On the third day with no power, no water and no more ready-to-eat food, I looked at my Yamaha Tracer 9 GT sitting there with nearly a full fuel tank and accepted it was time to mount up and escape the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I underestimated Helene, as I’m sure many others did. As a native and lifelong resident of the region, I’ve seen countless downgraded hurricanes … [Read more...] about Helene’s Wrath: Fleeing the Aftermath With a Weeklong Odyssey
North Carolina
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
Smoky Mountain 500: Carrying my icon on iconic roads
Wanting to ride the Smoky Mountain 500 across Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina for about four years now, I finally made plans with a riding buddy. Then that plan fell apart. Someone once told me that I was good with small children and dogs, but adults — not so much. I need a new riding partner. While I am chronologically an adult, mentally I remain adolescent. So, like … [Read more...] about Smoky Mountain 500: Carrying my icon on iconic roads
Blue Ridge Parkway: Touring the region’s most famous scenic byline
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 Royal Enfield 350: Building a scrambler and a few adventures
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
