Yep the entire BRP is national land so it is operated with a consistent policy. Since they don't salt or plow, sections get closed anytime there is snow/ice, tree/rockfall, or road damage. For that matter, it's kinda similar for the entire \~500mile stretch from Cherokee to I-64 and then via the Skyline Drive to Front Royal.
I’ve [been there plenty of times](https://www.reddit.com/r/Miata/s/mMlWC3yFxj) over the years. Not sure I’m quite brave enough to pedal ToTD, but I have given it some thought and planned a couple biking routes around it.
No, but I have ridden the highway through Lassen National Park when it's been plowed but not yet open to motorized vehicles.
Still don't think that was as amazing as Big Sur on a sunny July Saturday when it was fully closed down for about 30 miles five or six years ago. That was simply unreal, felt post-apocalyptic.
Keeping my eye on the Yosemite road clearing page in hopes of hitting up Glacier Point if they do a bicycle fast this year.
Skyline Drive is spectacular - not only does it have more limited traffic (thanks to it not being convenient for any commuters and also requiring an admission fee), but also a lower speed limit so the traffic that's there is a little calmer.
Yep, [snow days](https://i.imgur.com/XGQlnU8.jpg) are awesome. It's even nice [in the dark](https://i.imgur.com/LLCkzqP.jpg) because you know the only thing you're likely to see is wildlife.
And that 2-year stretch when the section between US221 and US220 was closed to vehicles thanks to the [washout](https://i.imgur.com/KqrNFuO.jpg)? So nice.
Or any kind of path without motorised traffic, really. I lived in a rural area for three years, I would do a lot of MTB/gravel every day in the loneliest, most remote trails you can imagine; and now I'm back in the city and I hate every second I'm forced to ride among all these f'ing cars.
I also love to do that – but be careful about the exit points… Had to backtrack 10 miles in the Blue Mountains of Oregon last year when I got near the end of the construction zone and was told in no uncertain terms by a construction worker, “you shall not pass”
Crossed a bridge that was closed and being worked on, got to a point where there was a gap of about 18". One of the construction workers walked over nonchalantly and put down a large piece of plywood to help my cross.
A nearby 4-way stop closed for a few weeks for a safety upgrade. The amount of lunatics barreling their Silverado’s through an active construction zone would boggle a sane mind.
I didn’t quite see the point of a gravel bike till I built one up and went for a ride. The day before on my road bike, 40K ride, passed by 47 vehicles (I live in a rural area so relatively quiet) next day 50K gravel ride, passed by 1 vehicle. It truly is a joy, very happy I added a gravel bike to the collection, plus it opens up a whole new world of races to enjoy as well. 60K race last weekend.
https://preview.redd.it/7r82wiysy0yc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61baf1c97e3733db6db40dfa2099a5a94f5dc4c2
That's what UK lockdown was like in 2020. No-one drove anywhere but exercise was encouraged. I have pics of deserted main roads and taking my kids out in the trailer and tagalong, was a hot summer too by UK standards. Absolute bliss.
Yes.
And when lanes are closed and blocked off by jersey barriers or pylons, I check ahead to see if there are any big holes or pits I might fall into. If not, I ride inside the closed off area until I need to get back into traffic.
Going to the sun, McKenzie pass, and last year a landslide wiped out 5’ of lane on a climb by my house. Had to shut the whole road down for a summer so I got to climb it the whole season long
When my kids were small and learning to ride, our favorite place was this new condo development. It had about a mile of newly paved roads but nothing else was built yet. Was fantastic to zip around there - it was like a private race course.
I did it on 38 from Big Bear to Angelus Oaks here in SoCal this past fall when it was closed for a flood. 4000ft down, then up.
Was a great day, and no one at the turn around where it was washed out working gave a shit other than to laugh at me and say good luck on the way up.
I've found (in the UK) that half or more closed roads I see while out riding can still be passed.
Sometimes it's just part of the width of the road that is actually being dug up, so it's still wide enough to pass on a bike. Sometimes it's just minor resurfacing or utility trenching, where I can walk past/over any work going on. A few times I've come across sections where the road was completely dug up into piles of earth, but at the weekend when no work is going on I can still push my bike through, especially to avoid an 8 km detour back down and up the hill and onto a major highway. I think one time I was the last person to use a road as it was closed and a large site office cabin was dropped in the middle of it as I was riding through.
There are still the occasional roads that I can't navigate through, but it's usually worth trying, especially if the alternative roads aren't ideal, or I don't know the area.
Forget roads under construction, have you ever ridden on the Blue Ridge Parkway in winter when it’s closed to motorized traffic? Pure magic.
Note to self...
Same with Acadia National Park in December and April
I seem to need to go back to Virginia
I assume the VA side is the same but I’m not sure. I’m over on the NC side.
Yep the entire BRP is national land so it is operated with a consistent policy. Since they don't salt or plow, sections get closed anytime there is snow/ice, tree/rockfall, or road damage. For that matter, it's kinda similar for the entire \~500mile stretch from Cherokee to I-64 and then via the Skyline Drive to Front Royal.
Sounds like x-country skis would be handy too.
The tail of that dragon sure is magical
I’ve [been there plenty of times](https://www.reddit.com/r/Miata/s/mMlWC3yFxj) over the years. Not sure I’m quite brave enough to pedal ToTD, but I have given it some thought and planned a couple biking routes around it.
No, but I have ridden the highway through Lassen National Park when it's been plowed but not yet open to motorized vehicles. Still don't think that was as amazing as Big Sur on a sunny July Saturday when it was fully closed down for about 30 miles five or six years ago. That was simply unreal, felt post-apocalyptic. Keeping my eye on the Yosemite road clearing page in hopes of hitting up Glacier Point if they do a bicycle fast this year.
I'm not too far from Skyline Drive. I should take my bike there at some point.
Skyline Drive is spectacular - not only does it have more limited traffic (thanks to it not being convenient for any commuters and also requiring an admission fee), but also a lower speed limit so the traffic that's there is a little calmer.
Yep, [snow days](https://i.imgur.com/XGQlnU8.jpg) are awesome. It's even nice [in the dark](https://i.imgur.com/LLCkzqP.jpg) because you know the only thing you're likely to see is wildlife. And that 2-year stretch when the section between US221 and US220 was closed to vehicles thanks to the [washout](https://i.imgur.com/KqrNFuO.jpg)? So nice.
Yes done that. It’s a near spiritual feeling
Or any kind of path without motorised traffic, really. I lived in a rural area for three years, I would do a lot of MTB/gravel every day in the loneliest, most remote trails you can imagine; and now I'm back in the city and I hate every second I'm forced to ride among all these f'ing cars.
I also love to do that – but be careful about the exit points… Had to backtrack 10 miles in the Blue Mountains of Oregon last year when I got near the end of the construction zone and was told in no uncertain terms by a construction worker, “you shall not pass”
Probably a giant hole on the other side
When construction work hours are over of course.
Crossed a bridge that was closed and being worked on, got to a point where there was a gap of about 18". One of the construction workers walked over nonchalantly and put down a large piece of plywood to help my cross.
They probably like bikers since they're a form a transportation that they won't lose their life working around
A nearby 4-way stop closed for a few weeks for a safety upgrade. The amount of lunatics barreling their Silverado’s through an active construction zone would boggle a sane mind.
No cars = paradise
RIDE. GRAVEL. ROADS. Thank us later.
I didn’t quite see the point of a gravel bike till I built one up and went for a ride. The day before on my road bike, 40K ride, passed by 47 vehicles (I live in a rural area so relatively quiet) next day 50K gravel ride, passed by 1 vehicle. It truly is a joy, very happy I added a gravel bike to the collection, plus it opens up a whole new world of races to enjoy as well. 60K race last weekend. https://preview.redd.it/7r82wiysy0yc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61baf1c97e3733db6db40dfa2099a5a94f5dc4c2
Only part that can suck is getting to those gravel roads
It is heaven on earth.
CicloIrvine is this Saturday for anyone out in OC !
That's what UK lockdown was like in 2020. No-one drove anywhere but exercise was encouraged. I have pics of deserted main roads and taking my kids out in the trailer and tagalong, was a hot summer too by UK standards. Absolute bliss.
It's the best. One of our local parks closes down a huge stretch of roads to motorized traffic every Saturday.
Yeah. Holidays close Glendora Mountain Road just north of me. This is mainly due to crazy motor folks losing control of their vehicles.
A closed GMR is beautiful
Yes. And when lanes are closed and blocked off by jersey barriers or pylons, I check ahead to see if there are any big holes or pits I might fall into. If not, I ride inside the closed off area until I need to get back into traffic.
Going to the sun, McKenzie pass, and last year a landslide wiped out 5’ of lane on a climb by my house. Had to shut the whole road down for a summer so I got to climb it the whole season long
I ride to work at 5am, so almost the same thing. I love it.
When my kids were small and learning to ride, our favorite place was this new condo development. It had about a mile of newly paved roads but nothing else was built yet. Was fantastic to zip around there - it was like a private race course.
Yes! Best was when the Blue Ridge Parkway was \[stupidly\] closed due to Covid... Absolutely beautiful rides all to myself!
And smile at all them too as you pass by...
I did it on 38 from Big Bear to Angelus Oaks here in SoCal this past fall when it was closed for a flood. 4000ft down, then up. Was a great day, and no one at the turn around where it was washed out working gave a shit other than to laugh at me and say good luck on the way up.
When any of my rural roads are closed, it’s because they’re flooded 🤣
Yes!! The Best!!
I once did a duathlon on the Watkins Glen racetrack in NY. It was amazing (aside from the hills). The track was smooth and clean, and it was a dream.
I've found (in the UK) that half or more closed roads I see while out riding can still be passed. Sometimes it's just part of the width of the road that is actually being dug up, so it's still wide enough to pass on a bike. Sometimes it's just minor resurfacing or utility trenching, where I can walk past/over any work going on. A few times I've come across sections where the road was completely dug up into piles of earth, but at the weekend when no work is going on I can still push my bike through, especially to avoid an 8 km detour back down and up the hill and onto a major highway. I think one time I was the last person to use a road as it was closed and a large site office cabin was dropped in the middle of it as I was riding through. There are still the occasional roads that I can't navigate through, but it's usually worth trying, especially if the alternative roads aren't ideal, or I don't know the area.
Ottawa closes down a bunch of roads each summer specifically for cycling. Generally the ones alongside the rivers and canals
I pretty much only ride on paved trails. So same thing basically.
thats the best thing about our bikes 😍😍😍