Blue Ridge British Bike Rally
- Thread starter VABird
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Lovely picture 
Must have ridden past it 4 times but never stopped in. For those of you who never done the Appalachian Trail, just do it ! Takes. 2 days from Front Royal Virginia to Tennessee, twisty, well paved little traffic, probably the best riding in the east. But... the speed limit is low $$$. Any one going to Bennington Bash June 2 / 4 this year. Brooke
brooke, that sounds interesting, may try that ride this fall, where can i get some info?
Wow that looks like a stunning place for a rally or just for a holiday.
VABird
Well-Known Member
I will publish more as soon as I can firm up hotel commitments. There are not very many very close, but they did offer a discount for last years BRBBR, so no reason they shouldn't again. The one in the pic is the Peaks of Otter Lodge, and is pretty expensive, but a gorgeous setting.
Another couple in town (Bedford VA) are a Super 8 & Days Inn.
We did a couple GREAT rides last year. There'll be a couple different ones this year.
Bob
Another couple in town (Bedford VA) are a Super 8 & Days Inn.
We did a couple GREAT rides last year. There'll be a couple different ones this year.
Bob
Dave Just search motorcycle Appalachian Trail . It will take you a year to read it all. A good half way stop is Fancy Gap VA. The Mountain Top Motel is well , basic clean and run by a character, home style restaurant across the street serves every thing from cat fish to seal flippers but you will be in a breakfast line up if you sleep in , and it's got lots of seating . It's only a few hundred yards off the trail, there is a good gas stop and its not down town at all but its not far from Andy Griffiths Mayberry Museum. Get there early or the parking lot will be full of Harley's. Brooke PS then head to the Tail of the Dragon .Don't forget your camera.
Bill Kline
Member
I got it on my calandar.
Bill Kline
Member
I got it on my calandar. I have done the Parkway easily 10 times over the last 45 years. We would usually do all of it and lots of times the Skyline drive too. You can do it in a couple of days... but take your time and stop a lot... look at all the cool sites, etc.
It is the best ride anywhere in the SE USA. For sure. You cant ride fast; so if you are looking for that then this is not for you.
It is the best ride anywhere in the SE USA. For sure. You cant ride fast; so if you are looking for that then this is not for you.
There is a rally that we always used to attend and it is around about a 4 hour ride from us, we would normally do it in around 8 to 9 hours stopping off whenever we felt like taking ion the sites. For us the best part of this rally was the ride to and from it. Some people would race and see how fast they could get their but they really did miss out on some of the best parts of the weekend away.
VABird
Well-Known Member
OK. Here's the latest for Blue Ridge British Bike Rally 2 {BRBBR}. Friday-Sept 22 & Sat Sept 23, 2017. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center (BRP & Rte 43). Kickstands up both days @ 10:00. Rides of about 200 miles through the mountains & valleys planned each day. Centered near Bedford VA.
Here's from the hotels that are onboard. All rooms are plus taxes (about 11%)
Peaks of Otter Lodge {POOL} @ Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway {BRP}; is 1/4 mile from the visitor center where we will gather. Rooms are renovated. No phones in rooms. Don't expect cell phone coverage, but you might get lucky. Ask about internet availability if you can't turn off for the weekend.
Thurs. 9/21 = $123.03 for king or two double beds. Fri. & Sat. 9/22-23 = $170 per night for king or two double beds. Sun. 9/24 = $123.03 for king or two double beds (there is no planned ride Sunday. This is just if you want to stay in the area longer.) ALL Rooms & public areas are SMOKE FREE. Share a room.
1 night deposit. cancel more than 3 days away = $15 fee. Cancel under 3 days = loss of deposit. Rooms open to public after 8/21/17. Recommend reserving early.
Reserve @ Link Use discount code "5AE9BL" or "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" or call 800-542-5927.
Restaurant on premises. Sandwich & ice cream shop under renovation nearby. Should be open by BRBBR.
Super 8- Bedford VA 842 Sword Beach Lane, Bedford VA. (540)-707-2062. About 12 miles from Peaks of Otter visitor center on BRP where we will gather .
Thurs. 9/21 - Sun. 9/24 = One King bed = $69.99/night. Two Queens = $79.99/night. 20 rooms reserved. Rooms open to public after 8/21/17. Recommend reserving early. (there is no planned ride Sunday. This is just if you want to stay in the area longer.) Breakfast is included. It is unknown if you can get the rate online, so call for reservation. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Share a room.
Days Inn Bedford VA 921 Blue Ridge Ave (U.S. 460) (540) 586-8286. About 12 miles from Peaks of Otter visitor center on BRP where we will gather.
Thurs. 9/21 - Sat. 9/23 = $54.95/night. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Cancel by 4:00 PM day before or forfeit deposit. One King/queen or two double beds available. Smoking/non smoking. It is unknown if you can get the rate online, so call for reservation. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Share a room.
Bedford VA B&B's available also Link
National D-Day Memorial is only a couple miles from Days Inn & Super 8.
Variety of good chain and independent restaurants in Bedford.
Camping available near Peaks of Otter visitor center.
This is some of the best riding east of the Mississippi River; curvy, hilly roads, mostly smooth. Don't miss it!!
Here's from the hotels that are onboard. All rooms are plus taxes (about 11%)
Peaks of Otter Lodge {POOL} @ Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway {BRP}; is 1/4 mile from the visitor center where we will gather. Rooms are renovated. No phones in rooms. Don't expect cell phone coverage, but you might get lucky. Ask about internet availability if you can't turn off for the weekend.
Thurs. 9/21 = $123.03 for king or two double beds. Fri. & Sat. 9/22-23 = $170 per night for king or two double beds. Sun. 9/24 = $123.03 for king or two double beds (there is no planned ride Sunday. This is just if you want to stay in the area longer.) ALL Rooms & public areas are SMOKE FREE. Share a room.
1 night deposit. cancel more than 3 days away = $15 fee. Cancel under 3 days = loss of deposit. Rooms open to public after 8/21/17. Recommend reserving early.
Reserve @ Link Use discount code "5AE9BL" or "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" or call 800-542-5927.
Restaurant on premises. Sandwich & ice cream shop under renovation nearby. Should be open by BRBBR.
Super 8- Bedford VA 842 Sword Beach Lane, Bedford VA. (540)-707-2062. About 12 miles from Peaks of Otter visitor center on BRP where we will gather .
Thurs. 9/21 - Sun. 9/24 = One King bed = $69.99/night. Two Queens = $79.99/night. 20 rooms reserved. Rooms open to public after 8/21/17. Recommend reserving early. (there is no planned ride Sunday. This is just if you want to stay in the area longer.) Breakfast is included. It is unknown if you can get the rate online, so call for reservation. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Share a room.
Days Inn Bedford VA 921 Blue Ridge Ave (U.S. 460) (540) 586-8286. About 12 miles from Peaks of Otter visitor center on BRP where we will gather.
Thurs. 9/21 - Sat. 9/23 = $54.95/night. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Cancel by 4:00 PM day before or forfeit deposit. One King/queen or two double beds available. Smoking/non smoking. It is unknown if you can get the rate online, so call for reservation. Use "Blue Ridge British Bike Rally" for discount. Share a room.
Bedford VA B&B's available also Link
National D-Day Memorial is only a couple miles from Days Inn & Super 8.
Variety of good chain and independent restaurants in Bedford.
Camping available near Peaks of Otter visitor center.
This is some of the best riding east of the Mississippi River; curvy, hilly roads, mostly smooth. Don't miss it!!
VABird
Well-Known Member
Since hotels have indicated sharing rooms is ok, some have asked me if there are any that wish to do so.
I don't know who is coming or where, so if you wish to share a room, indicate if you have one to share, or desire one.
Which hotel (cost wise) may be helpful too, smoking/non.... etc.
You can settle by PMs.
Bob
I don't know who is coming or where, so if you wish to share a room, indicate if you have one to share, or desire one.
Which hotel (cost wise) may be helpful too, smoking/non.... etc.
You can settle by PMs.
Bob
VABird
Well-Known Member
Laid out the first day's ride today. About 190 miles. Looks like early fall here as there is already color in the leaves. Temps in low to mid 80's expected; 8-10* cooler at elevations.
The plan is:
Kickstands up @ 10:00.<B> BE GASSED AND READY. NO GAS ON BRP</B> until we get to Floyd (about 95 miles). There is a gas station about 5 miles south of the BRP at POOL on rte 43. They have Regular (87) - ($2.50), 89 - ($2.70) & non-ethanol 93 - ($3.00). Separate pumps so you get what you pay for.
There may be a small delay as there is resurfacing south of the Peaks, but not more than a few minutes to wait for a "Follow Me" truck for a couple miles.
Ride for about 45 minutes till the first break at Explore park (M.P. 116 on BRP). There are real restrooms, a shop and interpretive site.
There are no other restrooms between POOL & destination on the Parkway except for a picnic area (M.P. 154)
80 miles south on the BRP for lunch at Tuggles Gap (M.P. 165 on BRP- Rte 8). We should arrive there about 12:30
After lunch, Rte 8 to Floyd VA, then East on 221 for gas stop (Exxon). (about 1/4 mile from rte 8) At least a dozen pumps.
Back country roads to Shawsville, then Catawba for another stop (about an hour) There are 2 gas pumps there & country store.
Back country roads to Fincastle, then Buchanan. Final gas stop. It's about 10 miles back to POOL from there.
I'll pre-ride Saturday's ride Wed or Thur., but planning to go north to the start of BRP, then rte 250 east to rte 151. Devil's Backbone for lunch. Details to follow.
The plan is:
Kickstands up @ 10:00.<B> BE GASSED AND READY. NO GAS ON BRP</B> until we get to Floyd (about 95 miles). There is a gas station about 5 miles south of the BRP at POOL on rte 43. They have Regular (87) - ($2.50), 89 - ($2.70) & non-ethanol 93 - ($3.00). Separate pumps so you get what you pay for.
There may be a small delay as there is resurfacing south of the Peaks, but not more than a few minutes to wait for a "Follow Me" truck for a couple miles.
Ride for about 45 minutes till the first break at Explore park (M.P. 116 on BRP). There are real restrooms, a shop and interpretive site.
There are no other restrooms between POOL & destination on the Parkway except for a picnic area (M.P. 154)
80 miles south on the BRP for lunch at Tuggles Gap (M.P. 165 on BRP- Rte 8). We should arrive there about 12:30
After lunch, Rte 8 to Floyd VA, then East on 221 for gas stop (Exxon). (about 1/4 mile from rte 8) At least a dozen pumps.
Back country roads to Shawsville, then Catawba for another stop (about an hour) There are 2 gas pumps there & country store.
Back country roads to Fincastle, then Buchanan. Final gas stop. It's about 10 miles back to POOL from there.
I'll pre-ride Saturday's ride Wed or Thur., but planning to go north to the start of BRP, then rte 250 east to rte 151. Devil's Backbone for lunch. Details to follow.
