Turd on the Run

[Houtman_imp]

Nearly all the roads in WNC are great !

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Great, thank you for the suggestions all.

Now, camping. Is it a first come first serve basis in the most of the parks there?

[The A-man]

I'm located near Little Switzerland (between Marion and Morganton), and so I frequent the BRP, as well as the roads up and down the mountain to get there. Stichill is right on, 226A is a great twisty road. (nicknamed "The Diamondback"; shirts available!) Combine it with HWY 80, and you have a great up/down loop around Little Switzerland. 221 from Linville to Blowing Rock parallels the BRP, actually below and in front of Grandfather Mtn and the Linn Cove Aqueduct on the BRP, and has lots of twisties. All three of these roads are what I would describe as 35 +/- mph due to the challenging curves. For a little faster adventure going up/down the mountain, 181 from Morganton to Linville is a nice ride without too too much traffic. 321 from Lenoir to Blowing rock is more of a 4-lane, 55 mph climb with lots of curves. Bottom line is while I really like riding the BRP, the secondary roads here are a great option if you think the Parkway is bogged down with 30 mph sightseeing cars. Honestly though, I don't see traffic on the BRP to be a real problem until the high point of leaf-watching season in the Fall. Today was very pleasant, aside from a bit of construction slow-down.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

I'm located near Little Switzerland (between Marion and Morganton), and so I frequent the BRP, as well as the roads up and down the mountain to get there. Stichill is right on, 226A is a great twisty road. (nicknamed "The Diamondback"; shirts available!) Combine it with HWY 80, and you have a great up/down loop around Little Switzerland. 221 from Linville to Blowing Rock parallels the BRP, actually below and in front of Grandfather Mtn and the Linn Cove Aqueduct on the BRP, and has lots of twisties. All three of these roads are what I would describe as 35 +/- mph due to the challenging curves. For a little faster adventure going up/down the mountain, 181 from Morganton to Linville is a nice ride without too too much traffic. 321 from Lenoir to Blowing rock is more of a 4-lane, 55 mph climb with lots of curves. Bottom line is while I really like riding the BRP, the secondary roads here are a great option if you think the Parkway is bogged down with 30 mph sightseeing cars. Honestly though, I don't see traffic on the BRP to be a real problem until the high point of leaf-watching season in the Fall. Today was very pleasant, aside from a bit of construction slow-down.

This is what I’m talkin about. Thanks so much man.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Put my notice in at work yesterday......it's getting real y'all.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

There is a campground near Spruce Pine right off the BRP named Bear Den. There are no signs allowed on BRP so you will have to google it (I forget the mile marker). They have primitive and camping cabins there. Nice place, I go at least yearly.

Hwy 221 from Linville to Blowing Rock cannot be missed. Low traffic, decent shape, and TWISTY. It's pretty much the reason I make the yearly trip. Linville Falls Winery is very good for NC wine too.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Unfortunately I am back already. I made a little RR here:

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14454

Thanks for the recommendations.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Great read and pics!!!!

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Been chatting with a myriad of folks about the trip, of course everyone has a suggestion for a destination that I absolutely must visit. Glacier National Park has been mentioned the most. I originally had not planned on making it that far north, but now it sounds like I better. I have a contact in Missoula and also one in northern Idaho so it would definitely be doable. What do y'all think?

[Bazbro_imp]

Unfortunately I am back already. I made a little RR here:

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14454

Thanks for the recommendations.

Fantastic read! Finish it later, over coffee