Willville anyone?

[David R]

Hi all,

I love this Blue Ridge Parkway campground sorta kinda located near Roanoke VA. I will go there at least twice this year. It is only six hours from my home so it is an easy day ride for me. Anyone interested in hooking up there sometime this year?

Here is a link to the campground.

http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

[Trailace]

Hi all,

I love this Blue Ridge Parkway campground sorta kinda located near Roanoke VA. I will go there at least twice this year. It is only six hours from my home so it is an easy day ride for me. Anyone interested in hooking up there sometime this year?

Here is a link to the campground.

http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

David that is a nice campground and a great area to ride there is already a MotoCampers event close to there in May. Cherohala Chill Out-May 14-16 (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2377), 2010

Maybe later in the year would be a good time.

[George]

CampSTOC was there a couple years ago, closest town is Meadows Of Dan, VA. Will is a great guy and runs a good shop.

CampSTOC is in WV this year, May 14-15, Willville would be a good place to extend that event. :D

[Trekker]

Any time is a good time to go camp at Willville.

<<<<< This photo is from there... April '08.

[David R]

Rick,

My goal was to suggest to the Mid - Atlantic members a quick weekend get together at Willville sometime this year.

From my house:
To Tellico Plains
580.0 Miles
10 hrs, 12 mts

To Willville
327.4 miles
6 hrs, 25 mts

I might be able to make Cherabola. Just cannot commit right now.

[G wizz]

Rick,

My goal was to suggest to the Mid - Atlantic members a quick weekend get together at Willville sometime this year.

From my house:
To Tellico Plains
580.0 Miles
10 hrs, 12 mts

To Willville
327.4 miles
6 hrs, 25 mts

I might be able to make Cherabola. Just cannot commit right now.

David,
May I suggest setting a date for a Campout at Willville, and post it under "events" here on the forum.
That way everyone that would like to attend can make plans to do so.
That's what some of us have done for the the Cherohala Chill out.
You may want to think about inlisting some forum members for help getting things rolling, I'm sure some would be glad to help out.
Also contact Trailace, he's full of pointers and advice on how to throw a good party ... er ... campout. P^

G wizz

[George]

Mac just realized over at ST-Owners, Cherahola and CampSTOC are the same weekend.

[Mellow]

Mac just realized over at ST-Owners, Cherahola and CampSTOC are the same weekend.

I posted this over there too... the two sites are not going to combine calendars. Whatever happens here, or over there, will be kept separate for the most part.

This way, it givs this site more of an identity vs just a sister site off STO.

[George]

I posted this over there too... the two sites are not going to combine calendars. Whatever happens here, or over there, will be kept separate for the most part.

This way, it givs this site more of an identity vs just a sister site off STO.

Works for me, Joe. Just gotta check here more often.

At ST-Owners, Moonshine, CampSTOC, TentSTOC, WeSTOC are pretty much must-do's. Other than that, whatever gets my attention. Since I pretty much always camp, events at this site should get some priority.

I'll keep a better eye on events here from now on.

Oh, yeah, probably need to schedule one myself. In fact, already have. 666 STOC in October, camping at the CattHouse. Miles of dirt right out my back yard. Oct 8-9-10, 2010.

[bigTom]

Boy. I remember when George scheduled ROAD RIDES!

[SparkyL]

Hi Gang;

First post to a cool forum is a question: Would it be doable to ride from the top of Skyline Drive (Front Royal or maybe Luray) to Willville Campground in one day on Skyline Drive and the BRP. My first time to the area. Thanks!

Sparky

[Trailace]

Hi Gang;

First post to a cool forum is a question: Would it be doable to ride from the top of Skyline Drive (Front Royal or maybe Luray) to Willville Campground in one day on Skyline Drive and the BRP. My first time to the area. Thanks!

Sparky

First off welcome to the site.

Skyline starts in Front Royal and it's about 250 miles to Willville so driving it in one day would be a great ride. P^

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site SparkyL!

[bigTom]

Welcome, Sparky!

[Rich Johnston]

Willville is a great place. I get there two or three times a year. It's roughly 3 hrs from my place and we do day ride there for picnics when we're not camping. Will is a great host and runs a 1st class camp. My wife and I are in the official Willville scrap book having spent the 1st night of our honeymoon there almost eight years ago.

Sparky- Front Royal to Willville via Skyline Drive and the BRP is doable even at a relaxed pace. Will's is at MM177. Add 103 miles for Skyline Drive and you're looking at a moderate riding day on some wonderful roads. My preference would be to skip Skyline unless you've never done it. 100+ miles of 35mph is a little tedious to me. As far as the BRP goes if you run it during the week, heed all the 35mph signs, don't pass on the double yellow and ride like you have good sense you can run it at 55-ish without a hitch.

[SparkyL]

Thanks for all the replies and the warm welcome everybody! Hope to see you out there on the road. My buddy and I are tentatively planning on doing this trip in mid-September, so hopefully Skyline Drive and the BRP will be all cleaned up by then. I hear ya on stopping to smell the roses and snap pics and chat up friendly folks along the way. I also forgot to consider that Skyline would be 100+ miles at 35 mph. But, the last time I was on Skyline Drive was 1980 in a Jeep CJ-5 in a strong storm. We didn't get to appreciate it much then. I think this time I'll just dial back my caffeine intake and see what happens.

[SparkyL]

Hey VABob;

Some good advice, thanks. Since I'm a noob to the area, I'm gonna ask: Where is Otterville? On my BRP maps, I see Otter Creek at about MP 57 and Peaks of Otter at MP 80? Thanks again!

Sparky

[Trekker]

Sparky, You can most definitely get to Willville from Front Royal or Luray in one day. I've done a couple times and always enjoy the ride. I tend to avoid the Skyline Drive for the slower speed limit, the entrance fee, and the lack of views.

Be careful about stopping to admire the vistas and views too often! Almost every pull-off has a view worth checking out. That will really slow you down. And as every one has already mentioned, watch the speed limits. I do 10 over and have never had a problem. A ticket on the BRP or Skyline is a Fed. infraction... $$$. (don't forget that radar detectors are illegal in VA, cops have rd detectors too)

You'll really like Willville. It's one of the best bike campgrounds around, and very easy to get to from the BRP. And there is now cell phone service!!!

[SparkyL]

Trekker;
You threw me with the comment that you avoid Skyline Drive for the lack of views. Since I haven't been there yet, I assumed that was the main reason to ride it.
Are you sayin' there are better views on adjacent north to south routes? Are those roads on the west or east side of Shenandoah NP? Thanks.
SparkyL

[Trekker]

Trekker;
You threw me with the comment that you avoid Skyline Drive for the lack of views. Since I haven't been there yet, I assumed that was the main reason to ride it.
Are you sayin' there are better views on adjacent north to south routes? Are those roads on the west or east side of Shenandoah NP? Thanks.
SparkyL

Unless things have changed from the last time I was on the Skyline ( a couple years ago) I noticed the Park Service allows the trees to grow obscuring the views at overlooks. On the BRP the views seem to be kept more open. I'm not quite sure what the difference is between the two sections (both Nat. Park Service).... but there is one. I also avoid the Skyline because of the lower speed limit (35mph max).

Once you get on the BRP you'll get views! Plenty of views!
In case you don't know about these- (check for closures and stuff)
Blue Ridge (http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm)
Skyline (http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm)

[SparkyL]

Unless things have changed from the last time I was on the Skyline ( a couple years ago) I noticed the Park Service allows the trees to grow obscuring the views at overlooks. On the BRP the views seem to be kept more open. I'm not quite sure what the difference is between the two sections (both Nat. Park Service).... but there is one. I also avoid the Skyline because of the lower speed limit (35mph max).

Once you get on the BRP you'll get views! Plenty of views!
In case you don't know about these- (check for closures and stuff)
Blue Ridge (http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm)
Skyline (http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm)

Ohhhhhh. Now I get it! Thanks!

[Motocentaur]

I've stayed at Willville a couple of times, most recently last summer. It is a nice place, and I like the novelty of a cycle-only campground. I happened to show up there at the same time it was packed with beemers headed to their national rally in TN I think. It was like a mini rally, and a good time.