March, 2010
Springing Ahead
Good riddance to one of the most severe winters in history. Here in North Carolina I had snow on the ground in my yard from December 18 - March 10. Unprecedented. There are still patches to be found in the high parts, but finally spring seems to be emerging. Hooray!
Newest Video
Bad weather makes for good map test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY3yzGYWhFQ
Upcoming Videos
Video production has been hampered by the cold and snowy weather as well as the failure of one of the video cameras, most likely due to exposure. Can't say I didn't try. It's been sent off for repair and as soon as it's back I'll wrap up projects in the works.
I've picked up a number of cool and handy gadgets over the winter that should make your travels easier and safer. They are being field tested and the follow up videos will demonstrate the results.
Video Tips - Helmets
Helmet fitting
A new season often brings new gear. If this is the year you're looking to replace that old lid, here's a couple videos to help you select the right size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRmWBp65gbo
Here's another one with that classy British accent and a bit more detail -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXDes3AQvP4
Are higher priced helmets safer?
So long as you've got DOT and Snell rating, you're OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y7mW4rrGF8
Q: But what about open face helmets?
A: Which would you rather be wearing if someone punched you in the face? Now consider they're punching you with their car. Really hard. Nuff said.
Finally - if you live in one of those no helmet law states, please do the right thing and carry your organ donor card when riding (preferably in a stain proof zip-lock bag). Every minute counts when saving others lives.
Just for Fun
Beautiful Women Riders Who Make MEN look like the little girls
OK guys, get your game on, but be wary of who you play with. These ladies do things on motorcycles that make most of us look like babies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKCguT--JOg
PS - if my wife blasts past you on her Beemer, think twice before you give chase (if you see a blue bike carving the curves in my videos, it's her). That girl can ride too.
Do you like videos, more frequent updates, and travel info?
Check out Smoky Mountain Rider
Road Report
Little Progress Made Overall
Due to the harsh weather, progress to repair and reopen the many road closures from rock slides has been impacted. I don't think any of the North Carolina / Tennessee sites have been cleared. With much of the Blue Ridge Parkway inaccessible due to the conditions, I don't know if we have a full report on the state of the roadway. Will more problems be discovered? Time will tell.
I-40 Rock Slide
The massive slide which has closed Interstate 40 near the Tennessee / North Carolina State line is predicted to be resolved by the end of April or early May. This section of highway skirts the eastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the most efficient way to get from the north side to the south side of the park. For those planning a stay in Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge, be aware it has made it tougher to get to some of the most popular riding areas.
The official detour recommends you take US 25 from Newport, Tennessee, to Hot Springs, North Carolina, then on down US 25 to Asheville. If your destination is north or east of Asheville, it's the most direct route. However, if you are headed west of Asheville, a much more direct and highly recommended ride is NC 209 from Hot Springs to Lake Junaluska (see video here). If you are headed north of Asheville, I suggest you enjoy NC 212 / TN 352. The Hot Springs map will show you hundreds of miles of little known rides in this area to enjoy.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The rock slide near the entrance to the north side of the park near US 441 is yet to be resolved, one lane remains open on the spur. US 441 is open through the park. I've been unable to get there to see it, but it can't be good in an already heavily congested area.
The Cades Cove Loop Road and all the roads which connect to it are closed for paving through May 21. Smokemont Campground is not accessible.
Blue Ridge Parkway Near Mt. Pisgah
No telling how long this section of the parkway will remain closed. It's a slide in the making, and I doubt there's been any way to determine what's going on due to the heavy snow cover. Before winter, a portion of the roadway had subsided and been covered by the slipping hillside and huge fissures were evident hundreds of feet above the roadway. When it goes, it will be serious. The area is completely closed even to foot traffic.
The official detour has you exiting the parkway at the NC Arboretum and taking NC 191 south to NC 280, then southwest to Brevard, NC. Both of these roads carry a good load of traffic and are not particularly enjoyable. From the eastern edge of Brevard, follow US 276 back up to the parkway at Wagon Road Gap. US 276 is an excellent and popular ride with Looking Glass Falls along it. It's the shortest route, I'm not convinced it will be the fastest.
An alternative is to follow the Parkway beyond the NC Arboretum Exit to NC 151 at Elk Pasture Gap. NC 151 will take you north where it will reach US 19/23 or easy access to I-40. Head west towards Canton where you can either hop on some back roads to work you way further or continue to Waynesville. In any event you'll follow US 276 back to the parkway. though longer, this may be a more enjoyable ride.
Note the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible from US 276 at Wagon Road Gap and this may be an excellent year to backtrack for a great meal and the wonderful views. Less crowds, less waiting.
US 64 / 74 Tennessee
The rock slide about 12 miles west of the North Carolina / Tennessee state line in the Ocoee River Gorge is yet to be resolved, though it is predicted to reopen near the end of the month.
Roads in Asheville, NC
There are several road construction projects in Asheville which will affect travel during the Asheville Bikefest including bridge replacement on Biltmore Avenue (US 25) and the start of repaving on I-240 on the north and west sides of the city. I'll provide more detail and alternative routes as the event draws near.
Recent Map Updates -
Little touches make them better
Several minor upgrades have been made recently.
- I've added notations to the North Carolina Maps which better identify exits on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I'm also adding additional landmarks and sights such as;
- Natural Bridge State Park, VA
- Riders Roost Motorcycle Campground
- The Snake
- The North Carolina Arboretum
- Falling Spring Falls, VA
I'm still working towards some major revisions, particularly improving the road descriptions. Should have been done by now, but the weather has kept me off the roads.
Severe Weather Wreaks Havoc on Blue Ridge Parkway
What I've Seen, What it Means
Several Feet of Snow Remain on March 6
As you've seen in last months newsletter (remember the video of us skiing the roadway) there has been significant damage within the park from heavy accumulations of snow and repeated ice storms. With the highest section of the scenic roadway practically in my back yard, it's a place we visit frequently not only to ride, but to hike the surrounding woodlands. Last weekend, we explored another section and were amazed not only at the depth of snow (3+ feet) which had drifted onto the road, but the extent of damage in the surrounding forest. It will be an interesting spring.
The NPS reports at least 1500 - 2000 trees have come down on the parkway in addition to the heavy amounts of smaller limbs and branches. Some of the most serious damage occurred in the Boone / Blowing Rock area, though what I've seen further south may be just as impressive.
Clean up has been hampered at the higher elevations due to the deep snow, though the lower areas are being cleared as quickly as possible, and many parkway supporters have volunteered their help and assistance.
Early travelers should expect to encounter delays and brief closures as crews complete their cleanup work. For the official report, go here:
http://www.nps.gov/blri/parknews/harsh-winter-creates-challenges-for-parkway.htm
Contest Winner
The winner of the "what to do with old maps" contest is Mark Cresswell, organizer of the Asheville Bikefest. Mark took several hundred maps labeled with Asheville Bikefest promotions to Daytona Bike Week and used them to help promote this wonderful new event.
Don't Forget Your Motorcycle Tax Deduction
Did you buy a new bike last year?
Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the American Motorcycle Associations efforts, if you purchased a new street or dual-sport motorcycle, scooter, or moped between February 17 and December 31, 2009, you may qualify to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes from your Federal Income Tax return.You don't even need to itemize. Don't forget to remind your tax preparer.
More Vendors Commit
Asheville Bikefest Growing
Over 6000 flyers distributed, several hundred free maps handed out , and innumerable contacts were made during Daytona Bike Week promoting the first ever Asheville Bikefest May 13 - 16. Several new vendors were lined up including a major leather retailer. Yamaha will be playing a prominent role.
The promoters from the Motorcycle Industry Council, who also handle such events as Sturgis, Laconia, and Leesburg, (and used to do Myrtle Beach before the city got attitude), keep stressing they have no idea how things will turn out.
"There's a natural order to these things" comments Mark Cresswell, promoter, "you never know how a first year will be".
Still it's hard to put a damper on my enthusiasm. Having been to those other locations, Asheville has so much potential to take things to a new level. Not only is it a really great and motorcycle friendly small city, it's already well know as a motorcycle vacation destination, has great food, wonderful entertainment, was voted "Beer City, USA", AND it's surrounded by thousands of miles of the best riding in the country. Heck, the Blue Ridge Parkway passes right through it.
I'm really looking forward to this event and will be stationed at the headquarters to help you find the best rides and get the most out of your visit.
Pass it on
Please forward a link to this newsletter to your motorcycle friends. Got questions, comments, suggestions, just contact me through the web site. Here's a short link: