FALL TRIP 2025…BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

“…it’s about the journey, not the destination …”

From a ride a few days ago near home. I am taking the Spyder
on the fall trip with my college roommates

        Once again it is time for the fall trip with “the boys.” We have rented a house for a week near Hendersonville NC, which is south of Asheville. Gary lives in Atlanta so it is a one day ride for him to the rental. Curtis and I will leave Tuesday and ride to Christiansburg VA. Then on Wednesday we ride from Christiansburg to the rental. 

Gary and Curtis waiting for me at the restaurant at Pisgah Inn in 2018.

        Gary and I have known each other since the 1980’s when we both worked in a restaurant called Charlie Brown’s in Lexington KY. We became roommates and then Gary’s brother, Curtis, moved in with us. I had already been riding motorcycles and they became riders as a result of living together. Now, each spring and fall, we rent a house someplace, usually around the Blue Ridge Parkway, and go riding. In addition they come to my house for “Uncle Kenney’s Motorcycle Camp,” where they ride a different motorcycle each day. It is amazing that our friendship has lasted so long, and we still have so much fun.

Curtis doing major work on his bike the day before we left on a trip in 2014.

        Tomorrow we will ride from Chantilly VA to Christiansburg VA, a ride of about 200 miles. We generally stay off of Interstates as much as possible so it could take 6 or 7 hours to cover this distance. The activity is to ride the bikes, so spending the day is generally what we do. We stop for lunch at some local restaurant as often as we can, getting to know local people. 

Gary gazing at the amazing view at the Pisgah Inn in 2019

        On Wednesday we can get into our rental, so Curtis and I will ride from Christiansburg to Hendersonville NC. One of the unknowns of this trip is how much of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. They had a terrible hurricane come right across the BRP, and much of it was damaged. Our hope that repairs have opened much of it up, but it is a certainty the many areas are still closed. 

Blue Ridge Parkway October 2022.

        Curtis and I have found a hotel to stay in tomorrow night and chosen a route generally on “back roads  (NOT INTERSTATE! ). Curtis is now finishing up packing for the trip and loading his bike. We’ll visit for a bit and have a couple of beers, then off to bed. Up and at ‘em in the morning!