Mapping VA - 1st Weekend May

Tired. We're both tired. Jackie is just back from 5 days in Chicago at a trade show. I'm just worn out from work. Map sales are feast or famine right now, and it's been a busy last few days as commercial vendors are stocking up and a map version arrived from the printer.  It's going to be a much needed break.

Speaking of break - I broke my Triumph Tiger yesterday. After giving the bikes a quick wash I was turning them around for loading and just lost balance in in tight spot. Over it went into the wall and broke the front fairing. I gave little consideration to repair as it takes time. It's one of my two work bikes and I need to keep it on the road as the season kicks in. First thing this morning I booked down to Greenville, SC to order the parts as I know it will take a while to get them from England. I can replace them in half a day or so and minimize downtime.

Broken Tiger

So now it's just packing which takes minutes and deciding which electronics to bring which takes hours depending on which batteries need to be charged and such. A strip of white duct tape will hold the broken bits together, though I noted the front brake master cylinder was also damaged - I think it too will last the trip.

I hate riding the Interstate. 340 miles of it ahead. It's a waste of good rubber and tires are expensive and short lived. It's boring. There are too many cars and trucks and cops and..... but, it's the quickest way to reach our luxurious destination the Fort Lewis Lodge in Millboro, Virginia.
 

Ft. Lewis Lodge

We've stayed at the lodge before and that's why we're coming back. Jim Ford of the Rider's Workshop tipped us to to it, and his recommendations for quality lodging match the quality of his riding instruction. It's a beautiful location, more than 300 acres in a remote area of the Virginia highlands , a very unique place. Goal is to arrive as the bar opens in the evening, then feast on the chef's nightly offerings.

PS - got the Tiger repaired, well, repaired with duct tape. I think it will pass for photos.

Duct Tape will get you there

It was about as uneventful a ride up as there can be. Hot, sunny, dry miles mostly around 80 mph on an interstate path through North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, then here to Millsboro, VA. I found one outstanding new road VA 80, a long and curvy climb far tighter and nicer the the more well known Back of the Dragon - VA 16 nearby. More than an hour before the bar starts serving, a  time to clean up and cool down before dinner. 

A great day exploring areas north and west. The very first road, Bullpasture River Road was great and we continued to find more and more fine riding as the day progressed. We met a man named John Jay in Blue Grass, climbed mountains and chased rivers through valleys. VA 15 was quite a run taking us through Webster Springs. Coming back VA 39 is familiar fun turf. A good day. 

Bluegrass, VA

Rain moving in to settle in the area. We’re thinking we can move south to get out of most of it. There’s a narrow window this morning we may beable to squeeze through. We think if we can get to Floyd, VA we’ll do better. 

Wet Saturday

Our plan to beat the rain worked. Except for a few sprinkles our ride south from the Ft Lewis Lodge was fine. The roads were mostly good  and we intercepted the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Roanoke.

Taking our time we explored Mt Roanoke then left the park road south of the city to pass through Calloway and ride Five Mile Mountain Road on our way to Floyd. 

We stayed an hour ahead of the rain and are having a great time in Floyd. Good food, nice bar, live music tonight. 

Rain this morning is clearing off. We can’ t decide which way home, so many choices. We’re going start on the Parkway as it’s so close then chase the patch of blue sky south and see where it leads. 

We left Floyd, VA for Waynesville, NC with a questionable weather forecast. Not bad, but some rain in spots. We started on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Tuggle's Gap and headed south.

Monring on the Blue Ridge Parkway

It's a familiar route, a very comfortable days ride. There was no great hurry so we took the opportunity to explore. We investigated Explorer Park just south of Roanoke and were not impressed - it still seems to be a work in progress. A bit further south we we found a gem in the Roanoke Mountain Loop Road. This single lane paved one-way road at Milepost 120.3 climbs Roanoke Mountain then returns to the parkway. The best view was from the Mill Mountain overlook. It's worth the 4 mile ride.

Mill Mountain Overlook on Roanoke Mountain Loop Road

The weather remained decent on the parkway so we just stuck to familiar turf. At milepost 258.6 we paid a first visit to the Northwest Trading Post for a hot beverage. It was a good stop. Our quest for a cup of coffee turned into more than $100 in swag as we found so many things we just had to have. A great place to pick up gifts. Add it to the list of good rest stops. 

Northwest Trading Post

Northwest Trading Post

As we continued south the clouds stated to build and we stopped at one of our favorite spots for lunch the Switzerland Inn in Little Switzerland. The rain moved through while we enjoyed a couple lobster subs, delicious! 

Switzerland Inn

Leaving the Switzerland Inn we started the climb passing Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the east. We were soon in the clouds. The temp dropped to 44 degrees, the rain started, and it wasn't until we started down into Asheville before we could see one another again the mists were so thick. We left the parkway south of Asheville and hoofed it home on I-40 to Waynesville.

It was a much needed break. We found some great roads. There is so much more to explore and map, we're really looking forward to doing this again.