| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
Not really the Alps, but as close as you can get to them in the southeastern US... WHAT? Buell meet (sleep/eat/ride/talk) WHERE? Little Switzerland, NC. It's located about on the Blue Ridge Parkway 50 miles north-east of Asheville, NC, and it's more-or-less equidistant from Charleston, SC (287 miles), Atlanta, GA (248 miles), and Raleigh, NC (234 miles). WHEN? July 25-27, 2014, Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Show up earlier if you want; stay later if you want. WHO? Any interested motorcyclist, but concentrating on fellow Badwebbers and especially SC Buell Riders, 3%'ers (GA), and C3'ers (NC) WHY? In July, we'll all be in need of some serious twisty riding and some cooler temperatures! MORE INFO ON THE AREA: http://www.diamondbacknc.com/ - webpage on roads and motorcycle lodging in the area. Little Switzerland sits on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the intersection with 226A and 226B, which are both awesome roads. There are plenty of good twisty roads off of the Parkway nearby. HOTEL/meet central: the Skyline Village Inn (between Little Switzerland and Spruce Pine, NC):  Skyline Village Inn & Cavern Tavern 12255 NC Highway 226A Between Spruce Pine & Little Switzerland, NC Phone 828-765-9394 http://www.skylinevillageinn.com (on-line reservations available) It's a funky little hotel that was built back in the 40's. The current owners have restored it and are really nice people. The hotel has some really interesting history behind it. It has free breakfast, a nice restaurant, and a store with the best beer selection in ~200 miles. Room rates vary from about $80/night to $120/night depending on what time you want and what discounts you can get. Tell them you're with the Buell meet and odds are they'll give you a decent discount. Check their website for more photos. View off the front balcony:  There are a few other hotels very nearby (from "mom & pop" motels up to fancy resorts) and several major chain hotels down the mountain in Marion (17 miles south). Camping: http://bear-den.com/index.html - Campground nearby on the Blue Ridge Parkway; has tent camping, "camp cabins", and full cabins. Their website allows you to check availability and make reservations on-line. There are 2 or 3 decent restaurants within 2 or 3 miles of the hotel plus one in the hotel. Nearby Spruce Pine has a bunch of restaurants including a pizzeria/brewery. There are several locations nearby where you can pan for gem stones if you're into that kind of thing. There's no shortage of great twisties in the area whichever direction you head. Heck, maybe we'll even make the ~110 mile ride down to Greenville, SC (location of the nearest EBR dealer) while we're there. MAP OF AREA (Skyline is near the upper right of this loop):  Link to thread on last year's meet: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/ 665827.html Post up if you're attending! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Can't make it this year. Going full time this summer to ensure I can keep credit hours at 12 for the fall and spring. (Graduation in May.) | ||
| Lornce |
Looks like this area was made for riding Buells.  | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Most fun I've had on my bike in years...definitely be there.  | ||
| Twig |
Just made reservations at the Skyline. I'll be up for a short ride Saturday, my wife will join me for this trip and I think we'll finally check out Little Switzerland. Hugh, you'll be more than welcome to take my Ascot out for a lap around the Diamondback. See ya in July! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hey Twig! Glad to hear the Ascot will be ready to go. Maybe I'll bring mine too! | ||
| Akbuell |
Just an FYI. Tail of The Dragon website advises the state will be repaving 226A this spring. The work should be done by May. Meaning the road surface should be pretty spiffy. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Sweet! I had seen a post on one of the "great motorcycle roads" sites that said North Carolina was too broke to re-pave it right now. That road will be AWESOME with fresh asphalt!  | ||
| Bosgarage57 |
last year it was pretty bad with Tire snakes. Had a good time last year with everyone, may try to make it if I've got the X still. | ||
| Ericz |
I'll be living in Asheville then with my Buell so count me in! I'll just ride over for the day or two. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I haven't been to a Buell event in forever. I may be up for this. Not sure yet. | ||
| Hughlysses |
OK, guys, ~3 months to go and counting. If you're staying at Skyline, I suggest you make your reservations soon; at least one guy waited late last year and they were fully booked. Booking info: Skyline Village Inn & Cavern Tavern 12255 NC Highway 226A Between Spruce Pine & Little Switzerland, NC Phone 828-765-9394 http://www.skylinevillageinn.com (on-line reservations available) If you call and tell them you are with the Buell group, they said they'll give you a $10/night discount. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Good news for our meet. "Blind Kenny", the photographer who takes car and bike photos on nearby Buck Creek Road, posted on Facebook that highway 226A (see map above) is being repaved! Apparently they just started at the top and are working their way down the mountain. If you were at our meet last summer you'll remember the fresh, nasty, tar snakes all over it then. That road will be seriously sweet again with fresh pavement! I'm working on some other stuff for the meet; I'll post up as things develop. | ||
| Hughlysses |
RPM, the EBR dealer from Greenville, SC has been invited to our meet. They're checking into it. We just might get a closeup look at an 1190RX!  | ||
| No_rice |
i just "might" have to damo it... and i dont specifically mean demolish... so how is this looking for everyone? Jenn and i have the days off, so even if we dont figure out our big ride after the get together(still trying to figure out our exact plan, im not good at planning i usually wing it), seems like we shouldnt have a problem getting there for this. | ||
| Etennuly |
Last year I learned something that I had forgotten about the South end of the BRP, and the trip from my place near Knoxville. It takes six hours of riding(quick pace) to get to Little Switzerland. Then six hours to get back. That leaves little or no time there with you guys. I drove my Vette last year to within about ten miles of Little Switzerland, but ran out of time due to a lot of miles of extreme fog, so I had to turn back. I met you there for lunch a few years ago but didn't get to ride with you. I have done an over night there on a BRP trip a couple of years before that. So.....even though I am fairly close I must make it an overnight trip to ride with you all and almost two nights to make it comfortable enough to do your loop. I am checking the work and family schedule to see if it is possible. It is such a beautiful place and awesome roads to ride that I would hate to miss it again. I will get back as soon as I can figure it out. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hi Vern- I hope you can make it. | ||
| Etennuly |
Thanks Hugh, I hope I can to! | ||
| Ulywife |
Looks like M2nc and I are in  We will be staying in our usual cabin in Banner Elk. We'll check back to see what time kickstands are going up that Saturday morning. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Woohoo! Glad to hear it Kristi! ROLL CALL: please post up if you're coming | ||
| Hughlysses |
Woohoo! Custom T-shirts:  100% cotton, $21 each, if you want one let me know. (Message edited by Hughlysses on June 21, 2014) | ||
| Etennuly |
OK Hugh, how do we order the shirt? I like the looks of it! | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ I need to figure out if people can order individually from the site or if I have to order a bunch at once. Let me do a little further research. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Vern- the shirts have to be ordered all at once. I've set up a page at the site where you can put your name, pick your size, and send payment to me via PayPal. I'll have to order the shirts by July 4th to get them in time to bring them to the meet. Go here to enter your info: http://www.customink.com/signup/8f2bk2fj | ||
| Hughlysses |
Here's a recent video (~2 months old) showing the new pavement on a ride south / down the mountain. The ride starts at the Switzerland Hotel, about 3 miles west of the Skyline View Inn. | ||
| Buellmojo |
One of my favorite routes. | ||
| Jessemc |
Thanks for setting this up, Hughlysses! That looks like some fun riding - I'm in. Anyone interested in sharing a double room? Jesse | ||
| Kaikoura |
This ride looks so awesome.. Maybe next year.. Theres a chance Ill be living in NC somewheres near the ocean..aka Wrightsville beach area.. Have a wonderful ride! | ||
| Etennuly |
Jesse, I may be up for a room split. I have to run it through my calendar to see what days/ nights I will be able to do. Still kind of up in the air for me, but I pencilled it in with a sharpie  If you know what I mean. Shoot me a PM when you are ready. Hugh I don't do Pay pal. There is still time, can I send you a check? If so send me an address by PM. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Vern- PM sent. |
