Riding to Chimney Rock, NC

[ediddy]

My wife and I are riding to Chimney Rock memorial day weekend. We will be staying in Chimney Rock friday and saturday night. Are there any sights we should try to see while there. Thanks.

[mini-muffin]

There's a lot to see and do in that area. Your in a good spot to get to plenty of great roads and things to see. Not far from Asheville either. There's the Biltmore if you or your wife would be interested in seeing that. Pretty much a day event. They just opened up some more rooms to see as well. Plus the Blue Ride Pkwy is right there. I'm sure some others will tell you about other things in the area. We have some members that live near their too. Have a safe trip and a great weekend. Here's the visit NC site in case you want to check out some other stuff.

http://www.visitnc.com/

Margaret

[Venturous Randy]

Normally I would suggest going up on the rock. But, this last summer we went there as part of the Asheville rally and I was disappointed. There are some really neat trails around the rock and most of them were closed. I believe now the NC Park Service has taken it over from private owners so I do not know what the status is. I felt it was a bit pricey for what you could see and do. There is also some good places to eat in Black Mountain. They have a good pizza place called My Father's Pizza and a german restaurant there.

One thing to keep in mind is there is going to be A LOT of traffic. And a whole lot of motorcycles.

RandyA

[SaltyDawg]

Take a ride around Lake Lure. I is just up the road and worth it.

[1rooster]

My wife and I are riding to Chimney Rock memorial day weekend. We will be staying in Chimney Rock friday and saturday night. Are there any sights we should try to see while there. Thanks.

 

 

 

I live in the area so if you wanna meet up and ride,eat, chew the fat or whatever give me a call. 828 442-8768.

[krome rose]

Don't forget to go gem mining! Lots of ruby sites in the mountains.

 

Brandy

[Sylvester]

If you go to Asheville, take 74A north from Bat Cave. You have some good riding and as you get to Asheville, you can jump on the Blueridge Parkway. It is a nice ride and I would go to Mount Mitchell and then on to Blowing Rock. There is great food in Blowing Rock and "Kelwyn's" Fudge and Ice Cream is to die for.

[Mike G in SC]

I've done a fair amount of BR Parkway riding.

(To me, best road in this part of the world.)

I'd suggest catching the Parkway and heading South of Asheville.

The 100 mile vistas are plentiful below Ashville.

North of Asheville is a lot of overgrowth at the overlooks.

Also, about 5 miles above Asheville the Parkway is closed for repairs

(unless it has just lately opened). As of two weeks ago, you had to go 20 miles

around to get back to Mt Mitchell. (check locally or Google for info.)

 

Back to South,,,, 15 miles south is the Pisgah Inn. Great lunch with a view.

Ride south, take in several overlooks (mostly towards east/left).

Depends on how far you want to go,,, cause you have to come back.

Cherokee is about 75 miles, that would take about 3 hours.

You can turn on Hwy 276 to Brevard. That is a great road with some scenic waterfalls.

Brevard is a nice visit too, find lunch somewhere downtown. Then take 64E back to Hendersonville. There is a great 50's style burger shop downtown, don't remember the name,, just ask anyone. Hendersonville is GREAT too.

Or you can go further on the parkway, take Hwy 215 to get back to 64. That road is 20 miles of twisties but safe.

 

If you do want to go to Mt Mitchell, take Hwy 9 north from Bat Cave, catch I-40 East for an exit, get off at Hwy 70 to catch Hwy 80 to the Parkway. 80 IS AWESOME!! It's a dragon that few know about. This puts you on the Parkway a few miles east of Mt Mitchell. Yes Mt Mitchell is a neat visit with a decent restaurant.

Stop at Linville Falls for a dramatic waterfall, expect it to take one hour, but the walk is easy.

If you want to ride north towards Boone & Spruce pine, it's a nice ride too but, except for riding the viaduct below Mt Mitchell, not as eventful.

If you get to that area, visit the original 1895 Mast General Store in Valle Crucis (or visit any Mast General Store (Hendersonville) for a treat.

 

ENJOY THAT AREA, I DO!!

 

Mike Griswold (Mike G in SC) Starrider #124, Columbia, SC

PS: Ummmm, you picked a busy tourist weekend, keep that in mind if you visit tourist stuff in that area.

The parkway is a delight on weekdays,, but tourist times can turn into a conveyer belt.

[RandyR]

If you're thinking of dropping south from Asheville, let us know when and where and maybe some of the north Georgia riders can join you for a leg of your trip.

 

RandyR in Dahlonega, GA. 40 miles south of the NC state line.

[mini-muffin]

If you do go to the Blue Ridge here's a website that lists the closures. Just scroll down a bit for the link.

http://www.nps.gov/blri

 

Margaret