The Blue Ridge Parkway: Why Even Hardcore Rippers Should Ride It
Let’s be real—if you're anything like me, the idea of cruising a scenic road at 45 mph doesn’t exactly get your blood pumping. As a Ripper, I like power, speed, and digging deep into corners. So when I first heard about the Blue Ridge Parkway, I figured it was a pretty ride for tourists and bagger bros that sip hot cocoa at gas stops.
I was wrong.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely worth your time, even if your usual riding style is wide open and full throttle. It might not be about knee-dragging, but it’s a different kind of challenge—mental, visual, and spiritual. Yeah, I said it.
Here’s why this road rips in its own way—and how to crush the ride, Steel Rippers style.
Why This Ride Rules
No Semis. No BS.
The Parkway is closed to commercial traffic, which means no 18-wheelers clogging your lines or blasting you with tire shrapnel. Most vehicles you'll see are other bikers or locals using it as a back road. Translation: you own the lane more than most highways allow.
Nature on Steroids
This isn’t some concrete interstate with guardrails and strip malls. The Parkway winds through forested mountains, with elevation changes, tight curves, and canopies that swallow the sunlight. It feels like you’re riding through a postcard that just keeps flipping pages.
Fog. Wind. Rain. Vibes.
This road isn’t just about views—it’s about mystique. You’ll ride through mountain fog, feel sideways wind ripping across high bridges, and hit sections that feel like you're in another dimension. It’s raw, real, and damn near spiritual.
Good Surface, Honest Ride
No, it’s not racetrack-smooth—but the road is solid, maintained, and never so beat up that it kills the fun. If you're used to dodging craters in rural backroads, this will feel like a red carpet.
Speed Limits? Sorta.
The limit is 45 mph, but let’s be honest—you’ll find plenty of stretches to open it up a bit. Enforcement? It’s there, but not heavy-handed. And truthfully, some sections are so tight and twisty, 45 feels right.
How to Ride It Right
Fuel Smart
There are no gas stations directly on the Parkway. Plan ahead, keep an eye on your tank, and fuel up at exits before you need to. If you’re smart, it won’t be a problem.
Sleep Off the Path
Aside from Peaks of Otter Lodge (VA) and the Pisgah Inn (NC), you’ll have to exit to find hotels. Want to camp? Do it. There are plenty of campgrounds right off the route if you’re into sleeping under the stars with your bike beside you.
Pack for Weather War
The Parkway runs through high elevations, and it gets cold, fast. One minute you’re sweating, the next you’re shivering. Throw in a surprise rainstorm with nowhere to hide, and you better hope your rain gear isn’t just for show. Double-check it before you go—you’re gonna need it.
Merch Is Sparse
You won’t find a souvenir shack every 10 miles. If you see a Parkway patch or shirt you like, buy it then. Don’t wait—chances are it won’t show up again until you're back home scrolling Etsy with regret.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t about burnouts, high-speed sweepers, or seeing how far you can push your suspension. It’s about riding for the sake of riding. It's about headspace. About breathing in mountain air, taking the long way, and remembering why you fell in love with two wheels in the first place.
And just because it’s a chill ride doesn’t mean it’s soft. You’ll still be tested—mentally, physically, emotionally. You’ll finish feeling something a little deeper than adrenaline. You might even find a version of yourself you didn’t know you needed to meet.
Bonus Ripper Tip
If you’re going all-in on the Parkway, build your route to hit:
Skyline Drive at the northern end
Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway at the southern end
Make it a full Ripper’s loop—scenery, serenity, speed, and pure American road therapy.
Ride hard. Ride free. Ride Rippers.
– Bagger Shawn
Founder, Steel Rippers