Easter on the Blue Ridge, 12 April 2009

[MTSweger]

Who is up for an "Easter on the Blue Ridge" ride this year?

Easter 2009 falls on April 12th. I figure we can meet at the old Howard Johnson's in Afton around 9:45 and be ready to roll by 10:00. Then we can run down the Parkway and stop at Otter Creek for lunch. That way, anyone who wants to meet us there for lunch can do so. We can extend the ride southward on the Parkway after lunch and people can drop off or join at any point along the way.

Anyone interested? Other ideas or preferred time/itinerary?

-MTS

[MTSweger]

Well, it looks like the Otter Creek Restaurant (http://www.peaksofotter.com/rest_ottercreek.html) doesn't open until May 1st, so that's out. One alternative would be the Lake View Restaurant (http://www.peaksofotter.com/rest_lakeview.html) at Peaks of Otter...

...or, we could drop off the Parkway at Route 60 and head over to Lexington for lunch. For lunch in Lexington, here are some ideas, in no particular order:

• Southern Inn (http://www.southerninn.com/), 37 South Main St, Lexington
• Tuscany (http://www.tuscanyitalianrestaurant.com/), 24 N. Main St, Lexington
• The Palms (http://www.thepalmslexington.com/), 101 W. Nelson St, Lexington
• Country Cookin (http://www.countrycookin.com/), 54 Comfort Way, Lexington
• Berkey's (http://www.leehi.com/dan%20html%20file/berky%27s.html), 2516 N. Lee Hwy

I've never eaten at any of these places, but the menus look decent. If you have recent experiences (good or bad) with any of these restaurants, please post a reply here to let us know.

Assuming we eat somewhere in or near Lexington, here is a suggested route for the Easter ride:

1. Depart Afton (BRP mile 0) at 10:00 a.m.
2. BRP to US-60
3. US-60 West to Lexington (lunch)
4. US-11 South to Natural Bridge
5. Left on VA-130 to Glasgow
6. VA-120/US-501 East/South to BRP
7. BRP North to US-60
   Google Maps link - http://tinyurl.com/dbd3b7

I'm just throwing this out there for comment. Please let me know if you plan to participate and, if so, where you prefer to ride and eat.

-MTS

[Chuck]

Sounds good to me -- I'll plan to be t here. Will there be restaurant space competition on Easter? Any comments from the Lexington locals?

[Buddy Reid]

I will be there.

[mewvab]

Used to be a group from canada and around meet at KOA veronia on thursday and friday befor ester then ride parkway saturday and sunday. Anyone know if thats happening? I'm interested.
Michael
mewvab@cox.net

[AntonLargiader]

Steve Coburn used to organize that. I don't even know how to get in touch with that Canadian crowd. Was it a specific club?

[Chuck]

I think it was Ross and Jean Copas from Ontario that organized Easter on the Blue Ridge with Steve Coburn. The Copas retired and quit coming down, but a group from the BMW MC Club Ontario came for a couple years. I contacted Mike Southwood from BMW MCO for the last few years and they find Easter a little early to get out of Toronto. Mike said he would pass the info on about this years Easter ride to a few of the MCO members who might be heading out.

[MTSweger]

Chuck suggested that we should do a light lunch (sandwiches, etc.) instead of trying to compete with the Easter Sunday crowds. I'm inclined to agree. Let's plan to "brown-bag" it for the Easter ride. We can still drop off the Parkway at Buena Vista to refuel, rehydrate, and grab a quick snack.

-MTS

[MTSweger]

Posting this announcement on various Internet forums and lists:

Easter on the Blue Ridge, 12 April 2009

On behalf of the Blue Ridge Beemers (http://blueridgebeemers.org), I invite you to join us for our annual "Easter on the Blue Ridge" event on Sunday, 12 April 2009.

We will meet in front of the old Howard Johnson's off I-64 (Exit 99) near Afton, Virginia (38°01'51"N 078°51'32"W or 38.03075, -78.85871) and head south from the north end (Milepost 0) of the Blue Ridge Parkway at 10:00 a.m.

This is an "unorganized group ride" and people are welcome to join or depart at any point along the way. We will probably drop off the Parkway at US-60 near Buena Vista and again at VA-130/US-501 near Glasgow to enjoy a few of the many scenic roads that cross the BRP. There will be several opportunities to refuel, rehydrate, and grab something to eat along the way. However, many riders prefer to carry drinks and snacks because most restaurants and concessions on the Parkway do not open for the season until May 1st.

Suggested route on Google Maps: http://tinyurl.com/dlthl4

Blue ridge Parkway info:
- National Park Service (http://www.nps.gov/blri/)
- Blue Ridge Parkway Association (http://www.blueridgeparkway.org)
- Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (http://www.brpfoundation.org)
- BRP Trip Planner, Milepost 0 to Milepost 140
(http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/BRPA09/ ... 028-37.pdf)
- Blue ridge Parkway Weather (http://www.blueridgeparkwayweather.com/)

Please pass it on to anyone you think may be interested.

Yeah, I know, we should have sent this out weeks ago. I've always wanted to join the Procrastinator's Club, but never got around to it.

-MTS

[Chuck]

Good job, Mike! I found the announcement on the RA and MOA forums. Those post should probably get a bump on Friday or so.