Mast General Store in Valle Crucis is iconic. It was spared by the hurricane, thankfully. The nearby annex had some water damage, but they expect to reopen soon. Little Switzerland did ok thru the storm, nearby Alpine Inn did not fare as well. For anyone unaware, many towns in the area this video was filmed are gone. Not merely damaged by water…washed away. No longer there. Roads and bridges are gone. Western NC is the definition of devastated.
@@johngilbert1047 absolutely terrible what has happened throughout Western NC. Mast General in Valle Crucis was our go-to every year so this hits home for us. I'm glad it wasn't washed away like other parts of NC
I cried watching your trip through western NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville, Black Mountain, Little Switzerland, Boone, Banner Elk and so many little scenic towns have been decimated by Hurricane Helene. Fall this year won’t include our usual trip to the mountains. 😢
Your closing sentence-- and seeing what once was-- made me cry😢 i love wnc. It is a special blessing and gift of God. Last time i drove through it was years ago. Mourning its devastation. Praying for the consolation and recovery of all its people.
I’m from Ohio too. I’ve lived in NC for almost 35 years now and have ridden in the mountains many times. I also like riding along the beach. Let’s hope the people and roads in WNC can get back to some semblance of normality in the not so distant future.
I'm from South Dakota and have lived in NC for 36 years and have ridden the Blue Ridge a few times (most recently, August 31 this year) and driven it a few times. I try to stop at the Mast General store when I can. I had plans for a fall ride through the mountains this year, but may cancel, on the other hand if I spend money out there I am supporting the economy in a small way. I may also be able to donate directly to a church to help the locals.
I lived on Okinawa Japan for a long time and I loved that. Now I’m in Michigan and I truly do not want to retire and get old (er) here. North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia are the new target spots now.
@@shawnobrien1743 I saw that too but for the life of me I can’t trust claims that we know some mountain range, or anything else, is 1.5 billion years old. Sounds like BS to me. They still can’t accurately predict if it will rain tomorrow but I am supposed to believe they can age something to 1.5 billion AND try to tell me what the Earth is going to look like 3000 years from now if the climate increases one degree in temp.
blue ridge parkway, Hot springs, Bobarosa, chimney rock, all the best biker hangouts on the border between TN and NC are gone. We will come back because we are Appalachun!
This makes me so incredibly sad! I rode the BRP and NC 2 years ago and fell in love with it. I had planned a trip to be riding the Parkway and NC this week. I'm heartbroken for everyone impacted by this and for this beautiful area that will be forever changed 💔 😢
Have ridden so many roads around this whole area and while watching countless UA-cam videos from locals i see the places i have travelled to just gone! Chimney rock and the like, little Switzerland, the devils whip the list goes on and on.... Pray for these folks! Its gonna be a long road back...
Just motorcycle rode the BRP for about 100 miles each way to Mount Mitchell peak. Had been on it in a car once in the Western end but not this section. Beautiful view changed my wife's whole perspective about motorcycle touring and mountain views. Just about 4 weeks ago and now I'm sure it is messed up. So glad I took the time and chance to ride some of it. Went slowly and stopped at every turnout viewpoint.
Although I would have enjoyed your ride 4 weeks ago, I clicked onto this episode because of the lead in “BRP destroyed” thought we would be seeing something of the devastation. Sadly, do to the fog it wasn’t possible! Drive safe, watch out for the other guys!
@@glennhurst7659 We will rebuild! My church is sending a mission to help from here 15 miles from the coast. My wife and I drove through there dozens of times, visiting her family in eastern Tennessee, I've been devastated seeing that beautiful area so destroyed. John McClain, GySgt, USMC ret.
Your group is one of the last to ride those roads for a long while. I spend all my free time riding off road in Elk Park NC. My favorite motorcycle campground has turned into a distribution/ rescue/ relief center to assist these poor people up in the "hollers" where we normally ride. I was there last weekend & heading up again today. I can only describe what I saw as apocalyptic. I sat in silence driving home for 4 hours trying to process it all. Pray for these people, the emergency responders & the helpers that came from ALL over. No one should have to see what they are seeing. Harley Davidson in Asheville is doing a great job from what I have heard on social media. Support organizations & individuals who are vetted and will put your contributions to good use. I am heartbroken 😢
This video is a nice goodbye to the BRP 😢. The people and the towns in that area and their infrastructure should come first. Thanks for the video, pretty lady.
I think I was driving north on the Parkway at about the same time. I left my hometown of Knoxville, to NewFound Gap to the Parkway, stopping in Asheville. I woke up the next morning to rain so instead of doing the trip to Little Switzerland and beyond I just hopped on Hwy 40 and headed home. I think seeing your video that was a good decision. Great video Jess.
My uncle rode his 2018 Ultra Limited from the Black Hills out to that area just a few weeks before Helene came in like a wrecking ball. Such a beautiful place, and it's a bucket list ride for me. So sad to see what the people in the area are going through. Looks like you had a great time despite the pea soup fog!
I have traveled from Ohio to ride the parkway for many years. In fact I was scheduled to be there as hurricane Helene was marching North at 30 mph out of the gulf so I canceled. Never dreamed the devastation would be as bad as it is.😢
The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, were set to be reopened Friday morning, October 11, according to the National Park Service. This includes the 198 miles of the scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 - Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road (near Fancy Gap):
That cute country store you stopped in was called Mast General. Located in Valle Crucis NC (Outside of Boone) and is the original location of the Mast General stores in NC with other locations stretching around NC. We love always visiting the OG though lol
Hey Jess, I most likely Trucked by you while you were in the Mountains... I passed through Asheville, NC on I-40 Trucking to Knoxville, TN as it was raining really steady... Before the damage and destruction. Prayer's for Mountain Folks
So I grew up in northeast Ohio and moved out when I joined the Air Force when I was 22. My first duty station was Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro NC. Met my wife here in NC and then after I got out of the Air Force we moved back down to NC and I love it. I am glad to be away from the Ohio snow belt!
@@firstamendmenttshirt4768sorry but who the Fugg are you? I live in NC and can ride my bike year round and don’t have to sit there and put it up for the winter. I spent 22 years of my life in the snow belt getting lake effect snow dumped on me every year and I can handle the snow all day but why would I want to deal with it when I can have amazing weather year round and awesome roads to ride on all around me.
North Carolina mountains are really gorgeous in the fall when the trees change colors. Back in 1975 I think it was, we got on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cherokee,North Carolina and rode all the way to the end in Virginia. We drove my 1974 Ford Pinto that Dad bought me as a high school graduation gift in 1975.It took about two days. We spent the night at a hotel off the Parkway. The only section we didn't go on was the Lynn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain. It had not been completed yet. We did go over it several years ago.
I just spent the whole afternoon with three other guys including my grandson riding about a hundred miles in eastern NC. I got here in 76, came out of Chicago, and said the first day I was here, "this is where I retire". I retired from the USMC in 97, no regrets! I was in that center just about two months ago, with my niece on the back of my 78 Triumph, same bike as today. Don't get rid of any of your bikes! I've got a couple I've had for twenty years and still love them. Wish I still had every single one I've ever sold. Love your video! I've been across those mountains a dozen times on bikes, and a dozen or more in trucks and jeeps.
I moved from IN to FL.. lived in FL 25yrs then moved to NC.. absolutely love NC. Beautiful greenery and winters are mild.. near raleigh anyway.. maybe an inch every couple years and only a month when it gets to freezing at night
Glad you had fun in my playground before it was destroyed. I too am from Ohio and have resided in NC for the last almost 25 years. Got back into riding when I moved here. The trout fishing and riding in the mountains is the reason I stay.....it's all gone now. It's like losing a family member and my heart goes out to all affected. Nice video and beautiful motorcycle.....be safe.
We here in Virginia ride the Blue Ridge Parkway on the mountain ridge above our small town. We plan to go to NC to help those affected by Helene in mid November. Some family have already returned from the first group that went to the area to help. Waiting for our turn.
I'm from Charlotte and have been riding the parkway and surrounding areas my whole life. I have ridden the BRP from Cherokee to VA many times. I have ridden the Dragon dozens of times. It is a technical ride that is enjoyable after you finish but you are too focused to enjoy during. I like 28 from 74 to Deals Gap. I find that the best rides are the roads from 74 to 64. Hwy 276, 215, 205.
I was planning a trip at the end of October, but now I must wait. Sometimes riding with no plan is the best plan, Love that motoguzzi, Thankyou for sharing your thoughts of this bike.
Rode the Back of the Dragon last weekend (Oct 4-5). LOTS of trees down but roads cleared, and electric truck caravans everywhere. All I could think about was if Wheels Through Time (Maggie Valley) survived the flooding.
I think my brother and I were on the Blue Ridge Parkway at about the same time you were. We met at the deals gap inn. Anyway, my brother and I went on to Cherokee, and then started on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway about 40 miles in the rain and fog go so bad we were forced to stop. And they closed the road so we couldn't go even if we wanted to. So we limped back in the other direction and found a road we could take down the mountain. We eventually found our way to Asheville and gave up there for the day.
Dear Jess, I want to thank you for your recent video where you introduced the Fantick inflator. As a result of your well spoken description of the inflator and the 20.00 discount. I finally pulled the trigger, now instead of hauling a noisy compressor, I just reach in the saddlebag. Thank you for the description and the discount which made it happen. 😊
I live in Virginia and I've been on Skyline Drive and the BRP a number of times. I wish you could see more of the valley/mountains on both roads. I ride a lot of back country roads in my rural area and the view is the nearly the same except every now and again you have an overlook on the BRP or Skyline Drive. It's so overgrown.
@@ara7450 Ok....I've been on it plenty of times. Takes me 2 hours to get to it. The ride "to it" is just as good or better as actually being on it in my opinion. Just a two lane road with woods most of the time except for the occasional pull over where you can finally see mountains and valley. The byway/route that runs parallel to 81 gives much better views in my opinion and you can go faster than 25 miles per hour.
Today , Wednesday Oct. 16 , 2024 , on the local Durham/Raliegh , N.C. news it was announced that the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for travel and tourists ! 😊
I was there too in my motorcycle just before hurricane Helene. We must have crossed paths with you. We also stopped at the visit center. Went to Mount Mitchell in those conditions. It was an adventure, cold weather, strong winds, rain and fog. So sad to know the BRP was damaged so badly.
I've been ridding air cooled Guzzis for 20 years and they feel fine in the summer heat compared to bikes with a more traditional engine layout. When it's hot, it's just hot lol.
I enjoy watching your videos and you . I have a 2024 honda rebel 300 and I love riding I never want to get off of it but I have to eat and sleep and work so I have to stop riding it to do all that stuff.
Sad for those who have lost the. Blue Ridge Parkway in their area. But today, I road. the Blue Ridge Parkway from Skyline Drive at 64 in Virginia at least to route 56. Don't know where the shutdown starts, though.
I live in WNC, and also ride a Guzzi, luckily my little town was spared by Helene, I was looking forward to riding BRP in October, guess not. Heartbreaking what’s happened to WNC.
On the Parkway, when it's fogged in, I've actually had idiots backing up on the road, in 10 foot visibility, because they missed their turn. Not once. Not twice. Three times! You just have to slow down and expect idiots to be backing up in the fog.
The parkway will reopen, though it will take some time. Hopefully, the next time you're back, the weather will be more clear. There's a short walk up to the top of Craggy Garden that will offer you some great views. Of course, there's hardly a bad view anywhere along the parkway. While not on the parkway, the Biltmore Estate is not too far away from it. From the parkway, there's the Ball Gap overlook where you can see Biltmore House. It's about 4.5 miles away. With a good zoom lens or binoculars, you can get a better glimpse. (Biltmore is closed until further notice, while they assess the storm damage and make repairs.) Continuing further south past Ball Gap overlook, there's Mount Pisgah, the Pisgah Inn, Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam Knob (my favorite hike), Devil's Courthouse, and more. So many places. You're very pretty. Wishing you safe travels.
I miss the blue ridge parkway. I live 5 minutes from it and I took it almost every day to go just for a joy ride or to Pisgah Mount Pisgah or just to go see the stars take my dogs for a walk I'm sad
You did a great job! It is a beautiful ride, and it is so sad that it’s been washed away. Did you do the Dragon while you were there? Just follow the road! One way up one way down. You’ll get used to it. ❤❤❤❤
Friends badly impacted. My neighborhood no problem. Three counties north. Friend hit by wall of water. Stripped his house out. Put it all in the river. Got out sans, wallet. Wife and he lost 60 years plus of accumulated stuff from around the world. Only consolation. He had not owned this home for a long time. Bought it as retirement place.
Next time you're down this way, keep your eyes peeled for the Freeman Motorsports Touring Map. They're typically free, and found among tourism brochures. I didn't realize how many ride loops are here. Shiny side up!
No bike rides like a Guzzi. That's a sport touring category of bike and sounds like Guzzi did a great job designing it to be comfy. If Guzzi comes out with a new 2025 California cruiser you'll have to try that out, it'll surpass Harley and Indian in quality and comfort and performance, I'm quiet sure of it. Moto Guzzi is the hidden gem of motorcycle bikes that many bike people overlook.
I’m surprised how close to the center line that rider is especially in the fog, that’s placing a lot of trust in anyone coming the other direction can see clearly enough not to come over the line.
I rode a big chunk of the BRP a few years ago, I thought it was in great shape. Also, the statement “I don’t know why I look at the radar, it’s never right”, is a complete misnomer. It’s always right. It’s just data. No speculation, no predictions, unlike your weather people.
Me a friend and my dad did the parkway a few years ago. I really wanted to take the wife was discussing about next year. Guess I’m going to have to wait. Very sad
Sucks. I have several videos over on my channel of th BRP too, feel free to view and share them too, if you want to reminisce some more. Damn this sucks all the way around. If it completely re-opens, it will not be the same, no way. Supposed to be in Ashville, well, now, this weekend, actually Swannanoa...sigh...
I lived in Swannanoa for 19 years, we rode as much of WNC as we could. I could be on the BRP in ten minutes, it was a rider’s paradise. We left in 2022 for early retirement. My heart is broken for WNC, especially the Swannanoa Valley. I feel blessed for the time I had there. It was heaven on Earth to me.
With regard to no phone signal, can you not download google maps for the area you're in and use it offline. When I was in Boston earlier this year, I downloaded the Massacheusetts area whilst planning my trip from England. All went we until I crossed the county border into Vermont travelling to the other Manchester. There are so many ! ! ! Oops. Should have downloaded a larger map area
Mast General Store in Valle Crucis is iconic. It was spared by the hurricane, thankfully. The nearby annex had some water damage, but they expect to reopen soon. Little Switzerland did ok thru the storm, nearby Alpine Inn did not fare as well. For anyone unaware, many towns in the area this video was filmed are gone. Not merely damaged by water…washed away. No longer there. Roads and bridges are gone. Western NC is the definition of devastated.
@@johngilbert1047 absolutely terrible what has happened throughout Western NC. Mast General in Valle Crucis was our go-to every year so this hits home for us. I'm glad it wasn't washed away like other parts of NC
I cried watching your trip through western NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville, Black Mountain, Little Switzerland, Boone, Banner Elk and so many little scenic towns have been decimated by Hurricane Helene. Fall this year won’t include our usual trip to the mountains. 😢
You can visit Mast General store, in Roanoke, VA, and Knoxville and Chattanooga TN!
Very true friend. I'm in Asheville
Your closing sentence-- and seeing what once was-- made me cry😢 i love wnc. It is a special blessing and gift of God. Last time i drove through it was years ago. Mourning its devastation. Praying for the consolation and recovery of all its people.
Thank you for taking me with on your ride. Loved every minute of it.
I’m from Ohio too. I’ve lived in NC for almost 35 years now and have ridden in the mountains many times. I also like riding along the beach. Let’s hope the people and roads in WNC can get back to some semblance of normality in the not so distant future.
I'm from South Dakota and have lived in NC for 36 years and have ridden the Blue Ridge a few times (most recently, August 31 this year) and driven it a few times. I try to stop at the Mast General store when I can. I had plans for a fall ride through the mountains this year, but may cancel, on the other hand if I spend money out there I am supporting the economy in a small way. I may also be able to donate directly to a church to help the locals.
I lived on Okinawa Japan for a long time and I loved that. Now I’m in Michigan and I truly do not want to retire and get old (er) here. North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia are the new target spots now.
Mast General Store is a National Treasure, Glad you dropped by
The Appalachian mountains that you enjoy riding through is the oldest mountain range in the United States and none more beautiful ❤
You need to ride around Lake Tahoe. You might think twice about calling BRP the most beautiful ride in America.
The south end of the oldest range on earth. Love those low, hairy mountains.
I don't want to sound like I know it all but they are not the oldest in the United States. The Black Hills in South Dakota are. Just looked it up.
@@shawnobrien1743 I saw that too but for the life of me I can’t trust claims that we know some mountain range, or anything else, is 1.5 billion years old. Sounds like BS to me. They still can’t accurately predict if it will rain tomorrow but I am supposed to believe they can age something to 1.5 billion AND try to tell me what the Earth is going to look like 3000 years from now if the climate increases one degree in temp.
@@TJ-Dives-- Amen...
blue ridge parkway, Hot springs, Bobarosa, chimney rock, all the best biker hangouts on the border between TN and NC are gone. We will come back because we are Appalachun!
Amen! I’m not sure when this vid was done, many parts of the BRP are closed for the foreseeable future, too much damage to bridges and mudslides.
This makes me so incredibly sad! I rode the BRP and NC 2 years ago and fell in love with it. I had planned a trip to be riding the Parkway and NC this week. I'm heartbroken for everyone impacted by this and for this beautiful area that will be forever changed 💔 😢
Have ridden so many roads around this whole area and while watching countless UA-cam videos from locals i see the places i have travelled to just gone! Chimney rock and the like, little Switzerland, the devils whip the list goes on and on.... Pray for these folks! Its gonna be a long road back...
Just motorcycle rode the BRP for about 100 miles each way to Mount Mitchell peak. Had been on it in a car once in the Western end but not this section. Beautiful view changed my wife's whole perspective about motorcycle touring and mountain views. Just about 4 weeks ago and now I'm sure it is messed up. So glad I took the time and chance to ride some of it. Went slowly and stopped at every turnout viewpoint.
Although I would have enjoyed your ride 4 weeks ago, I clicked onto this episode because of the lead in “BRP destroyed” thought we would be seeing something of the devastation. Sadly, do to the fog it wasn’t possible! Drive safe, watch out for the other guys!
@@glennhurst7659 We will rebuild! My church is sending a mission to help from here 15 miles from the coast. My wife and I drove through there dozens of times, visiting her family in eastern Tennessee, I've been devastated seeing that beautiful area so destroyed. John McClain, GySgt, USMC ret.
Thank you for your service Gunny!
Widow of an Army 'Nam Vet, daughter of a Navy Korean War Vet.
Such beautiful country. I’m so sorry, no horrified, about Helene storm destruction. God Bless y’all.
Your group is one of the last to ride those roads for a long while. I spend all my free time riding off road in Elk Park NC. My favorite motorcycle campground has turned into a distribution/ rescue/ relief center to assist these poor people up in the "hollers" where we normally ride. I was there last weekend & heading up again today. I can only describe what I saw as apocalyptic. I sat in silence driving home for 4 hours trying to process it all. Pray for these people, the emergency responders & the helpers that came from ALL over. No one should have to see what they are seeing. Harley Davidson in Asheville is doing a great job from what I have heard on social media. Support organizations & individuals who are vetted and will put your contributions to good use. I am heartbroken 😢
This video is a nice goodbye to the BRP 😢.
The people and the towns in that area and their infrastructure should come first. Thanks for the video, pretty lady.
It broke my heart to edit this video. I only wish it wasn’t so foggy so we could actually see the incredible views 🥺
198 miles are now open today so that's a good sign
she does have a natural beauty about her. someone that can enjoy the simple things in life(nature) has a good soul
I think I was driving north on the Parkway at about the same time. I left my hometown of Knoxville, to NewFound Gap to the Parkway, stopping in Asheville. I woke up the next morning to rain so instead of doing the trip to Little Switzerland and beyond I just hopped on Hwy 40 and headed home. I think seeing your video that was a good decision. Great video Jess.
My uncle rode his 2018 Ultra Limited from the Black Hills out to that area just a few weeks before Helene came in like a wrecking ball. Such a beautiful place, and it's a bucket list ride for me. So sad to see what the people in the area are going through. Looks like you had a great time despite the pea soup fog!
I live on the BlueRidge Parkway in Virginia and it’s in shambles after Helene. So many huge trees lost. 😢
I'm 15 from the parkway. The leaves are changing and we can't enjoy them 😢
What about the roads? Did people there lose their homes due to flashflooding? What is the extent of damage in VA?
Awesome footage as always Jess....Be safe and create memories
I have traveled from Ohio to ride the parkway for many years. In fact I was scheduled to be there as hurricane Helene was marching North at 30 mph out of the gulf so I canceled. Never dreamed the devastation would be as bad as it is.😢
The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, were set to be reopened Friday morning, October 11, according to the National Park Service. This includes the 198 miles of the scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 - Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road (near Fancy Gap):
Yep! The section i am riding in this video is still closed in North Carolina
That cute country store you stopped in was called Mast General. Located in Valle Crucis NC (Outside of Boone) and is the original location of the Mast General stores in NC with other locations stretching around NC. We love always visiting the OG though lol
Thanks for the info!
Hey Jess, I most likely Trucked by you while you were in the Mountains... I passed through Asheville, NC on I-40 Trucking to Knoxville, TN as it was raining really steady... Before the damage and destruction. Prayer's for Mountain Folks
@FLHCSfan68 i live Knox. No problems here. Just to the north three counties. Massive damage Tennessee
Road there in August very sad to see what’s happened my thoughts and prayers are with everyone down there.
So I grew up in northeast Ohio and moved out when I joined the Air Force when I was 22. My first duty station was Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro NC. Met my wife here in NC and then after I got out of the Air Force we moved back down to NC and I love it. I am glad to be away from the Ohio snow belt!
You poor baby can't stand the snow?
@@firstamendmenttshirt4768sorry but who the Fugg are you? I live in NC and can ride my bike year round and don’t have to sit there and put it up for the winter. I spent 22 years of my life in the snow belt getting lake effect snow dumped on me every year and I can handle the snow all day but why would I want to deal with it when I can have amazing weather year round and awesome roads to ride on all around me.
@Jedi_CVO-RG oh, who said you had to stop riding in winter? The older you get the more of a challenge it gets.
North Carolina mountains are really gorgeous in the fall when the trees change colors. Back in 1975 I think it was, we got on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cherokee,North Carolina and rode all the way to the end in Virginia. We drove my 1974 Ford Pinto that Dad bought me as a high school graduation gift in 1975.It took about two days. We spent the night at a hotel off the Parkway. The only section we didn't go on was the Lynn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain. It had not been completed yet. We did go over it several years ago.
I just spent the whole afternoon with three other guys including my grandson riding about a hundred miles in eastern NC. I got here in 76, came out of Chicago, and said the first day I was here, "this is where I retire". I retired from the USMC in 97, no regrets! I was in that center just about two months ago, with my niece on the back of my 78 Triumph, same bike as today. Don't get rid of any of your bikes! I've got a couple I've had for twenty years and still love them. Wish I still had every single one I've ever sold. Love your video! I've been across those mountains a dozen times on bikes, and a dozen or more in trucks and jeeps.
Thanks again for awesome videos and long trips through back roads mountain! Mrs Jess
I moved from IN to FL.. lived in FL 25yrs then moved to NC.. absolutely love NC. Beautiful greenery and winters are mild.. near raleigh anyway.. maybe an inch every couple years and only a month when it gets to freezing at night
Glad you had fun in my playground before it was destroyed. I too am from Ohio and have resided in NC for the last almost 25 years. Got back into riding when I moved here. The trout fishing and riding in the mountains is the reason I stay.....it's all gone now. It's like losing a family member and my heart goes out to all affected. Nice video and beautiful motorcycle.....be safe.
Very nice narrating, good job young lady..
Our group just did several miles on the BRP in August. I hope it isn’t closed too long. It’s my favorite road to ride.
Wife and I biked the complete Blue Ridge Parkway and it was great. So sad the weather was not great for you.
I have driven through there, and it is beautiful.
Hey Jess, I always enjoy your content and creativity. I love to see all the lady riders. Ride free! Chris
We rode the full length from GMNP to Shenandoah NP last year, I am so glad we got the trip in when we did. Great video ❤️
That is awesome! I’m so glad for you too!
Rode it twice back in the 1980-1982 time period. Raining back then too. The views were spectacular!
We here in Virginia ride the Blue Ridge Parkway on the mountain ridge above our small town. We plan to go to NC to help those affected by Helene in mid November. Some family have already returned from the first group that went to the area to help. Waiting for our turn.
This season has been devastating to the Southeast.
I'm from Charlotte and have been riding the parkway and surrounding areas my whole life. I have ridden the BRP from Cherokee to VA many times. I have ridden the Dragon dozens of times. It is a technical ride that is enjoyable after you finish but you are too focused to enjoy during. I like 28 from 74 to Deals Gap. I find that the best rides are the roads from 74 to 64. Hwy 276, 215, 205.
I was blessed to ride on the BRP the weekend before the storm. I pray our government will put the proper resources in place to restore it ASAP.
Wow, this title is so bad! The BRP is open!
Sadly, historically major repairs of even the shortest sections of BRP have taken years to finish.
@47MTCLLC - No it isn't.
I live in North Carolina and I frequent the BRP.....from what I understand it is CLOSED until further notice
@@brenttuttle7268 parts of it yes that is true however the BRP is open for a chunk of 198 plus miles towards VA
from what i can tell sections of it are already reopening. Hopefully it won't take too long for things to go back to normal.
Nice video keep up the great work Her Two Wheels
Never rode a Motto Guzzi. Owned a 1981 Honda GL500, kinda Guzzi ish looking. Amazing scenery looking ride you guys were on. Take Care and Ride Safe.
I was planning a trip at the end of October, but now I must wait. Sometimes riding with no plan is the best plan, Love that motoguzzi, Thankyou for sharing your thoughts of this bike.
I absolutely love the parkway i hope that it reopens soon
Rode the Back of the Dragon last weekend (Oct 4-5). LOTS of trees down but roads cleared, and electric truck caravans everywhere. All I could think about was if Wheels Through Time (Maggie Valley) survived the flooding.
I think my brother and I were on the Blue Ridge Parkway at about the same time you were. We met at the deals gap inn. Anyway, my brother and I went on to Cherokee, and then started on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway about 40 miles in the rain and fog go so bad we were forced to stop. And they closed the road so we couldn't go even if we wanted to. So we limped back in the other direction and found a road we could take down the mountain. We eventually found our way to Asheville and gave up there for the day.
We might have been there the same time lol
The fog in that stretch is thick! But it's beautiful when the weather cooperates.
Awesome ride Jess! Even with the fog! 😂🥰👍👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m a Guzzi fan !
Love your ride ! ❤️
I am broken hearted about western NC, east TN and Blue Ridge Parkway
I was just there about a week earlier. I loved it. Will go back it will be rebuilt, most likely by Park volunteers
I’ve been to the Smokey mountains when I was a little kid there very beautiful 😻 ❤❤❤❤❤❤!!!!! Be safe Jessica 😎😎😎
Dear Jess, I want to thank you for your recent video where you introduced the Fantick inflator.
As a result of your well spoken description of the inflator and the 20.00 discount. I finally pulled the trigger, now instead of hauling a noisy compressor, I just reach in the saddlebag.
Thank you for the description and the discount which made it happen. 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome riding in that entire area. Mt. Mitchel, a destination I still have to go to. Great looking bike
I hope the parkway is able to open back up soon. Idk though 😥
10-11 = The BRP is open from Fancy Gap (I-77) to MM 0 at Front Royal - but mostly closed to the south - most of NC closed.
Great vid.👌
Thanks for the visit!
I live in Virginia and I've been on Skyline Drive and the BRP a number of times. I wish you could see more of the valley/mountains on both roads. I ride a lot of back country roads in my rural area and the view is the nearly the same except every now and again you have an overlook on the BRP or Skyline Drive. It's so overgrown.
i love skyline sm. I love being so close to it.
@@ara7450 Ok....I've been on it plenty of times. Takes me 2 hours to get to it. The ride "to it" is just as good or better as actually being on it in my opinion. Just a two lane road with woods most of the time except for the occasional pull over where you can finally see mountains and valley. The byway/route that runs parallel to 81 gives much better views in my opinion and you can go faster than 25 miles per hour.
The best views are in winter time, when all of the leaves are gone Can see some beautiful sights.
Hope you’re doing well despite the weather conditions.
Today , Wednesday Oct. 16 , 2024 , on the local Durham/Raliegh , N.C. news it was announced that the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for travel and tourists ! 😊
I was there too in my motorcycle just before hurricane Helene. We must have crossed paths with you. We also stopped at the visit center. Went to Mount Mitchell in those conditions. It was an adventure, cold weather, strong winds, rain and fog. So sad to know the BRP was damaged so badly.
IT really was. so terrible
Thanks Jess.
I've been ridding air cooled Guzzis for 20 years and they feel fine in the summer heat compared to bikes with a more traditional engine layout. When it's hot, it's just hot lol.
I enjoy watching your videos and you . I have a 2024 honda rebel 300 and I love riding I never want to get off of it but I have to eat and sleep and work so I have to stop riding it to do all that stuff.
Been up to Mitchell on my old K75s….. Blue Ridge was a top ride for me…. Met some great people up there…. Chris & Jenn!
Sad for those who have lost the. Blue Ridge Parkway in their area. But today, I road. the Blue Ridge Parkway from Skyline Drive at 64 in Virginia at least to route 56. Don't know where the shutdown starts, though.
I can see how some would find it a little unnerving, but I think riding through fog is absolutely amazing and beautiful. (and Cool - temp-wise 😆)
I live in WNC, and also ride a Guzzi, luckily my little town was spared by Helene, I was looking forward to riding BRP in October, guess not. Heartbreaking what’s happened to WNC.
I can not agree more!!! (Riding with ppl vs being alone most of the time)
On the Parkway, when it's fogged in, I've actually had idiots backing up on the road, in 10 foot visibility, because they missed their turn. Not once. Not twice. Three times!
You just have to slow down and expect idiots to be backing up in the fog.
That's dangerous!
At 5:46 you were heading south, crossing the VA/NC line, about MM 218
So thankful you got there and this video before disaster struck for so many. Prayers for all..
Thanks jess
The parkway will reopen, though it will take some time. Hopefully, the next time you're back, the weather will be more clear. There's a short walk up to the top of Craggy Garden that will offer you some great views. Of course, there's hardly a bad view anywhere along the parkway. While not on the parkway, the Biltmore Estate is not too far away from it. From the parkway, there's the Ball Gap overlook where you can see Biltmore House. It's about 4.5 miles away. With a good zoom lens or binoculars, you can get a better glimpse. (Biltmore is closed until further notice, while they assess the storm damage and make repairs.) Continuing further south past Ball Gap overlook, there's Mount Pisgah, the Pisgah Inn, Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam Knob (my favorite hike), Devil's Courthouse, and more. So many places. You're very pretty. Wishing you safe travels.
Our cabin off of flat top mountain in blowing rock flooded. Don’t know how bad yet still can’t get up there.
Oh gosh
You should do that ride the 2nd week of October! The colors are amazing.
Just read that Helene passed through there as well. Hope any hindrances will be sorted out soon.
Doubtful. It was a horrific outcome with lots of lives lost. Absolutely devastating
The moto guzzi experience is amazing. I toured Sardinia with them.. first class!
Amazing!
I miss the blue ridge parkway.
I live 5 minutes from it and I took it almost every day to go just for a joy ride or to Pisgah Mount Pisgah or just to go see the stars take my dogs for a walk I'm sad
Darlin',,, you may not enjoy the group riding but enjoy the friends , one day will come when you "can't" ...... we all leave here.
They just opened part of the Parkway back up near lovers leap Virginia
I had that same foggy ride about a year ago on the BRP. Definitely not fun!
It was terrifying 😅
Motorcycle Garman GPS is a great asset when exploring new rides. Very user friendly.
I've been riding for 63 years (I'm 80). I HATE riding in groups!
Looks like a nice road trip
No cell signal just out riding.. sounds like heaven to me
You did a great job! It is a beautiful ride, and it is so sad that it’s been washed away. Did you do the Dragon while you were there? Just follow the road! One way up one way down. You’ll get used to it. ❤❤❤❤
Check out the video linked at the end of this one! 😉
I had a Honda CX 500 Yeats ago, and it had a motor in it like that. It was hot in the summer.
LITTLE SWITZERLAND a beautiful place.
Friends badly impacted. My neighborhood no problem. Three counties north. Friend hit by wall of water. Stripped his house out. Put it all in the river. Got out sans, wallet. Wife and he lost 60 years plus of accumulated stuff from around the world. Only consolation. He had not owned this home for a long time. Bought it as retirement place.
Prayers for your your friends and community ❤❤
That is horrific! 😞😞😞
Next time you're down this way, keep your eyes peeled for the Freeman Motorsports Touring Map. They're typically free, and found among tourism brochures. I didn't realize how many ride loops are here. Shiny side up!
I always look for them!
I wish more people knew about Moto Guzzi. They make a great bike at a great price. Like Indian they need more dealerships.
I agree!
No bike rides like a Guzzi. That's a sport touring category of bike and sounds like Guzzi did a great job designing it to be comfy. If Guzzi comes out with a new 2025 California cruiser you'll have to try that out, it'll surpass Harley and Indian in quality and comfort and performance, I'm quiet sure of it. Moto Guzzi is the hidden gem of motorcycle bikes that many bike people overlook.
I’m surprised how close to the center line that rider is especially in the fog, that’s placing a lot of trust in anyone coming the other direction can see clearly enough not to come over the line.
I rode a big chunk of the BRP a few years ago, I thought it was in great shape. Also, the statement “I don’t know why I look at the radar, it’s never right”, is a complete misnomer. It’s always right. It’s just data. No speculation, no predictions, unlike your weather people.
We did the blue ridge on tues the week of bbb and then meet you at route resort on Thursday
Me a friend and my dad did the parkway a few years ago. I really wanted to take the wife was discussing about next year. Guess I’m going to have to wait. Very sad
It really is awful
🤩😍🥰 Let's ride!
Jess, please tell us about your riding gear. And I do hope it has armor.
I’m wearing a Gortex jacket with reinforced stitching and armor in the elbows, back and shoulders.
Sucks. I have several videos over on my channel of th BRP too, feel free to view and share them too, if you want to reminisce some more.
Damn this sucks all the way around. If it completely re-opens, it will not be the same, no way. Supposed to be in Ashville, well, now, this weekend, actually Swannanoa...sigh...
it's true that owning multiple motorcycles gets expensive.... however, a lot less expensive than owning multiple exotic cars.
You got a radar that can give you weather forecast? How you get your hands on the Dopler?
I lived in Swannanoa for 19 years, we rode as much of WNC as we could. I could be on the BRP in ten minutes, it was a rider’s paradise. We left in 2022 for early retirement. My heart is broken for WNC, especially the Swannanoa Valley. I feel blessed for the time I had there. It was heaven on Earth to me.
With regard to no phone signal, can you not download google maps for the area you're in and use it offline. When I was in Boston earlier this year, I downloaded the Massacheusetts area whilst planning my trip from England. All went we until I crossed the county border into Vermont travelling to the other Manchester. There are so many ! ! ! Oops. Should have downloaded a larger map area