[ST] 2001 TSRA "Riding the Ridge" route

["STeve Duncan" <xhippy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Man, talk about bringing back some fine memories..................

This is a FANTASTIC route!



Begin at the Pisgah Inn - mm 408.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

- - Depart Pisgah Inn on BRP south to hwy 276 (3 miles - exit on left).

- - 276 NORTH (right) to 110 NORTH (approx 15 miles).  Approximately halfway 
to 110, you will pass the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground on your right, 
this is another great place to base from.

- - 110 North (right) for approximately 5.5 miles.  In Canton, make a right 
onto 19 / 23 (one way street).  At the 3rd light (on a hill) make a left 
onto BRIDGE STREET.  Then take the FIRST right once over the bridge.  This 
is Newfound Road (although it may not be marked).

- - Continue on Newfound Road for approximately 10 miles.  At the "Country 
Food Store" (at the top of a small hill), make a LEFT onto OLD Newfound Rd.  
Continue on Old Newfound Rd. to hwy 63 (Leicester Hwy).

- - Turn left on 63 (West) for 18 miles to Route 209.

- - Take 209 North for approx. 15 miles to Hot Springs.  There is a gas 
station just before entering Hot Springs and several restaurants.  The next 
gas and food is another 30 miles.

- - Take 25 / 70 out of Hot Springs (toward Ashville) for about 5 miles to 
Route 208.

- - Take 208 NORTH approx. 3 miles to Guntertown Road (if you cross a small 
bridge and see 212, you just missed the turn).  <g>

- - Turn RIGHT on Guntertown Rd. and follow for 2 miles to BIG Laurel Rd. (its 
on the right as you are going up a small hill).

- - Turn right onto Big Laurel Rd. and follow for 5.5 miles to the 
intersection of Big Laurel and Big Laurel (not kidding).  Take a LEFT onto 
the "other" Big Laurel and continue for 10 miles to its end at Route 23, 
T-intersection (may not be marked).

- - Take 23 SOUTH (right) to Laurel VALLEY Rd. (on the left approx 1 mile 
south, at the billboard for Wolf Laurel).  There are a lot of dang "Laurels" 
don't be confused  :)))

- - So left on Laurel Valley to Windy Gap Rd.  At Windy Gap, bear to the 
right.  Follow Windy Gap Rd. to route 19 (about 1 mile).

- - Take Route 19 East (left) toward Micaville.  About 10 miles down Rt. 19 is 
Barnsville - several restaurants and gas (good place to fuel up, no gas on 
the Parkway).  About 4 miles past Barnsville look for signs "TO 80 SOUTH".

- - Take 80 South (right) to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

At this point you should have traveled approx 150 miles.  From here if you 
go south on the BRP, it is 64 miles back to the Pisgah Inn.  The extended 
route, (another 40 miles or so, is below)

- - Take the BRP NORTH to approx mm 332 - exit at route 226.

- - take a left under the bridge (rt. 226), and follow to the bottom, about 5 
miles.

- - At the stop sign make a right (onto 226A).  Take 226A back up the mountain 
through "Little Switzerland" and back to the BRP then south to the Pisgah 
Inn.

And don't forget the road up to Mt. Mitchell (mm 355.4 on the BRP).  A ten 
mile round trip to the the highest point east of the Mississippi.  And it's 
pretty chilly up there, year round, but a blast of a road !!!!


I know some of these directions are pretty complicated, but are easy to 
follow, "once you are there".  And trust me, all are well worth the effort.  
The "roads" you won't see on many maps are the some of the most excellent 
rides I've ever had.  Big elevation, superb twisties, heaven on earth.

Enjoy !!!!!!


dunc


Steve
   Duncan
Dallas
  Tejas

  "faster is funner"

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