Possible Routes West

[aceboxer]

I've done some research and have a number of possibilities I wanted to
put out for discussion. I'm using google's directions for distance and
time calculations, I imagine the times will be shorter, but they
provide a baseline

First Segment - Cary/Apex to intersection of US64 to Marion, NC
Option 1: US64 to I40 186mi/4h
Option 2: NC55 to I40 200mi/3h
Second Segment - I40 in Marion, NC to I40 and Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP)
near Asheville, NC
Option 1: I40 / NC226-US221 to US70W to NC80N to BRP to 40 58mi/
1.85h
Option 2: I40 30mi/0.5h
Third Segment - BRP/I-40 near Asheville to intersection of BRP and
US74 in Sylva, NC
Option 1: BRP to I74 61mi/1.8h
Option 2: I40 46mi/0.8h
Fourth Segment: BRP/I74 to destination 44mi/1h

Obviously, BRP is longer but would probably a lot more fun than the
interstate. The BRP in the second segment looks good, and the piece in
the third looks nice too, but the trade off is time and addt'l highway
travel against more fun roads. 8.6 hours of travel time seems like a
lot, since if you factor in a break every 1 to 1.5 hours, it will be a
long day.

Thoughts?

[NCVSTROM]

That would make for a very long day. You are probally looking at 11
hours or better with stops. Looks to me like the real decision point
is the second segment. If you take option 2 of the first segment you
have 3 hours plus 3 stops. This is most likely a 4 hour total. The
second segment is a choice of half an hour verses almost 2 hours. I
say we go with the second option in the first segment and bank
ourselves some time. By then we stop for lunch and work out the rest
depending on weather and how we feel. One things for sure though, the
earlier we start out the more options we get. I was thinking about 8am
as kickstands up. What are everyone elses thoughts?

[NCVSTROM]

I took a look at a map briefly today. Taking time in consideration I
was looking for maximum ride pleasure. What about staying 64 west from
Cary to Mocksville. From there we can hit 40 west for times sake and
hit the BRP just outside of Asheville. From there we can ride out the
BRP to Cherokee. From Cherokee Google says it's 84 miles to Stecoah.
Having never been on the BRP I thought it could be a chance to hit a
significant portion of it. If I had to guess, I think it may be about
3 hours on 64, 2 hours on 40 and two hours on BRP. Add another 2 hours
to Stecoah and we get 9 hours. It may be 10 with longer stops for fuel
and lunch. Leaving at 8am that would put us at the Iron Horse around 6
- 7pm. It may be a bit ambitious, but what do you think?

[aceboxer]

I took a look at the two BRP possibilities using satellite imagery
Route north of I40:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.693552,-82.268372&spn=0.302251,0.688019&z=11
Route south of I40:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.375614,-82.792282&spn=0.303451,0.688019&t=h&z=11&om=1

The north route is about 58 miles by my calculations, and the
southerly route a couple more, though the time calculations for the
shorter route are about 10-15 minutes more.

I took a look at both routes using Google Earth, which has pretty
decent 3D topography for both sections, to give a better idea of what
we'll be dealing with. The north route looks a bit twistier, and the
south route seems to offer more in elevation and scenery.

We can always do one this year and the other next.

[RDU...@nc.rr.com]

I'm riding in the middle so I'll be happy with any route :).

Rodney

[Rodney]

The BRP will be slow going. Speed limit up there is 45 mph. Most
roads
up that way will offer some nice twisties for sure. I vote for us
taking the quickest route there. We'll have all day Friday and
Saturday to hit the BRP and Deals Gap and all the other mountains
roads in between.

Just my 2 cents. 8 a.m.???? I don't normally wake up until 9:30 at
the earliest!... hahahaha... just kiddin' I'm good with anytime. Have
we decided on a meeting place yet. I'm off this week, and my brain is
on
vacation as well, I can't remember if we decided on a meeting place;
have we?

I went fishing today out at Sharon Harris lake took my yacht (15.9'
little skiff). Beautiful day, it was calm and cool in the morning and
warmed up nicely in the afternoon. Caught one little bass, a few pan
fish (by accident) and one HUGE stick! I saw a Hawk swoop down and
snatch a snake out of the water. He landed in a tree right by my boat
and ate the snake in about 2 minutes! That was an awesome sight.

I'm looking forward to our trip next week. I'm keeping my fingers
crossed for good weather! I'm good for meeting at 8 or 8:30 a.m.

Rodney

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[Mark Joseph]

So maybe we take 64 to 40, not exactly the fastest but we're heading in the right direction, and we're not on I40 as much.If we make good time, and we're so inclined, maybe we could hit the south BRP route.  I see the logic in getting there faster, good way to save our energy for Friday and Saturday.

[NCVSTROM]

The thing I lke about 64 to 40 is that you meet up with 40 after
Greensboro. Traffic is usually congested and fast moving there. After
that point 40 is wide open and less congested. There is also nothing
pretty to look at through that section. Rodney has a point about the
BRP. I have heard it can get really slow on it. I guess the point is
we need not get hyped about everything because we are heading to
plenty of good riding.

As for a meeting place, If we take 64 we could meet on 64 west just up
from the Auto Mall. There is a strip center with a Bojangles in it
that I know of. If we take 40, we need to leave really early due to
the extreme traffic heading to RTP at that time of the morning. But if
we choose this we could meet at the Farmers Market. Thoughts?

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[Mark Joseph]

Good point about the RTP traffic.  I say we meat at the plaza you mention (it's just past Laura Duncan Road on the right, heading west). There's food and gas there so it's probably a good meeting point.

[aceboxer]

I'm mapping out some possibilities for the legs, assuming the 64-
I40-74 route. I've got two scenario's now, each getting us there
within 20 minutes 5pm. The big question is how frequently everyone
likes to stop. Is 1.5hours too long? Is 1 hour better? What sort of
lunch do you prefer, fast food, sit-down, or somewhere with scantily
clad females?

[Rodney]

I'm good with meeting at the Bojangles on 64 west. I know where its
located. We need to decide on a meeting time asap! I'm not really
worried about the traffic since we have a small group going. How
about we meet / leave at 8:30 a.m.? The weather forecast as of today
for Thursday morning is showers but clearing up in the late morning/
early afternoon hours. So expect rain in the a.m. We could always
leave at 10 or 11 a.m. if everyone prefers? I'm good with anytype of
lunch stop.

It might be a good idea for us to exchange cell phone numbers; mine is
815-6432.

Okay - post your vote/ideas for a meeting time. Bojangles on 64 west
is set as our meeting place.

Rodney

[Mark Joseph]

8:30 is fine with me.  10 should probably be the latest to ensure we get there by 6pm or so. 

My cell is 508-259-6894.

Mark

[NCVSTROM]

8:30 works for me also. As far as time between stops, maybe we just
play it by ear. My ususal M.O. is longer between stops early and then
less time later. My cell is 524-0386.

> > > > > > > > > > > lot, since if you factor in a break every 1 to 1.5hours, it

[Mark Joseph]

I totally spaced out, I keep thinking we're leaving on a weekend day.  Any objections to moving the departure time to 8:45?  Nina's bus comes around 8:30, and I'd like to make sure she gets on and/or it comes.  I'll probably be at the meeting place by 8:40, since it's pretty close to my house.

Mark

[NCVSTROM]

Admit it, your wife caught this error didn't she? I don't know if I
can wait a whole 15 minutes!LOL

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[aceboxer]

Oh, so we're going to be frank now. My earthly teather said, "she can
call me on my cell phone if there's a problem". My esp (extra-spousal
perception) translator suggested it might be a good idea to try and
delay the departure. :)

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[RDU...@nc.rr.com]

Hey lets just set the new meeting time for 9:00 a.m. okay. That way
we'll all have time to ge there without rushing.

Rodney

----- Original Message -----
From: aceboxer <aceb...@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 2:34 pm
Subject: Re: Possible Routes West
To: V-Strom Tribe <v-stro...@googlegroups.com>

>

[aceboxer]

9am - aye.

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[NCVSTROM]

9am is a go

[RDU...@nc.rr.com]

9 a.m. it will be then. See you all in the morning!