I am headed to Lake Lure for a week end of July, was looking for some ideas of must do rides in the area or great bike nights. Ride a dyna super glide, would like to stay within 200 miles or so. Also if anyone from the area knows where to get the best BBQ would love that too. Thanks

 

That is a great riding area!!! What is your route up and back? Check out these sites... http://www.moonshiner28.com/
http://www.cherohala.com/

Also if you check out the links in my blog you'll find more info. Blog link is in my signature. Good luck and remember to take and post some pictures!!!

 

Love that area. The wife and I were up there last Oct.

From Lake Lure head over to Black Mtn (its a town, not a mtn) nice twisty rd. You can also head up to Ashville and jump on the Blue Ridge pkwy and ride it to Cherokee...was awsome ride/views.

A bit further you can hit Bryson cty and the dragon/cherohola pkwy too.

You will have no problems with the 200 mile limit..

You'll have a blast

 

Thanks for the ideas. I will be trailering the bike up most of the way. I might hop out in North Georgia and ride the rest of the way up. Wish I was leaving today. That moonshine route looks great and you come home with some moonshine.

 

Just returned from that area:
The $15 per person Lake Lure boat trip is rather relaxing if you enjoy that kinda stuff.
The ride into chimney rock park (show AAA card for discount i think it was $12 per person) is a nice stop and you can get a picture in the parking lot with overlook behind you (careful were you park due to angled parking). We ate at the riverwatch deli and grill on the BACK deck and it is located at 379 main street, chimney rock. The back left corner table allows you to see chimney rock and the little creek below.
For rides just buy Mad maps scenic trips of the smokey mountains for less than $15 because it will list the best rides.
For example: you say 200 miles so i guess you mean 100 miles out and another back. The blue ridge to Little Switzerland area (diamond back) and if you have more time continue to linville falls and linville viaduct. The Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Maaggie Valley is very good, scenic and has several tunnels.The Rattler from east of Maggie Valley to Hot Springs was excellent. The Wheels through time museum in Maggie Valley also very good. Moon shiner 28 is excellent. There are a lot of places but honestly without the "Scenic Road trips of the Smokey mountains" map from mad maps or similar it will be rather difficult to determine your logistics.. Mountain riding is different from low land riding and 150 miles in the mountains can be a 10am to 5pm ride if stopping for meals, pictures, overlooks a boat ride or museum visit. What looks like just an inch (10 mile scale) on the map is more than likely equal to about 18 miles distance due to the number of curves. It is mostly curves and a lot of 35 mph-45mph riding with drop downs to 15mph unless you are a beast and can handle a hairpin, switchback and a spiral at higher speeds being two up ,with luggage while a wild turkey is deciding which direction to cross and the deer up the hill is looking at you and smiling as you enter the blind curve that has gravel waiting for you on the other side.
Again: consider purchase of map and study it.
A gps is nice since some area's have poor signage but NC for the most part is very good.
Rain gear and cold weather gear is important because it could be 80 degrees in the sun but 60 degrees in the shade when in the mountains.. Cold weather gear cold be a fleece top along with something to break the wind.
Try to design loops that meet your needs and do not repeat when you study the map suggested. Sometimes a nice mix of mountain riding mixed with some 20-30 miles of interstate cuts time significantly.

 

I am from Asheville, ride this area quite a bit.

1) From Lake Lure, take Hwy9 south (not towards Blk Mtn). Take Hwy 108 to Hwy 176, turn right. Will take you up Saluda Grade to Hendersonville. Take Hwy 25 out of H'ville go across I 26 to Cane Creek Rd, turn right and go to Hwy 74, turn right and go over Hickory Nut Gorge to Lake Lure. You will see a lot of what WNC is.

2) Take Hwy 9 north to Old Fort...turn right on Hwy 70. 8 or 10 miles to Hwy 80. Turn left, go up Devils Stair Case, quite a few curves... hit Blue Ridge Parkway at top. Go left on BRP, back to Asheville. Get off at Hwy 74 junction turn right and back down to Lake Lure.

3) Little further, go up 74 from Lake Lure to I 40. Go west to Exit 44. Take Hwy 19 South to Great Smokies Mtn Expressway. Take exit 103, Hwy 19 to Maggie Valley. Watch for Wheels Through Time Musem on right. One of the largest private collections of vintage iron in the country. A MUST SEE!

4) Go to Smokymountainrider.com web site. Ton of info and can order outstanding MC maps.

Have a blast and let me know what you think. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

MC

 

Thanks again all, sounds like a lot of great rides. Ill post some details when I get there if anyone wants to join up for a ride.

 

When is your ride? Tail of the Dragon is a must! Can't go wrong with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

Highway 9 is nice....then 276 to Waynesville...