Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Black Moutain North Carolina.

This year Mr and Mrs Stretchermonkey are going to Black Mountain North Carolina for our hols at the start of July.

Does anyone know of any good bike rental shops around there?

Looking at the region it looks like a great place to take a couple of days out and hit the road (not literally).

I have seen a website for one place nearby but it looks as though they have quite a limited stock.

Thanks,

Graham.

Your missus must be on mega bucks .....dollar exchange rate is poor expected to get worse.....stock up on parts ...bring em back sell em to us poor Brits who have to pay import duty and tax even on the postage ......

The beauty of it is we are staying with a relative of hers so the accommodation is all taken care of.

So it's just really flights and spending money.

Oh i've already started thinking about getting some bits and pieces already.

Just west of Black Mtn is Asheville; this is the place to leave all your money.

Farther west is Robinsville; this is the closest town to the "Tail of the Dragon", if you want to challenge your riding skills. Look out for those crossing the double yellow lines... big rigs do it, tourists do it, Cops do it!

I've never rented a bike up there, but the HD I rented down in Florida died on me and we had to get trailered back.

Thanks George.

I had a look online about the "Tail of the dragon" and it looks like quite a place to visit.

Lucky Monkey Graham ,would luv to do the Dragon and the Devils Triangle. we where lookin into headin that way a few months ago ,the OL had a $500 coupon for American Airlines (using it for Daytona now )that was close to expiring .i can tell you most HD shops do rentals ,from$170-200 per day all in . pm Funkletrumpet he,ll know about all the bollox involved for a Brit renting. and if you bring some jellied eels or some recent episodes of Eastenders over with you, i,ll bet you Arsenalfan (Mark) will be more than willing to help you out with some info etc,he,s not to far away from the Dragon in Tennessee (can u hear them banjos playing ) . theres some great vids on here http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ bestaluckmate

I'm herein Knoxville,Tn
1 hour from the Dragon, 1 1/2 hrs from the Asheville / Black Mountain area.
I'll be happy to meet up you with you when you get in the area. I've been known to frequent the area from time to time.
I suggest you contact the local HD dealer in Asheville for rentals or EagleRider which is a nation wide bike rental co.
You will be visiting some of the greatest motorcycle roads in the US.
You will need to experience The Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway,Cherola Skyway,Maggie Valley, Cherokee, etc,etc.
Trust me unless you are planning a two week trip you will not be able to take in all the great roads and the beauty of this area.
Are you by chance staying at Ridgecrest Retreat?
Mike

Errr Have they got a room for you or are you taking the tent you used at dent last year for their backyard

Be sure and ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock. Beautiful mountain scenery, great winding roads. There's a cool British Pub in the middle of Blowing Rock for a beer and/food stop. The roads are nothing as intense as the Tail of the Dragon, but very enjoyable and you can take in the view.

There's another great beer stop at the Inn in Little Switzerland in route just north of Black Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Leaving Montreat heading East

Andrews Geyser is in Black Mountain off of old 70.

Lost of Civil War stuff in that area too

a couple of miles west on 70 can see this Monument in Old Fort, NC marking the site of the Frontier Fort.

About 32 miles NE in Little Switzerland is a place where you can buy some Old Speckled Hen.

and if you like

And if you get up to Little Switzerland, Take Rt 80 south to Rt 70. There's more bends in that road than bowl of elbow maccaroni.

NC80 does look like fun.

I can only imagine what it would be like on a scoot. It was a blast in the car - a REAL BLAST. Another discovery on a more northern part of the BRP is a road that connects from Fancy Gap, VA to Mt Airy, NC . Both roads are little more than a series of bends. The later has far more wiggle room. NC80 is narrow in places - particularly the places that some extra space would be nice. I believe anyone that can do NC80 at a brisk pace will undoubtedly own a set of cahoonas the size of melons. I seem to recall multiple 180 deg. direction changes - all on changing elevation.

A big thank you to all you good folks who have posted replies to this.

I've just got to find out when we are flying before I go and hire a bike for a long weekend.

Geoff,

If I even attempted to put my better half in a tent like that:
a. I would need a surgeon to find the tent poles.
b. My cold dead body would be flying back to the UK in the cargo hold wrapped in said Tesco value tent.

Mike,

When I get sorted out I'll give you a shout about when I'm over there and when i'm off out on the bike.

Once again thanks for all the great advice.