Follow Me Thursday as I ride the Blue Ridge Parkway end-to-end in One Day

Image - Join Us on the Road to Adventure!

Follow my progress with hourly photo updates on Twitter and Facebook

To continue my celebration of mid-summer motorcycle madness, on Thursday I will get on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Waynesboro, Virginia, and ride it 469 miles through to the southern end at Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina.

As I go I will make hourly stops to tweet a photo and report on my progress so long as I have cell phone service.

Why not check my progress from time to time on Twitter – americaridesmap

and Facebook – facebook.com/americaridesmaps

I’m not trying to set a record or even establish a benchmark for someone to beat. The hourly stops will insure there is no record to speak of. Admittedly, it’s the worst way to experience the Blue Ridge Parkway, which should be done as slowly as possible with as many side trips as you can afford.

Still, curiosity has got the best of me, and I’ve never done it before nor heard of anyone doing it, so why not?

Follow along with me Thursday!

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

 

Home from Motorcycle Adventures in Virginia

Photo - Me at the pub at the Switzerland Inn

A cool brew at the pub at the Switzerland Inn last night. It was not the last of them.

We’re back from our brief three day trip north on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a semi-working trip in that Jackie tagged along. That changes the focus and the daily plans dramatically from my usual road-warrior approach. Even so, we accomplished a lot and I have a ton of new information to pass along.

I’ll get to it little by little as I now must catch up on the things left unattended. We added almost 50 miles of new roads to one of the maps (and I still have a few new motorcycle rides to go back and check into). I got a firsthand look at the construction and cleanup work on the Blue Ridge Parkway through North Carolina and Virginia and there’s some great news to relate. We found a wonderful place to stay in Virginia, the Hotel Floyd. I picked up a lot of new info to add to the maps. We found ourselves at the Switzerland Inn more than once and loved every minute of it. I shot a load of video to go through.

We braved the heat, wore out a tire, fought with the electronics, lost a headlight, dealt with a minor crisis at home, and generally had a great adventure. It will be the last with Jackie for a while as she returns to start a new job. I returned home to find the new printer on a pallet in the back of my truck (thanks Mom). It’s larger than expected and I’m not sure I can lift it. Office redesign and build new furniture ASAP.

So many things to do I’m making a list to prioritize. #1, take a few hours down time.

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

 

Motorcycle Friendly – The Shady Valley Country Store at The Snake

There’s a reason my wife rarely tags along with me while I’m out working from my motorcycle – I only stop for two things, one is fuel. The other can be remedied at any clump of shrubbery. Rarely do I ever stop to eat, drink, or grab photos. It’s all about covering the miles. Those creature comforts can wait until I retire for the evening when darkness makes any further progress futile. I think that’s about to change and one of the first places I’m going to visit is the Shady Valley Country Store the home of “The Snake”.

Photo - Shady Valley Country store

Shady Valley Country Store serves thousands of motorcycles weekly who come to ride "The Snake" and surrounding roads.

Located at the junction of NC 133, NC 91 and US 421 (a.k.a. “The Snake”), the Shady Valley Country Store is at the hub of some of the best motorcycle rides found in the Smoky Mountains where North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee meet. Serving thousands of motorcycles every week, it provides a convenient fuel stop with regular as well as premium “Snake Venom” for your thirsty motorcycle. I’m told the 1/2 lb. black angus burgers, the thick bologna sandwiches and great chili dogs will keep you going full speed as well.

Backbone Rock on TN/NC 133

Backbone Rock on TN/NC 133 not far from the Shady Valley Country Store

I’ve blasted past the Shady Valley Country Store enough times. Next time I’m up there I’m stopping in to check it out, maybe get me a T-shirt or some other Snake memorabilia. Expect to get a first hand report ASAP.

The Shady Valley Country Store

New Deals Gap Motorcycle Map Nears Completion – Your Chance For Input

Photo - Smoky Mountain Rider and BMW Girl at the Tail of the Dragon

Smoky Mountain Rider and BMW Girl at the Dragon

Having completed a series of motorcycle ride maps covering the full scope of the Blue Ridge Parkway from end to end describing more than 3000 miles of the most outstanding motorcycle rides along its entire length, I’ve now been commissioned to produce the ultimate and best map available for the motorcycle rider planning a motorcycle vacation trip to Deals Gap, home of the infamous “Dragon” motorcycle ride.

Due to the success of the Blue Ridge Parkway motorcycle ride maps as well as others which expand the areas covered into Georgia and South Carolina, I invested in new hardware and software to take America Rides Maps to the next level. This new Deals Gap map will be the first to take full advantage of the improvements and I am impressed with the output to date.

Maintaining the handy pocket map size which makes the maps easy to use and conveniently accessible, as well as the most affordable motorcycle ride maps available at the ridiculously low price of $5 each, this latest America Rides map will guide the Dragon rider to a dozen or more additional great motorcycle rides in the surrounding area including the best section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as the most notable rides in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and touching on north Georgia and South Carolina.

The scope of the map covers the largest area yet tackled to include approach routes to Deals Gap from all points of the compass making navigation to reach the Dragon easy. Once there, it leads you to enough additional good motorcycle rides to fill a week of vacation time or more. The back side of the map will describe the various routes as well as give details about riding them.

image-raw-map

The Ultimate Deals Gap Map Nears Completion

As I wrap this project up, now is the time for your input as to which features are most important to you. I typically include out of the way reliable gas stations, notable attractions, and a handful of selected eateries, campgrounds, and motorcycle dealers and repair shops. Unlike my other maps which are only available online, this Deals Gap map will be provided by vendors in the area. As such, the frequent updates I normally provide to the maps will not be as easy to accomplish and I want to get this first edition as complete as possible as once maps are distributed they will not be updated as frequently.

Send your suggestions to info@americaridesmaps.com . If your suggestion is incorporated into this new map, I’ll send you a copy in appreciation. It should be wrapped up in about a week, so if you’ve got a great idea shoot it to me immediately. I’ve got to get this done, the open road beckons and I’m itching to get away from my office and ride.

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

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

A Good Tip Leads to More Great Motorcycle Rides Near the Dragon

Droning west on the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway this morning, my mind tends to wander. The greatest challenge of the highway is simply maintaining the legal limit leaving plenty of brain cells free to engage in other things. My wife rides alongside on her Beemer so I have something to look at every once and a while and count my blessings of how fortunate I am to have someone like her to come along with me today. The thought that comes to the forefront is “Just how many motorcycles are there on the road?”

It was far easier to snap a photo on the rare straight stretches - overall the roads were wonderfully curvy.

As the main artery between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Dragon at Deals Gap, it’s no wonder there are a lot of motorcycle riders on this stretch of highway 23 / 74. Both the Parkway and the Dragon draw millions of two wheeled vacationers to the area every year. Still, we’re a good bit east of Cherokee, the southern endpoint of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and within minutes we’ve passed scores of bikes headed in the opposite direction.

Photo-motorcycle-follows-nice-views

The roads we explored followed winding streams and creeks through rolling farm lands in a broad mountain valley. Plenty of great long range views.

We’re only going as far as NC 28 south today, about 45 minutes ride time to reach Lauada, and early on I wonder if we’ll pass 100 riders. I start to keep a loose count, but within 20 minutes or so it’s obvious the number will easily exceed that, and question answered, my mind drifts to other things. Turning off the highway onto two lane NC 28 we plunge south into the twisties and the bikes keep sweeping past us in the other direction.

Photo - Jackie rounds a curve

The pavement is generally excellent for back roads, and you can enjoy the ride with gusto. Just be wary for a little gravel now and then.

I’m following up on a tip from Brad at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. I spent some time with him Friday and he suggested I revisit an area I’d previously sketched over. I knew there were a couple of nice rides hidden away around Franklin, but he hinted they could be linked together to make a nice route. I’d done some scouting on the way home that day, and I saw promise. Today was the day we’d put it all together and see if it added up to getting a place on my America Rides Maps.

Photo - Jackie leads

The only traffic we found was when we approached the main road. If you stick to the perimeter route you'll see very little if any and it's more curvy and fun.

It took about four hours for a thorough assessment. We checked out every one of the roads in the area, confirmed the unpaved areas remained so (I only focus on paved roads), the dead ends were still dead, and the links that joined the roads together followed a more or less natural flow or the turn points were easy enough to locate. When we completed our task, I had assembled an outstanding ride that will certainly be the next addition to America Rides Maps. I’ll add it tomorrow morning.

Photo - a day meant for riding a motorcycle

I highly recommend NC 28. These roads make it even better. Great to know when there's traffic. You can jump off and enjoy the ride again.

I make a claim to know almost every great motorcycle ride from North Georgia to North Virginia. While I can’t claim I know them all, I’ve just learned another, and we saw only one other bike the whole time we were exploring the area. Now that’s what I’m looking for.

America Rides Maps

Motorcycle Friendly Lodging – Maggie Valley, NC – The Chalet

Photo - Maggie-Valley-Chalet

Motorcycle Friendly Lodging at the Chalet

The Chalet in Maggie Valley offers a quiet off highway setting for all individuals, no matter the number of wheels, that desire spotless accommodations.

Photo-Maggie-Valley-Chalet

Private, secluded, secure, peaceful, and friendly - What more could you ask for?

We offer all paved easy access, plenty of trailer parking,  bike/car washing area, rag bucket,  and even some garage parking.Our location is secure and bikes are not visible to traveling public.

Photo-View-of-room-at-Maggie-Valley-Chalet

Now that's what I'm looking for at the end of a good day of riding!

The vast lawn area with gas grills, horseshoe pit and enclosed hot tub is ideal for socializing.

Photo-View-of-room-at-Maggie-Valley-Chalet

Comfortable, relaxing, all you need to feel at home

Our units are all studios or suites with kitchens excellent for small groups of up to 30. Most of our guest come back yearly to enjoy the comfortable accommodations we offer.

Photo-Facilities-at-Maggie-Valley-Chalet

They have all you need to make sure your bike has a nice stay too!

For more info contact http://www.mvchalet.com

Great New Motorcycle Route Named In North Carolina

The practice of naming great motorcycle rides is a long and honored tradition. It’s a convenient shorthand way to refer to a road or series of roads that makes for a particularly good motorcycle ride. The Dragon, Hellbender 28, Blood Mountain, The Devil’s Triangle, Thunder Road, and many others are all utilized to describe rides that rise to the level of classic motorcycle rides. Add one more to the list – the Diamondback (NC 226A) and the Lake James Route.

Image - The Diamondback Post Card Map

Postcard image of the Diamondback / Lake James Route which originates at the Switzerland Inn

This 65 mile loop combines a number of great sections of road into one beautiful and entertaining ride which offers a great combination of outstanding mountain scenery and challenging curvy two lane roads. The ride originates at the luxurious Switzerland Inn adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. Located on sinuous 226A, the ride can be enjoyed in either direction though I’m inclined to immediately jump down the steep and technical descent from the Inn and get the party started. On the return via the Blue Ridge Parkway I’ll savor my fun and let the bike cool down after the hot sections along the route.

Photo - View of the grounds at the Switzerland Inn

The Switzerland Inn – A beautiful Resort on the Blue Ridge Parkway

After the initial descent, NC 226 gives you a chance to catch your breath before you turn northeast to trace the foothills and the twisty ride to reach NC 181.  Turn back towards the high country, I most enjoy NC 181 when climbing. The sweeping turns and curves have long been a favorite ride for motorcyclists in the area and you’ll get the best views of dramatic Table Rock while clawing your way up the mountainside. While beautiful and entertaining, the Blue Ridge Parkway section returning to the inn is a nice cherry on top of the shake below.

Photo - Table Rock

Table Rock is even more dramatic as it imposes on the horizon viewed end on from NC 181

I’m shipping post card maps of this ride with every order America Rides Maps so long as they last to help you discover this great loop ride. For those motorcycle touring along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Diamondback makes for a wonderful side trip to add to your motorcycle adventures.

You’ll find these great roads and many, many more on America Rides Maps “The Best Roads North and South of Asheville, NC” . Contact the Switzerland Inn for even more detail and be sure to visit http://diamondbacknc.com .


Wayne Busch - AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Wayne Busch – AMERICA RIDES MAPS

America Rides Maps

Motorcycle Friendly Lodging – Maggie Valley, NC – Creek Wood Village Resort

I’ve found another place which welcomes the motorcycle vacation traveler looking for a place to either spend the night or base out of to enjoy the hundreds of miles of great motorcycle rides just over the hill. It’s just a few miles off the Blue ridge Parkway from the Soco Gap exit.

Photo - aerial view of the cabins on the roaring creek

Aerial view of the cabins on the roaring creek at Creek Wood Village Resort

Photo - motorcycleCreek Wood Village Resort is located in the heart of Maggie Valley, directly behind the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds on three and one half FLAT acres with easy access for motorcycles and trailers. It’s convenient to most everything in town including the restaurants, shops, waterholes and Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum.

They have one, two and three bedroom cabins, all with full kitchens, fireplaces, color cable T.V. and the most beautiful views of the mountains.

Photo - one of the cabins

Historic and comfortable cabins are waiting for you.

No hectic life style here. Just kick back and set on your porch, enjoy the mountains, reflect your day in the quiet pond or listen to the water rushing through the nearby creek,  and take in the views after a great day of riding some of the best touring rides around.

Totally motorcycle friendly, they also have two fishing ponds and 650 foot of rushing creek.

Motorcycle Friendly Eateries – Rock Bottom Sports Grill, Hot Springs, NC

Photo - Rock Bottom Sports Grill in Hot Springs, NC

The Rock Bottom Sports Grill in Hot Springs, NC - Biker Friendly

I spent a bit of the beautiful weekend in Hot Springs, NC, getting the final footage for my upcoming video about one of North Carolina’s classic motorcycle rides – NC 209. While we were there I made a lunch stop at the Rock Bottom Sports Grill in the heart of town.

Photo - the bar at the Rock Bottom Sports Grill

It was too nice a day to be inside at the bar - everyone was out on the porch overlooking the stream and enjoying their meals

I was lucky enough to catch Melissa, the owner there on Easter Sunday. She’d come in to put out the fires that developed over the holiday weekend. They’d been swamped with business and she was doing her best to locate more staples and replenish the menu on a day when many suppliers were closed for the holiday. The photos of the bar and inside of the restaurant are misleading – with the beautiful weather, the covered porch outside was packed with diners enjoying their meals while overlooking the creek which flows aside the building.

Our food was good, though they’d run out of buffalo burgers, always a treat when I can find them. The standard version fit the bill quite nicely and I overheard several complimentary comments about the fries – there are very tasty.

Photo of painting of the town of Hot Springs, NC

Photo of painting of the town of Hot Springs, NC - river rafting, backpackers passing through on the Appalachian Trail, how many motorcycles can you spot?

My visit had another purpose. As route master for the Asheville Bikefest, I’m trying to visit any many locations as I can prior to the May 13 – 16th event to not only alert them of the traffic it is likely to generate, but verify they are welcome to biker business. Before I start telling thousands of motorcyclists of great places to stop while enjoying the wonderful two lane mountain roads I’ll suggest to them for their visit, I want to insure they are welcome there. No problems with the Rock Bottom Sports Grill in Hot Springs. Melissa has been riding for years, made the pilgrimage to Sturgis last year, and is looking forward to seeing you and insuring you have a great time.

Photo - another interior shot

Got to talk with the still photographer - entirely missed the crowds outside on the porch.

I’m pulling the video together as time permits, expect to learn a lot more about Hot Springs and the fabulous motorcycle riding in the surrounding area. Here’s the Teaser I put together before the snow shut things down. The full version is coming soon;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsCLMCIUOo