Attention Virginians (and anyone else who can help)......Need lodging suggestions

[Shoe]

Gents,

I need some help with some lodging suggestions along the I-81/Blue Ridge Parkway area that caters to motorcyclists. Hotels, Inns (not B&B's), or anything else would help. Specifically, I would like to stay somewhere near Roanoke or further north (preferrably within about 75 miles north of and up to and including Roanoke).

Any and all info would be appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Dave

[beaujames7]

Can't offer any help that close to Roanoke. I'm in Front Royal which is at the north end of Skyline Drive a very popular part of the Parkway. Lots of little motels which are motorcycle friendly. If your not in a hurry there are lots of caverns open to tourists, the biggest being at Luray.

I hate I 81 lot of traffic & trucks; but you can make good time. Rt. 11 parallels; a two lane road and towns about every 5 miles through the Shenandoah Valley, nice scenery. Stay on interstate through Harrisonburg. Rt 11 N of Harrisonburg to Winchester is a nice ride if you don't mind the Towns. At Strasburg you can get on I 66 east 6 mi to Front Royal, large chain hotel at interstate or south into Town across both Shenandoah River bridges small cycle friendly motels on both sides of road, most on the left.

If you're leaving Richmond heading west and north there is some nice riding through Charlottesville and Culpeper. Enjoy!

[Shoe]

Awesome. I appreciate the info. I do not have my heart set on stopping in Roanoke. I would be on my way back from visiting my father in NJ on my way back to the Tail of the Dragon. Roanoke was just a good middle point.

The shenandoah valley and skyline drive would work too.

Any names of some of these hotels/motels. Preferrably one with covered parking (if available) or ones that will allow you to park on the sidewalk under an overhang?

If there aren't any around there that fit that discription, then any place you would recommend would be appreciated!

Thanks again!
Dave

[beaujames7]

Originally Posted by Shoe

Awesome. I appreciate the info. I do not have me heart set on stopping in Roanoke. I would be on my way back from visiting my father in NJ on my way back to the Tail of the Dragon. Roanoke was just a good middle point.

The shenandoah valley and skyline drive would work too.

Any names of some of these hotels/motels. Preferrably one with covered parking (if available) or ones that will allow you to park on the sidewalk under an overhang?

If there aren't any around there that fit that discription, then any place you would recommend would be appreciated!

Thanks again!
Dave

Let me check. When you coming thru and how many in your party?

[Shoe]

Its just me....... I'm planning on coming through next Thursday, Sept 10th.

I really appreciate it!!

Dave

[beaujames7]

Bluemont, Twi Lite & Budget Inn all have covered walkways. Twi Lite and Budget Inn have covered porticos at the office; I have seen bikes parked under the portico at the Budget Inn during rain storms. None have covered parking for cars. Too early in the season for leaf peepers so would be plenty of vacancies.

[Shoe]

Originally Posted by beaujames7

Bluemont, Twi Lite & Budget Inn all have covered walkways. Twi Lite and Budget Inn have covered porticos at the office; I have seen bikes parked under the portico at the Budget Inn during rain storms. None have covered parking for cars. Too early in the season for leaf peepers so would be plenty of vacancies.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate the help. I also got your PM, but I am having trouble replying to it on this computer. I really appreciate the offer, but I dont want to put you out. Thank you so much for your time helping me out though. I truly appreciate it!!

Dave

[beaujames7]

You're certainly welcome. I hope some of the info was a help. Enjoy your ride.

[beaujames7]

The Massanutten moutains are a series of ridges that bisect the Shenandoah Valley in the north central area of the valley. On the north end of the range is the town of Strasburg, southern tip is in the vicinity of Harrisonburg.

There are three exits off I 81 at Strasburg I 66, Rt. 11 and Rt. 55. East of Strasburg is Front Royal via 66 or 55, either dumps you onto Rt. 522/340. The entrance to the Skyline Drive is off of Rt. 340 at the southern end of Front Royal.

Sunday I went for a ride that I do at least once or twice a season. Rt. 340 S runs between the Blue Ridge mountains and the Massanutten mountains, the South Fork of the Shenandoah River also takes this same path, Skyline Drive parallels on top of the Blue Ridge. This a two lane highway, mostly local traffic, semis are rare, campsites and canoe drops are easy to find; however you don’t see the river much from the road. Front Royal to Luray is about 25 miles. Between Overal and Rileyville you enter Page County and technically are in the Page Valley. On this particular ride I continue thru Luray on 340. Just north of Luray you can get off on Rt. 211 east to the top of mountain you can get on the Skyline Drive, west takes you past the Luray Caverns up the mountain and through New Market gap to Rt. 11 or I 81. On this particular ride I never get off of Rt. 340. After you pass through the Town of Luray Page Valley opens up and the scenery is quite lovely, large farms on both sides Blue Ridge mountain vistas to the left and Massanutten mountain vistas to the right. Between Stanley and Elkton close to the town of Shenandoah a Church set off the road to the right couple hundred yards, big sign next to the road proclaimed “ Bikers Welcome”. At Elkton I take Rt. 33 west to Harrisonburg about 18 miles to I 81 or Rt. 11, I take 11 north to Strasburg and 55 back to Front Royal. If you head east on 33 you can get on the Skyline Drive at the top of the mountain or you can ride 33 through the Piedmont and into Richmond.

I have several “round the block” rides I can take after work. One of them is Rt. 340 S to Rt. 211 west thru the New Market Gap to Rt. 11 north to Strasburg and Rt. 55 back to town about 90 miles 1.5 hr – 2 hr depending on how long I stop for a beverage. Just right for blowing the stink off and relieving work stress.

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