I took my Honda NC750X on one of my favorite routes from my home in Blacksburg, Virginia, sampling the roads, valleys and mountains that make my area such a motorcycling mecca. Westward from the dramatic Narrows of the New River, I rode the sweeping turns of scenic Route 61 to Rocky Gap and then Tazewell, northern terminus of the section of Route 16 now known as the Back of the … [Read more...] about Rediscovering bloody Matewan: The Back of the Dragon leads back into history
Rider Tours
Tiny Bikes, Big Adventures: Taking a van packed with little motorcycles into the wild
I used to think 650cc and a single cylinder was all you needed. Now I’m sure the answer is 100cc. Maybe even 70cc .... Recently we threw some tiny bikes in the van and headed for the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our weapons of choice were a 1971 Honda CB100 and a 1981 Honda C70 Passport. While they may be small, they’re also slow! We weren’t in search of … [Read more...] about Tiny Bikes, Big Adventures: Taking a van packed with little motorcycles into the wild
Gorge-ous outings: Chasing cascades through Western NC
The Cherokee named it Nantahala, which means “land of the noon-day sun.” Here the namesake river runs through a shaded gorge with little direct sunlight through the largest of North Carolina’s four national forests. In summer, when the earth’s tilt allows for more of the sun’s rays to hit the river, kayakers and rafters fill the chilly waters following through the valley. In … [Read more...] about Gorge-ous outings: Chasing cascades through Western NC
The Southern Dozen: A lost state reveals 12 routes to paradise
The air temperature rises as you cross to the windward side of the southern Appalachian Mountains, where heat from the Tennessee Valley blows westward. There are so many scenic motorcycling roads here that the local visitor’s center asked motorcyclists to compile a list, which became “The Southern Dozen.” They include excursions to natural wonders and local historical sites. … [Read more...] about The Southern Dozen: A lost state reveals 12 routes to paradise
Chimney Rock: A gorge getaway perfect for lingering amid scenic wonders
Seeing the out-of-state license plate in front of me, I quickly decide to drop a gear and overtake the dawdling SUV in the long straight on U.S. 74A. It will be my last chance for several miles as the old highway crosses a flat farmland valley before climbing up to the Eastern Continental Divide. My Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 howls its twin-cylinder barbaric yawp as I … [Read more...] about Chimney Rock: A gorge getaway perfect for lingering amid scenic wonders
