I made my first motorcycle ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway today way earlier than expected. I found the gates open in Blowing Rock and I turned south to enjoy what winter had to show. A few deep snowdrifts still lingered along the road in shady spots, but most of the rest had melted. It was good to be back on the nations most popular motorcycle ride. I can’t wait for the southern section to open.
Stopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain. The Lynn Cove Viaduct is just above my bike. Beautiful day even with the high winds.
I enjoyed some great views of Grandfather Mountain and the Lynn Cove Viaduct. It was lined with snow and very pretty. The Blue Ridge Parkway is wonderfully free of the gravel and salt that covers nearly every other road in the Smoky Mountains right now, though there were a few spots with some sand on them. There was a high wind advisory in effect today and it was howling up on the ride, but I enjoyed it all the same. No trees had come down (yet), though there were some branches to dodge. Keep your eyes out for rocks in the road with the thaw, and crews are out working on projects.
The Lynn Cove Viaduct. It's the newest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the last piece completed in 1983. It was cutting edge for the time.
My fun was too short as I hit the first road closure south of Grandfather Mountain. I ducked around it with one of my fun little shortcuts, but had to leave Blue Ridge Parkway in Linville. I couldn’t resist making up run up the Diamondback on the way home. It was in pristine shape and I was on the edge of my tires until the last few switchbacks near the top of the mountain. Here I ran into the sand and salt again and wiggled my way to the top as quickly as it would allow. Unfortunately the parkway was closed here at both exits. I’m still thankful for what I got!
It's no wonder this area is so well known. There is a great view of the Viaduct from below on US 221 and it's an outstanding motorcycle ride from Grandfather Mountain to Blowing Rock as is the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Tomorrow, a short video of the ride up the Diamondback.
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- Wayne Busch – Cartographer
this is awesome, I wish is were there, this is my second home (Newland/Avery County), I was there this time last year hiking the viduct because the parkway was closed………thanks so much for posting………
So when my five-year-old daughter proposed a long weekend stay with her grandmother I said to myself Do you need a Coke sign to fall on your head to realize this is the real thing? .The thought crossed my mind that a trip up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway would be a nice way to start the summer. There would be no rush no one else to worry about annoying with frequent stops and a chance to finally get off the bike and do a little exploring along the way. So with my wifes blessing I was heading out the driveway a few days after my daughters great idea.