The usually smooth hills of the Blue Ridge begin to grow steeper and sharper as U.S. 64 twists toward the Cullasaja Gorge. Temptation lures my attention to the rockface cliffs and glimpses of tumbling waters below, but the road demands my concentration. This section between Highlands and Franklin, North Carolina, holds a special allure for motorcyclists given the stunning … [Read more...] about Waterfalls, museums and twisty roads: Exploring the spirit of Franklin, NC
Rider Tours
The Crooked Road: Two-wheeling and Two-Stepping Across Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Like mashed potatoes and gravy, road trips and music just belong together. Either alone is fine, but the pairing makes a memorable, comforting combination, better together than separately. But better yet, now imagine the road and the music and you on two-wheels, with a real-time, real-life musical soundtrack underscoring your ride. Welcome to Virginia’s “Crooked Road,” the … [Read more...] about The Crooked Road: Two-wheeling and Two-Stepping Across Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Helene, a Year After: Chimney Rock Remains in Riders’ Hopes and Memories
Nothing much remains of the main street in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. Workers continue to move earth and replace utilities scoured away by Hurricane Helene nearly one year earlier. Demolition of damaged buildings continue. Access remains limited. For decades, this scenic section of the Hickory Nut Gorge attracted riders to the twisting roads through the Hickory Nut Gorge … [Read more...] about Helene, a Year After: Chimney Rock Remains in Riders’ Hopes and Memories
A Tennessee Two-Wheel Escape: Riding Tellico Plains to the Cherohala Skyway
Arguably, the Cherohala Skyway is the best 43 miles of pavement in the southeastern United States. It exists because it is beautiful. On day three of the tour and I am currently trailing my riding partner, Elio Dimacali, who is pushing the pace to a level that is right at the edge of my comfort envelope. I’m piloting my 2022 BMW R1250GS Adventure. Dimacali serves as the lead … [Read more...] about A Tennessee Two-Wheel Escape: Riding Tellico Plains to the Cherohala Skyway
A Dragon’s Back: and a Quest to Find Seven Covered Bridges
Motorcycles can often feel like time machines. They encourage you to explore roads that once were main thoroughfares but are now sleepy backroads. They take you along winding paths filled with old barns, small towns and sometimes century-old covered bridges. Feeling a call to revisit Virginia’s Back of the Dragon this summer, I vowed to explore some side roads I’d ignored on … [Read more...] about A Dragon’s Back: and a Quest to Find Seven Covered Bridges
