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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I live in Morganton, NC and I often take this ride just to get away for a bit when I don't have time to go on a day trip. It is a beautiful 11 mile (each-way) ride which takes you through Pisgah National Forest . Once you get to Jonas Ridge, there are many other places to ride to such as Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge, Linville Falls, Beech Mountain etc. The road is two lane but has a third passing lane every so often for cars that are impatient. The road is very winding which I personally like. I would compare it with the Tail of the Dragon except the turns are not as tight. Actually, this would be a awesome competition run for sport bikes if someone had the knowledge and capital to market and promote it. More amenities along the route would have given it a higher rating.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

I've ridden this road on countless bikes. It is an amazing road! Sharp turns, good banking but when wet, SLICK!! Good road for the moderately skilled rider

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Jonas Ridge Outfiters at the top is under new Management, geared towards all motorcycle riders. They have a great little resturant and the food was excelent for $4.75.
Road was great and the temps for February were mild. This route (181) is my favorite.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Took 181S from the Blue Ridge Parkway heading home to Charlotte area after a full day of riding. Except for a couple of sections of the parkway, this was the highlight of my trip. Very smooth road with lots of curves and several passing zones. Elevation drop must be 2500 feet in 25 miles. This will be my new entry point to the pkwy now!

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is one of the best motorcycle or car roads I've ever ridden! Very smooth pavement with a few passing areas. You can truly see through most all the turns and maintain a very "entertaining" pace. I don't remember any stores being open along the route any longer. Great overlook about halfway up or so too. The great riding continues around Linville, Newland, etc.

262 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

One of the best in NC. Ride it north towards the mountains and you can stay on the throttle almost all the way. Wide sweepers that often have slow vehicle lanes built in. That means no slowdowns for RVs or commercial trucks. They move over, you move forward! Plenty of eats in Morganton and at the northern end you are close to Boone.

262 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is a fantastic route if you travel it from south to north. That way you are ascending into the Blue Ridge Mountains. That means you can stay on the throttle most of the way. It has many sections with slow vehicle lanes so passing is easy, even on curves because you are not crossing the double yellow. Anytime I'm in this part of NC I will include this road in my trip.

344 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

great road up to the parkway

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Nice ride. Coming from Morganton some construction in town couple of miles and everything opens up some 55 mph sweepers and 20 mph tight curves, alot of fun. sept 2009

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is a great road to ride. I believe it is nicknamed the " winding staircase," & it fits the name.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Fantastic Road with hardly any Traffic. Nice curves but not too Extreme so you can Take them on a decent Speed. Had Lunch at christa's which I would also highly recommend.

7 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

When I ride to the mountains 181 is always a stop on the list. After a rain I will not ride hard at all because like someone else stated it can be like ice. I brought my friends I ride with up there and they love it as well. The fast sweepers is much different than the tight turns of Old 18 so we get a mixture during our rides. Close to the Blue Ridge Parkway as well to get around to other top rides in NC.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Rode this today, 7-21-2019

I recommend going this route to enter the Blue Ridge Parkway if around the Morganton area.

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway out of Blowing Rock, then peeled off just north of Jonas Ridge. Beautiful day, wonderful roads, new bike...it was just about perfect. Unfortunately, I needed to high-tail it back to Fayetteville so needed to stay on I-40 for a while and as always, traffic was ridiculous. If I do this route again, I'll try and start in Morganton so I can end with sweet roads on the tail end.

71 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Good route, easy pace- watch for turning cars and ones coming out of convenience stores - lol. Good roads.

83 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Nice trip with good curves and good elevation changes

89 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Very busy with motorcycles on the weekends, and SLOW cars. Ample passing zones while travelling up the mountain from Morganton, banked turns, and a great store in Jonas Ridge at the top!!! Plenty of fuel and food in Morganton, not as much food at the end where 181 hits 221. Also convenient access to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Jonas Ridge.

81 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

good road and curves