Tag Archives: motorcycle tours

Smoky Mountain Harley’s Project Ridemore

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Project Ridemore is sponsored by Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson in Maryville, TN on the north side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s goal is to get folks riding through guided weekly rides. I’ve seen many of these rides on the Project Ridemore Page on Facebook, they are well promoted, and now that I’ve met a group riding I can say they are well run.

I got an early morning Facebook message from Tom Ronn who leads these fun rides in the Smoky Mountains. The Wednesday group was stopping for lunch at Caffe’ Rel in Franklin, NC. Let’s meet.

Caffe-REL, Franklin, NC

Caffe Rel is a unique experience. It’s built into the side of a big modern gas station, an unusual place to find great food. They do not take reservations. There is no waiting area save a few benches outside. There’s usually a line. It’s that good.

The group rolled in on time and I met Tim. There were about a dozen riders enjoying this nice day. I didn’t get to meet but a few of them as we were spread amongst several small tables. Two of the riders at our table were down from St. Louis, I believe the remainder were more local. It looked like everyone was having a good time.

Bridal Veil Falls

After lunch, the group was headed to see the nearby waterfalls on NC 28. I ran ahead to get photos of them. They came up on me quicker than expected and I botched the job.
The group stopped at Dry Falls, then rode on to get the classic photo of the bikes under Bridal Veil Falls. Here they started back west while I headed east for home.

Bridal Veil Falls

I’ve been watching Project Ridemore on Facebook. They have numerous well attended rides. They pick unique destinations to visit. My impression is they are well run.

Contact Smoky Mountain Harley via their website –  Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson in Maryville, TN

Follow Project Ridemore online –  Project Ridemore Page on Facebook

Wayne Busch – America Rides Maps

Wayne Busch searches out the most entertaining roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains then records them on a series of maps which span the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are more great motorcycle roads in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains than anywhere else. I highlight the best roads then show you the best ways to connect them together into rides. More than a decade of searching has discovered more than 1000 good roads to enjoy. We continue to search so you may enjoy.

Review the maps, order online here – AmericaRidesMaps.com

Source: America Rides Maps Blog @ Miles-by-Motorcycle.com
https://miles-by-motorcycle.com/51999/blog/63137/smoky-mountain-harley-s-project-ridemore

Full Service Motorcycle Tour Company in Charlotte Area – Blue Strada Tours

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Bill-Kniegge-Blue-Strada-Tours

Bill Kneigge

Isn’t it great when you come across those people in life whom everyone can’t help but like? Happy, enthusiastic, uplifting, and full of passion, they not only make your day but you can’t help but want to spend more time with them. I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Bill Kniegge through the Asheville Bikefest when he provided exemplary service as one of the tour guides for that inaugural four day event. You may count on hearing more of him in the future, he’s one of those people you WANT to do business with.

Photo-Bill-at-Backbone-Rock-Tennessee

A photo from Backbone Rock, Tennessee, in one of the premier riding areas in the Smoky Mountains

With 30 years in the motorcycle and motorsports industry and involvement with brands like Bell Helmets, Husqvarna and ATK Motorcycles, Ford Motorsports, and his love of riding and competing since the age of 12, Bill Kniegge, brings his knowledge, desire, and passion to Blue Strada Motorcycle Tours putting together premier two-wheel experiences for the motorcycle vacationer.

Blue Strada Motorcycle Tours & Rentals is a Motorcycle Touring company based in the Charlotte area.  The company provides motorcycle riders with all-inclusive 5-8 Day tours of the Appalachian mountains, including the Blue Ridge and the Smokys.  Tour guests can ride their own motorcycles if they desire or pick from a series of Suzuki V Strom, BMW and Yamaha Touring bikes. Tour leaders are experienced with the roads and Tour guests arrive at their lodging to find their luggage already in their rooms… Kniegge is a self admitted “Foodie” and thus provides great choices for dinners and lunches along the way.

Photo and the Fiddling Pig

An admitted "foodie", Bill and company enjoy the dining as much as the riding.

Blue Strada Motorcycle Rentals are a important part of their business.  Riders that want to ride their own pace in the mountains can do so very easily.  Blue Strada provides help in searching for great roads to ride, a variety of lodging based on price points and will also deliver and pick up bikes from Charlotte area hotels and airport if needed.

Photo-Bill-Kniegge-Blue-Strada-Tours

Quality endures - Bill and a classic Beemer

Look to the Blue Strada web site as a trusted source for motorcycle rentals and high quality touring experiences and consider working them into your motorcycle vacation plan. Whether it’s the Blue Ridge Parkway or any of the thousands of miles of superb back roads in the Smoky Mountains you seek to enjoy,  Bill and his team will do you well. Experience excellence in motion with Bill Kniegge.

http://bluestradatours.com

Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Vacation Touring – Rider’s Roost

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Rider’s Roost Motorcycle Resort & Campground is located not far from Boone, NC, near the midpoint of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It offers the motorcycle touring rider an affordable and comfortable place to bed down for the night, whether it’s in a tent or rental cabin. It’s an exclusively motorcycle resort so you won’t be dealing with blaring RV generators or throngs of kids running through your camp, and it could make a great place to spend part of your motorcycle vacation.

It’s more than just another motorcycle campground, for some it’s a must stop touring destination. Comedy nights, pig roasts, live entertainment, a central pavilion with a game room offer lots of ways to shake the kinks out after a day on the great roads in the surrounding area. Take a dip in the river or just settle down to watch the sunset, get into touch with home via wifi.

It just off NC221, and while I haven’t stayed there yet, it’s been highly recommended. I’m planning to visit next time I’m staying up that way on my motorcycle tours. Texas Ron has a nice testimonial in one of his blog posts –

“Riders Roost was a great Bike Campground, No cages, no kids, no hassles. Uncle Roy and Mary really know how to take care of “motorcycle pilots”. “The Road goes on forever and the party never ends.” I think that’s the Roosts motto or it should be. There’s a perfect little river that runs through the camp ground and in the rocks is a place that is like natures recliners, complete with moss to scratch the back. The water temperature is cool but after riding all day in the sun and heat….man what a refreshing way to relax and wash the road off ya. Most gather at the party headquarters located under the pavilion/game room. There is a pool table and darts to keep one entertained. This is also where the midnight auction is held too. What a way to start an adventure.”
http://texasron.u.yuku.com/blog/post/id/185

Get more info at the Riders Roost web site at http://www.ridersroost.com/

Wayne Busch - AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Wayne Busch – AMERICA RIDES MAPS

For the most detailed motorcycle ride maps of the area see http://americaridesmaps.com

What’s The Best Section of the Blue Ridge Parkway?

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Photo - Admiring the view from the Looking Glass Rock overlook

Photo - Admiring the view from the Looking Glass Rock overlook

Easy question. It’s in North Carolina. I can almost see it from my window. I moved here to be close to it and enjoy it on my motorcycle. I know every twist and bump. The best section of the Blue Ridge Parkway with the best ride runs south from Asheville to Soco Gap near motorcycle friendly Maggie Valley.

Photo - As falls comes so do the bikes

Photo - As falls comes so do the bikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Why is it the best? It’s the highest and most scenic section. There are more great pull-outs here than any other stretch. Most of it is above 5000 feet. It has everything motorcycle riders come for. Waterfalls, impressive rock formations, winding tunnels, pristine wilderness, vast stretches of rolling mountains on every horizon, and one of the best places to eat on the parkway, the Pisgah Inn. When I used to run  motorcycle tours through this section I‘d always figure about 4 hours to hit the highlights and sometimes it was a tight schedule. If you see only one section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this should be it.

Photo - Early in the spring traffic is light and skies are clear

Early in the spring traffic is light and skies are clear on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Make this one of your prime destinations on your motorcycle vacation, but don’t limit yourself to the parkway while you’re here. You could spend weeks riding the fabulous roads which snake through the Smoky Mountains you see from those overlooks. They are packed with more waterfalls, scenery that will fill your camera, and some of the most challenging motorcycle roads you’ll ever ride.

Photo - Devil's Courthouse snow covered in Winter

Spectacular Devil's Courthouse snow covered in winter

Impressive any time of year, I never take this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway for granted and visit almost every week. It never disappoints. It one of the most scenic motorcycle rides anywhere.