Blue Ridge Parkway - several NC closures

[Mike G in SC]

Me & and couple of friends rode up to the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday (4/3/10).

Got on at Hwy 276 just below the Pisgah Inn, below Asheville. Went there for lunch (always good). Found out that there are 5 major closures in NC. We just happened on a 4 mile stretch that was open!.

 

I looked at the BR closures site and they don't say much but they do give a # to call for updates

(828) 298 0398. If you are going to ride the Parkway in NC,,,,, might call.

Closure site: http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

 

But, up to about 20 miles south of Asheville and for 70 miles north you will hit a series of closures (rock slides, broken road and ICE in the tunnels). Mt Mitchell is open but only by limited access. Folk Art center above Ashville is open but you can't get to Mt.Mitchell without leaving the Parkway.

Approximate mile marker closures south to north: 422 to 414, 409 to 400, 375 to 352, 341 to 330 318 to 305. But they will be more exact, with highway #'s if you call.

 

YES, snow in pockets on the sides of the road, cool.

 

So, we still made a great ride by jumping back on 276 to Waynesville, west, to Maggie Valley and got back on the Parkway above Cherokee. From Cherokee, east, to Hwy 215 (Devils Courtyard) is open and fine. That is a 50+ mile section with the best vista views.

 

So we got a great 500 mile ride in yesterday.

 

Oh, but do watch for broken up pavement on roads that get you to the parkway. Found several bad spots (no warnings) on the way down on Hwy 215.

 

Hey, but it did get us above the pollen level!!!

 

Mike G in SC

[Sylvester]

I was with a group of fifteen and found closures on the PW around Little Switzerland, but it was fun to just be out with the great weather. Now I am back on the flatland and allergies are kicking my a$$. My wife's black car was yellow this morning.

 

[Mike G in SC]

Jim, PS:

I took my Strat to the mountains and left the midnight RSTD home yesterday.

I had dusted if off before I left. It was pure yellow when I got home.

I think I will use one of my cats that sit on it overnight as a dust mop!

Yep, taking pills for the "yellow fever" too.

 

Oh, this was my first ride on the Strat in the mountains.

(I don't count a previous trip cause that was the old shot BS tires. This was on new Avon Cobras.)

Yikes, did it leave my Harley friends in the dust. I still call my RSTD #1 bike but that Strat can really go in the hills. I had been thinking of selling it but,, different perspective now.

 

Mike G.

[1rooster]

I was with a group of fifteen and found closures on the PW around Little Switzerland, but it was fun to just be out with the great weather. Now I am back on the flatland and allergies are kicking my a$$. My wife's black car was yellow this morning.

 

 

You was in Little Switzerland(20 miles from me)and no one called.Anyway,I got in 400 miles over the weekend .