Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine

Tail of the Dragon

Smoky Mountain 500: Carrying my icon on iconic roads

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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

“Head of the Dragon” motorcycle ride in McDowell County, West Virginia

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The “Head of the Dragon” joins Back of the Dragon, Claw of the Dragon, and Tail of the Dragon to complete the Body of the Dragon motorcycle rides series in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. The ride consists of 91 miles of McDowell County two lane country roads. You will be riding: Route 52, Route 80, Route 83, Route 16, and Route 161. Your ride … [Read more...] about “Head of the Dragon” motorcycle ride in McDowell County, West Virginia

Peaceful Side Social: A mountain oasis for riders

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A little gem at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Townsend, Tennessee — beckons motorcyclists with its stunning mountain scenery, lush forests and meandering roads ripe for thrill-seekers. Between the sweeping curves of Foothills Parkway with panoramic views and the tight, twisties of the infamous Dragon, there’s much adventure to be had.  After a long … [Read more...] about Peaceful Side Social: A mountain oasis for riders

Sleeping in a treehouse, taming the Dragon

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I slayed a dragon and slept in a treehouse,” at least that’s what my T-shirt says. From my perspective, “slayed” seems too strong a word, it felt more like I was chased by a dragon and managed to escape.  Not far from the curves of the famous Moonshiner 28 and the Tail of the Dragon lies Robbinsville, North Carolina. To celebrate our anniversary, my wife and I packed both … [Read more...] about Sleeping in a treehouse, taming the Dragon

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