy shielding from the wind.  On the parkway I didn't find the wind all that bad.  The only other advice I can think off is to just enjoy - IMO it's one the most beautiful places one could be!

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Routes / Re: Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway

« on: November 25, 2009, 12:53:39 am »

Hi Miguel!  I'll weigh in on this since I just finished a short tour of Skyline Drive and part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

First, I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help on the logistics end.  For my abbreviated route, I ended up just renting a car to Front Royal and renting a Uhaul back (I live in Charlotte).  When I had originally planned to do the entire thing North to South, I could not find a way to get from Cherokee to Front Royal without enlisting the help of someone willing to drive me to Front Royal.  At the end of the day I concluded that I would rent a car rather than try to convince my friends to drive 15+ hours round trip.  The nearest rental agency to the start is in Waynesville (Penske).  To get there from Cherokee you could take the Parkway (which would be a huge uphill climb even before you get to one at the start in Front Royal) and then exit at US 74 which I *think* would be mostly downhill into Waynesville.  I believe there is a Penske in Front Royal as well.  Sorry I'm not more help with this piece....

As far as parking goes...I thought of asking several of the local campgrounds if they would let me park there since I would stay a couple of nights before and after the trip.  Harrah's Casino is also there and they may be an option (last time I was there they had a huge free flat lot...not sure if anyone would notice...).

Now for a few things I learned on my short trip.  I severely overestimated my daily mileage.  Having lived in the mountains of North Carolina and having biked and competed in triathlons there for several years I thought I could handle anything the mountains threw my way.  Front Royal taught me a lesson over 10 miles and 2.5 hours of climbing. (And yes, I realize it was completely stupid to not just do a loaded trial run for a day climbing out of Asheville, hindsight is...).   Coming from Florida I would imagine this is probably going to be your biggest unknown as well.  I don't know what your touring background is but there are several very big hills on the parkway and Skyline drive.

I think as far as daylight goes, you should be alright in May.  I did mine trip in October and there really wasn't enough daylight to go the distances I was going and still have time to enjoy the sites, the campsite, relax, etc.  We had about 11 hours of daylight whereas I think you'll have about 14. 

Second thing I learned was that because I had overestimated my daily mileage that I would have to venture off the parkway to get to camping facilities due to the distance between the NPS facilities. Because I was trying to alter my plans on the fly without cell service I ended up venturing off the parkway trying to find a campsite that ended up being closed.  (I just couldn't do the stealth camping thing although I met a guy at the local camping shop who had no problem with it).  In retrospect I would have like to have planned some alternative lodging and called to ensure they were still open.  (Maybe I'll wait till the Skinner guide comes out with a post-Recession edition).

Third thing I learned was to be flexible with my schedule.  I had fixed end date and I think that created some stress. 

I also learned I packed too much food.  Skyline Drive has a couple of places you can pick up camping meals.  The parkway is a little less stocked.  There is a town called Fancy Gap in VA where there is a post office less than a mile off the parkway where you could drop some food like you would if you were hiking the AT.

I will say this - Skyline Drive was beautiful.  The weather was perfect.  Saw tons of wildlife - bears, deer, raptors.  The character is much different than the Parkway which is where I rode most of the time while living in the mountains.  I loved being by myself and being about stop and look out over the valleys and see for miles - I've always found a sense of peace in that.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about things and I'll see if I can help.

4

Gear Talk / BRP Bike Help

« on: October 02, 2008, 10:38:15 pm »

Thanks for all the great feedback.  After reading the comments I spoke with several bike shops regarding the gearing since it sounded like that would be my deciding factor.  I used some online tools to estimate the inches I would need to handle the 5-10% grade hills and came to the conclusion that it wasn't responsible to attempt the trip with my bike given the limited changes I could make to the gearing and time frame I had.  

I would basically have to sink ~$400 into cranks, bottom bracket, mountain dérailleur, and cogset to get close to the inches I'd need and even then I wasn't sure it was enough and I wouldn't have enough time to tweak and tune once I would had that work completed.

The BOB trailer was a great idea, Russell.  I'll have to keep that in mind next year.  I wasn't worried about  bike comfort - as Whittie pointed out Lance road the bike in the TdF and I rode it last year on Cycle the Gorge - it's a great bike!

Anyway, I'm sure I'll enjoy the trip more next year given I've got 12 months to properly plan!!

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Gear Talk / BRP Bike Help

« on: September 23, 2008, 07:41:49 pm »

Hi -

I need some help with an upcoming trip.  I'm doing a self-supported tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway in a few weeks and had intended on buying a new bike.  However work got the best of me and now I'm thinking I probably should just alter my current road bike for the trip.  

I have an older Trek 5200 and I think there are four things that concern me:  

1) Rolf Vector Comp rims
2) 53/39 in front and 11-25 in back
3) fork with no practical way of attaching a rack
4) 7 year old carbon fiber.  

There are other issues but I think I'm less concerned with those (i.e. fenders).  I don't really want to cancel the trip but I'm running out of time.  

Any thoughts to keep the dream alive?

Thanks!
Kevin