First ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains

[cadhopper]

After purchasing the Rockster last weekend I finally got her all legal with the state of Virginia. I changed all the fluids so I figured it was time for a shake down ride. I have a nice 325 mile ride routed in the GPS through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The bike performed flawlessly through the tight twisting road. Man I love BMW.

The first thing to take care of were those ugly 1/2" chicken strips on the rear tire that the previous owner so carelessly left in place. So off I headed down Route 211 through the Shenadoah Valley that has some really sweet high speed sweepers and a few very tight turns to include one decreasing radius turn which is alway a thrill. After overtaking two Gold Wings who were more than happy to let me by I accomplished my mission. There's nothing like rolling through the twisties with AC/DC rocking on the I-Pod. I can't wait to make my next trip to Deals Gap to really put her through her paces.

Now the bike is truly broken-in. As hard as I tried I couldn't scape the pegs but it was only my first ride.


My second objective was to simply enjoy the awesome view. All in all it was a great day.


Just a side not for anyone going to ride Skyline Drive, They have repaved a good portion of the road between Route 250 and Route 33 and there is a lot of loose gravel so either avoid this section or take it really easy.

[NCSteve]

That 2nd pic is Lover's Leap, between Meadows of Dan and Stuart, isn't it? That's some great riding up thru there!



Now, come on down to Willville and camp some weekend...
http://www.willvillebikecamp.com

[Sunfire]

Thanks for posting these pictures. A group of us are travelling down there from the Philadelphia area in October! I can't wait!

Paul

[cadhopper]

That 2nd pic is Lover's Leap, between Meadows of Dan and Stuart, isn't it? That's some great riding up thru there!



Now, come on down to Willville and camp some weekend...
http://www.willvillebikecamp.com

Those are some sweet vintage bikes. I'm always disappointed in the fact that I see very few BMW riders on Skyline Drive. The last trip I took on the Blue Ridge Parkway on my F650GS I met several GS riders.

Thanks for posting these pictures. A group of us are travelling down there from the Philadelphia area in October! I can't wait!

Paul

If you have time, ride the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), it has less overlooks than Skyline but it is a great ride. Skyline can be done in a day @ the posted speed of 35mph but there are a lot of tourist. The BRP has a posted speed of 45mph and is around 417 miles.

[adg44]

Thanks for posting these pictures. A group of us are travelling down there from the Philadelphia area in October! I can't wait!

Paul

Have any more info on this? I'd love to go on a group ride through skyline drive...

[adg44]

cadhopper,

Did you modify your rear fender? It looks shorter than mine. Or did you just remove that sliding rear piece?

Also, what windsheild is that?

[Biff's R]

cadhopper,
Deal's Gap ain't what it used to be. I guess that the police are patrolling it heavily, and their #1 target is motorcycles.

[cadhopper]

cadhopper,

Did you modify your rear fender? It looks shorter than mine. Or did you just remove that sliding rear piece?

Also, what windsheild is that?

Not sure about the rear fender, that’s how I bought the bike. The windshield is the BMW Touring Windshield

cadhopper,
Deal's Gap ain't what it used to be. I guess that the police are patrolling it heavily, and their #1 target is motorcycles.

That sucks but it’s understandable. The last rally I went to in June of 06 at least 3 people had to be hospitalized because of accidents. Too many people pushing to hard and riding beyond their skill level. I saw plenty of people doing stupid things like passing in blind curves, going over the yellow line in curves and accelerating to hyper speed in the straight aways. For me, the Dragon is not about top speed, I don't care about going fast in the straight sections. Anybody can ride fast in a straight line but it takes skill to ride fast in the curves. My best recomendation for anyone who wants to ride hard in the curves is to go take a few track schools and learn from the professionals in a controlled environment. I started taking them about 2 years ago and even after riding for 29 years I could not believe how much they help to refine my skills. The sad thing is the instructors still make me look silly, damn those guys are good. I also skydive but it does not compare to the rush I get wearing my power ranger suit (what my friends kid calls it) and riding on the track.

[m@rco]

Always nice to reduce these chicken strips. But it also depends on the brand of tire and the state of wear. I used to have no strips on my BT020 (crappy tire by the way) but now with my Dunlop Qualifier RRs I can't get rid of them. Not even after a two-day track course. Maybe because hanging off reduces the angle of the bike.

Anyways, you are very right with your comment on the track courses. There is still so much to learn... Half the fun comes from reactions of the other participants. You hear the rice cooker owners thinking: "a BMW on a track...." Best thing is to stay cool all the time but drive them crazy (literally) when on the track.

[Lion_Lady]

Just got back from an overnight to ride Skyline Drive.

Tiny gravel (almost coarse sand) is spread edge to edge from about mile 75 or so to mile 97. SUCKED big time.

P