2010 PA Forum Ride Planning Poll

[NCDave]

Just take Monday off!

[pitchinguy]

Skyline Drive & Blueridge Parkway is a great ride but is not good for making time since the speed limit is 45 & you best not speed! Skyline Dr runs from Front Royal, Va down to Waynesboro, Va & cost $10 per bike....but the $10 pass is good for a week. BR Parkway runs from Waynesboro down to Ashville, NC & has no charge in Va, not sure about NC.

[NCDave]

None in NC either.

Isn't skyline drive speed limit 35?

[vulcancowboy]

As long as we're brainstorming here, we could stay at one of the lodges on the Skyline drive Thursday night and then head over to WV. The rooms are a little pricey (about $130/night for a single), there is also camping available if anyone is so inclined ($20/night for a tent site if I remember correctly).

[DebbieW]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Just take Monday off!

May not have enough vacation time with all my upcoming trips next year.

[pitchinguy]

Originally Posted by NCDave

None in NC either.

Isn't skyline drive speed limit 35?

Now that you mention it, I do believe you're right. I was just up on the Parkway a couple weeks ago just west of Lynchburg & I coulda sworn the speed limit was 45 there but I believe Skyline is 35.........hmmmmm?

[NCDave]

The Skyline starts just after crossing 64 (if heading north), correct? I was only there one time, but I recall that after paying the fees, it was 35 after that. I don't know if it's like that all the way or not though.

[pitchinguy]

Right, Skyline starts at the 64 crossing in Waynesboro. I'm about sure the SL on Skyline is 35 all the way to the end at Front Royal.

[vulcancowboy]

I just looked on their website, the speed limit is 35 the entire stretch.

[NCDave]

I'm guessing that Deb's route map probably accouts for that when it calculates the driving time. In that case, Deb, if you do 40 up there you'll make better time!

[DebbieW]

Originally Posted by vulcancowboy

As long as we're brainstorming here, we could stay at one of the lodges on the Skyline drive Thursday night and then head over to WV. The rooms are a little pricey (about $130/night for a single), there is also camping available if anyone is so inclined ($20/night for a tent site if I remember correctly).

That is an idea. Also, we could stay right outside of Skyline Drive for a possibly better price. I will look into it and post my findings and see what everyone thinks.

I am not going to block rooms yet at the Old Clark Inn until we have a solid plan in place. It didn't seem to be an issue since they do not have their calender ready yet for August anyway.

[Mrzazz]

We rode all of skyline and the parkway this year on our way to the dragon. It was a very nice ride. If we are going to base in Marlinton WV I think we just do rides out of there. Just my thoughts........

[Mrzazz]

We would have Friday and Saturday for "loop rides" and "socializing" and head back home Sunday. Again just my thoughts.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by DebbieW

That is an idea. Also, we could stay right outside of Skyline Drive for a possibly better price. I will look into it and post my findings and see what everyone thinks.

I am not going to block rooms yet at the Old Clark Inn until we have a solid plan in place. It didn't seem to be an issue since they do not have their calender ready yet for August anyway.

If it helps any, the southern folks could probably make the south end of the skyline drive in about the same time as Marlinton. We could stay there Thursday night, and then over to marlinton on friday. Stay there Friday and Saturday night, then head for home????

Friday's ride over would be shorter, so we could take the "long way" to get there, then Saturday do a loop ride or sightseeing some.

Hawks Nest State Park, Green Bank Observatory, New River Bridge, and Seneca Rocks should be high on the sightseeing list.

[Mrzazz]

Originally Posted by NCDave

If it helps any, the southern folks could probably make the south end of the skyline drive in about the same time as Marlinton. We could stay there Thursday night, and then over to marlinton on friday. Stay there Friday and Saturday night, then head for home????

Friday's ride over would be shorter, so we could take the "long way" to get there, then Saturday do a loop ride or sightseeing some.

Hawks Nest State Park, Green Bank Observatory, New River Bridge, and Seneca Rocks should be high on the sightseeing list.

I agree with the list you have Dave. Hawks is about 60 miles from Marlinton, Green Bank about 30 miles, New River about 90 miles, Seneca about 70 miles. All doable.

[DebbieW]

We can have three options if we add Skyline Drive as far as I can tell.

Note: I used Google Maps to estimate time and distance.

1. Go from Carlisle to Skyline Drive. Stay Thursday night either on Skyline Drive or not far from Skyline Drive. It is a $10 fee so that may need to be considered. Continue to Marlinton and WV rides on Friday and Saturday. Could probably drop our stuff at the Inn and then do a loop ride.

1a. Skyline Drive Lodging - Skyland Resort $130 (steps into room) 163 miles, 3 hours 20 minutes if we slab to Skyline Drive (183 miles, 5 hours to Marlinton, if we continue on Skyline Drive)
1b. Skyline Drive Lodging - Big Meadows Lodge $103 161 miles, 3 hours 10 minutes if we slab to Skyline Drive (167 miles, 4 hours to Marlinton, if we continue on Skyline Drive)
1c. Stay at Best Western in Waynesboro, VA - $99.99 ($83.99 with AAA) 230 miles, 5 hours 15 minutes if we slab it to Skyline Drive (94 miles 2 hours 20 minutes to Marlington)

2. Leave Marlinton on Saturday morning, ride Skyline Drive, stay on Front Royal, VA overnight (or someplace nearby)

2a. Hampton Inn Front Royal - $129 (AAA discount but I didn't feel like finding my number to get a quote). 209 miles 5 hours 43 minutes
2b. Super 8 - $74 ($63 with AAA) 200 miles 5 hours 10 minutes

3. Leave Marlinton on Sunday and for those interested ride Skyline Drive, stay over Sunday night and head home on Monday.

[DebbieW]

Originally Posted by DebbieW

We can have three options if we add Skyline Drive as far as I can tell.

Note: I used Google Maps to estimate time and distance.

1. Go from Carlisle to Skyline Drive. Stay Thursday night either on Skyline Drive or not far from Skyline Drive. It is a $10 fee so that may need to be considered. Continue to Marlinton and WV rides on Friday and Saturday. Could probably drop our stuff at the Inn and then do a loop ride.

1a. Skyline Drive Lodging - Skyland Resort $130 (steps into room) 163 miles, 3 hours 20 minutes if we slab to Skyline Drive (183 miles, 5 hours to Marlinton, if we continue on Skyline Drive)
1b. Skyline Drive Lodging - Big Meadows Lodge $103 161 miles, 3 hours 10 minutes if we slab to Skyline Drive (167 miles, 4 hours to Marlinton, if we continue on Skyline Drive)
1c. Stay at Best Western in Waynesboro, VA - $99.99 ($83.99 with AAA) 230 miles, 5 hours 15 minutes if we slab it to Skyline Drive (94 miles 2 hours 20 minutes to Marlington)

2. Leave Marlinton on Saturday morning, ride Skyline Drive, stay on Front Royal, VA overnight (or someplace nearby)

2a. Hampton Inn Front Royal - $129 (AAA discount but I didn't feel like finding my number to get a quote). 209 miles 5 hours 43 minutes
2b. Super 8 - $74 ($63 with AAA) 200 miles 5 hours 10 minutes

3. Leave Marlinton on Sunday and for those interested ride Skyline Drive, stay over Sunday night and head home on Monday.

I haven't blocked the rooms yet since we have time and I want to make sure we need the rooms for Thur, Fri and Sat before booking them.

Anyone like any of the above thoughts?

[mkelley]

I still vote for 3 days in Marlinton. We can't do all the great rides on one trip. Leave Skyline Drive for another time. Anyone wanting to extend their weekend could do Skyline Drive northbound and stay in the eastern panhandle of WVA Sunday night.