North Carolina

A collection of 53 posts

Travel Guide

8 Best Places for a Fall Color Ride Near the Smokies

The Smoky Mountains are covered in deciduous trees. Their dense canopies are already gorgeous in the summer, but once fall comes around, the mountains burst into flame. Figuratively speaking, that is. No matter where you go in the Smokies in the fall, you’re bound to see some stunning leaves.

Classic Roads Premium Content

The Curvy Beauty of the Woods—Diamondback Loop in North Carolina

It’s not about how long it is, it’s about how good of a time you can have with it. I am, of course, talking about the Diamondback Loop in North Carolina. Just short of 17 miles, this loop through the dense woods of the Pisgah National Forest is,

Accommodations

Review: Maggie Valley Yurts & Log Cabins—Maggie Valley, NC

Easing into a new adventure, Jason and I embarked on a journey to Maggie Valley, NC, eager to explore the region's winding roads and scenic beauty. Upon our arrival at Maggie Valley Yurts and Log Cabins, the charming allure of the six cabin rentals, nestled just off the

Classic Roads

A Bucket List Road—The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway plows through the longest linear park in the U.S., stretching over 469 miles from near Waynesboro, VA, to US 441 in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those hundreds of miles include some of the most stunning views you can find in all of

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Tennessee & North Carolina: Theme Rides, Biodiversity, and Casinos

It was a bright morning in late May. A leisurely breakfast at Pete’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant in the delightful town of Knoxville, TN, set us up for the start of our Great Smoky Mountains motorcycle tour. After the breakfast (with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and the works), my wife

Classic Roads Premium Content

Discover North Carolina on US 70

Opened to traffic in 1926, US 70 quickly earned the nickname Broadway of America for its significant role as one of the main highways connecting the U.S. East Coast to the West. Although its western terminus has moved several times, its eastern end in North Carolina has stayed mostly

Destinations

Why Not Visit This Small Town—Whynot, NC

Behind every name, there is a story. Take your bike to Whynot, NC, and you’ll discover a place whose origin story will surely resonate with any rider who has attended an overly long meeting that just never seems to end. Whynot is a small place of only around 100

Travel Guide

10 American Roads That Should Be On Your Riding Bucket List

American roads are legendary for a reason. Long and wide, they wind through this county, offering unforgettable motorcycling experiences to both homegrown and visiting foreign riders. But with so many fantastic roads in the U.S., their sheer number can be intimidating. How can you know which road to ride

Classic Roads

The King's Highway—America's Oldest Road

Taking the King’s Highway to get to his Presidential inauguration in New York in 1789, George Washington had to cross a very unique bridge. Another notable American known to have crossed it was John Adams. When a Japanese film crew came to America in 1996 to film an iconic

Travel Guide

Top 10 Curviest Roads in the U.S.

Motorcycle enthusiasts are on an eternal quest to find an experience the curviest of roads. I decided to look into some choice asphalt spread out over the nation to help you satiate your desire for a compelling ride. In no particular order, and without attempting to say which is the

Travel Guide

The Ultimate High: Riding Your Motorcycle to America's Tallest Peaks

The U.S. is home to many majestic mountain ranges, and exploring them on a motorcycle is an exhilarating adventure. Here are seven of the highest mountain peaks in the country that are accessible via motorcycle. Mount Evans, CO Standing at an impressive elevation of 14,271 feet, Mount Evans

Jul/Aug '23

City Escape: Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina is characterized by the Appalachian Mountains in the west and the dune-lathered coastline—including the Outer Banks—to the east. Adventurous souls can find tranquility in the gently rolling sweepers of smooth asphalt cutting through farmland and across lakes and rivers. Rejuvenated historical towns provide ample opportunities for

Classic Roads

Classic Roads: NC-209 The Rattler

This may not be the longest bucket road in America, but it is technically challenging and highly scenic, and who says you only have to ride The Rattler just once? The stretch is 36 miles long, and there are over 200 curves along the way. The road spans two mountain

Travel Guide

8 Best Coastal Ride Destinations in the Southern US

Motorcycles and coasts go well together. Coasts tend to be undeveloped, with roads that accommodate the geography. As a result, they’re perfect routes for serene two-wheel touring and sightseeing. Although the West Coast often receives the lion’s share of attention for its coastal rides, the South has its

Mar/Apr '23 Premium Content

Hot Springs, North Carolina Shamrock Tour®

I was wrapping up another season of selling pumpkins and staring down the barrel of an open calendar when the Yamaha Ténéré 700 began to take on a life of its own from the bits and pieces I was adding to it for the trip. October is the month to

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

Fall in Appalachia: Abundant Turns and Autumn Tones

October is probably my favorite month in general, and it’s definitely my favorite time to ride a motorcycle. As such, Marisa and I were excited to get on the road and had turned in early the previous night. To our dismay, we woke to drizzling rain. Fortunately the temperature

Travel Guide

Top Fall Color Motorcycle Rides to Plan Right Now!

One of the best things about motorcycle touring is experiencing an area with all of your senses. You hear, see, and feel more than you would from inside a windowed vehicle. At RoadRUNNER, we always feel more connected to an area after a bike tour. Fall is one of our

Classic Roads

Classic Roads: Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon

These two classic roads, taken together, offer motorcyclists one of the most challenging days of mountain riding available anywhere. The full 138-mile route starts and ends in Tellico Plains, TN, at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center. From there the road rapidly gains altitude on SR 165. At around the halfway

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

Following The Cherokee Trail of Tears

Missionary Daniel Butrick kept a journal of his travels with the Cherokee People as they were force marched to Indian Territory during the winter of 1838-39. It is one of the saddest episodes in American history, with the depths of despair grippingly described by him in this entry: “… the government

Travel Guide

Top 5 Things to Do in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem, North Carolina is a great base for motorcycle adventures, but you don't have to get out of the city to have a good time. Here are some of our favorite places to visit in Winston-Salem. Bailey Power Plant—Innovation Quarter Once R.J. Reynold’s coal-fired power

Nov/Dec '21 Premium Content

Winston-Salem, North Carolina Shamrock Tour®

Moravians settled land in North Carolina in 1766 and called it Salem. Just one mile north, Winston was founded as the county seat in 1849. In 1913, they merged to create Winston-Salem. R. J. Reynolds built his tobacco empire here, and many recall the cigarette brands Winston and Salem. The

May/Jun '21 Premium Content

Johnson City, Tennessee Shamrock Tour®

Johnson City lies just on the edge of the Cherokee National Forest in the northeastern corner of Tennessee. The city is claimed to be one of the first settled areas in the state, originating in the late 1700s, but it didn’t get its name until 1856 when Henry Johnson

Mar/Apr '20 Premium Content

Clemson, South Carolina Shamrock Tour®: Reunion Ride

This story started in 1999, and it’s quite special to me. It’s a story of four friends who are more like brothers, who have somehow managed to keep riding together even when life tries to get in the way. It all began in rural northern Michigan at a

Nov/Dec '18 Premium Content

North Carolina: The Great Triple-Digit Escape

It’s another 100-plus-degree day in “Middle-earth” of North Carolina. The office air conditioner is struggling to keep up as the warmth radiates from the large windows. We haven’t ridden in a few weeks due to the heat and humidity. Fortunately for us, the Great Smoky Mountains are just

May/Jun '18

City Escape: Asheville, North Carolina