Riding Hairpins

[rodekyll]

Possibly the parkway does, but there is a lot more to the region than that road.

[Huzo]

What the others have said.

Hairpins are, IMO, a vacuum.   

I have never understood why so many folks want to ride the big passes, e.g., Stelvio, Spluga, and others of fame.

I love curves, but riding straight up or down to come every 1/2 K to a near 180 is way less fun than big sweepers and rock & roll "normal" back-road turns. Rite of passage, I suppose.

That who-cares opinion out of the way, to negotiate the worst of those uphill challenge, recommend you consider using trail braking and move off the saddle to the appropriate side.

My biggest concern going up or down, especially in the blind ones that RER mentions, and which are the rule at lower elevations, was less my own competence -- an omnipresent sphincter-tightener  -- but worry about others coming over the line.  On the bright side of that, most such tight corners have pretty generous pavement, so I use every bit of those to give the crazies a wide berth.

Enjoy the new challenges; post some pix.  Have always wanted to see Wales.

Bill

Riding around on the Transfagarasan or Stelvio is not an end in itself. It's what it took to get there that's the attraction.

[Lannis]

Yessir!  Once you're off the actual parkway, the Natchez Trace region is a literal rabbit warren of bad roads and twisties. 
.....

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.   

That's good to know ... I've never ridden it, but every write-up I've heard about it just talks about be sure not to fall asleep on the long, slow, level turns at 50 MPH.

It's on my list ... when we go, we'll make sure to take some time "off route" and explore the countryside.   It's the way we like to ride anyhow ..... 

Lannis

[Bill Hagan]

Riding around on the Transfagarasan or Stelvio is not an end in itself. It's what it took to get there that's the attraction.

BTDT, OK, at least to the Stelvio and more in Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, but not -- tho quite willing  -- to try the Transfagarasan (which, I must admit with some chagrin, I'd never even heard of).  Here is more info for anyone as similarly ignorant as I was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4ydUVgYTY

And, heartily agree re the "journey v. destination," and especially so WRT the big passes.

Not sure I have  -- for various calendar, aging, and fiscal reasons -- many if any moto trips there ahead, but hope to see it all again someday.

Bill

[Daniel Kalal]

...the Transfagarasan...

I'll be on it in a few months; I'll let you know how it goes, but I don't think it has anywhere near the sharp hairpins that you'll see in the Alps.

[rodekyll]

That's good to know ... I've never ridden it, but every write-up I've heard about it just talks about be sure not to fall asleep on the long, slow, level turns at 50 MPH.

It's on my list ... when we go, we'll make sure to take some time "off route" and explore the countryside.   It's the way we like to ride anyhow ..... 

Lannis

I look for the lesser used routes.  I agree that the main parkway is boring.  But the NT is much longer than the park, and the region is much wider than the highway.  Getting off the main drag is the best way to get a feel for it.

[nobleswood]

I'll be on it in a few months; I'll let you know how it goes, but I don't think it has anywhere near the sharp hairpins that you'll see in the Alps.

Mr Kalal, as I often find after reading your posts, I sigh & wish I could travel as you do.
Thanks for the write-ups & posts.

Somewhere along the way we lost the OP who was off to Wales. Maybe he's revising his Holiday plans !

[Ncdan]

Simply never override your ability or the bikes ability.  You can go into any curve at any speed but coming out of it is the ultimate goal.  Have fun and remember the goal is to sit around the supper table with friends going over the days adventures not the days tragedies.

[tris]

No I'm still here but on a weeks break in ........ Cadenabia Como with too few chargers to go around and weak WiFi signal
Weather great and mountains snowy
Not off to the Guzzi temple this time but I REALLY wish that my B11 was downstairs right now!!!!

If Wales is like this in a couple of months I'll be very happy.

The route I'm taking includes:-
4 national parks
2 world heritage sites
1 pudding shop
1 BIG radio telescope

I plan to follow Daniels lead and do a bit of a travel report  - watch this space

Cheers everyone

[Cross-tie Walker]

If you're ever in the Eastern Washington/Oregon area: Highway 129 south of Clarkston Washington gets into some awesome hairpins winding down to the Grand Ronde river near the Oregon border.

[oldbike54]

 The only road that ever gave me any real trouble was Lombard Street in SF . Combination of brick pavement , steep downhill , sharp corners , and being on a /5 with drum brakes and a female passenger made for an interesting experience .

 Dusty