May 2010
Everything is Green Again!
The weather has been ideal for the most part with about average rainfall and warm temperatures. Long term summer forecast calls for warmer than normal weather and average precipitation. Don't ask me what that means - we had three years of drought followed by a year of flooding and more snow than many can remember. Who knows what "normal" is anymore?
Road Report
We're Getting There, Roads are Opening
Blue Ridge Parkway
Technically speaking, the Blue Ridge Parkway is open except for the short section south of Asheville. There are still areas where clean up and road work continues, particularly at the north end of the North Carolina portion around Linville. There are places where only one lane is open as crews remove trees, debris, and patch and pave where needed. Expect some delays and overlooks north of Asheville near Craggy Gardens are closing sporadically for repaving.
The short section closed near Mt. Pisgah south of Asheville will still require a detour. While there is bright news here as well - one lane may be opened by July and both by September, I've had no recent updates from my sources.
Current closures:
- MP 300 (Bad Fork Valley) to MP 408 (Mt. Pisgah - the rock slide area included)
US 129 at Deals Gap (the Dragon)
Good news here - the rock slide on Us 129 still blocks the road near the Foothills Parkway on the north end of the Dragon. The road has been opened for travel from 8 AM to 8 PM barring any incidents. While Tennessee initially closed the road as they were unable to provide adequate traffic enforcement and rescue services, they have agreed to allow traffic so long as no problems are reported. You may now ride the Tail of the Dragon again, but you'd better behave. Read the article on this page for more info.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
US 441 is open, though paving may cause lane closures until June 15. Cades Cove loop road and the roads which connect to it - Forge Creek Road, Parsons Branch Road, and Rich Mountain Road are open. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed for paving until May 28 and Smokemont Campground is not accessible. Clingmans Dome road is closed until June 18 for repaving. Heintooga Ridge Road and Balsam Mountain roads have not yet opened for the season. Balsam Mountain Campground will be closed through June 17 for paving. Dates are subject to (and have been) changing.
Visit -
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm
- for the most recent updates.
Fontana Dam
The Fontana Dam Access Road has been closed to vehicles but is open to pedestrian traffic.
Georgia - SR 348 (Richard Russell Scenic Parkway) closed through May 21
Winter took it's toll in Georgia as it did everywhere else and a 0.6 mile section of SR 348 near Tesnatee Gap in White County did not suffer the cold wet weather well. Generally referred to as Hog Pen Gap, the road has been milled and is being resurfaced with fresh asphalt. It was originally slated to open May 14, but the date has now been reset to May 21.
UPDATE - The road opened on schedule.
Recent Map Updates
- I've added a another great ride to "The Best Roads South of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - EAST".
- Gryphon Bikes and Choppers will soon be taken off the maps - he's still available to change tires, and minor Harley repairs, but no longer renting bikes.
- Two new roads are under review in the Little Switzerland area. One looks very promising.
- Expect expansion in the northernmost Virginia maps - a few promising prospects will be reviewed soon.
- Cycle Sports of Black Mountain will be added to the appropriate maps. Good deals on tires / service.
- Several new roads have been added to map "The Best Roads South of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - WEST"
Going Digital?
It could be in the future! I'm in the exploratory phase of discussion options with some major players. GPS formats, even a phone app. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks to your support, my pans to expand and grow are gradually being realized.
Want more frequent and detailed news?
The Smoky Mountain Rider Blog
I'm spending more and more time on the road and the newsletters which I try to get out near the middle of the month are getting pushed back.
If you'd like more updated and current info, more photos, video, places to see and stay, the Smoky Mountain Rider Blog is the place to find it.
Motorcycle friendly lodging and eateries, local info, ride reports, reviews, and much, much more. Frequently updated, easy to search for the info you need.
You can also follow America Rides Maps on Facebook as well as 20 other social networking sites. I pay most attention to Facebook so it's the first one to check.
http://www.facebook.com/americaridesmaps
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americaridesmap
America Rides Maps is Now your Official Map source for the Asheville Bikefest and More!
The Asheville Bikefest is over and I can confidently say it was a successful launch for this new great motorcycle event in the south.
I spent four full days at the first ever Asheville Bikefest and Blue Ridge Run acting as Route Master for the event. Stationed in the luxurious headquarters building, it was my job to insure visitors knew where to go to get the best riding experiences and direct them to the sights and attractions. Flanked by two long tables stacked high with 30 suggested rides, I gave away thousands of copies of some of my personal favorite routes, helped people make the most of their riding time, advised them on road conditions, helped coordinate the daily guided tours, and used my local contacts to get them discounted rooms and meals. I was in heaven, that's my passion.
Honestly I can't tell you much about the rest of the event. I rarely left the building I was so busy. I did see a constant parade of demo bikes in and out of the grounds as Yamaha / Star / Boss Hoss and others led test rides from the time the gates opened on Thursday. It wasn't until the last show on Sunday that I got to see the part of the Anti Team's fantastic stunt show.
Put this one on the calendar for next year. It will be bigger, better, and it's unlike anything in the area. This rally is all about the ride.
Anti Team Stunt Show Video Below -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0kJVvFHsw4&playnext_from=TL&videos=S1rmIJsBVLw
Work at the Dragon at Deals Gap Progressing Well
It may reopen ahead of schedule
Crews are working 6 days a week to stabilize and clean up the rock slide which has closed US 129 a.k.a. 'The Dragon" at Deals Gap. Thanks to the efforts of local business interests and a favorable response from elected officials, an agreement was negotiated to open the road from 8AM to 8PM each day. Initially, the entire road was closed to traffic due to concerns it would be too difficult and expensive to provide emergency services and traffic enforcement. As most of the road lies within Tennessee, and access is blocked from the Tennessee end of the road, the first reaction was to simply shut it down.
Due to the economic impact on the remote and rural Graham and Swain counties in western North Carolina, the governments worked out a compromise to keep this well known classic ride available to motorcyclists and car enthusiasts who come from around the country to enjoy it's 311 curves within the 13 mile stretch of Deals Gap. A gated fence has been installed at the state line and it is manned by a Tennessee State trooper. Others patrol the road and emergency services continue to be stationed along it's stretch. The north end of the road is blocked by barriers and construction equipment with a large turn around area provided.
Considering the tenuous conditions under which the road was permitted to be opened, I urge visitors to restrain their urges to misbehave and act in a responsible manner when visiting. With the extra travel time involved for the troopers assigned to patrol this section of road and the restrictions on their ability to respond to other incidents in a timely manner, I doubt they are in very good humor. A recent visit showed they were taking seriously their mission to enforce the limits and constrain excesses. Now is not the time to push any limits.
With a hefty bonus for early completion of the cleanup, rumor has it the road crews are ahead of the July 31 scheduled reopening. In the mean time, ride responsibly so the road remains accessible until the work is completed.
Still Free -
Free Diamondback Map:
I just got another batch of post card maps for the Diamondback. Based out of the Switzerland Inn just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, it links some of the nicest roads into a great 65 mile loop.
I'm including free postcard maps of this newly named route with every order. They will fit in your pocket right next to your America Rides Maps. If you'd like one sent to you, send an email with your name and mailing address to info@americaridesmaps.com
Free Online Event - Postponed:
I'd planned on hosting a live Online Event near the end of the month, but there's a chance I'll be making an appearance at Americade in New York instead. Until I know for sure, I'm not committing to it.
America Rides Maps Updates
Better Credit Card Processing, More Security
The new credit card processing system has been updated and streamlined to make ordering easier and quicker, no more bypassing the Pay Pal system to use your credit card. Pay Pal remains intact as an option. Judging from the flood of orders, it's working well enough. As always your safety and security is paramount and I've set the strictest parameters for processing, so strict I am concerned you may occasionally have a problem. EVERYTHING is verified, I get none of your vital data, so it can't be hacked or stolen from my system. I'm so cautious I refused to process credit cards at the Asheville Bikefest as I had to connect via a wifi network. I honestly believe it's safer to place your order online than it is to phone it in, though if you have problems or a special request I can deal with it more efficiently now.
Pimp My Map Please...
Time to Tackle the First of the Map Revisions
This was supposed to be an off-season winter project. Early this year I upgraded the computer hardware and purchased the professional grade software to take America Rides Maps to the next level. It was a significant investment but necessary to make the quality improvements you deserve. It has taken far longer than expected to gain the experience to work with the complicated software that provides the output I am after but I'm ready to tackle the first map revision.
The first map to get "pimped" will be "Maggie Valley to Deals Gap and the Cherohala Skyway". Feedback indicates the pocket size is preferred. The goal is to make them even easier to use and standardize the appearance across the spectrum. As each map was developed independently it's no small task.
The new format should allow me to migrate to digital applications such as GPS compatible downloads, a more interactive interface where you can submit and print your own routes, greater detail and more info, phone app's and compatibility, faster revisions and more current data updates. I'm also looking at the possibility of REDUCING the price! Yeah baby, that's the goal.
If you hear screams of frustration in the distance, it will be from me as I sort through the trials and tribulations that lay ahead. Consider this journey started!
Photo - Me prior to this hair pulling experience
Pass it on!
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