North Carolina is a collection of wonderful regions and places, from the mountains to the sea. Each is different of course, with its own geography to be savored on two wheels. It is remarkably easy to avoid being trapped on highways and allow oneself to be consumed by the beauty of the byways. Along the way, the people are terrific as well, with different traditions and foods … [Read more...] about The Blue Ridge Mountains: Of what was and shall ever be
BMW
Flying on the ground: A tour to the Helen Balloon Festival
I have motorcycles. A bunch. New ones, old ones. And I ride a lot, nearly every day. Short, far, sometimes for months at a time. Riding is its own unique sensation and operation, and I think that’s why I enjoy it so much. Sometimes if I ride long enough, it even feels like I’m flying. I wonder what it’s like to fly — don’t you? Maybe you know, maybe you’re a pilot or fly … [Read more...] about Flying on the ground: A tour to the Helen Balloon Festival
Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
A few days earlier, a buxom, wet and nasty bitch named Helene came our way up from Florida, uninvited and unwelcomed, and for many people in many places throughout our divine mid-Atlantic mountains, life would never be the same. The hurricane absolutely devastated several communities, large and small, mostly in North Carolina and Tennessee, but also in far southwest Virginia. … [Read more...] about Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
A Star is Reborn: Returning a Bavarian tourer to its place on the open road
There clearly was no reason to be looking for a third BMW R100 RS. Our garage already is home to a pair of my favorites, a 1977 non-CFO RS that was once owned by Malcolm Forbes, and a smoked red ‘82 which was a Euro delivery Beemer for a U.S. Army Officer stationed in West Germany. And yet, classified ads continue a siren song of sorts that requires periodic attention. A … [Read more...] about A Star is Reborn: Returning a Bavarian tourer to its place on the open road
A dying art: Vintage bike fans form a wrenching community
Some things, like fine wine, really do get better with time. That describes many things in life, including long term friendships. It can also describe long term relationships with vintage motorcycles. In a nod to what Robert Pirsig said in “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” the word “better” can take on different meanings depending on one’s vantage point. He used it … [Read more...] about A dying art: Vintage bike fans form a wrenching community
