February, 2010
Welcome to the new look!
Old subscribers were told I'd be changing the look of the newsletter. You first timers won't notice any difference. I'm playing with some pretty advanced stuff (for me) so bare with me if things don't quite display correctly. I'll get it sorted.
Winter Weather Damages Blue Ridge Parkway
Repeated Ice Storms Bring Down Trees
The video above (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7wfApaNd00 ) shows recent damage nearby in Haywood County on the section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Pisgah Inn. I'm told far more extensive damage occurred north earlier in the season, particularly in Watauga County near Boone, NC, and into southern Virginia.
In some areas all the trees had their tops snapped off and not a single one was much higher than 12 feet. Entire trees have come down, large limbs litter the roadway, and the reports from the north say it may take months to clean up the damage and get the road open again. Be sure to check with the Blue Ridge Parkway web site (http://nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm) if you have early spring plans.
Should I Avoid Riding the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap?
What Makes This Road So Dangerous?
If you’re convinced the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap in North Carolina is “too dangerous” or “ too challenging” a motorcycle ride, you’ve been deluded. If you can negotiate a crowded parking lot without panic, navigate city traffic, or confidently explore unknown back roads, you can ride the “infamous” stretch of US 129 at known as “The Tail of the Dragon”.
While riders are killed on the Dragons Tail almost every year (once you visit you’ll know why) it’s not the road that does them in. It’s a great motorcycle road with more than 300 curves in 11 miles. The pavement is nice, the road is well engineered, and it see’s little commercial traffic. Still the motorcycle accidents at Deals Gap keep piling up.
Truth is, motorcycle riders crash here due to their own expectations. The Tail of the Dragon near Deals Gap is so hyped as a challenging and dangerous motorcycle ride people believe they have to make it one. Too many bikers push their limits on this great ride to fulfill the myth and prove something to themselves. Those limits of skill and reason are exceeded far too often resulting in motorcycle wrecks that would not have otherwise occurred had the rider not been so persuaded this was the ideal place to test them. Truth is, I can direct you to roads far more dangerous, all of which make for good motorcycle rides you will enjoy and savor if you don’t consciously try to kill yourself.
That said, the Tail of the Dragon may not be for everyone. If your bike was on the showroom floor last week, and your warm license stills smells like fresh plastic, think twice, break in the tires and get a few miles beneath them. The Blue Ridge Parkway will give you all you need, and I’ve mapped hundreds of miles of other great motorcycle roads in the area.
There are certainly TIMES to avoid the Tail of the Dragon. A rally can turn it into a suicidal circus. Weekends bring out the squids and posers. Safest bet is to go mid week, early in the day. Be warned, it’s heavily patrolled by overworked troopers who have absolutely no sense of humor left.
With hundreds of posted videos to choose from, you can be sure I’ll be posting more. Here’s one of the longer ones that not only shows the entire ride, but demonstrates why this good motorcycle ride has earned such a bad reputation. Is it the really roads fault?
For more details visit:
How Cold is it?
Yet Another Rock Slide
Roads Are Closed In Many Areas
A rockslide in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Tennessee entrance has closed US 441 to traffic. Another nearby, closed the 441 spur road near Gatlinburg, though one lane has been opened there. After years of drought, the return of heavy rain and and excess of snow is wreaking havoc in the high mountains.
We now have several rockslides with road closures to be aware of;
- US 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed near Ferrin Knob (Mt. Pisgah area).
- Interstate 40 remains closed near the NC/TN border.
- US 64/74 remains closed near Ocoee Dam #2.
None of these areas will be opened soon, and secondary slides have occurred at several sites. The continuation of unusually harsh winter weather has hampered progress.
As I did last year, I'll be producing some free detour maps you can download that offer alternatives and suggestions to those the DOT lists. As I prefer to ride these personally, I'm waiting for the weather to break so I can get out on the road. Right now, I'm fighting a losing battle to keep the batteries charged with rides between snow storms. I'll send out notices when the downloads are ready, you can email me if you need guidance sooner.
Planning Your Vacation Trip - TIPS
Do I Need Reservations?
If you’re visiting the Smokies on your motorcycle vacation trip during the fall, particularly at peak leaf season, I strongly urge you to plan ahead. Rooms on or near the Blue Ridge Parkway go quickly and people reserve them a year in advance at the popular places. Even if you don’t want to make reservations now, or only have a general idea of where you might end up, it’s worth doing a little research to be sure your motorcycle vacation plan goes well.
Here’s a tip that may save you some headaches on that motorcycle vacation trip - call ahead to a couple of potential lodgers and ask about room availability during your visit. Just because you checked for motorcycle or Blue Ridge Parkway events doesn’t mean the rooms aren’t all booked for the Wooly Worm festival, the Trout Fest, or some other local folk celebration. Mountain resorts are popular places for conferences and meetings who sometimes try to book rooms when other events are not scheduled. Don’t forget Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Centers (easy to find online) are great resources and will often send you free visitor guides.
A few extra moments planning your motorcycle vacation trip can greatly improve your enjoyment.
What Will The Weather Be Like?
The weather on your motorcycle vacation trip will probably be better than you think or what the weatherman says, - or not. I swear that guy drinks. I know I would be hitting the old mason jar if I had his job. Predicting the weather in the Smoky Mountains is tough. Sometimes, there’s little question about taking that great ride. When there’s a massive front coming through or some system stalls for a while, you can pretty much go with what’s obvious.
In the Smoky Mountains each little valley has its own weather. It can pour down rain all day in one spot, ride your motorcycle over the hill, and the sun is shining. If I had a dollar for every time they’ve predicted rain and I’ve spent a dry day riding the great roads…
My advice – if there’s any question, get on the bike and go for it and always have some rain gear and a warm jacket or fleece in the bags. The highest elevations, like the Blue Ridge Parkway, see the most intense weather. If something’s going to happen it’s going to happen up high first. Coming down, or staying low when planning your motorcycle rides on the iffy days will often do the trick.
Weather also stalls when it hits the mountains and can’t quite make the climb over them. Try heading in the opposite direction and you can often avoid it. Bottom line, when planning your motorcycle vacation, be ready for anything.
Useful Web Resource:
One of the best resources for weather in North Carolina is Ray’s Weather site -http://www.raysweather.com/
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If you are seeing the "text" version of this newsletter which is mostly black and white, you can get the full color version online here: February Newsletter
I'll be following this newsletter with a survey to find out how it worked and whether you like the format. If all goes well, I'll add a newsletter archives section to the web site.
If this format doesn't work, I'll try again, then archive the new versions instead.
As always, I'd appreciate you send this along to friends by either forwarding it or giving them the online link.
NEW EVENT - The Asheville Bikefest
Myrtle Beach's Loss is Asheville's Gain
Honda has cancelled Knoxville’s Honda Hoot. Myrtle Beach has closed the door on motorcycle events. The motorcycle industry struggles through hard times. Just when it seems darkness has fallen over the southeast a brilliant light shines at the end of the tunnel - the Asheville Bikefest - The Blue Ridge Run.
I got a call last week from a representative of the Motorcycle Industry Council requesting I participate in a new event. Still stinging from the loss of venue at Myrtle Beach, they’ve been quietly planning and arranging something better, meeting with officials from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the National Park Service, authorities and resources in and around Asheville, North Carolina, to launch the Asheville Bikefest. It’s time to let the cat out of the bag.
It couldn’t be better news both for motorcycle friendly Asheville, the Motorcycle Industry Council, and motorcycle riders in the region. Let’s face it, Myrtle Beach was all about “park the bike and hit the sands”. The riding, well, there really wasn’t anything to speak of. Putt putt here, putt putt there, whoopee.
The Asheville Bikefest will be anything but “park the bike”. Located in the hub of some of the most extraordinary mountain motorcycle rides, right on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and surrounded by thousands of miles of the best motorcycle rides including the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, the Land of the Waterfalls, the highest mountains in the east, and some of the most challenging and beautiful motorcycle roads found anywhere, what better place could there be?
Set aside May 13 -16, 2010 on your calendars. Plan a few days either side if you can. Come test ride the new models, enjoy the shows and entertainment, and use the sun tanning oil on your leathers. This event is all about the ride.
For more info go to http://www.ashevillebikefest.com/
Win A FREE MAP BUNDLE
Get a free map just for trying!
Are you a better businessman than me?
Probably. I've got a problem and I'm seeking a solution. It will take a little effort from you, but you'll be rewarded and the best suggestion gets the Map Bundle of his/her choice FREE.
The problem - What to do with old map versions?
I recently visited the Avery County Chamber of Commerce to re supply their stock of maps which they sell from the visitors center. It had been almost a year at this low traffic site and I was shocked to see how much the maps had changed over the year.
Unlike other maps sold both online and in stores, I am constantly updating and improving America Rides Maps so they are the most current and accurate maps available. The maps you bought last year have probably been improved. As new roads open, gas stations spring up, or I discover new sights, I update the maps.
As the maps change so often, I print them in small batches, just enough for a few days at a time. When even the slightest change is made, current editions are immediately replaced and the old versions go into a box.
That box is getting full. I used to give away those old versions as advertising or sell them at a discount to events. I do everything I can to map prices as low as I can, but I can't afford to just give those old maps away anymore.
There's nothing wrong with those older versions. The roads are still in the same places, the sights haven't moved. But I only sell the newest versions to you.
Somebody out there has the answer, knows someone who wants to buy a bunch of older versions at a discount, has an event coming up, I don't know. That's where you come in.
Everyone who sends a reasonable suggestion gets a free map of his/her choice.
The best solution wins you the map bundle (up to 7 maps) of your choice.
How To Participate:
Email your suggestion to:
Subject line: Old Maps
Include -
- Your solution to the problem
- Your mailing address
- Which (NEW) map you'd like just for participating
Winner will be notified by email and announced in an upcoming newsletter.
