Tail of the Dragon – Part Deux – Wheels Through Time Museum

While taking in the awesome roads  in North Carolina I felt compelled to visit the Wheels Through Time Museum, and I’m so glad that I did because I’ve never experienced a museum quite like it.  

The Wheels Through Time Museum is home to the world’s premier collection of rare American Vintage Motorycles.  Located 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, in beautiful Maggie Valley, NC, this All-American motorcycle museum houses over 300 of America’s rarest and most historic classic motorcycles, with over 24 marques on display, including the likes of Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, Crocker, Henderson, and much more.  Featuring dozens of motorcycle-related exhibits, ranging from board track racers, hillclimbing, and original paint machines to American Dirt Track racing, choppers and bobbers, and one-of-a-kind motorcycles, this is a must-see place if you are a motorcyclist.  And if you are Harley Davidson fan then this must be as close to Mecca as one can find.

Riding from Deals Gap I once again found myself surrounded by amazing riding roads and the most gorgeous scenery.  This was also my first opportunity to ride a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and riding the full length of that was immediately added to the bucket list.

From the outside the museum seemed a little disappointing.  I’m not sure why but standing in the parking lot looking at the entrance it didn’t seem that big and I was wondering whether I should bother.  I went and was immediately greeted by staff that were so genuinely happy so I paid my $12 and headed through the gap in the wall that serves as an entrance.

On the other side begins an Aladdin’s cave of motorcycle treasure and the atmosphere and attitude of the staff was beyond friendly.

Only when heading upstairs and looking out across the whole space did I truly start to appreciate how vast the place is – truly TARDIS like.

I wandered around with no particular goal but just taking in the wonders of the place.  Every nook and cranny is filled with motorcycle memorabilia and, just when you thought you had seen it all, another aisle would appear with something new to behold.

While standing and admiring one particularly beautiful old Henderson one of the staff came by and the following conversation occurred:

• “Beautiful machine isn’t it?”
• “It sure is.  I’ve always loved Hendersons”
• “Yup….Want to hear it run?”
• “What?….Ummm…really?  SURE!”

At which point he fiddled, twiddled, tickled and twisted a few things and then spun the rear wheel.  Immediately the bike roared to life sounding both raucous and silky smooth at the same time.

I can’t think of any other auto museum that I have been at where they are happy to actually start the vehicles right in front of you, but that happened multiple times during my visit.  Sure every so often it made your eyes sting a little…but it was worth it to see and hear those amazing machine run!

All too soon I was out of time and needed to get back on the road but what an amazing experience.

This is a must-do event for any gear head that is in the area.  Just make sure that you have plenty of memory in that camera!

Need your lawn cut?

The Tail of the Dragon

A few clear days gave an opportunity to ride the world-famous “Tail of the Dragon“, a road with 318 miles of curves in just 11 miles.  But did my first time on this road have to be in torrential rain with near zero visibility…?

I had just four days to get down to North Carolina, bang out some quality riding and be back by Friday evening for my son’s 13th birthday party.  Shortly after starting the 800 mile ride south I ran into rain.  Then came more rain, downpours, a deluge and then just a steady torrent which kept up until dark when I  decided that this wasn’t any fun and it was time to find a motel.

Here there be dragons…

Finishing the ride on Wednesday morning I arrived at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort by way of US 129 from Robbinsville wondering what all the fuss was about.  US 129 was a nice road but nothing like the challenging wild ride I had heard so much about.  I needn’t have worried – the really challenging part was yet to come.

A gaggle of T-Rexs

Pulling into the parking lot my senses were assailed  a wild array of vehicles. Every kind of motorcycle was in evidence, plus cool sports cars and some very strange-looking machines called a T-Rex, which I originally took to be an Arial Atom.  Clearly this was a place for serious gear heads.

I checked into my room which could best be described as ‘clean but basic’ (almost barracks like in its layout) and then, hearing people talk about possible rain, I decided to waste no time hitting the Tail of the Dragon.

I’d seen video and pictures of the dragon before but they really can’t do it justice and it was immediately clear how this road obtained its name.  Not only did it contain a never-ending series of turns but the continually changing road camber really gave a feel of riding something that was undulating and alive.

This being my first run I was taking it easy and working on taking the correct line and watching my vanishing points.  Then, about 3 miles into the run out the heavens opened up with a downpour of biblical proportions.  With the curtain of rain and a rapidly fogging visor I didn’t need to worry about the vanishing point anymore…it was about 6 inches in front of my nose!  Seriously, the thought going through my head was “Here I am riding one of the most challenging roads in the world for the first time, in the pouring rain, and having to use The Force to figure out where the road goes.”  I pulled over to let a fast-moving Corvette pass (the only other vehicle on the road) and then stayed with him until near the end of the outbound run, where there was a large paved area for turning around.

Waiting for the rain to stop…

On the reverse trip the rain was now complemented by rivers of water running across the road but the Corvette and I made it safely back and, despite the rain, I actually really enjoyed the ride and couldn’t wait to get back to it again.

I spent the time back at the resort talking to fellow gear-heads until the sun came out and the roads started to steam steadily.  Then it was back on the bike for two more runs including one that I extended around Chilhowee lake.  That last one unfortunately took longer than anticipated and I arrived back at the resort 15 minutes after the restaurant had closed.  Bummer!

There is no cell service in this area at all so any checking in with the family involved an 18 mile ride back to Robbinsville.  Fortunately even the ride to Robbinsville is on great motorcycle roads.  In fact all the roads around Deals Gap are top notch twisties and the only real problem is if you are in a hurry to get somewhere.

I spent the rest of the evening swapping jokes and moto related stories with my neighbors over a couple of beers.  Everyone had plenty of experience, interesting stories and were eager go show pictures of the other classic/fast vehicles they had at home.  I asked around and couldn’t find a single person that didn’t know how to drive a stick!

Finally it was time to hit the sack because Thursday was to be another big day taking in the roads of the area including parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and  the Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum…

Stay tuned!

You don’t want to be here…

The fun starts here

Here there be dragons…

You can’t go anywhere without amazing views

You betcha!

Waiting for the rain to stop…