Tripping the Blue Ridge Mountains

[the_rocketman]

This past Sat. (10-20) I decided to head out and see if I could find some fall colors and a few nice twistys along the way. Since I hadn’t ridden the Blue Ridge Parkway proper (just Skyline Drive) this year I decided to head south via some slab and valley roads then take Rt. 56 toward the Parkway.

Headed out around 7 AM and hit 95 south till I got to Fredericksburg then headed west to Dillwyn (you all HAVE heard of Dillwyn Va, right?) I set my GPS for no interstates and shortest route, which always guaranties that it will take me along some pretty out of the way roads, and as usual I wasn’t disappointed. On the way to Dillwyn I passed by the Spotsylvaina Courthouse Battlefield and since there was a nice little windy road thru it I decided on a quit detour.

A shot of the battlefield with a lone tree out in field
http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007011.jpg

Finally some decent color
http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007012.jpg

Having had a good rain in some parts I knew that the back roads would be a little tricky, esp. in places where the sun had not had a chance to dry them, I wasn’t disappointed
http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007014.jpg

I knew it would be even more fun once I got to 56 and headed up the mountains.

Then it was off down a nice little 20 mile stretch along Shannon Hill Road toward Fork Union where I saw this old establishment, bet it was a cool place to stay in its day.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007003.jpg

Shortly after that (or was it before?) I crossed over the James River.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007016.jpg


After I got to Dillwyn I headed west again to catch Rt. 56 toward the mountains and the towns of Vesuvius and Steeles Tavern. After 2 some hours of the low lands of eastern VA it was nice to catch my first view of the Blue Ridge.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007017.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007018.jpg

Yup, looks like some color up there.

Route 56 is a fantastic little road, even in the low lands its pretty twisty and once you start to climb along the Tye River pass it gets really hairy, too bad there wasn’t any place to pull the LT over for a shot or two, guess you’ll just have to come out this way and ride it sometime.

Just prior to getting into the real climb up 56 I did manage to stop and take some pic’s looking down from one of the 5 points where 56 crosses over the Tye River.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007001.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007002.jpg

Got up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the temps had dropped again, never got above 61 even thou it was getting to be mid-day. In the valley it had gone from 58 when I left home up to 68 before I headed shyward. The wind was starting to pick up as well. There are a lot of farms along the Blue Ridge even at the top as it flattens out in places.

Now for some nice color…

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007004.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007005.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007006.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007007.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007008.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007009.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007010.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007019.jpg

And some REALLY SPECTACULAR COLOR in the next one!
http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007020.jpg

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007021.jpg


After doing the Parkway I did the first 40 miles of Skyline but then the traffic started to pick up so I headed down the mountain at the Route 33 crossing and headed home.

All in all I did about 400 miles in around 9 hours of mostly 2 lane and twisties with only two stops for gas and coffee, plus picture ops. Went thru a few other towns with such interesting names as Dyke, Mineral, and Dixie (yup, I’m definitely in the south). Had to pass up some nice shots as well but when I’m on The Autobahnsau (German for Highway (or Autobahn) Pig) parking the beast can be a challenge on small back roads with no shoulder. This marks the longest ride I’ve done since my hearing loss and loss of balance input from my right ear due to a infection that has destroyed the entire nerve bundle. I’m hoping by next spring I’ll be back up to doing more 600 mile plus rides, but we’ll have to wait and see. I also went from about 30 feet above sea level at home to little over 3300 and nearly 25 deg. chances in temperature during the ride. Pretty typical of fall in these parts.
Not a bad days ride!

P.S. The LT is named after this print (below) Michael Zowa, I really like his work, (esp. his animal prints) I love the look on the pigs face, obviously he is having a fabulous time! Just I do when out “flying” the roads on the LT, just like the pig it feels like I’m just floating along that sucker is smooth.
http://www.poster.net/sowa-michael/sowa-michael-autobahnsau-8600027.jpg

Enjoy.

RM

[bowlesj]

Great shots RM. Thanks for the Spotsylvania shots. I love the Civil War history tours. It's part of what has made this area so great to move to.


Thanks again,

[PMitchell]

WOW, you gots color!
We may peak this week in NE Ohio. The red maples are still mostly green so we should get a good burst as well.

Glad to hear (no pun intended) that you are back on the LT and balance is good. My babe doesn't like those grassy shoulders either. There are so many Kodak Moments but hardly anywhere to park. I usually put on my flashers just so I give a little more warning to the other color seekers. I love the point & shoots that are moving and taking snap shots!

[sheldan2]

Pastor Jack, his wife Kim , my daughter Shelby and myself at a stop on the Blueridge Sunday afternoon, color's were amazing, great day to ride up there, almost no wind and traffic was light

[mostlyirish]

Great report RM. Thanks for the pics. Gonna have to try that 56 next time Stephanie and I are in the area.

[dadler]

Love the Civil War references

Could you complete the profile so more people than Pastor Jack knows who you are? Or it that by purpose?

David

[Colyn]

Great shots ... thanks for sharing ... I love those tree shots.

http://www.roadrunes.com/images3/parkway-oct-07/102007004.jpg

[JATownsend]

Pastor Jack, his wife Kim , my daughter Shelby and myself at a stop on the Blueridge Sunday afternoon, color's were amazing, great day to ride up there, almost no wind and traffic was light
Hi Mike,
Its great you folks are out riding the hills! It's getting a bit 'White' around here!

But, what is the big, ugly, dark colored bike, with the funny seat doing blocking my view of your sweet, svelte, silver LT!??! :rolleyes:

[sheldan2]

Good to hear from you again Averill, yes it was a great day that day, I cant say anything against Jacks blue baby, at least his is running, I lost my transmission the other day so waiting for the replacement to get in.