Blue Ridge Parkway

[ezdoesit]

 Hi Everyone,
I am going to do the Blue Ridge Parkway this year (Finally)
and my question for everyone is are there maps from ACA which contain all of the Parkway and possibly the Shenandoah's?
I guess I should have said the Shenandoah's and Blue Ridge
any way thank you for your time.

[dubovsmj]

none thru ACA...though part of TransAm uses parkway.

purchase the book "bicycling the blue ridge"...it covers everything.

also, check your local bookstore for a fold out, laminated map of the parkway that might be good for keeping in jersey as backup.

[DavePM]

Try this link to maps:

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/maps.htm

[DavePM]

Here is another link:
http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=blri&parkname=Blue%20Ridge%20Parkway

[ezdoesit]

Thanks everyone for your quick help.
I have another question?
I will rent a SUV from here in New Jersey from Hertz and drive to their drop off point in Winchester,VA it then says 13.1 miles to Front Royal on 522.
My question is this is it safe to ride down 522 into Front Royal or should I look for a shuttle/cab service or another route to Front Royal?
I want to start my ride on Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah's 
As usual thank you for your time.

[dubovsmj]

1.  go to google maps and use the yellow person, hover it over the road you want and then a picture of the road will come up....at least it'll give you some idea of shoulder/etc.

2.  if 522 looks bad rt 11 can sometimes be decent

3.  be careful on small section of 340 to get you to north entrance to snp.

[furiousapathy]

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.

[ezdoesit]

furiousapathy - thank you for your reply and this gives me another idea.
I could book a room in Front Royal drive there drop off the bike then drive back to drop off the car and get a cab.
Or maybe find a cab that has an SUV so I could drop off the car then ride into Front Royal.
Well just thinking out loud.
Any other idea's just keep them coming.

[grog8797]

You might ask the car rental place if they can pick the vehicle up at your destination, or provide a driver to drop you off.

[ezdoesit]

You might ask the car rental place if they can pick the vehicle up at your destimation, or provide a driver to drop you off.

good idea and thanks.