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2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

US HWY 221 is a BLAST of a road to ride if you like tight, twisty and technically challenging mountain roads!! Some of the reviews describe this road like it's the Parkway - with overlooks, pull off areas and nice, gentle sweepers...That is INCORRECT. This is NOT the Blue Ridge Parkway!! The BRP crosses this road at BOTH ends (near Blowing Rock and again by Grandfather Mountain) but this is NOT the BRP.

As a clue, when you get on the road, there's a prominent sign, with flashing lights, saying "NARROW STEEP WINDING ROAD NEXT 19 MILES" and "TRACTOR-TRAILERS PROHIBITED." Look for it on googlemaps street view :-) The BRP can be ridden by anyone with confidence - this road cannot. It will bite you if not careful.

The last time I was on this road was about 2015. At that time the road was well paved and in good physical condition. The biggest concern is rocks/gravel in some of the corners. There are also some decreasing radius, multi-apex corners which will catch the inexperienced off guard quickly. Guardrails do exist on *SOME* parts of this road but there are others where a mistake teaches you that you can't fly.

Another concern is the number of bicyclists who ride this road. There is a bike race in the fall(?) and a lot of bicyclists train on the road all summer. There are only a couple of pull-offs and no overlooks that I can remember. The foilage is beautiful with nearly full shade during the summer. During the fall though, watch out for fallen leaves on the road surface!

Once you get outside of Blowing Rock, the speed limit goes up to 55. The odds are you won't reach that number much though (except on the couple of short straights...) Be aware, there are several residential driveways directly off this road and there are slow vehicles on there frequently. Passing opportunities are very limited.

I love this road on a bike or in a cage!! It's technically challenging, senic (with boulders hanging OVER the road surface in a couple of places!!) and has limited access except at the ends. There's nothing but twisties between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain. A fun road to run to be sure!

36 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

I've been on this trip in a cage and now on my bike. June is great when the Rhododendrum are blooming. Fall is magnificent. My girl and I were there in August 2015 on the Bike. I've ridden mountain roads alone but with a passenger it's different. The parkway is not difficult if you don't push it. Speed limit is 45 so that says something. Grandfather Mountian Rd is not bad going up but a bit intimidating, but school buses do it. Soooo! Going up one can keep a steady 10 to 15 miles with no prob. Coming down is somewhat terrifyingly steep and hairpin turns. The first is at the bottom of a 400 ft steep ramp and to the right. I stopped and walked my bike around it. You can't see what's coming. Just take care.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

This is a great ride, lots of switchbacks & bank turns & beautiful scenic route but the road is horrible, so until they pave it please be careful! Lager pot holes, ruts, bumps. It's gotten rough over the last couple of years.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

A nice easy ride great for when the leaves change. Some twisties but not too many. Some cars during the fall months and be sure when in Blowing Rock not to get crazy on the throttle. All in all a nice enjoyable road to ride.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

This part of the trip was great. Nice slow cruse with low amount of other traffic. After getting to Grandfather mountain, we hiked it. The colors were just starting to change and it was very windy. At this time (10-3/5-2010), if this is average temps, you may want to dress in layers. It was 37 degrees at 6:00 pm. although it didn't feel like it was that cold to me, but a bit colder than Zephyrhills, Fl. The whole area is amazing. Very good ride if you like hills and turns with lots of trees, rock walls and some bridges. Lots of overlooks as others have mentioned. We traveled all around Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather mountain and Sugar Mountain area. If you like, There are some very nice cabins for rent in Valley Crucis. There's a private lake with otters and fishing, catch and release only. Loved it all but wish I had made it later this month so we could have seen all the colors. It is a beautiful ride. One note: while traveling up to the area, 321 was under construction with bumps and uneven pavement, still worth the ride. Will do it again soon. God bless you all.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is a great ride for all the reasons above and more. The Blue Ridge Parkway route is much tamer as far as curves. If you stay on 221 all the way to Grandfather Mtn, it is not to be taken lightly. The road has a few rough patches and gravel on the pavement in the curves will get your attention. I met a number of sport bikers hugging the centerline at a much higher speed than we were traveling, so be on the lookout. Nothing that can't be overcome by sensible riding. The ride up and down Grandfather Mtn is great but may not be for the inexperienced rider. The day we went, winds were 25-30 mph gusting to 40-45. The beauty is well worth it all!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is truly a great riding experience, lots of overlooks, we stayed in Blowing Rock at the Flintrock Campground (Cabin) 50.00 per night on creek, super. Florida bikers need to take a look at this daytime temps 65 to 75 August, Julian Price park beautiful but no hookups premitive camping only.

3912 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Rode from Blowing Rock (US-321) to NC-194 just south of Linville. Twisty with very nice scenery. We had some traffic the day we were on it, it was right around 4th of July, might have been something going on at Grandfather Mountain, cars were lined up to go in. Still enjoyed the ride, would ride it again.

345 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

what for deer

54 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Our original plan was to ride up to Grandfather Mountain and come back to SC. When we saw this route, it was an immediate change of plans and we are so glad we did. Very technical route and little traffic, even on the weekend. We plan to ride it again in the near future

127 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

nice addition to BRP!

81 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

lots scenery lots of curves just overall good road to ride

89 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great road, curves, trees. Good ride!!

71 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Frequently on these roads- whether solo or in groups. Nice day trip.

262 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

221 runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It isn't as scenic and has more corss traffic (driveways mostly), but some of it is much more twisty than the BRP. I find it is great for taking a break from the BRP to see enjoy some of the local communities.

75 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Made this ride many a time, love going up to the Grandfather Mnt. area to ride.

812 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I rode the Grandfather Mountain portion of this route. Twisty after twisty after twisty. Challenging. And tiring. At 5,946 feet (1,812 m), it is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Makes for a great detour if you're riding the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great views, both on the way up, and at the top. We got to the park when the gates opened at 9:00, meaning there was not a line up of traffic in front of us.

198 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Wonderful road going in and out of the trees. Lined with mountain rock sides in many areas. Not the best ride for long views. But well worth the ride. Would not recommend on a real windy day.