Ripples of water shimmer through the pines along the north shore of Lake James. I find a suitable pull-off and ease the bike off the road to take a break and enjoy this peaceful light show. This part of McDowell County, North Carolina, sits on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I’ve come here for a bit of adventure bike exploring along the rim of Linville … [Read more...] about Mysterious Mountains: From Lake James up to Linville Gorge
Rider Tours
The Tennessee Whiskey Trail: Discover A Southern treasure
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail can step aside: there’s a new trail that’s worth the ride. Established in 2017, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail celebrates a spirit deeply ingrained in Tennessee’s culture and heritage and has led to the state now being a leader in whiskey production. With 25 different distilleries drawing more than 2 million people per year, this attraction is steadily … [Read more...] about The Tennessee Whiskey Trail: Discover A Southern treasure
Lake country travels: South Carolina’s boating paradise holds fun for motorcyclists, too
By Michael E. Gouge The air suddenly warms as you drop off the Blue Ridge Escarpment to the rolling hills and small towns in the northwest corner of the Palmetto State. Spring arrives early here and gives riders a chance to escape the fickle March weather of the mountains. While South Carolina only claims a small portion of the Southern Appalachians, it holds several … [Read more...] about Lake country travels: South Carolina’s boating paradise holds fun for motorcyclists, too
Overland Journey: exploring Virginia’s Blue Ridge and annual adventure expo
About 80 miles southwest of Roanoke, being satisfied with my morning progress up monotonous Interstate 81, I leaned the big Suzuki for the off-ramp to take a much-needed break and reward myself with leisurely two lanes for the rest of the way into the Star City. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains serve as a playground for motorcycle travelers with its abundance of history, … [Read more...] about Overland Journey: exploring Virginia’s Blue Ridge and annual adventure expo
Wine Touring: Across the Cherohala to Tsali Notch Vineyards
The mountains seem to cradle this bucolic valley. Beyond the orderly rows of vines, the blue-gray band of the Southern Appalachian Mountains fences off this area of east Tennessee, protecting it. Cherishing it. Briefly interrupting this peaceful scene, a group of nearly a dozen motorcyclists arrive at Tsali Notch Vineyard near Madisonville, Tennessee, after crossing the … [Read more...] about Wine Touring: Across the Cherohala to Tsali Notch Vineyards
