A Fall Color Motorcycle Tour

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It was a good day to play hooky and who wouldn’t have done the same given the opportunity. When a college buddy called to let me know he was in the area and had brought his motorcycle along with him, I needed little more to tempt me into getting out of the office for a day and enjoying fall as it nears it’s peak of glory. It was a truly great day to be riding though what day isn’t?

George is new to motorcycling and from Florida. Either of those two factors means mountain curves are intimidating. When combined, I was assured this wouldn’t be a day spent testing the edges of the tires and sane riding technique. That’s a good thing really as I’m still riding out the years probation I’m under for abusing my privilege to stay within the DOT’s suggested speed recommendations on our wonderful roads. His choice of rides, a Honda Pacific Coast, also did not lend itself to carving up the corners. It’s one of those giant scooter-looking things, and while it has 800cc’s of grunt, it lacks the attitude to apply it – it’s more of a rolling tupperware party with barely a hint of metal meanness showing anywhere. No problem. With a spanking new tire on the front of my bike, an easy ride to scrub it in would be just the ticket before I put it to proper use another day.

I’d been looking for an excuse to revisit Hot Springs, one of the classic rides in the area. It was fall cool this morning and I threw the heated gear on just in case, though I never needed to plug it in. A quick breakfast at Duval’s in Waynesville, then out NC 209 into the countryside. Blue skies, crystal clear air, and clean roads welcomed us to one of the nicest close-in rides found around here.

We wound through the gentle curves of the pastoral valleys then climbed into the serpentine course through the higher passes. Were it one of my regular rides it could have been a morning of frustration. First a delay due to road work, then mowing, then a farm tractor, then a heavy truck easing down a grade in low gear as we worked our way north. Today these delays simply allowed more time to soak in the surroundings and gave George a chance to get accommodated to the roads without having to maintain a constant push to the edge of his comfort zone.

We paused in Hot Springs and I took a few minutes to explore the town anew. It was once one of my favorite local runs as it is a great ride to get there, and is surrounded by a wealth of fantastic two lane back roads. I’d make the hour trip out, amuse myself with loops through the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, then circle back into town for a beer and buffalo burger at the Paddler’s Pub. The pub was always filled with bikers and the parking lot was a showcase of machines from near and far. It burned down last winter and has yet to be rebuilt, though I was encouraged to see piles of new cinder block stacked where it once stood.

I’ve yet to try any of the other small cafés that inhabit the tiny town, and this morning it was too early to give any a test run. The Iron Horse Station looks promising. I told George some of the history and errata of the place. There really are natural hot mineral springs here you can visit and soak in. It was a refuge in early days for those who came to enjoy them for “health” reasons, but the grand old spa resort had also succumbed to fire years ago. The town had served as an internment camp for German prisoners during WWII. The Appalachian Trail, that 2000 mile long footpath that stretches from Georgia to Maine, passes right through the heart of it to cross on the bridge over the French Broad River. It’s a popular place for whitewater rafters who come to ride the challenges of the rapids found on river. The surrounding national forests are full of hiking trails. That’s an awful lot of attractions for a town so small it doesn’t even have a traffic light.

We continued north along beautiful NC 212 as it traces the river where fly fisherman often outnumber the trout, then I detoured off on one of my secret little back roads to head into Tennessee. Climbing, dipping and carving through the hillsides, George convinced me this road was so good I had to add it to my Hot Springs map. I suppose he’s right, I’ll revisit that map and beef it up with a few more of roads I’d kept to myself up until now.

From Rocky Fork, Tennessee, we turned south to return to North Carolina and lunch called for a stop in Mars Hill. We landed at the El Dorado Latin Grill to satisfy my craving for a Cuban sandwich, though George’s chicken thighs with blueberry chipoltle sauce was the special of the day and he reported it was excellent.

I-26 filled the short gap between Mars Hill and Weaverville where George had stayed with relatives. I wanted to show him a good road right in town then get up on the Blue Ridge Parkway to give him the full monty on our one day tour. You can tell leaf peeping season is upon us as soon as you hit the parkway.

We plodded along through the boring section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that encircles Asheville. The road declines from the higher mountains north to reach a low point south of the city as it fords the French Broad River on an elevated causeway. From there it becomes far more interesting as you climb to it’s highest and most scenic section. As we gained altitude the turning of the leaves played out in colorful splendor.

If you know just where to look, you can get an awesome view of the Biltmore Mansion sitting castle-like amongst the surrounding forests, though I didn’t stop to share the view. We passed through tunnel after tunnel each time bursting out into the bright sunlight and just a little more color on the trees as we climbed higher and higher to reach Mt. Pisgah. I paused at selected overlooks to enjoy the panoramic views which stretched far into the hills of South Carolina and Great Smokey Mountains National Park to the north. The Pisgah Inn, Graveyard Fields, Looking Glass Rock, and The Devil’s Courthouse all had full parking areas as we stopped to enjoy them. Already at the higher elevations the peak of the color may have passed. Graveyard fields was a spectacular red and brown, though looking down on the ridges below showed much of the seasonal rainbow was yet to appear in the forests. Only the tips of the ridges had been touched by the paint brush of autumn and plenty of yet green leaves wait for their final curtain call.

Completing our loop we left the parkway at NC 215 wanting to share my wife’s favorite local road with my good friend and rolled through the never-ending curves of color that led us back to Waynesville and then my home. Jackie was home from work and we enjoyed the premier local past time of sitting on the porch reveling in a good days travels and the tales that go with them.

As he prepared to leave George thanked me for the days tour. “You know, the Blue Ridge Parkway was really nice, I’ve seen it before from a car and it’s a whole new experience on a motorcycle. But those little back roads you took me on were what really made the day, I’ve never done anything like that, it was the best experience I’ve ever had on a motorcycle, I enjoyed them more than anything else.”

Safe travels George. Good to see you again and even better to spend a day riding with you. You know we’ve always got a room ready for you when you get the chance to come back.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

You Never Know Until You Ride It

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I‘m back from my most recent trip mapping Virginia. It was one heck of an expedition averaging more than 500 miles per day on my motorcycle, mostly on two lane back roads. Areas I thought would be really good turned out to have little appeal. The area I thought would largely be a waste of time turned out to be one of the best. You never know until you ride it, that’s why I do what I do.

I revisited some sections on the last map which overlap into this one which revealed previous roads connected to fabulous new roads. I’ll be making some minor changes to “North Carolina / Virginia Border Rides” to reflect these new discoveries. There are some outstanding rides you really shouldn’t miss which cross the borders of these two maps.

The central point of this second Virginia map is the city of Roanoke. The Blue Ridge Parkway cuts through the heart of the map touching on the very edges of the city. I explored a few roads close in to the city. While most of us don’t get on the bike to ride the urban landscape, should you be staying near, there are a couple rides in close you may want to do to catch a nice view or a sunset from up high. Surprisingly few paved roads connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway on this map, so knowing where they are and which way the closest gas station is will be helpful.

The highest ridges of the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway run in close to the city. The character of them changes as you move north leaving the rolling hills of southern Virginia behind to enter the more mountainous and scenic peaks north of the city. Roads to the south side quickly entered rolling but relatively flat country and while there are more roads, I found fewer and fewer of them engaging me and making me want to come back and ride them again. I have a lot to eliminate based on this reconnaissance.
On the other hand, north of the city is the place I enjoyed most. Here the various mountain ranges are distinct, separated by long valleys. The roads which run through these long vallies are far more curvy than they appear on a map and some of the views are wonderful. Be warned though, I’m going to try to describe some of these roads as “adventure” roads. Some will like them better than others.
As I ripped along them on a bike built for this kind of terrain, bouncy, tight, sometimes technical in demeanor, I thought about what it would be like riding shotgun on a big cruiser, fully loaded, doing more hanging on than enjoying the beautiful scenery. I think your passenger might find the experience a bit demanding if done at a hurried pace. I’ll try to identify these roads for you. On the other hand, at a relaxed pace and with the camera handy, I felt like I was riding through a national park at times. I can’t help but recommend them.

There’s one more map to go in this series to fully cover the entire range of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding areas. I’ll do my best to crank this one out by the end of the week. For the first time this year I plugged in my heated gear and really needed it as I climbed the high passes from Tennessee into North Carolina on the midnight ride home. It’s going to be regular kit from now on. I have once again paused on the West Virginia border and stared into what looks like the promised land. I’m pretty sure I know where the sequel to these maps will lie.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

Broke My Motorcycle – Again

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The Triumph Tiger 1050 is often referred to as an “adventure bike” – a motorcycle that does most things very well and will go almost anywhere though in it’s most recent iteration it is far more biased towards the road than previous incarnations. I have taken that “adventure” heritage to extremes – I’ve laid it down at highway speeds on the Interstate, ridden it through deserts, floods, and snow, and once completely submerged it in a river. All these things it has shaken off like a wet dog after a cold swim, though it has accumulated a collection of scrapes, scratches, and minor blemishes that tell the story of it’s travels. Only a close inspection reveals them and amazingly few parts have ever broken. They are proudly worn like badges of honor boasting the invincibility built into this machine.

Well, I’ve broken it again, and it looks like I may have to pay the dues for exploring the boundaries of good sense. This time, it was mapping Virginia that led to the minor calamity. My stubborn intensity to actually ride and explore every potential road in an area to often leads me to places no reasonable person would consider, and this was another one of those foolhardy ventures.
I’d already lost more than an hour due to blinding rain and fog so thick you couldn’t see across a two lane road. First sipping coffe in an empty greasy spoon, then near the parking lot sitting on a wet rock waiting for the ability to make out where I was going. When I could finally see the repair shop across the street, I set out.
The detour and road closed signs should have put me off. Still, I pressed onward, determined to discover if this was a temporary situation that required monitoring or something more permanent. While this road did not show much promise from the research, it did have a section that looked interesting and I leave no stone unturned. Nor did I want to retrace my route. The road was leading into the area I’d be working that day and in the interest of saving time I was determined to ride through whatever to get there and maximize my efficiency.
I should have turned back when I reached the bridge. Blocked with huge concrete barriers and orange warning signs, it spanned a deep gulch over a railroad track. I stopped to ponder the situation closer to discover a narrow pathway weaving between the barriers. I walked out on the bridge, the pavement and concrete irregular and broken, and jumped up and down vigorously to test it’s soundness. The road on the far side led out into the farmlands. I could do this.

I returned to the bike, mounted, and quietly motored towards the slot skirting the very edge of the drop into the gulch. Approaching with cautious hesitation through the tall wet weeds, the bike suddenly lurched to a stop as the front wheel found an unseen mound of pavement hidden in the greenery and began to topple. With all my strength I wrestled it away from the drop and eased back. A timid approach was not going to get the job done.

I took a moment to summon my resolve, studied the line I would follow, focused on the point I would emerge, and released the clutch with a measured amount of throttle open. The front wheel rushed forward, bounded over the obstacle, and passed through the gap dead center just as planned. Unfortunately, the rear wheel was not quite on the same path and as it encountered the hump it slipped and skirted violently towards the slope. As momentum carried me trough, a loud SNAP occurred and while I slowed to a stop half way across the bridge my left luggage case spun along on the pavement beside me. When the bike leaned, it had caught on the edge of a barrier and broken off.

I parked the bike and retrieved the case as well as the bits of broken mounting brackets. Designed to quickly attach and detach with a simple key lock, most of these clamps were now broken. Still, one was intact and I remounted it on the bike and locked it in place. Somehow, there was enough left to hold it there, though it was anything but secure.
I carefully threaded through the barriers on the far side of the bridge and kept one hand reaching back to insure the case was still there as I proceeded down the road. As expected, this next section of road was uninteresting but the promising part lay ahead. The case stayed in place as I crossed the countryside. I watched the GPS as the curvy parts drew ever closer. My heart sank as I reached it passing a sign that indicated unpaved road ahead.

The next 12 miles or so was a bumpy gravel forest road, steep and twisty as it threaded through the trees and rocks of some obscure Virginia hilltop. My hand kept flashing back to confirm the case was still attached with every rough climb or big rock crossed. Were it to come off here, it would tumble down some steep slope and both the case and contents would likely be lost. It was still there as I emerged on the back side of a bleak and impoverished factory town, the umber brick relics of long abandoned mills and plants overgrown with weeds and rust, windows broken, once bustling factories now silent and abandoned to time.

Things did improve, and I covered a lot of miles through the rest of the day. Periodically, I put my hand behind me to feel the case still loose, but in place, and it remained there until I got home. I’d hoped to somehow drill, screw, and glue things back together, but it’s hopeless. I’m going to need to buy a new side case. For the first time, I returned to my maps and completely removed any trace of that road. I don’t want any chance you’ll follow in my tire tracks. There are far better roads to ride.

Wayne Busch - AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Wayne Busch – AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

The 2009 Fall Rally in the Rain

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Photo: We had it all – Daisy the Pig, Hank the Bear, Moonshiners, Biker Girls …

I suppose it’s my fault for posting that TV Pilot video from a couple years ago that showed the best we could do during the rains of the 2007 Fall Rally in the Valley in Maggie Valley, NC. It must have reminded someone to open the faucets again. At times, I should have had a boat, not a booth.

Still, the crowds came out. Not as many as we would have liked, and I can’t blame those who bailed on the event, though at times a little help bailing from those who didn’t would have been appreciated. The rain started days before the event and grew progressively worse. By the time Friday rolled around, we were already pretty saturated. There were breaks in the weather, and when they came we were busy and tried to put on a good show.

I think we represented Maggie Valley well. A last minute effort from the lodgers and merchants of AllRoadsLeadToMaggie.com, we pooled our resources to purchase a vendor spot at the event. We passed out a good bit of literature from the Haywood County TDA and visitor guides from the Maggie Valley Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, raffled off a 3 day, 2 night, food / lodging / guided tour package, sold a good bit of Popcorn Sutton Moonshiner memorabilia, guided a lot of visitors to some great local rides, and I sold a lot of maps.

Daisy the pig (shown in the photo) was a big hit, as was 7 year old Ellie in her black leather chaps and pink Harley-Davidson gear. While she tore up the dance floor in the evening, she was too shy to get on stage, though the crowd urged her repeatedly. Hank the Bear got a much needed bath. I got a tremendous amount of support and volunteer help from Joanne at the Mountaineer Restaurant, Gabie and Rob at the A Holiday Motel insured I was fed, Phil and Tammy from the Clarketon Motel made sure I didn’t waste any time making trips to the beer tent, and numerous other All Roads Lead To Maggie.com people who came out and volunteered their support and assistance. I even made freinds with the fine ladies at Biker Bettys Apparel and Accessories next door who were so impressed with my maps they’ve offered to take them on the road with them.

Thanks to all who braved the weather to travel to the mountains and spend much of their weekend riding in the rain. I hope I’ve helped make your trip worthwhile and opened your eyes to the vast number of undiscovered roads that lace the surrounding mountains. When you come back, be sure to visit allroadsleadtomaggie.com to get the best vacation packages and room deals for your next visit. The best of our riding season is just starting.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com/

Scenic Motorcycle Rides – Backbone Rock, TN

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photo - motorcycle cruises through Backbone RockI went back to Virginia this weekend to revisit and explore some of the sights I’d passed while mapping the area

I’m pretty much all business when mapping – I only stop for three things; gas, to take notes, and when “nature” forces me to do so. Eating is a luxury typically left for the evening to make the most of the time on the road. This trip was to go back and savor some of the gems I’d just blown by previously.

One of my favorite loop rides is found near the point where North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee meet, a 103 mile jaunt that takes you on some of the twistiest and most scenic roads. It’s listed on America Rides Map #4 – “Great Roads Near Boone, Banner Elk, and Blowing Rock.

Heading south from Damascus, Virginia, on SR 133, you soon enter the National Forest in Tennessee and signs for Backbone Rock Park start appearing along the road. Round a curve and you find yourself zipping through the quick yet dramatic tunnel through Backbone Rock.

I stopped in to investigate.

The Empire Mining Company blasted through Backbone Rock in 1901 to lay train tracks for the Tennessee Lumber Company. Long gone, the rail bed became the roadbed which continues on towards Mountain City.

The ridge is about 75 feet high and 20 feet thick, though it narrows near the top. There is a steep trail from the parking area on the right just after you pass through the rock, though if you have any aversion to heights and walking near the edge of a cliff, you’ll never make it to the section of rock which straddles the road.

There are several hiking trails, picnic tables and campsites, a waterfall is about 0.4 miles on a foot trail. The area is popular for fishing and kayaking.

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Wayne Busch

Wayne Busch - Cartographer

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– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com

Wayne is an advanced motorcycle instructor for Total Rider Tech teaching Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Rider Courses. It’s time you looked into advanced rider training to ride more confidently and safely, it will change your mountain riding experience. It worked so well for me I became an instructor! Total Rider Tech

America Rides Map #4 – “Great Roads Near Boone, Banner Elk, and Blowing Rock

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"Safety Improvements" coming to NC 215? I wonder.

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Photo – Enjoying a ride on NC 215

Thanks to federal stimulus funds, NC 215 in Transylvania County, NC, will be receiving $2.3 million in “safety improvements” in the form of 17 miles of new guardrail. The new guardrail will run from the the intersection with US 64 in Rosman to the Haywood County line near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Work is scheduled to begin September 28, 2009, and be completed by August 1, 2010.

Whether or not guardrails are “safety improvements” is controversial for me. They may be “safer” for cars, though I’m not so sure guardrails add any safety for motorcycles. In fact, I think they may be more dangerous. They are designed for cars, not motorcycles, and hitting one on a bike can be catastrophic. A friend hit one and it tore a chunk out of his leg so large he died. I’d prefer to take my chances going over an embankment into the trees. From what I’ve seen of accidents on the Blue Ridge Parkway, they may stop the bike – the rider goes over them (if he’s lucky).

NC 215 is one of the premier roads in the Western North Carolina mountains, one of the local classics, one leg of a ride known as “The Devil’s Triangle” on America Rides Maps “5 Classic Rides Around Maggie Valley, NC” as well as “The Best Rides South of Great Smoky Mountains National Park – EAST“. Few other roads not only intersect the Blue Ridge Parkway, but offer the long range views, the quality, challenge, and an hour of uninterrupted blissful riding. I hate to see it changed.

In addition, there have also been rumors of plans to “improve” the twistier sections of the road, plans which would widen and straighten the curves and remove the landmark “Alligator Rock”. It doesn’t seem sensible to put in guardrails now, only to come back later with improvements which will require they be moved to accommodate them. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to do it all at once, if and when it happens? Hate to see a great road “improved”.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

The Most Dangerous Road for Motorcycles?

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Charlies Creek Road

Charlies Creek Road - even the sign is crooked


 “That’s the most dangerous road we ride” my wife commented after a recent morning outing.

“It’s my favorite road!”, I responded.

“I know, but it’s still dangerous” she reiterated.

We talked a bit more about it and the things she finds most dangerous are the things I enjoy as an added challenge.

“I still like it, it’s just a dangerous road” says Jackie.

Jackie’s no lightweight. We rode dual-purpose bikes all over the country years ago, she can throw a motorcycle around. Now, astride her Beemer, she often gives the boys a run for their money on the twisty roads. She can handle herself and I enjoy watching her flow through the curves. And no, we’re not talking about the infamous “Tail of the Dragon“. That’s just another ride for us compared to this.

riding Charlies Creek Road

Be ready to get some lean on when riding Charlies Creek Road

Photo – Wayne prepares to get some lean on in a curve on Charlie’s Creek Road

What makes Charlies Creek Road a challenge is it’s unpredictability. You just never know what it’s going to throw at you next, and it throws everything in the book along it’s 10.1 mile length making it seem a whole lot longer. Mixed pavement, potholes, bumpy repairs, loose gravel, climbs, descents, first gear hairpins interspersed with sections of relatively straight road that lure you to roll on the throttle then snare unsuspecting riders with turns which shut down on them the deeper in you get. Cresting a rise you never know what lies on the other side, which way it will dive. Is there a patch of loose gravel in the next corner, a flock of turkeys in the road, will the tires maintain their grip on that concrete bridge littered with sand and rocks, what’s with this freakin turn, it’s getting tighter? How many seasons before some bear hunter discovers my rusted bike and bleached bones if I lose it out here in the middle of nowhere?

It’s a handful it you approach it cautiously. Come at it with vigor, and it will test everything you’ve got. My kind of road. Beware of Charlies Creek Road, it’s the most dangerous road we ride. It’s also my favorite and I do it as often as I can. Just don’t try to keep up with me. I know it pretty darn well. Respect it or it will eat you.

Note – Charlies Creek Road runs between NC 215 and NC 281. It’s found on America Rides Maps “#6 – The Best Motorcycle Roads EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park”.

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

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Wayne Busch

Wayne Busch - Cartographer

– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com
 
See “Map #6 – The Best Motorcycle Roads EAST of Great Smoky Mountains National Park”

New Features From America Rides Maps

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I’ve added two new features to America Rides Maps to give you better service.

The first is a subscription newsletter. If you’re like me, you inbox is overfilled with unsolicited postings. You know the routine – open the mailbox then go down the list – delete, delete, delete, sifting through for something relevant. It gets old. While that kind of promotion may work for some, I really don’t want to be part of it. Still, I have info I think you need and will find useful and beneficial, not to mention I’m offering bonuses and discounts to subscribers. Your time is worth something.

I’ve chosen to use a subscription newsletter where you sign up if you’re interested and you can opt out if it doesn’t suit you. Receive occasional updates that let you know when new maps are released, changes or upgrades are made to current maps, receive subscriber discounts, inform you of road closures and other pertinent travel info, and receive a brief newsletter (more or less monthly) that keeps you informed of what’s happening in the mountains.

The first newsletter went out September 1. It included news of the release of my newest map, North Carolina / Virginia Border Rides, a blurb about the prior release of 5 Classic Rides Around Maggie Valley, updates to a couple of other maps, news of a great new road that was recently paved and another that is currently being improved, first hand reports of the repairs on the Blue Ridge Parkway, an update on the work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, several articles on The Tail of the Dragon, a discount coupon for subscribers, and more. Click here to sign up for your copy!

The second feature I’ve just added is a Forum. While I enjoy chatting with you on the phone and corresponding via email, I believe I may be able to save you some time (and a phone call) by posting information you need online. The America Rides Maps Forum is located at http://americaridesmaps.eamped.com/ I’m just one guy, and I’m not always available by phone (I don’t answer it when I’m on the bike). This gives you the opportunity to not only post questions, but get input from others who may have pertinent information that can make your trip better. It’s also a chance for you to post info, share photos, tell of your travels, and learn from others who have been places you may not have visited.

The America Rides Maps Forum is brand spanking new, I’m still getting it set up – determining the categories and such. Some of that will be sorted according to the types of postings that come in. At the moment, I am the sole and lonely member, but that will change shortly. This is your invitation to join the discussions.

I expect these new services will help you get more out of your next visit to enjoy the thousands of miles of fabulous undiscovered two lane back roads that America Rides Maps will lead you to. Please take a moment to look at them. I think it’s worth your time.

Thanks,

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

New Map – North Carolina / Viginia Border Rides

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It’s finally ready! Thousands of miles of road work, hundreds of hours, the first of the Virginia series of maps, North Carolina / Virginia Border Rides is now completed.

It’s been a long journey to reach this point. I never expected to be including so much of North Carolina in this map, but that’s the way the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway run. As you approach the border between the states, the mountains make a lateral jog east-west before resuming their regular diagonal parallel to the coastline.

The Appalachians are comprised of more than a dozen different mountain ranges. While the tallest ones to the south start to play out here, those more west begin to grow. What this area lacks in height, it makes up for in breadth. The steepest flanks are along the eastern edge descending from the highest ridges towards North Carolina. The west is characterized more by rolling hills, sometimes quite impressive, but lacking the grandeur of the regions south.

The cities, all of them relatively small, and the towns, lie in the valleys between the mountains. Most of the major roads run though these valleys connecting the towns. Roads perpendicular to these vallies traverse gaps in the ridge lines. It’s a hilly and rolling country regardless, much of it rural and pastoral, and you will be rewarded with views of the extensive ranges of low mountains from almost every high vantage point.

Most notable to me was the large number of roads that are found here. I suspect this is due to the fact the mountains are not as high as to the south, so there are less impediments to travelling through them. Where dramatic rock outcroppings erupt, state parks sequester the areas for all to enjoy and preserve.

The other thing I enjoyed was discovering some of the hidden historic sights on many of the rides. More accessible, this area was probably settled much earlier than the higher areas of North Carolina. I came across old abandoned mills, country stores, barns, farms, and other relics that tell of a historical past worth delving in to and I took more than a few photos for my collection.

I must confess, this central portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway tends to lull me to sleep. Urban encroachment is far more evident, and challenging sections of roadway give way to gently rocking, almost monotonous curves. There are points of historic interest, but I suspect many just motor through seeking the more dramatic views to the north and south. This map reveals there is far more here than meets the eye.

Check out the new map, North Carolina / Virginia Border Rides here.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go To America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

Add Another Great Road to The NC list

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Photo – Jackie (my wife) on the newly completed section of NC 281

I’ve been watching this road for a while. When my friend at Gryphon Bikes informed it the he’d ridden it the other day, I had to go check it out for myself. NC 281 from the junction at US 64 near Lake Toxaway northwards is now completed to the point I’m adding it to the list of great rides.

I discovered NC 281 years ago. This portion of NC 281 runs between US 64 near Cashiers, north until it joins with NC 107 at Tuckasegee. The section around the hoity-toity community of Lake Toxaway has been paved and in use for years. The other end of the road, near Tuckasegee, was improved and widened years ago. It makes a climb through a series of high speed sweeping turns that’s a lot of fun. Once you finish the climb, it starts to descend passing though the tiny mountain town of Wolf Mountain.

From there, the road enters a series of very tight corners, one after another that keep you on the edge of your tires for several miles. Round a curve, climb a bit, crest a hill, and suddenly the pavement ends and you are on a graded forest road, rutted and loose, bumpy, steep, and a challenge on road tires. So it used to be.

A couple years ago, the DOT started improving the road. More and more of it got paved, but one last section remained. It required a small bridge be built to cross a stream and that took forever to complete. When I last passed through, it was so close to being paved I predicted and included that on the map “The Best Rides South of Great Smokey Mountains – EAST”. While the road is still getting some work, the paving is done and it’s rideable, just in time for fall. I’ll be updating that map to reflect the change.

The completion of this road is significant in that it opens up a wealth of loop rides with the surrounding roads in the area. In fact, this may now be one section of my new favorite loop ride which I’ll describe in another post. It’s not for the faint hearted, and if you’re a mid-western cruiser guy who’s gonna freak if the floorboards scrape, this may not be the route for you. However, if you’re looking for something challenging, or confident enough to ride within your limits, add this road to your list of fall rides. You’ll be rewarded with pockets of fall leaf color that are truly spectacular in addition to a ride you’ll remember.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

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