Best Ride From Ashville to Connecticut

[admin]

I am picking up my 1965 Panhead at Wheels Through Time (in Maggie Valley, NC) the end of October and planning on riding it back to Connecticut. I don't really want to take the highways but am concerned about the weather this time of year. Any recommendations for great roads between the Ashville area and Connecticut?

Posted by: dual carb on Oct 12, 05 8:23:45 am

[admin]

Head up from Ashville to the Blue Ridge Parkway - Skyline Drive. That part of the ride is worth the price of admission itself. In Front Royal VA (the end of Skyline Drive), take route 340 past Harpers Ferry(north) to Rt. 15 north. 15 will take you past Camp David, through Gettysburg, PA and ultimately to Harrisburg. Maybe somebody else can take you the rest of the way.

Posted by: timide on Oct 12, 05 7:08:18 pm

[admin]

I thought I'd give you some more detail on my reasoning here.

The Blue Ridge/Skyline are well know and have few parallels in terms of great rides. Although it will be past peak "color" season, I think that the weather will still be rideable if you don't mind cold mornings, at least if it is a normal year. Besides, you're from Connecticut, how bad could it be? Anyway...

340 north from Front Royal, VA takes you through the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, past Harpers Ferry, Burkittsville, MD (where they filmed Blair Witch) and other such burgs, most of which have tons of good cooking. 340 ends in Frederick, MD.

Pick up 15 north from Frederick, through Thurmont and end in Gettysburg. This goes along the eastern edge of Catoctin Mountain National Park, which is where Camp David is located, as mentioned. Look for 3 Marine helicopters flying in formation, that is the sign that the president is heading to Camp David for some R & R.

Obviously there is a ton of history along this route, particularly Civil War vintage, but it is all beautiful regardless.

From there, maybe PA 30/222 through York (HD land), Lancaster (PA Dutch country) to Allentown. From there I'm not as familiar with good roads, but you should be able to pick some interesting ones out.

BTW, is this Buzz?

Posted by: timide on Oct 13, 05 2:35:16 pm

[admin]

Thanks for the info. I might just try your route. And yes, this is Buzz Kanter. You can read about this bike and ride in our next "rustoration" in a few months in American Iron Magazine.

Posted by: dual carb on Oct 14, 05 10:08:04 am

[admin]

I hope you decide to give it a try, I have no doubt you'll enjoy it. My favorite part is from the southern part of Skyline Drive (north of where I-64 intersects the drive)to Gettysburg.

Buzz, I really enjoy the magazine (proof is my continued subscription). Thanks to you and your staff for a product that is worthy of a "repeat buy".

Posted by: timide on Oct 14, 05 11:53:53 am

[admin]

The one thing I would add to the above great advice, is a short loop off of 15 in MD.

Rte77 west to Park Central Road (don't stop on this road unless you want to say hi to the Marines and explain yourself), right on Foxville-Deerfield Road and right on Rte 77 will take you back to Rte 15. If he's at Camp #3, PC Road will be closed and you can continue on and turn right on Foxville Church, then catch Foxville-Deerfield.

550 and 77 are truely wonderful roads. Also, not far from there is High Rock where, if you are lucky, you'll see hang gliders launching.

David

Posted by: dbramsey on Oct 15, 05 5:06:02 pm

[admin]

Off line I have been asked if others can ride along with me. My response is "sure, why not" the only problem is I am not sure exactly when I am leaving Wheels Through Time or when I'll roll through various roads on the way home. I suspect we will be leaving the museum Monday morning (Oct 24). Anyone wanting to ride with us is welcome. It is an informal thing and will be the final chapeter of our next restoration on the original paint 1965 Panhead. The first article will run in the January issue, the ride will be covered in the March 2006 issue. - Buzz Kanter

Posted by: dual carb on Oct 17, 05 8:44:33 am

[admin]

The round trip from Oregon is too much for me. I look forward to reading about the bike and the ride though. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet you at Sturgis in '06 Buzz.

David is right about the side trip too.

Posted by: timide on Oct 17, 05 5:31:17 pm

[admin]

Oregon? Well let's see...if you leave now and cover 500 miles a day you would be at Wheels Through Time before I am and check out the 1965 Panhead in person. Oh no, you could be half way back to Or-e-Gone with my Pan before I got to Maggie Valley! Never mind. - Buzz

Posted by: dual carb on Oct 17, 05 9:41:54 pm

[admin]

I'd love to have a Pan.

At 500/day I could leave today, get there Sunday and be ready to go Monday! It's the old, old, story; life is in the way. Among other things, running a business tends to get in the way sometimes. You know what they say, if you wanna work for a jerk, work for yourself. Oh well, maybe next time, sounds like fun.

At least I didn't give up riding when I: a) got married; b)procreated; c) got middle aged. Man, can that list really apply to me?

So, how many bikes do you have in total?

My list:
'98 FLHT
'01 Buell Blast (my 16 year old son's ride - there is a story. I submitted a thing for snaps with him and this bike)
'02 KTM 400EXC
'98 Honda XR250

My FLHT is going through cosmetic surgery this winter, paint, wheels, seat, other stuff.


Tim

Posted by: timide on Oct 18, 05 12:59:25 pm