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U.S. 221, The
Road Less Traveled
Situated
between the tourist village of Blowing Rock and the
community of Linville, U.S. 221 is an exciting road that offers
more than just curves. Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway
in Western North Carolina, this twisty section of asphalt
was the detour that linked the Parkway around its only uncompleted
section, the area around Grandfather Mountain. For twenty
years this 7.5 mile section of the Parkway was left unfinished
because of problems in securing easements; this was mostly
due to environmental concerns raised by the owners of the
privately owned mountain and park. A compromise was reached,
however, and in 1987 the last section of the Parkway was opened
to the public. Since this time, traffic on 221 has been reduced
due to the views, the more car-friendly construction, and
somewhat shorter distance the Blue Ridge Parkway offers to
people traveling in this area.
I’ve
often wondered just how many motorcyclists touring
on the Parkway have overlooked this curvaceous stretch of
winding, mountainous road. It’s so close, yet most riders
just cruise right over the top of it at milepost 305. This
is where the Blue Ridge Parkway and U.S.221 intersect. It
seems our society is one that wants instant gratification;
well baby, this is where it starts if you are headed north
on the BRP. Exit here and hang a left. If you aren’t
immediately pleasured at what awaits, then there is very little
in life that will leave you wanting the proverbial cigarette.
Fifteen miles of curves and views along with the occasional
small waterfall await until you re-intersect with the Parkway
near Blowing Rock.
If you are
traveling south on the BRP, exit at milepost 294,
then turn right onto U.S.221. The next five miles or so take
you through a residential area of private homes and resort
rental properties. Get your sight-seeing in here because once
you reach the Grandfather Mountain area, it’s party
time! Practitioners of peg scraping and knee dragging will
be hanging off and scuffing their tires to the edges as the
road becomes their playground. Curve after beauteous curve
awaits, and with ten miles of ‘em, you’ll be ready
to back the pace down a couple of notches by the time you
get back to the Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the needle that
ties this winding thread together so beautifully too. Spectacular
views and a more leisurely pace, along with multiple places
to pull off and rest, offer even the most conditioned sport
rider a chance to regroup. Then, after a very short ride on
the BRP, you can hook back up with US 221, and do it all over
again.
Don’t
think that 221 is only for riders of more “focused”
motorcycles either. No matter what type of bike you ride,
you’ll enjoy the varied terrain and challenging curves.
One caveat, though: Ride this road at a sedate pace the first
time through. After a tough winter, US 221 will most likely
have patches of sand and gravel on it, which has caused more
than one rider to take a spill. Usually by late spring, the
road has rid itself of the hazards left behind by snow removal
teams.
Of course,
one of Lesley’s favorite things about this
ride is driving into the little town of Blowing Rock, which
is filled with artsy shops and great little restaurants. She
just loves spending money there! Look for a weekend-getaway
feature for Blowing Rock in the near future.
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