Before the advent of modern geography or GPS systems, the native people understood this place to be at the center of the world. It wasn’t until 1736 that the French Geodesic Mission launched an expedition to measure the equatorial line of the earth that the world learned what the native people already knew. My first experience on the back of a motorcycle was in my early 20s. … [Read more...] about Finding motorcycling zen while crossing Ecuador
Rider Tours
Brown Mountain Lights a mystery, but the area’s roads certainly aren’t
As mountains go, it doesn’t look very impressive, yet the lore surrounding Brown Mountain keeps visitors to the busy overlook on N.C. 181 staring at the squat, rectangular ridge. The high-pitched shriek and low rumble of passing sport bikes and cruisers fill the air as the overlook’s visitors seem to ignore the more dramatic peak of Table Rock behind them and stare in wonder … [Read more...] about Brown Mountain Lights a mystery, but the area’s roads certainly aren’t
Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands: Far off the beaten path, but not too far
Traffic. If there’s an Alleghany Highlands dictionary, the word “traffic” isn’t in it. Y’see, there just ain’t any. How many times have you been on a beautiful mid-Appalachian backroad in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, or elsewhere, staring down the tailpipe of a car or truck in front of you, going 30% slower than you want to go, looking for a safe place to pass? Apart … [Read more...] about Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands: Far off the beaten path, but not too far
Backroads to Road Atlanta and back
If you avoid the interstate, there are no straight roads between Asheville, North Carolina, and Braselton, Georgia, home of the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta racetrack. My trip started with a last-minute post on a Friday night to the local BMW Facebook group asking if anybody wanted to join me for a quick run via back roads to Road Atlanta for a MotoAmerica race and back in … [Read more...] about Backroads to Road Atlanta and back
Nine lakes and a lost sea: ‘Built for the people’ also includes motorcyclists
Pouring out of the southern Appalachian Mountains, water comes together with other water. Streams and rivers beckon to a lone motorcyclist to follow them as they spread out across the Tennessee Valley. Soon the rivers become tranquil blue expanses against the green hills, and massive gray mountains of concrete and steel lure you to throw the kickstand down and marvel at the … [Read more...] about Nine lakes and a lost sea: ‘Built for the people’ also includes motorcyclists
