Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – NC 215 done?

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Wayne Busch

It appears the paving project on one of North Carolina’s best motorcycle rides has now made it one of the most dangerous as well. My hopes were high when a beautiful smooth layer of asphalt was applied, but afterwards it was covered over with a “tar and chip” surface. The road surface is much better, potholes and cracks are gone, but the remaining accumulation of loose gravel makes negotiating it at speed on a motorcycle a handful for even experienced riders.

Best Motorcycle Roads in North Carolina – NC 215 – Slow and careful is what it takes to navigate the new surface on this great motorcycle ride.

Last Sunday they started painting the lines on the road, using a blower to clear the surface for the white and yellow lines. While this removed a good bit of the loose gravel on the surface, plenty remains. 4 wheeled traffic clears much of it from the tire tracks, but it builds up in between in the middle of the lane. Stray out of the clean spots and there goes your traction.

Best Motorcycle Rides In North Carolina – NC 215 – Great fall color along NC 215 right now, but all your attention will be on the road.

Hope remains, as I passed through today a tractor with one of those giant roller brushes was parked near the peak of the run near the Blue Ridge Parkway ramp. A good brushing would bring the road up to snuff, let’s hope that tractor does the job.

Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – NC 215 – I was hoping the road surface would end up like this section on the south side of the Blue Ridge Parkway – so sweet!

I’ll keep you informed, as it gets cleaner with time all will be well and this outstanding ride will be back atop the list of best motorcycle roads in North Carolina.

You’ll find these roads on America Rides Maps motorcycle pocket map #6 – The Best Motorcycle Rides EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park along with another 50 or so outstanding rides in the surrounding area and a guide to the numerous roadside waterfalls.

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Wayne Busch

– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com

Learn Total Control

Wayne is an advanced motorcycle instructor for Total Rider Tech teaching Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Rider Courses. Isn’t it time you looked into advanced rider training to ride more confidently and safely? It can transform your mountain riding experience. Total Rider Tech

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Blue Ridge Parkway 2013 Detour Map for Motorcycles

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Wayne Busch

Blue Ridge Parkway 2013 Detour Map for Motorcycles

Location: North Carolina, Milepost 358, 2.6 miles south of NC 128 / Mt. Mitchell State Park.

Blue Ridge Parkway Detour 2012 - 2013 - View from Craggy Gardens Overlook

Blue Ridge Parkway Detour 2012 – 2013 – Amazingly clear skies from the Craggy Gardens Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It can still be accessed from the south. That brown stripe in the distance in I-26 more than 22 miles distant. Visibility must have been nearly 50 miles this day.

Schedule:

Road open both lanes until 9/26/12
9/26/12 – 10/01/12 – One lane closed. Temporary traffic lights for one way traffic
10/01/12 – April, 2013 6.5 miles of road closed, use detour

> Access Mt. Mitchell State Park from north (NC 80 crossover)

> Access Craggy Gardens from south (Asheville / Weaverville exits)

A short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed November 1, 2012 through April 2013 to stabilize a failing slope. I’ve been watching this spot in the road as it has subsided over the past couple years. It involves all of the north bound lane and a portion of the southbound lane, and it’s very noticeable dip when riding through.

On or about September 26, Temporary traffic lights will stagger one way traffic through the work area, expect short to moderate delays. Gates above the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and just south of NC 128 to Mt Mitchell State Park will be closed November 1 to isolate it for the construction.

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Closure 2012 – 2013 – Temporary trffic lights like this one will regulate the flow when one lane is closed this week.

The Official Blue Ridge Parkway Detour exits at NC 226 at Spruce Pine, following it south to NC 221 then west on I-40 to reconnect in Asheville at the US 70 intersection.

I suggest those motorcycle riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway continue south and exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at NC 80. NC 80 a.k.a the “Devils Whip“ plunges down from the heights through a series of switchbacks, then a nice long curvy section takes you to the junction with US 70 at a traffic light. Follow US 70 east through Old Fort and connect to I-40 West.

Blue Ridge Parkway closure 2013 map – Click on map for full sized version. Prints on a standard sheet of paper.

Print a copy free from a .pdf file here: http://smokymountainrider.com/Downloads/parkway-closure-2013.pdf

The Official Blue Ridge Parkway detour will have you connecting to the south end via US 70 east of Asheville via Exit 55 on I-40. I recommend you go to the next I-40 Exit #53 at the junction with US 74A. The connection here is much shorter, no traffic lights, and you won’t miss anything scenic on the Parkway.

You’ll find these roads on America Rides Maps motorcycle pocket map #5 – The Best Roads North and South of Asheville, NC along with another 40 or so outstanding rides in the surrounding area.

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Wayne Busch

Learn Total Control

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Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – NC 215 Update

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Wayne Busch

After hearing of several wrecks this weekend I decided I’d better make another run out to NC 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway to check the status of the road work. The photo shows the current state – a new coat of gravel.

Best Motorcycle Rides in NC - NC 215 - new gravel

Best Motorcycle Rides in NC – NC 215; This rider made the right choice for him, hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fresh gravel on NC 215 at this stage of the repaving, it will get better soon.

If you like drifting your motorcycle and power sliding through turns, it doesn’t get much better than this. A topcoat of gravel over s smooth hard base makes for ideal conditions. I had a blast!

Most riders though are going to find this the worst of conditions, and for now you’d better avoid it until the next phase of roadwork is completed. I’ll keep and eye on it and let you know when it improves.

Best Motorcycle Rides North Carolina - NC 215

Best Motorcycle Rides North Carolina – Paving on NC 215 has started from the top down. You can see one lane done here, still a way to go.

ADD – Looks like US 276 is done, nice pavement, but still no road markings. Read More about what’s going on here – http://smokymountainrider.com/?p=5031

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Wayne Busch

Learn Total Control

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Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Rider

The Best Motorcycle Rides in the Mountains

Monthly Archives: September 2012

Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – NC 215 done?

Blue Ridge Parkway 2013 Detour Map for Motorcycles

Blue Ridge Parkway 2013 Detour Map for Motorcycles

Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – NC 215 Update