| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
BITA 12. Twelve? Holy crap! This year's meet is the last weekend and last 3 days of July. Big News this year: the Skyline Village Inn is now under new ownership. After 25 years, Mike and Lynn have sold the hotel to a new owner and they will soon be enjoying a well-deserved retirement. I don't know details on the new owner but hopefully the hotel will remain a VERY motorcycle-friendly establishment. I'll post additional details when I learn more. The usual meet details follow:  In case you haven't been before, the meet is held at the Skyline Village Inn, located smack in the middle of some of North Carolina's best twisty roads, including NC 226A (aka "the Diamondback"), NC 226, NC 80 (aka "the Devil's Whip") and it's within easy riding distance of the Dragon, the Snake, and several other named roads. If you want a more leisurely ride, the Blue Ridge Parkway is ~100 yards away. See videos below for rides on the local roads. This meet is very loosely organized; show up (all makes welcome, 2, 3, or 4 wheels), grab a few other riders, and head out riding. In the evening hang out at the hotel deck and enjoy a cold brew with a good meal while enjoying one of the best mountain views in the area. We usually try to have one semi-organized ride on Saturday morning. There are several destinations that make good out-and-back group rides. Contact info for the hotel: Skyline Village Inn & Cavern Tavern 12255 NC Highway 226A Between Spruce Pine & Little Switzerland, NC Phone 828-765-9394 http://www.skylinevillageinn.com I don't know if discounts will be available this year, but if you call in to make your reservation, it's worth asking. Tell them you're part of the yearly Buell meet, we usually get a small discount and maybe the new owner will follow suit. It's a funky little hotel that was built back in the 40's with some really interesting history behind it. It has a good restaurant, and a store with a great selection of craft, imported, and domestic beers. In previous years, room rates have varied from about $80/night to $120/night depending on what location you want (balcony or not). Pets have previously been allowed. Covered motorcycle parking is provided in back. If you prefer camping, the Bear Den Campground is a few miles away. Here’s their website: https://www.beardenmountainresort.com/ There are a couple of chain motels ~10 miles away in Marion if you'd prefer that. There are 4 craft beer breweries within a ~20 mile radius, and MANY more in nearby Black Mountain and Asheville. The Skyline has previously served supper 4 or 5 nights a week and breakfast every day. I don't know what the new situation will be. There are several decent restaurants in nearby Spruce Pine and many more within a ~20 mile radius. Post up or PM me if you have any questions. More info to come. Hughlysses (Message edited by Hughlysses on February 15, 2022) | ||
| Stonemaster |
keep us posted, i live in Boone, bout 30 miles away | ||
| Hughlysses |
Cool. Definitely plan on riding over at least for Saturday. | ||
| Nelandrew |
This sounds like a good weekend away. I will try my best to join. I will keep an eye out for updates! | ||
| Stonemaster |
the Switzerland Inn is nearby as well | ||
| Toastwithjam |
I will probably ride over for at least a day. | ||
| Hughlysses |
 | ||
| Nukeblue |
I’m all in! Looking for some wheels now… | ||
| Hughlysses |
 | ||
| Jolly |
Nuke blue- Have my X1 listed, thinking about selling one of my fully sorted S2 bikes as well. S3T thunderstorm motor, and many other extras in the “fully sorted”…. I’ve decided I just don’t need 2 S2 bikes as I pare down the collection. Shoot me a note! | ||
| Nukeblue |
THANKS JOLLY, I SENT YOU A MESSAGE BACK, NOT SURE IF IT MADE IT THOUGH? BUT ANYHOO I WAS NOT LOOKING FOR A BUELL REALLY, BUT A TIGER. DIDN'T HAVE ANY LUCK FINDING ONE SO ENDED UP GETTING A LIKE NEW 2018 VSTROM 1000. AND I FREAKIN LOVE IT!! CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT TO THE ALPS | ||
| Nelandrew |
Any new developments/updates? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Not really. The new owners of the hotel made a post to FB on April 6 saying that they were doing spring cleaning, but they haven’t posted anything else. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The new owners posted a short video from the hotel this week, giving a quick walkthrough of the secret liquor still cave and kitchen. It’s on Facebook and I posted it to the event page for this meet in the Bad Weather Bikers Facebook group. | ||
| Nelandrew |
I've got my reservation in. Looking forward to a great weekend! | ||
| Hughlysses |
| ||
| Hughlysses |
Less than one month to go… | ||
| Sprink |
I am planning to stop by. Staying an hour or so north at Mountain View Motorcycle Campground. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Good deal. There are usually some riders hanging out at the overlook in front of the hotel on Saturday morning, and I’ll figure a good place to meet for lunch on Saturday and post that here. | ||
| Buelltours |
Hugh, Chris and I are planning on coming up Sat for lunch as well. Would not mind the same place we met last year :-) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Switzerland Inn? That sounds good. Another possibility is 670 Oak in Spruce Pine. They have great outdoor seating and a decent view, but not as good as the Switzerland Hotel. Might be a little less crowded though. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It turns out that the Jaguar show we visited last year at the Switzerland Inn is tomorrow, if any of you are interested. New folks at the hotel are very nice (see the reviews on Google maps). These folks (Mitch & Marla) are operating the hotel for the new owner, who lives in Raleigh. They’re having an issue with the water supply this afternoon (the level in the storage tanks got low and the alarm failed to sound), but I think he’s gaining on it. Hopefully everything will copacetic shortly. | ||
| Nelandrew |
Anyone else staying at the Skyline Village inn? I'm planning to be up there Friday around 2/3pm. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I’m there all week with my wife, Mike (Twig) is supposed to be here Thursday or Friday. Looking forward to seeing you. For anyone coming up Saturday, we’re gonna meet at the Switzerland Inn in “downtown” Little Switzerland to eat around noon. They have outside dining with a heck of a view. Menu is burgers, sandwiches, etc. | ||
| Nukeblue |
I’m in! Be there Friday afternoon after hitting the snake on My way down from wythville Possibly staying Saturday night, playing it by ear (Message edited by Nuke-blue on July 24, 2022) | ||
| Hughlysses |
| ||
| Hughlysses |
Here’s a good guide on the weather from Killboy, the guy that takes photos on the Tail of the Dragon: This important message is brought to you in regard to the weather! Here in the Smokey Mountains, we typically experience afternoon summer showers throughout July and August. Watch the weather and plan a break when the scattered rains move in, usually mid afternoon. When the forecast calls for 50% chance of rain, which is just about every day, you can be sure that the rain is wide spread and spotty. It usually clears with the sun back out late afternoon. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE TO READ: In other words, ride early, relax in the afternoon, and head back out for a post-rain ride in the early evening. | ||
| Hughlysses |
BITA 12 starts tomorrow… | ||
| Hughlysses |
Those of you headed in this afternoon may luck out; the rain chances around Little Switzerland for this afternoon have disappeared. Of course, the forecast may be completely different at the next mountain over… | ||
| Nukeblue |
Sorry guys but I will not be making it. I was loaded up Thursday morning ready to go and got cold feet because of the amount of rain forecasted in that whole area. I would’ve been traveling by myself and didn’t wanna be miserable if I was soaking wet much of the time. Sorry I’m missing it |
