Smoky Mountain Fall Motorcycle Ride Leaf Report and Lots of Photos

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Wayne Busch

It has started. The fall leaf change has begun in the Smoky Mountains.

Photo - blue ridge Parkway fall leaf on motorcycle

Following Jackie on an evening ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville

It’s confined to the highest elevations at this point. Nearly all these photos are above 5000 feet.

Photo - fall leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway

It's not nearly the full show even at the high elevations. You hit pockets of color.

As it’s mostly confined to the highest areas, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best spots to observe the emerging color. With the leaves also comes increased traffic.

Photo - fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway

View from Waterrock Knob. There is still plenty of change and more color to come. It's just getting started.

You’ll find some nice color around Mt. Mitchell State Park along the parkway. It’s the highest mountain in the east. Craggy Gardens is mostly disappointing right now. It has no big trees and the leaves are gone from the low brush. Things will improve as the color spreads down the slopes it overlooks.

Photo - fall color at a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook

It's rare to find a deserted overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway right now. This one wasn't empty long.

There’s some decent color just north of Asheville, but most of these photos are taken on the best section of the Blue Ridge Parkway – south of Asheville. It’s the highest and most scenic.

Photo - view from the Blue Ridge Parkway

The skies have been unusually clear lately. You can see several states from almost any overlook.

Things will probably peak up high next weekend or so. Not to worry, the show moves down the slopes once the high parts are done. There’s still a lot of green.

Right now the show will be up on the parkway. In a couple weeks, you'll find the color on the back roads which it overlooks and in the valleys below.

Living here you can see the change every day. It’s amazing how fast this all seems to happen.

Still a lot of green at the lower elevations. The exposed ridges turn first.

We had a cold snap that set things off – 3 inches of snow on Mt. Leconte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Recently, it’s been unusually warm. Temperatures in the 70’s today, you couldn’t ask for better motorcycle riding weather.

This scene will get better over the next week or so. You should be here.

Motorcycles are everywhere. This warm weather won’t last. Be sure to pack some warm gear. Mornings will get frosty again soon.

Photo - leaf changing on the blue ridge parkway

This rugged scenery is not confined to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The roads I've mapped in the surroundings are just as good if not better.

Enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway now. When you tire of the crowds and congestion, get out on some of the great back roads which surround it. I’ve mapped more than 3000 miles of them and am still finding more.

Photo - motorcycle cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Remember, the Blue Ridge Parkway is just the beginning of the adventure. There is so much more to see.

UPDATE – here are a few more photos from today. We did a little hike out to one of our favorite panoramic spots on a 6000 foot bald this morning.

Wayne and Jackie, with Ajax and Sophie, at Max Patch. Awesome views from 6000 feet.

We know the colors come in first at the high points. Max Patch is just across the North Carolina border in Tennessee. On a clear day like today, it was a good time to go see the start of the leaf show.

It's so wonderful to have such clear skies. You can see the pockets of leaf color that stretch to the horizons.

It’s a magic time in the Smoky Mountains and I’ll be out riding as much as I can over the next few weeks. I’ll do my best to slow down and snap a photo or two to share now and then, but somehow the colors just make the great motorcycle rides all that more fun. It’s hard to stop.

No enhancement or PhotoShop on any of these photos.This is just as they came out of the camera.

I hope you’ve made plans for a visit. If not, add this to your list for next year. You’ve got to plan ahead for lodging and such during leaf season. The rides are always there and are just as enjoyable in the spring and summer. If you’re hard core like me, it’s a year round passion. Hope you’ve enjoyed these pics, and with luck I’ll have more soon.

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: 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

Plan Your Blue Ridge Motorcycle Vacation with VirtualBlueRidge.com

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Wayne Busch

Virtual Blue Ridge.com has quickly become one of my favorite sites and I’ve got to recommend it as a top resource for planning a Blue Ridge Parkway motorcycle ride. Its comprehensive coverage and wealth of resources can answer the questions you have and point you in the right direction for more details and help you get more out of your motorcycle vacation. Now’s the time to be checking the fall Leaf Report.

I particularly like the videos from each of the 200 Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks. You can preview each stop to help select which of them you want to be sure to see. With so many to choose from, you can insure you don’t miss the best of them.

The blogs are authored by some of the top experts who share their wealth of experience and knowledge. I’m a fan of Anne Mitchell Wisenant (historian) and Dr. Houck Medford (Executive Director, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation) and I like to keep tabs on Chateau Morrisette – There’s always something fun going on there.

Check it out when making your Smoky Mountain motorcycle tour plans – http://virtualblueridge.com

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: Wayne Busch – Cartographer

SportBikes4Hire.com – I Spend A Day With a Customer. What fun!

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Wayne Busch

Wayne – had an absolute blast riding with you today. Your knowledge and these roads add up to a experience that should be had by all that like freespirited riding. I’m glad that I rented the Aprilla from Greg @SportBikes4hire.com and that he told me about you. I will tell all my riding buddies back in PA about my excellent experience and I highly recomend your maps or you as a tour guide or both. WOW I had fun. Thanks much – Jim M.,Riegelsville,PA

SportBikes4Hire.com offers one of the best experiences you can find on a motorcycle.

When I first heard about SportBikes4hire.com I, and others, were skeptical. Turn loose someone you barely know one of these “crotch rockets” on some of the most challenging roads in the world? It sounds like Julia Child’s favorite Halloween recipe for death, carnage, and mayhem. Thoughts quickly conjure up grisly scenes and visions of bikes in pieces. After more than a year in operation, it turns at such is not the case. Quite the contrary, the clients of SportBikes4hire.com end up with the experience of a lifetime.

I met Jimmy and his rented Aprilla Mille in Brevard on a beautiful Smoky Mountain Saturday morning.

It all came about quite suddenly. Friday evening I got a call from Greg asking how one of his customers could get a hold of some of my maps. Evidently the guy had no clue about any of the local roads and needed help. He was making a short visit to family south of Asheville, saw the add for SportBikes4hire.com and couldn’t resist the opportunity. I asked Greg to give him my cell phone number so I could suggest some roads. Jimmy called me later that evening.

We talked for a little while, and I gave him a list of roads. As I ticked them off I kept thinking to myself, “I can lead him to the major roads, but he’s never going to find the real gems without getting hopelessly lost, and without knowing something about the roads he could quickly get in trouble.” While he’d have a GPS, it wouldn’t do the job and he’d end up missing out.

Jimmy quickly adapted to the bike and the warmup ride went well.

I asked him to give me a call in the morning when he was ready to head out. Maybe, just maybe, I’d run down and bring him some maps. I even hinted I might ride along with him. I had my concerns. What if he was a bumbly and had no business on a bike like this on these roads? What if I took him out, pushed too hard, and he got hurt or worse? I needed to sleep on it.

Saturday morning was one of those early fall days in the Smoky Mountains that postcards feature. Still warm, skies blue and clear of morning fog that so often blankets the valleys, I was sipping coffee on the porch when the cell phone tweeted. What the heck. If nothing else I’d have a nice ride over and back to meet him and give him the maps if he didn’t size up. I threw on my gear and headed for the high ground.

Photo - Stopped in Rosman for the first break

By the time we reached the first break in Rosman, it was obvious Jimmy knew what he was doing. Time to bump it up.

We met in a shopping center parking lot in Brevard. Time for the quick assessment. He had the right gear – good. The bike, a 1000cc Aprilla Mille was impeccable and fitted with top equipment (save the GPS which had been zip tied on in a decent jury rig). Jimmy was used to riding a BMW K bike so he was accustomed to handling the power. He was honest and humble in describing his abilities and experience – all good. When I asked for next-of-kin contact info he didn’t flinch. And he’d admitted never ridden a full on sport bike. Let’s go.

Approaching the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoying the fresh pavement on the climb.

I led him out south of Brevard on some roads to let him get his bearings where I could watch in my mirrors to see how he was adapting. No problems. Turning south I bypassed one side road at the last minute thinking it was a bit much to throw at him this soon. We turned west and started on another great road that would start to put him to the test. He did well. Cautious where he needed to be, but willing and able to use the bike where he was comfortable. I stopped in Rosman to see how he was doing.

He was having fun and getting comfortable with the bike. It was a good choice for these roads. I was having fun. Time to kick it up a notch.

Photo - shot from motorcycle while riding

Look Ma, no Hands! Pitching through the curves while snapping photos.

We spent another few hours zipping through some of my favorite roads, old and new, with a little bit of everything thrown in. Spanking fresh new asphalt, crumbly bumpy back roads, first gear hairpins and high speed sweepers, one lane bridges, a break on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jimmy soaked it up and rode with a controlled enthusiasm that showed he was aware of his comfort zone yet able to enjoy what the bike had to offer.

Photo - motorcycles at Devil's Courthouse

We made only one brief visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a break at Devil's Courthouse. Everything else was on more challenging roads.

We were both smiling when I left him 30 miles or so from where we started with directions to follow US 276 back to our meeting place. It was a good day riding. I’d do it again. I hope he comes back.

The Aprilla is one of many choices. For today's ride, it was one of the best.

SportBikes4hire.com offers a great service. Fly in and they meet you at the airport. They’ll bring the bike to you all ready to go. It’s an experience that you’ll treasure and a chance to ride a great bike on the best of roads. When you consider all the time and expense of hauling or riding your bike here, it’s a superb option – heck you can make it a quick weekend trip. Find a cheap airfare and come on. Spending some time in the mountains and want a day to get away from the family and do something exhilarating? This is it.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Blue Ridge Parkway Rockslide Update for Motorcycles – photos

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Wayne Busch

It has been the year for rock slides. There were 6 major ones in southern region of the Smoky Mountains. Interstate 40 near the North Carolina – Tennessee state line is still being worked on with one lane closed. Be aware traffic backs up there on Fridays and weekends, 30 minute delays are advertised. If you’re planning on staying on the north side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (link to map – .pdf) factor the delays into your travel time, or better yet, stay on the south side of the park.

Photo from Blue Ridge Parkway this morning

I was out on the BMW this foggy morning. Traffic is increasing on the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially motorcycles.

The fence and gates are still visible at the Dragon near Deals Gap even though the rock slide there has long been resolved. It’s a reminder of when the road was first closed, then open only from 8 Am to 8 PM. It’s been open since August and you can plainly see where the rock slide happened along the lake. I still stop at the pull off to take photos occasionally.

Photo - rock slide site on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Little change is evident from the road. Most of the work is going on above, terracing and stabilizing the slope.

The rock slide on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Pisgah is yet to be resolved completely. It was supposed to be done by the start of September. The road is open for travel, but only one lane. Timed temporary traffic lights are positioned on each side of the work area to regulate traffic, and the duration of the delays seems to have been decreased. It used to 5 minutes, but now it feels like less. Maybe I’m used to it.

Photo - traffic lights on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Temporary timed traffic lights manage the traffic through the work area. It seems like they've decreased the wait times.

Looking at the photos I took today and comparing them to the last set, there is little visible difference at the rock slide site. As I’m up there often, I can see subtle signs of progress. While it looks pretty devastated along the road, it’s comparatively minor in contrast to the amount of work that has been done to terrace and stabilize the slope above. They were still drilling rock today so there’s work yet to be finished.

Photo - motorcycles pass the rock slide on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The delays are short, there's nothing challenging, motorcycles of which there are plenty have nothing to worry about.

Also be aware there is another delay for tunnel work as you reach Mt. Pisgah. Another set of temporary traffic lights controls traffic there as well. The scaffolding came down weeks ago, the road bed has been freshly paved, and when I passed today they were raking the edges of the road. It appears this delay is nearly over.

So long as I’m relating Blue Ridge Parkway road conditions, there is still paving going on north of Asheville. I thought they were done here when I passed through a couple weeks ago and raved about how nice the pavement was. When I went through a couple days ago they were putting another layer of fresh asphalt on top of the already wonderful road that was there. It’s SO nice! I hit two delays, one near Craggy Gardens and another further south, but they were not long waits. This second coat is going down fast so it won’t be long before they move out of there.

I’ll sum all this up in the somewhat monthly newsletter I put out (subscribe bottom right of page). There are a few paving projects I need to ride out and check on. If you have any info to add, please send it to me.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

It’s Verified – This Motorcycle Ride is HOT

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Wayne Busch

Scanning the blogs and forums I often stumble across the discussion Motorcyclist vs. Biker. I rarely get into it as it’s never resolved. I believe I fall into a separate category – Rider. For me, it’s all about the ride. I don’t care what I’m riding. I don’t care what my image is. I don’t care what you ride or how you look. For me it’s getting as much out of the ride as I can. It’s all about the ride.

Photo - View from Craggy Gardens Overlook

Gratuitous Photo 1 - Amazingly clear skies from the Blue Ridge Parkway. That brown stripe in the distance is I-26 more than 22 miles distant. Visibility must have been nearly 50 miles this day.

Thats why I do what I do. I constantly seek out the best rides. It’s the best job in the world. When I find them, I share them with you, mostly through my motorcycle pocket maps. A couple weeks ago I literally stumbled across a ride while exploring near Banner Elk, North Carolina. It’s 13.8 miles long which puts it in the same range as the Dragon at Deals Gap and the Diamondback at Little Switzerland. I had just been up at the Snake in Shady Valley. On my way home I used the rest of the afternoon (which turned into a night ride home) exploring.

Gratuitous Photo 2 - View from the Blue Ridge Parkway - The Smoky Mountains got their name from the blue haze which is primarily caused by moisture in the air. Clear and warm days are so rare you should treasure them.

It wasn’t the best of conditions. That recent big hurricane was passing off the coast. Winds were gusting bringing down limbs and debris. Spits of rain had dampened the roads. The skies were dark. I didn’t care. When seeking out roads I’m on a mission.

On the first pass through I paused to takes notes. The ride had been a handful. It was certainly challenging. Looking at my notes I actually wrote, “But was it fun?”

The return ride was confirming and answered the question with a resounding “Yes!” As the storm broke I continued on and added another superb ride to my list. Then another good side road. I realized I’d overlooked an area that could be a gold mine.

The ride haunted me. I kept thinking about it. Was it really that good? Two passes was not enough. I needed to ride it again. So I did. It was better than I recalled.

<Ok.> You’ve been overly patient. Here’s the scoop:

The road has two names over its length. On the south end it starts as Beech Mountain Road. Midway it changes to Flat Springs Road. It connects Banner Elk Highway (NC 194) to US 321. Here are photos to help you find it. I’ll describe it from south to north, from Banner Elk Highway to US 321.

This abandoned gas station/store on Banner Elk Highway (SR 194) alerts you to the start of the ride. The road is just beyond it.

It starts off easily enough. Gentle straights with a few decent turns. A couple miles in it gets downright squirrely. You enter a series of tight curves, some of them first gear, with the occasional more or less straight section. Be wary of catching too much speed on these easier portions as they are punctuated with screaming tight curves. Carrying any speed through this road has you flicking and throwing the bike around. It rarely lets up at all.

I was going to get more photos of the road, but I;

1) realized one curvy road pretty much looks like another in a photo, and

2) I was having too much fun to stop

One of the views from Beech Mountain Road.

While it’s not particularly scenic, I did pause at one point to get some photos when a good view presented. You’ll just have to trust me. It’s curvy. It’s fun. I wouldn’t be writing about it if it wasn’t.

Another view from Beech Mountain Road - I think that's Roan Mountain behind my Triumph Tiger.

It’s a good road to know about as it lets you pass to the north without going through the traffic and congestion of Boone. It saves you time. It gets you somewhere and it’s useful.

Photo _ view of start of road from US 321

This is what to look for from US 321. Flat Springs Road makes a sharp climb with sharper curves. There's a dilapidated building to the left.

It does get some local traffic, and if you time it wrong you might run into school buses who know this shortcut. Opportunities to pass are rare and may have your spinchter puckering. Watch out for gravel in some turns.

This photo is from another road in the area. Though challenging, it had way too much gravel dragged on it from the local traffic. The other roads stay cleaner.

The photos show the landmarks to help you find it at either end. The roads it connects to are good rides. This one’s good enough I have to give it away, but only because I’ve found more great roads nearby.

One last view of what I think is Roan Mountain. It's not the rare views that make Beech Mountain / Flat Springs Roads good, it's the ride.

I’m still discovering more roads in this area. I’ve got more sleepers in my quiver, more roads I need to ride again before I decide if I really like them and want to add them to my maps. I’m mighty picky. But this is one you deserve to know about. It’s that good. It’s all about the ride.

Let me know what you think of it and don’t be surprised to see a white bike flashing by. I’ll be using this road whenever I can.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Video – The Diamondback Motorcycle Ride Near the Blue Ridge Parkway

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Wayne Busch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmUlsQzX-fw

Ride along with Jackie (from America Rides Maps) as she careens down the Diamondback Motorcycle Route. Accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is one of those side roads you should add to your motorcycle vacation plan. The Diamondback is one of the big three motorcycle rides in North Carolina, joining the Snake and the Dragon in the pantheon of classic and challenging rides. Included are scenes from the Switzerland Inn, one of the top motorcycle friendly destinations on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

You can find videos of other great Smoky Mountain motorcycle rides, video tips, and more at America Rides Maps YouTube channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/americaridesmaps

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Motorcyclists – Help Support the Blue Ridge Parkway with Bling

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Wayne Busch

Image from Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation - http://brpfoundation.org

End-to-Ender decal - get yours online when you've made your ride. I'll be shipping them as a bonus with BRP orders as long as they last

I enjoyed lunch yesterday with Houck Medford from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. He’s a great guy with ties to Waynesville – where I live. We talked about the Blue Ridge Parkway of course, as well as local hiking and motorcycle related subjects. Houck had seen my post about my “Blue Ridge Parkway in a Day” motorcycle ride, and sent me my End-to-End Rider packet. It contained a nice certificate, a pin, a decal for my bike, info and stories. I was impressed and glad to have it.

If you’ve made an end-to-end ride of the Blue Ridge Parkway you too can get your package by filling out the form here – http://brpfoundation.org/end-to-end/ . Leave your story, read of others travels, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation web site has a lot of good info.

Ok, so the pin is not what you’d call “hefty bling”, though North Carolina motorcycle riders and Blue Ridge Parkway enthusiasts can get a Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation license plate for your ride and/or car and help support the good work of the foundation. It’s so easy, you do it online right from this link –http://brpfoundation.org/tag-program/

Houck wants you to help support the Parkway, share your stories and enthusiasm, and has given me a supply of end-to-end Blue Ridge Parkway rider decals which I’ll be shipping with every Blue Ridge Parkway Series map order as a bonus for as long as they last.

Blue Ridge Parkway License Plates available for your car or bike and easy to order online.

Hmm, Jackie’s bike is due, this might just make a very nice gift!

Show you appreciation at http://brpfoundation.org/

PS – don’t leave home without your America Rides Maps – ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and much, much more. Free decals with orders.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Pre 1916 Coast to Coast Motorcycle Race Going On? Here are the photos!

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Wayne Busch

http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/ – here are some of the photos I took this morning.

Bust? Highly likely

I can’t adequately describe this event so I’m just going to give you the link right off the bat. See for yourself, follow them as they progress, it’s just hard to believe it’s actually happening.

7:30 AM and getting ready

For those of us in western North Carolina, it’s not all that unusual to see vintage motorcycles from time to time thanks to Dale Walksler’s Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley. Not only does he have one of the most extensive collections of early motorcycles, and a historical representation of the Harley Davidson line, but they all run and he races them. More than once I’ve been cruising through Maggie Valley when he pulls up alongside on one of the vintage motorcycles out for a spin.

Not all the bikes were vintage - THIS WAS MY FIRST ROAD BIKE! 1974 Harley Davidson 90cc

I watched the bikes straggle in last night. They filled the A Holiday Motel in Maggie Valley as well as 2 others. I got to talk with the support crews and some of the riders.

Excelsior Motorcycles were well represented

What’s it like riding one of these? They’re lucky to hit 50 mph so you don’t get windblown. The seats are fairly springy. It’s not all that bad – so they say.

Plenty of early Harleys

On the other hand, going up hills is a challenge. I think those pedals get used. Things fall off – like brakes.

Lots of Indian Motorcycles

Electrical problems, particularly magnetos, are a problem that can stop you dead and tough to resolve.

Somehow they got the magneto repaired on this Indian.

A lot of these guys were up till the early morning hours in Wheels Through Time repairing the bikes to keep them running.

Not all the bikes were restored to original condition

It was interesting to see what it took to make these bikes run. The right fuel mix, careful coaxing and monitoring, and a lot of attention.

Some bikes were in mint condition

Would you race this baby across the country?

48 bikes started the race. Some had already dropped by this 3rd day. Will any make the west coast?

Getting them started is a challenge

They average about 200 miles per day. The longest day is 300 miles. No interstates. Only one rest day. Holy cow.

I wouldn't know where to start to work the controls

I hope they make it. I’d like to see it become an annual event, though I don’t know how long the bikes could make repeated trips.

You couldn't pay enough to duplicate the finish on this machine.

The detailing on this machine attests to its authenticity

It’s something to see motorcycles nearly 100 years old not only running, but racing.

Best to get an assistant to do the starting

Is that a "cheater tank" on this Harley?

Some of these guys were stopping to fill up every 20 miles.

With VERY limited range, this was the way to go.

A police escort helps

it’s pretty cool to see these old bikes. It’s even cooler to see them run. But when you see them take off down the road to race, it just defies coolness and becomes something beyond.

People came from surrounding states to see the event.

Follow the progress, read the trails and tribulations of the riders a thttp://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/

The race is on!

Another racer hits the road

Dude, that flag is gonna slow you down!

Horsepower Ok. Dog power - disqualified.

If you like this you need to pay a visit to Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, NC.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Cannonball Vintage Motorcycles in Maggie Valley

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Wayne Busch

I just got a couple photos this evening, bikes were still coming in and heading to Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum on the Cannonball cross country vintage motorcycle race.

One of three similar vintage Harleys in the Cannonball motorcycle race.

I’ll head over first thing in the morning when things get organized and the bikes are all together to head out and get some more pics. They’ve taken all the rooms at the A Holiday Motel in Maggie Valley.

The bikes were just rolling in this evening. Too scattered for good photos. More in the morning.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

A Motorcycle Ride You Should Know About – A stop at Wolf Creek Dam

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Wayne Busch

If you were in the Smoky Mountains this weekend you already know what perfect motorcycle riding we enjoyed. Cool mornings, warm afternoons, bright sunshine and unusually clear skies meant you were in for enjoyment regardless of where you rode while motorcycle touring. Bikes were everywhere. Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway was outstanding, but no more so than anywhere else.

Wolf Creek Dam near the midpoint of NC 281, one of the scenic points on this great motorcycle ride.

As it was a holiday weekend, we chose to avoid the more popular venues and when Labor Day came around I celebrated by – going to work. It was the good kind of work though, out on the motorcycle exploring and discovering more new roads to add to my America Rides Maps. I found a couple more, and today will be an office day as I update the maps. Along the way we took a ride on NC 281 (which I’ve written about previously) a road you should know about.

NC 281 is a great motorcycle ride - even the dam is curved and you can see the road leading on to it rarely lets up.

NC 281, a.k.a. Canada Road, is well marked at both ends. The north end is accessed from NC 107 south of Sylva and Cullowhee. The south end is accessed from Us 64 near Toxaway. The road takes you through sections of the Pisgah Forest climbing and rolling gently up and down the mountains with generally nice pavement, some decent views, and excellent curves. It a great road for viewing fall colors.

NC 281 is surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Pisgah Forest with scenic vistas of the craggy rocks and valleys, mountain lakes, and streams.s

We stopped for a break at the Wolf Creek Dam near the midpoint. To the north, NC 281 climbs over a pass then descends through a series of fast sweepers to reach NC 107 at Tuckaseegee. There’s a convenient (though expensive) gas station near the junction. To the south, the road is tighter and more technical as it claws it’s way through the rugged hills on the most recently paved portion. It’s certainly worth your time to take a ride on this great motorcycle road and this weekend many chose to do so.

Jackie enjoys a break in the warm sunshine from our nearby explorations of great motorcycle rides.

With the dry weather, the dam was spilling water from the lake to keep the popular trout fishing rivers below flowing. It an earthen dam and riding across it’s arcing top is a thrill for some. While there is a concrete K-barrier on the lake side, the drop off on the boulder strewn face is posted only by a series of large rocks widely spaced.

The lake provides water for the popular trout streams below.

Add NC 281 to your list of rides to do this fall. This is just one section of it, it continues south after it joins with US 64 for a few miles. It’s a far better ride than nearby NC 107 which carries most of the local traffic. There are lots of other great motorcycle roads nearby with outstanding scenery, roadside waterfalls, and challenging and fun curves. You could spend your whole motorcycle vacation exploring them. It’s a road you will return to.

America Rides Maps – Dozens of roads in the surrounding area make it one of my favorites.

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Wayne Busch - Cartographer

Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Rider

The Best Motorcycle Rides in the Mountains

Tag Archives: motorcycle

Smoky Mountain Fall Motorcycle Ride Leaf Report and Lots of Photos

Plan Your Blue Ridge Motorcycle Vacation with VirtualBlueRidge.com

SportBikes4Hire.com – I Spend A Day With a Customer. What fun!

Blue Ridge Parkway Rockslide Update for Motorcycles – photos

It’s Verified – This Motorcycle Ride is HOT

Video – The Diamondback Motorcycle Ride Near the Blue Ridge Parkway

Motorcyclists – Help Support the Blue Ridge Parkway with Bling

Pre 1916 Coast to Coast Motorcycle Race Going On? Here are the photos!

Cannonball Vintage Motorcycles in Maggie Valley

A Motorcycle Ride You Should Know About – A stop at Wolf Creek Dam