Located just 0.2 miles into the parkway, Afton Overlook is the first official overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Like many of the overlooks of the parkway, this view is of the nearby town. As you climb and descend through the mountains, you get many more views of the network of valleys, rivers, and towns that help make up this unique region of the country.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile paved highway through the states of Virginia and North Carolina. The road is extremely popular for cyclists, cars, and motorcycles, so you should always exercise caution biking on the roadways. Being maintained by the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its overlooks and access to natural and wilderness areas. Only paved roads (no paths or trails) are open to bikes within the boundaries of the parkway, and you can expect to see other visitors at most overlooks, trailheads, and campgrounds.
Biking any section of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an immersion into Southern Appalachia. Taking on the entire road in a multi-day push is an extreme undertaking for serious cyclists; that being said, any section of the parkway can be doable for cyclists with some road biking experience and the right gear.