Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway: Touring the region’s most famous scenic byline

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I wasn’t always a motorcycle enthusiast, but I’ve always been intrigued. Maybe I can blame Marlon Brando in “The Wild One” or Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape” for starting the itch that needed scratching. My first foray was in Kauai, Hawaii, as a marine on a Kawasaki Ninja 1990 ZX-11. That bike was stupid fast, and I was just stupid. I had some gateway bikes afterward, … [Read more...] about Blue Ridge Parkway: Touring the region’s most famous scenic byline

The Smokies: Over, under and around

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A morning breeze off the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, North Carolina, eases the rising summer heat as I head north on U.S. 441. Like many fellow motorcyclists, I can’t resist the lure of riding across the Great Smoky Mountains on such a glorious day. Taking 441 past the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, I often encounter the herd of elk reintroduced to the park … [Read more...] about The Smokies: Over, under and around

The Royal Enfield 350: Building a scrambler and a few adventures

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When I decided to explore more of Western North Carolina, I knew I needed a motorcycle that could handle diverse terrain and let me venture off the beaten path. After careful consideration, I chose the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and began converting it into a scrambler. This decision was driven by several key factors, all aimed at maximizing my ability to explore both paved … [Read more...] about The Royal Enfield 350: Building a scrambler and a few adventures

Old school camera captures: Craftsmanship and the Copperhead

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In the quiet of the thawing winter on a sun-filled Sunday morning, I brushed the dust from the Bonneville and wheeled the machine into the light. My buddy Felix (the dog) sprawled out in the sun as I popped the center stand to free the rear wheel in the driveway and began the annual maintenance on the Triumph beginning with the chain, which included both a fresh cleaning and … [Read more...] about Old school camera captures: Craftsmanship and the Copperhead

All Roads Lead to Maggie Valley

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Sometime before sunset, after the tourists have headed back to their hotels, it’s possible to be alone on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can pull over at a scenic overlook, slip your bike on the stand, lean back, and get lost in the magical vista. As multiple layers of soft color melt away into the distance behind the fading mountains, the spirits of the ancient ones whisper … [Read more...] about All Roads Lead to Maggie Valley