Each April, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts gather for the annual Meltdown vintage bike show in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where hundreds of riders and spectators coming together to celebrate old bikes in a street festival atmosphere. This year’s event takes place April 25 at the usual venue, Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street in Hendersonville. “I’ve been … [Read more...] about Meltdown vintage bike show
North Carolina
Born into beemers: Passion for airheads becomes a career for father and son
By Michael E. Gouge Eddie Plam’s childhood playground doesn’t look too different from his current workplace, a brightly lit room filled with airhead BMWs and his proud father watching from nearby. “My dad was a BMW dealer from 1985 to 2008, so essentially I grew up in a BMW shop,” said the 32-year-old California native. “I grew up around these old bikes. I remember taking … [Read more...] about Born into beemers: Passion for airheads becomes a career for father and son
Gene Bell: Here to help, here to ride
Clearly, Gene Bell does not know how to retire. At 73, he still works part-time for the organization he headed for the past 14 years, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. And he’s heavily involved in founding a new charter school in Asheville, PEAK Academy, which will focus on low-income, African-American students. The acronym stands for Prepare and Empower to … [Read more...] about Gene Bell: Here to help, here to ride
Don’t be bitten by The Dragon: Slay it with these tips
Spring through fall, motorcyclists from across the globe make the migration to a top motorcycling mecca: The Dragon. Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains and stretching across the North Carolina and Tennessee border, The Dragon boasts 318 exhilarating, twisting curves in 11 miles. These are no ordinary curves. The road serves up a challenging mix of decreasing radius corners, … [Read more...] about Don’t be bitten by The Dragon: Slay it with these tips
Wine Touring: Tasting the Crest of the Blue Ridge
By Michael E. Gouge The Eastern Continental Divide in the Blue Ridge Mountains features some of the best motorcycling areas in the country. It reaches its highest point in North Carolina, home to one of the newest federally recognized wine-growing regions — and an excellent destination for those leisurely harvest-season rides. Heading south of Asheville along U.S. 74A, riders … [Read more...] about Wine Touring: Tasting the Crest of the Blue Ridge