Buells (and EBR's) in the Alps IV, 25-27 July 2014, Little Switzerland, NC

[Hughlysses]

Not really the Alps, but as close as you can get to them in the southeastern US...

WHAT? Buell/EBR 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 at Badweather Bikers: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/ 665827.html

Hope to see you there!

[dennis c]

I will try to make it

[Hughlysses]

I will try to make it

Hope to see you there, Dennis.

[Hughlysses]

Update- I've got about 12 confirmed attendees so far; there are always 3 or 4 other guys that show up unannounced. Hopefully we'll have a good turnout.

According to an NC rider's forum, the re-paving of highway 226A (the left side of the loop above) is complete! No more tar snakes! Apparently there is a problem with gravel in the curves after it rains, but NC DOT has stationed a street sweeper at the bottom of the mountain that makes periodic runs to clean it off.

I've also got a T-shirt for the meet:



100% cotton, cost will be $21 each. Let me know if you're interested in getting one. I'll bring them to the meet.

[Hughlysses]

*** BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ***

No details yet, but Real Performance Motorsports (RPM), the EBR dealer in Greenville, SC (the only EBR dealer in SC), has replied that they plan to attend our meet! No details yet, but I'll let you know as I hear more.

Their website: http://www.riderpm.com/

[Hughlysses]

Real Performance Motorsports (RPM) has sent word they intend to bring an 1190SX along to the meet if they get one by that time. Fingers crossed!

We've got about 20 people confirmed for the meet so far, and a few guys always show up unannounced. If you're anywhere in the southeast, or have a couple of days to kill, come on down! It's a great area to ride and there's nothing quite as satisfying as riding twisties ALL day and then kicking back on the deck (see pic above) with a cold micro-brew in hand and watching the sun set over the North Carolina countryside.

[Hughlysses]

White-on-black T-shirts also now available:



100% cotton, $21 each, no profit to me.

http://www.customink.com/signup/8rxp34us

[Hughlysses]

T-shirt orders have been placed. Let me know if you're still interested; I ordered a couple of extra black ones and I may place another order for some after the meet.

[Hughlysses]

Anybody want to see an EBR 1190SX?

Just wanted to let you know that I talked with Mike Thrift (owner of Skyline Village Inn) yesterday and he was very accommodating by letting us come up and set up a display on the 26th and 27th. I will be bringing up a new 1190RX and a new 1190SX. We are excited about showing these new bikes off to your group of Buell riders. There will be special pricing and special financing terms for anyone that visits the display over the weekend! Help me spread the word!

Thanks for all your
help!
Randy
Real Performance Motorsports
Greenville, SC

[Hughlysses]

One week to go ’til the fourth and by all indications biggest "Buells in the Alps” yet, with about 25 people signed up.


Here’s a rough schedule for the weekend:


FRIDAY:
-People usually start showing up around noon.
-Check in at Skyline and ride twisties.
-Meet for supper at Skyline around 6 PM.


SATURDAY:
-Pegs down around 9 AM, start riding twisties!
-If you have any excess Buell parts or gear you want to get rid of, bring ‘em up. Informal swap meet.
-Check out the latest EBR motorcycles courtesy of RPM at the hotel
-Meet for lunch around 11:30 AM at the Swiss Cafe and General Store in Little Switzerland, ~3 miles west of hotel on NC226A. Get there early because the place fills up with tourists on Saturdays.
-Ride more twisties.
-Meet for supper around 6 PM at Skyline; location to be determined.


SUNDAY:
-Pegs down around 9 AM.
-Check out the latest EBR motorcycles courtesy of RPM.
-Ride as long as you can, depart when you have to.


The weather forecast is looking good for next weekend, with highs in the 70’s and lows around 60 (better bring your jacket liner), and (hopefully) a low chance of rain!


See you in one week….