Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine

Cherohala Skyway

Blue Ridge Southern Crescent: Tellico Plains, Helen, Toccoa to Walhalla

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I topped off the fuel tank in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and gazed at the mountains to the east. My usual route would take me across the famed Cherohala Skyway to North Carolina. The bucket-list motorcycling road never disappoints riders, but I had a different adventure in mind for this trip: a crescent-shaped ride along southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tellico Plains … [Read more...] about Blue Ridge Southern Crescent: Tellico Plains, Helen, Toccoa to Walhalla

Ten rides to celebrate 10 Epic years: The editor’s favorite adventures across the Blue Ridge Mountains

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To mark the 10th anniversary of Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine, Editor-in-Chief Michael E. Gouge offers his list (in no particular order) featuring 10 of the favorite roads and road trips he’s covered in the last decade as a correspondent. A few of them are on blueridgemotorcyclingmagazine.com. Others appeared only in print. Feel free to explore them on your own. • U.S. 64 … [Read more...] about Ten rides to celebrate 10 Epic years: The editor’s favorite adventures across the Blue Ridge Mountains

A Tennessee Two-Wheel Escape: Riding Tellico Plains to the Cherohala Skyway

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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

Nine lakes and a lost sea: ‘Built for the people’ also includes motorcyclists

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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

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