Come Ride the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Honda has cancelled Knoxville’s Honda Hoot. Myrtle Beach has closed the door on motorcycle events. The motorcycle industry struggles through hard times. Just when it seems darkness has fallen over the southeast a brilliant light shines at the end of the tunnel – the Asheville Bikefest – The Blue Ridge Run.

I got a call last week from a representative of the Motorcycle Industry Council requesting I participate in a new event. Still stinging from the loss of venue at Myrtle Beach, they’ve been quietly planning and arranging something better, meeting with officials from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the National Park Service, authorities and resources in and around Asheville, North Carolina, to launch the Asheville Bikefest. It’s time to let the cat out of the bag.

It couldn’t be better news both for motorcycle friendly Asheville, the Motorcycle Industry Council, and motorcycle riders in the region. Let’s face it, Myrtle Beach was all about “park the bike and hit the sands”. The riding, well, there really wasn’t anything to speak of. Putt putt here, putt putt there, whoopee.

The Asheville Bikefest will be anything but “park the bike”. Located in the hub of some of the most extraordinary mountain motorcycle rides, right on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and surrounded by thousands of miles of the best motorcycle rides including the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, the Land of the Waterfalls, the highest mountains in the east, and some of the most challenging and beautiful motorcycle roads found anywhere, what better place could there be?

Set aside May 13 -16, 2010 on your calendars. Plan a few days either side if you can. Come test ride the new models, enjoy the shows and entertainment, and use the sun tanning oil on your leathers. This event is all about the ride.

For more info go to http://www.ashevillebikefest.com/