Looking ahead to Meml Day Weekend

[Jeff H]

Next May I'm heading out from St Louis w/ a buddy. We plan on riding the dragon on that Friday. Then splitting up, his folks are in NC and my brother lives down near Columbia. Any recomendations on roads to hit on the way to Columbia? Or, any recomendations on roads to hit while I'm there. We are meeting up on Sunday evening at his folks place in NC, then heading back to St Louis on Tues. I have been told to ride the "blue ridge parkway" We are still in the planning stages. I just don't want to get back and have someone say "did you ride so & so, It's the best!!"
Thanks,
Jeff
(There is still 3" of ice on the ground here, so no bike trips this weekend.)

[Ranger]

Next May I'm heading out from St Louis w/ a buddy. We plan on riding the dragon on that Friday. Then splitting up, his folks are in NC and my brother lives down near Columbia. Any recomendations on roads to hit on the way to Columbia? Or, any recomendations on roads to hit while I'm there. We are meeting up on Sunday evening at his folks place in NC, then heading back to St Louis on Tues. I have been told to ride the "blue ridge parkway" We are still in the planning stages. I just don't want to get back and have someone say "did you ride so & so, It's the best!!"
Thanks,
Jeff
(There is still 3" of ice on the ground here, so no bike trips this weekend.)

Jeff,

A lot depends on where you and your friend are splitting up? What part of NC?
Columbia is a good clip from Deals Gap and once you pass Greenville, most of the good roads are north ( if you looking for twisties). Interstate 26 runs right into Columbia.

[Jeff H]

Thanks for getting back to me.
I have not looked into my route yet from Deals Gap to Columbia.
We are hoping to hit mostly two lane, but we wanted to stay together until he heads into NC & I head to Columbia.
I guess I jumped the gun, when I get the route planned out better, I'll post again and try to find out some additional scenic & interesting roads..
Thanks,
Jeff

[Greg Halford]

If you can I suggest 215 Lake logan Road between Candler N.C. Maggie Valley, Lake logan is a beautiful lake. Take 215 all the way to you get to 64 and go east on 64 till you get to Brevard take 276 East Main st. East. This will take you through Ceasars Head State Park. Then take hwy 11 to I 26 if you need to make some quick time. I 26 is not very crowded or very busy and you can be in columbia in about an hour and 15 min. or so when you hit I 26.

Send an E-mail and I will Send a Map of the area I am speaking of.

[grandpa J]

:idea: Myrtle Beach Bike Rally May 11 to 20th :idea:

[Jeff H]

Lake Logan Rd sounds great. I won't be there until the 25th so I miss the Rally. I have looked a little more at the maps. We drop into NC going thru Deals Gap I was just going to work my way south to Columbia from there.
I had heard about a pass near there. I think it called Cholua or something like that, I have not looked it up.. My understanding is, it goes by some waterfalls etc. In fact I was told more bikers are hurt on this pass than on the dragon, because the views are so distracting..
I will look and see if I can't go thru Lake Logan on the way to Columbia..
Thanks,
Jeff

[Greg Halford]

I 40 to Hwy 9, Follow hwy 9 through Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Chimney rock is a nice area with leather shop and a tourist area and a huge rock that looks like a male organ on a mountain you can get on top of it and see a long way off. Lots of motorcycle's in the area. Lake lure is only about a couple of miles away and has a lot of motorcycles and a local Bar for Bikes called "Margaritaville". Hwy 9 is very curvy in this area from 40 to about where 64 comes in. you can ride 9 allthe way to Boiling Springs and turn right at the first traffic light just past Wal-Mart this is Old furnace rd. Ride Old Furnace Rd. to the second traffic light and take a left this is Hwy 176 it will take you almost to Columbia, or you can hit Intertate 26 as I mentioned before for better time.

Water Falls SCwaterfalls.COM and NCwaterfalls.com hwy 64 from Highlands to Franklin has many some are short hikes to see like Dry Falls is very nice and you can walk under them.

My ridding friends are planning a water fall ride to see as many as we can in this general region.