Smoky Mountain Rider

The southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville, NC, to it’s terminus at Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee opened this weekend ending the months long winter closure. Longer days and warmer temperatures have cleared the ice from the tunnels and the small rockslides which occur with winter freezing have been cleared [...]

I’m pretty much on board with the idea we need a good dose of cold turkey concerning our addiction to imported oil. I consider it our top national security priority so long as the gold we send over there is returned in the form of high velocity lead. So it is with some contempt I [...]

After a nearly two year closure due to landslides near the highest mountain in the east, Mt. Mitchell, the park service has announced the expected opening of this closed section of the Blue Ridge Parkway on May 15 (subject to change). This section is located about 30 miles north of Asheville, NC. The Craggy Gardens [...]

Jeez, that was fun! I’d just completed the reconnaisance to verify the directions for the upcoming Make-A-Wish Foundation charity ride April 4th (see earlier blog) and stopped in to gloat a bit with my buddy Ken at Gryphon Bikes and Choppers. For those who make their living in the motorcycle industry, the reality that it [...]

The National Park Service is beginning an 18 month long project to repave 6.5 miles of Newfound Gap Road (US 441), the only road which crosses through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The section to be repaved starts at the south boundary near Cherokee and climbs to the Collins Creek Picnic Area intersection. Last paved [...]

Finally, we’ve had a bubble of warmth settle over the mountains after the last dumping of snow. It didn’t take long for the bikes to appear. It was nice to not only get out, but have some warm and sunny weather to make it more enjoyable. Everyone seems to be looking for spring and the [...]

WHAT: Female Motorcycle Enthusiast Rally WHO: Women Motorcyclists (Dudes Welcome) WHERE: Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley NC 28751 $10 Discount on Room Rate until May 15th www.maggievalleyhotel.com Toll Free: 866-926-0201 Local: 828-926-0201 WHEN: July 23-26, 2009 REGISTRATION: $35 May 15th, $45 after May 15th. HOW TO REGISTER: On Line: [...]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & Western North Carolina“We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy” POKER RUN RIDE & RAFFLEPlease come and join us for a fundraiser hosted byA Holiday Motel & Café in Maggie Valley, NC Cars are welcomed! Saturday April 4th [...]

Reading the paper this morning I see the predicted demise of GM despite it’s recent infusion of bailout capital and my thoughts turn to our home-grown motorcycle, Harley-Davidson. The iconic manufacturer of the “American” motorcycle has fallen into the same quagmire that sucks the auto giants down and could also stand an infusion of capital [...]