Ah, those glorious summer days filled with long rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The warm weather, blue skies and yet-to-be discovered roadside stops always enhance the riding experience for many motorcyclists. The questions always arise: Where are we going to stop for lunch? Want to grab a beer? The Southern Appalachian Mountains feature plenty of ale houses, taprooms, … [Read more...] about Stops for beer, wine or spirits
Reviews
From Russia with love — for motorcycling
Ekaterina Goncharuk arrives at her local bike night on a gleaming Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. Removing her helmet reveals a silky head of straight, raven hair and piercing dark eyes. Then you hear the accent in her soft-spoken voice. It’s as if a Russian villainess from a James Bond movie just rolled up to join the boys for wing night. Kat, as she prefers to be called, now makes her … [Read more...] about From Russia with love — for motorcycling
Improving the odds: A crash illustrates the importance of ATGATT
The weather was unusually awesome on New Year’s Day. It was more like spring than winter. My wife and I joined a group ride in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where friends and bikes of all types were aplenty. We were just entering that group rhythm, headed toward some of our favorite twisties, when it happened — and it happened quickly. My wife, Sheri, was ahead of me on her … [Read more...] about Improving the odds: A crash illustrates the importance of ATGATT
Dave’s 209: Worth a stop on the Rattler
In an old schoolhouse from the 1920s, Dave’s 209 restaurant stands out as an oasis for riders as they tame The Rattler, N.C. 209, running from Lake Junaluska to Hot Springs in Western North Carolina. As tempting as it is to pour on the throttle in the long straightaway, motorcyclists shouldn’t ignore the converted schoolhouse, for a tasty meal can become a highlight of their … [Read more...] about Dave’s 209: Worth a stop on the Rattler
When the chips are down
The wife and I love to ride, and we ride often with a mix of twisties on the weekends. We load the bikes down with camping gear and find a mountain campground or ride to Myrtle Beach or Daytona. We’ve even done a few track days. There is a lot to be said for mixing it up and experiencing different things on your motorcycle. It’s funny how much stuff we load in the car for a … [Read more...] about When the chips are down