April 2010
The Season Starts!
What happened to spring? We jumped straight from the depths of winter to summer-like weather in the Smoky Mountains. Trees and flowers are blooming everywhere and the warm weather has all the bikers on the road.
Road Report
Good News On Many Fronts
Blue Ridge Parkway
Clean up is progressing well on the Blue Ridge Parkway and almost every section should be open by the end of the month.
I say almost, as the short section closed near Mt. Pisgah south of Asheville will still require a detour. Still there is bright news here as well - one lane may be opened by July and both by September.
You may expect some paving and patching work in sections, particularly south of the NC / VA border as some potholes have developed following the extended period of freezing.
Mt. Mitchell State Park is open and accessible from both entrances.
Current closures include:
- US 221 (MP 305 - Beacon Heights) to MP 316 near Linville, NC
- NC 226 (MP 334 near Little Switzerland) to MP 342 (Victor Crossing)
- MP 300 (Bad Fork Valley) to MP 408 (Mt. Pisgah - the rock slide area included)
- MP 411 (US 276) to MP 418 (Graveyard Fields Overlook)
- 40 Rockslide
The work is progressing on schedule near the North Carolina / Tennessee state line where Interstate 40 has been closed due to a massive rock slide. The road should be open by the end of the month.
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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
US 441 is open. Cades Cove loop road and the roads which connect to it - Forge Creek Road, Parsons Branch Road, and Rich Mountain Road are closed until May 21 for paving. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed for paving and Smokemont Campground is not accessible. Clingmans Dome road is closed until May 28 for repaving. Heintooga Ridge Road and Balsam Mountain roads have not yet opened for the season.
Fontana Dam
The Fontana Dam Access Road has been closed to vehicles but is open to pedestrian traffic.
US 64 / 74 in Tennessee
The rock slide in the Ocoee River Gorge has been cleared. The road is now open.
Recent Map Updates
The Switzerland Inn and the Diamondback loop ride added to maps "The Best Roads North and South of Asheville, NC" and "Great Roads near Boone Banner Elk, and Blowing Rock". Descriptions will be added shortly.
America Rides Maps Updates
Better Credit Card Processing
Within a few days our credit card processing will be updated and streamlined to make ordering easier and quicker, no more bypassing the PayPal system to use your credit card. I've held off as long as possible to keep costs down, but thanks to your support I can continue expanding and improving our service.
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.
Want more frequent and detailed news?
Smoky Mountain Rider Blog
Motorcycle friendly lodging and eateries, local info, ride reports, reviews, and much,much more. Frequently updated, easy to search for the info you need.
Free Stuff
Free Video Guide:
This 10 minute video is your free guide to NC 209, one of the least known classic motorcycle rides east of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg-pDqHpUsY
To show your friends where you're going or where you've been, or entice them to come along with you to ride NC 209, just cut and paste this link and send it to them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg-pDqHpUsY
Free Diamondback Map:
A new route has been named and trademarked in North Carolina - the Diamondback. It's a great ride and will be the focus of an upcoming video giveaway. 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 new 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, just send an email with your name and mailing address to info@americaridesmaps.com
Free Online Event:
Towards the end of next month I'll be hosting a live Online Event where you can call in and ask questions, get recommendations, discuss rides, places to stay, anything you want. Get free advice, learn about my favorite rides, I'll even share the story of the time I submerged my bike in a river. You'll be receiving notices, watch for the emails.
Events Coming Up
Spring Thunder In The Valley Rally
April 23 - 25
Maggie Valley Fairgrounds
Maggie Valley, NC
Handlebar Corral Info
Cherokee Survivors Rally
April 23 -25
Cherokee Fair Grounds
Cherokee, NC
Cherokee Rally Info
Two rallies, one on each side of the mountain with a nice curvy ride between them. Music by Molly Hatchet, Alabama, more. Prizes, contests, trophies, rides. Come enjoy the start of spring in the Smoky Mountains.
Asheville Bikefest
May 13 - 16
WNC Agricultural Center
Asheville, NC
Asheville Bikefest Info
I spent a couple of hours yesterday with the promoters and got the inside scoop on the events progress. Honestly, their web site is lagging (the web guy disappeared) so much of the promotion has been done at other events, within the industry, and via radio.
Just back from Roanoke, they are now in Leesburg, Fl. to coordinate the 250,000 bikers expected at that event, and things are already starting to get going for Sturgis and Laconia (other events coordinated by WWD). There's a lot more going on than the web site leads you to believe and the relatively late start waiting for approval from the National Park Service and the Blue Ridge Parkway hampered early promotions.
The musical entertainment has been signed - JB Walker and the Cheap Whiskey Band (The World's Most Famous Biker Band), County Farm (voted best band in Western North Carolina), amongst others, the stunt riders at The AntiTeam are under contract, and the dealers are loading the semi trucks full of demo bikes. We've been coordinating and laying out the rides, and as the Official Route Master, I promise you some excellent roads and great stops along them. AntiTeam Video Below -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0kJVvFHsw4&playnext_from=TL&videos=S1rmIJsBVLw
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