Day 3: Riding Through Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnels

The Blue Ridge Parkway from around Little Switzerland to about Asheville is one of my favorite sections of the whole stretch. Aside from being a great ride, it offers some really beautiful views of the valleys below. The 50 or so miles seemed to go by in a blink as we rode along.

Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway

You can also catches glimpses of the road ahead as it cuts along the edge of mountain ridge. There is something that I love about being able to see a wiggly roadway peeking out from the trees. It’s like a teaser that says, ‘Come on, hurry up. Look how much fun you’re gonna be having in a minute!’

Spiral Curve Sign on BRP

There also a few of those spiral curve signs along the way to get your get-up-and-go a-workin’.

The Little Switzerland area at milepost 333 is also where the majority of the 26 tunnels on the parkway begin. Only a single tunnel exists before that way back  at milepost 53.

Blue Ridge Tunnels

Though I’ve ridden the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway a few times before, each time I do I find something exciting about the tunnels.

Inside a dark BRP tunnel

Because they are unlit and some have turns inside, when you enter you have no idea where you’ll end up. There could be more tarmac on the other side or… you could be riding into the mouth of that giant worm thingy from the Empire Strikes Back. Who can say?

Jump to lightspeed

The tunnels aren’t very long. When you enter the darkness your eyes barely have enough time to adjust before you are plunged out into the light again.

Those exits make for great jump to lightspeed pics on the GoPro 🙂

More Posts from the Trip:

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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2 Responses

  1. Trobairitz says:

    Great stuff. I didn’t realize there were so many tunnels. I need to get out and see this country more.

  2. Bucky says:

    Here is an interesting tunnel not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

    http://buckysride.blogspot.com/2010/10/road-to-nowhere-and-good-jumping-off.html

    …and some more info on the Blue Ridge Parkway

    http://buckysride.blogspot.com/2009/08/ride-to-mt-mitchell-highest-point-east.html

    Keep up the posts. We love them!

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