Directions To Spring Ride

Triangle Denizens of Doom

Directions To Spring Ride

Box 459 Hwy 226-A
Little Switzerland
North Carolina 28749

Reservations:	(800) 654 5232
Business Office:	(828) 765 4257

Destination Goal:
Your destination is the Big Lynn Lodge. Follow signs on the BRP to the Minerals Museum located at that intersection (there is also a sign for "Spruce Pine/Marion/226" ). Once you exit off the BRP...take a left on 226, stay straight on 226A and head up the hill 1.3 miles past the Skyline Inn. The lodge will be on your left.

Travel Methods:
How you travel will depend on your mode of transportation, weather, time of travel, how much time you have, preferences as well as other factors. With a good NC map, you can plot your own route to the destination goal. Although, I certainly can not detail the myriad of routes, I will provide some general route options that you can use or modify to your own preferences. It really comes down to two general methods:

1. If you are taking a car, truck, SUV, Volvo battlewagon, van, trailer with bikes, then you may want to take the shortest fastest way to the destination goal. The wide view map below shows that:

you can take Interstate 40 to Exit 86 (Marion/226) and go North (the roads will start gaining elevation at this point).
Soon after Woodlawn, look for signs to rt. 226 North and take that (left turn).
Rt. 226 does split into rt. 226 and rt. 226A. Stay on rt. 226 (right turn). Rt. 226A is a very twisty road better left to bikes.
As you approach the Little Switzerland area, there will be another intersection of rt.226 and rt. 226A. Take a left on 226A and the motel will be approximately 1.3 miles past the Skyline Inn on your left.

(Note: If the weather is wet, those traveling by motorcycle may choose this route as well but this is really a boring route
for a bike. The other bike route below is still quite satisfactory in the wet.)

2. If you are traveling by motorcycle, then the following is offered as a basic bike route that provides a rapid
route and is far better than the car route. It is a mix of interstate, secondary roads and a nice stint on the BRP.

Take I-40 to rt. 421 North (in Winston-Salem) and continue on rt. 421 until you enter the BRP at the Deep Gap entrance at about mile marker 278 (this entrance to the BRP is about 25 miles north of Wilkesboro).
Go South on the BRP (This is a pleasant 55-60 mile trek on the BRP).
Take the BRP to Mineral Museum/Spruce Pine/Marion/226 exit between mile markers 330 & 331.
After the BRP exit ramp, make a left on 226, stay straight on 226A up the hill 1.3 miles past the Skyline Inn on your left.

Alternative Motorcycle Routes: There are so many options here and it all depends on how much time you have
and the weather. If time is not an issue and the weather is favorable, one can consider a more northerly route out of the
Triangle, possibly into Virginia and then head west and then south to the destination goal.

Travel Times:
This is difficult to estimate and depends on your route and your mode of transportation. If you take
the fastest route on 4 or 2 wheels, and you stop only for fuel, and the weather is favorable, it can take about 3½ to 4½
hours depending on your speed and your origin in the Triangle. The basic bike route offered will take a rider about 5 to 6 hrs. assuming that you will stop frequently for fuel, food and stop at an overlook or two on the BRP. This is a wonderful day trip and if you leave at 9am from the Triangle, you will arrive at the motel at between 3pm and 4pm.

Travel Notes:
If you travel by motorcycle, consider riding with a small group of other riders and make it a day trip.
This is an absolutely wonderful way to begin the long weekend. Seriously consider leaving in the morning (either on
Thursday or Friday). If your schedule does not allow you to leave in the morning and you must leave after work, then I
would suggest taking the fastest interstate route.

If you are organizing a group that needs to meet somewhere...you could arrange to hook up at the BB Amoco, or if you are travelling on I40, a very convenient meeting spot is the Petro gas station at the Buckhorn Road exit.

About 5 miles after I85 and I40 join up...take Exit 157 and look for the sign.

BRP Map

Directions to Famous Louise's Rock House Cafe and Spear's BBQ & Grill:

These are two very fine restaurants where, at some point during Spring Ride, most denizens end up for a meal. To get there from Little Switzerland, head North on the BRP and look for the Linville Falls Community Exit between BRP mile markers 317-318. Once you exit off the BRP...turn left on 221 South. Both restaurants will be at the intersection of E183 and S221 (Famous Louise's on your right...and Spear's on your left).

Famous Louise's takes only cash or checks...whereas Spear's takes both those and credit cards.

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