[SCNinja400]

I grew up in the Northern Appalachians around the Ramapo mountains and learned to ride street on the mountain roads on a GPZ 550, and even commuted to NYC from the Ramapo mountains on a KLR 650 for a couple of years. If you have ever seen out of the furnace with Woody Harrelson, there is a place in North Jersey where an inbred population of Jackson Whites live and hunt in the woods between NJ and NY. We rode dirt bikes around the Ringwood/Mahwah forest where these people live and hunt.

We moved to York County SC about 16 years ago for a better climate and quality of life. The Blue Ride Mountains are about an hour ride North/West from my starting point. Being a native of the Northern Appalachians I feel at home in the Southern Appalachian roads, towns, and people.

Every Saturday, when the weather is above 60 and not raining, I leave my house in York County SC at 7am and head for the Blue Ridge mountains to hit some of the best roads in the country. My riding area extends from Blowing Rock NC to Asheville NC and I ride to a different town each weekend for a latte and breakfast. The ride usually lasts for about 5 hours and 200 miles (I need to be home to have lunch with my wife so I ride from 7am-12). Some of my personal favorite roads are 226/226A, 80, old 18, 221, 276, and BRP.

Last year I did over 9k miles riding almost exclusively on weekends around the Blue Ridge mountains. I also made a trip to the Smokey Mountains and Tail of the Dragon with the ZX6R.

I plan on doing the same routine on the ZX4RR and share pics of my rides on this forum. Some of the places I will be visiting are Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave, Little Switzerland, Blowing Rock, Brevard, Morganton, Marion, Black Mountain, Asheville, and more. Here are some pics from last years weekend rides.

 

[Florida lime]

As a resident of Robbinsville a few miles south, calling Deal's Gap "the Tail of the Dragon" makes you sound like a tourist.

 

[SCNinja400]

As a resident of Robbinsville a few miles south, calling Deal's Gap "the Tail of the Dragon" makes you sound like a tourist.

That's because I am a tourist to your area since it's outside my riding zone. I just call it the Dragon, but people not from this area know it as the Tail of the Dragon. My profile pic was on the Dragon.

I'm sure you know this guy. I will be making my way back once I get the ZX4RR.

 

[Florida lime]

I sold Dana my cabin on Little Snowbird, but he and Lynn retired soon after that. The Outland gas station is now closed, and new owners have been doing some renovations, but no idea what it will be yet.

 

[SCNinja400]

I sold Dana my cabin on Little Snowbird, but he and Lynn retired soon after that. The Outland gas station is now closed, and new owners have been doing some renovations, but no idea what it will be yet.

Outland was a very cool place and I was looking forward to going back and hanging out with Dana. I have the Outland red dragon stickers on my lower fairings.

 

[Trey On Two]

That’s awesome, those are definitely on my list to ride! I don’t have anything great that’s too close to me, just some country twisties and National Forest roads for the weekends. The riding group that I lead makes at least one trip a year to a more premier location to ride. This year the Ozarks is on the list. Past trips include Pikes Peak, Big Bend, and the Twisted Sisters. Eventually we will make our way to NC for Blue Ridge and the Dragon.

 

[steiny]

Me SoooooJelly....

I try to get that way to ride every year.

I really like North GA

 

[Ninja]

That’s awesome, those are definitely on my list to ride! I don’t have anything great that’s too close to me, just some country twisties and National Forest roads for the weekends. The riding group that I lead makes at least one trip a year to a more premier location to ride. This year the Ozarks is on the list. Past trips include Pikes Peak, Big Bend, and the Twisted Sisters. Eventually we will make our way to NC for Blue Ridge and the Dragon.

Same here, the Blue Ridge and Tail of the Dragon are also on my bucket list of places to ride. The ZX-4R should thrive on roads like that.

 

[SCNinja400]

Same here, the Blue Ridge and Tail of the Dragon are also on my bucket list of places to ride. The ZX-4R should thrive on roads like that.

When visiting the Blue Ridge mountains in NC, The little Switzerland loop around 226A/80/BRP is a magnificent riding area. This is known as the Diamondback and Devils whip. The little Switzerland Inn has a hotel and restaurant overlooking the valley with awesome views. This gives you easy access to the BRP towards Asheville and Blowing Rock on 221.

 

[Florida lime]

Same here, the Blue Ridge and Tail of the Dragon are also on my bucket list of places to ride. The ZX-4R should thrive on roads like that.

My wife and I were just on the gap yesterday with the Triumph. Stopped at the Bas Shaw gravesite.

Ran up to the Overlook later on another bike too.

 

[Ninja]

When visiting the Blue Ridge mountains in NC, The little Switzerland loop around 226A/80/BRP is a magnificent riding area. This is known as the Diamondback and Devils whip. The little Switzerland Inn has a hotel and restaurant overlooking the valley with awesome views. This gives you easy access to the BRP towards Asheville and Blowing Rock on 221.

View attachment 58

View attachment 57
View attachment 59

My wife and I were just on the gap yesterday with the Triumph. Stopped at the Bas Shaw gravesite.
View attachment 61


Ran up to the Overlook later on another bike too.
View attachment 60

These photos area absolutely killing me (in a good way) . I really need to make the trip.

 

[Florida lime]

These photos area absolutely killing me (in a good way) . I really need to make the trip.

Sounds like you need more motivation.

 

[SCNinja400]

And a few more...