Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine

Tail of the Dragon

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

Don’t be bitten by The Dragon: Slay it with these tips

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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

Cherohala Skyway: Nostalgia and furtive glances at the past

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Nearly 30 years ago, an old friend introduced me to motorcycle camping. During those early years, the two of us came together a couple times a year for epic camping and rides, which usually led to some irresponsible, reckless behavior that young men with a false sense of immortality often undertake. I often returned home with sore abdominal muscles from excessive infantile … [Read more...] about Cherohala Skyway: Nostalgia and furtive glances at the past