“You’ll see, 75 k max and a police cruiser behind every tree!” “It’s an RV convoy competing for the title of smallest engine.” “Full of old timers that can’t get their camping clunkers up the hill,” they told me!


The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most unusual stretches of road on Earth. Stretched over 740 km, it starts at Waynesboro, Virginia, in the Shenandoah National Park, and ends in Cheyenne, North Carolina, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Built exclusively for the pleasure of tourists, the Parkway follows the ridge of the Appalachian mountain range, alternating between the eastern and western sides of the ridge. The Parkway aims to please two groups, respecting the environment as much as possible for the eco-conscious, and maximizing the “curve” factor for driving and riding enthousiasts. And what a show – no matter where you are, the scenery is invariably magnificent, and the view from the countless observation points is always remarkable.

You will also find lodging, restaurants, nine campsites and a multitude of pick-nick spots along the way, along with information centres handing out free detailed maps. I drove the 120 kilometres between Waynesboro and Roanoke, in the north, on the evening of June 24, and the other 620 kilometres to the south the next day.

All curves and hills, the road is often under the cover of large trees, and thus cooler than it would be directly under the punishing rays of the southern sun. The pavement is generally in excellent condition, completely free of debris, sand or gravel. The geometry of the corners is different from more traditional roads, as you cannot see the apex of a corner as you start leaning in, with a maximum visibility of 50 to 75 m at best, which complicates the search for the right trajectory.

Apart from the well sign-posted exceptions, all the bends are easily negotiable at 75 km/h, even if the sudden apparition of a precipice on the outside of the curve, without guard rails, may surprise more than a few. Take it up to 85 km/h and the road and driving the bike take on a whole other dimension. Forget about admiring the scenery, as the leisurely cruise becomes an exercise in riding skills where the bends require active and careful attention.