NC Guzzis in the Blue Ridge Rally

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

really wish I could make it, but it's just too far for a day trip and work eats 6.5/7 days a week 

will try to make it next year, I'll strap a 1/6bbl keg to the side of the breva

[NC Steve]

really wish I could make it, but it's just too far for a day trip and work eats 6.5/7 days a week 

will try to make it next year, I'll strap a 1/6bbl keg to the side of the breva

More than a few of the NC Guzzi Rally regulars are meeting at Blue Ridge MC Campground in Cruso the same weekend, as always.

You and all others are very much welcome to join us. 

[redrider90]

As far as I am concerned it ought to be called the Eastern Tennessee-North Georgia-Far western North Carolina rally. Heck Louisville KY  is the same distance to Iron Horse as is Raleigh NC. Might as well add Eastern Kentucky to the rally name also.   

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

More than a few of the NC Guzzi Rally regulars are meeting at Blue Ridge MC Campground in Cruso the same weekend, as always.

You and all others are very much welcome to join us. 

I am definitely not passing judgement on you or others who choose to do this, but I personally don't agree with 'splitting' the rally because of dissatisfaction with the new venue.  I own a brewery just minutes off the parkway, I have recommended and sent many riders to the BRMC because I think it is a great place... I have never been to Iron Horse, so I do not have a strong opinion on it...  Yet like many others, the name, the reports of blasting NASCAR races on the TV's(tv at a bike campground?!?), and the Harley-centered look & feel are a little offputting to me...  But if I COULD get there, I would, at least to give it a fair shake.

What I don't understand are those who are making multi-day trips to attend a 'Guzzi Rally' opting to skip the actual 'Guzzi rally' and going to BRMC... In my mind, the community is small enough that we need to stick together...  not reduce attendance at both the 'official' rally and the 'NAR'

So, I will not be attending either...  I won't be at Iron Horse because I can't get two days in a row off work right now. I won't be at BRMC because if it's not a 'Guzzi rally', I'd rather spend my very limited free time riding~~ tho I'll likely be riding in the same area.

[blackcat]

In my mind, the community is small enough that we need to stick together... 

It's not like the riding area is worse at Iron Horse. I stayed there once when my brother and his son were attending a Nissan sport car rally. Nice place and I didn't suffer for lack of riding twisty roads.

[redrider90]

I am definitely not passing judgement on you or others who choose to do this, but I personally don't agree with 'splitting' the rally because of dissatisfaction with the new venue.  I own a brewery just minutes off the parkway, I have recommended and sent many riders to the BRMC because I think it is a great place... I have never been to Iron Horse, so I do not have a strong opinion on it...  Yet like many others, the name, the reports of blasting NASCAR races on the TV's(tv at a bike campground?!?), and the Harley-centered look & feel are a little offputting to me...  But if I COULD get there, I would, at least to give it a fair shake.

What I don't understand are those who are making multi-day trips to attend a 'Guzzi Rally' opting to skip the actual 'Guzzi rally' and going to BRMC... In my mind, the community is small enough that we need to stick together...  not reduce attendance at both the 'official' rally and the 'NAR'

So, I will not be attending either...  I won't be at Iron Horse because I can't get two days in a row off work right now. I won't be at BRMC because if it's not a 'Guzzi rally', I'd rather spend my very limited free time riding~~ tho I'll likely be riding in the same area.

1st of all no one is claiming to having a "rally"at BRMC. They like at lot of us have been going BMRC for many of the past 2 decades. So it's not 2 rallies. You want the  official MGNOC rally at Iron Horse then  go with that and if you want to meet up with other folks going somewhere else because they want to connect with there old time buds at BRMC then thats cool also.  If I was going this weekend, it would be to BRMC because of that and also it's a lot closer to home, the Parkway and I love to visit your home town, Asheville which I consider the best small city in NC and places beyond. There is nothing in the far western NC. And Deals Gap on a summer weekend is not my idea of a good ride.  If you like a add some hippie city life with some the best food anywhere then Asheville is on the list. And its what 35 minute from Cruso.  I've done the whole thing in the Fontana dam area a couple of time and the roads are just as good in and around Cruso and I prefer the view from the Parkway anyhow. 

[NC Steve]

I am definitely not passing judgement on you or others who choose to do this, but I personally don't agree with 'splitting' the rally because of dissatisfaction with the new venue.  I own a brewery just minutes off the parkway, I have recommended and sent many riders to the BRMC because I think it is a great place... I have never been to Iron Horse, so I do not have a strong opinion on it...  Yet like many others, the name, the reports of blasting NASCAR races on the TV's(tv at a bike campground?!?), and the Harley-centered look & feel are a little offputting to me...  But if I COULD get there, I would, at least to give it a fair shake.

What I don't understand are those who are making multi-day trips to attend a 'Guzzi Rally' opting to skip the actual 'Guzzi rally' and going to BRMC... In my mind, the community is small enough that we need to stick together...  not reduce attendance at both the 'official' rally and the 'NAR'

So, I will not be attending either...  I won't be at Iron Horse because I can't get two days in a row off work right now. I won't be at BRMC because if it's not a 'Guzzi rally', I'd rather spend my very limited free time riding~~ tho I'll likely be riding in the same area.

I don't think anyone is interested in protesting the move, or "splitting the rally". We just enjoy camping at Blue Ridge in Cruso the first weekend of August, and would continue to do so if there was no NC Guzzi rally at all. I try to camp at Blue Ridge at least a couple of times every summer, but often ride to Willville, in VA, because it's closer, easier for me to get away to, and also an excellent campground. Don't let any sort of "rally loyalty" keep you from simply riding and camping with some friends in a great area. Staying home from either place doesn't solve anything, other than to leave a person with a frustrated and boring weekend. 

[leafman60]

I am definitely not passing judgement on you or others who choose to do this, but I personally don't agree with 'splitting' the rally because of dissatisfaction with the new venue.  I own a brewery just minutes off the parkway, I have recommended and sent many riders to the BRMC because I think it is a great place... I have never been to Iron Horse, so I do not have a strong opinion on it...  Yet like many others, the name, the reports of blasting NASCAR races on the TV's(tv at a bike campground?!?), and the Harley-centered look & feel are a little offputting to me...  But if I COULD get there, I would, at least to give it a fair shake.

What I don't understand are those who are making multi-day trips to attend a 'Guzzi Rally' opting to skip the actual 'Guzzi rally' and going to BRMC... In my mind, the community is small enough that we need to stick together...  not reduce attendance at both the 'official' rally and the 'NAR'

So, I will not be attending either...  I won't be at Iron Horse because I can't get two days in a row off work right now. I won't be at BRMC because if it's not a 'Guzzi rally', I'd rather spend my very limited free time riding~~ tho I'll likely be riding in the same area.

Well said! 

.

[leafman60]

OK, Mr Mayor, lol.  Good buddy, not going to let you off the hook so easy now.

I did a google trip search.  Asheville to Cruso is about 1 hour.  Asheville to Stecoah is only 30 minutes more, 1 1/2 hour.

It's not that much additional time for you!

[Guzzigonzo]

Late news: Still not on MGNoC August either, I still sent it to FW's old address but he finally has it. How stupid. I read thru these posts and all is typical. Silly boys, i'm doing it here because Gonzo like in his neighborhood. And the area is super cool riding and I am totally familiar with it for 22 years. I'm bringing a pile of food, lots of strange high dollar beer, tickets, wristbands if there is more than 3 of us so we can find each other, and I don't know what else. I noted your experiences at Iron horse, food, tent camping etc I have never stayed there (why would I when I have a house toward the Skyway) so I will beware the facilities and offerings. If Kickstand is a better option for 2018 let's go there, nice lady very accommodating. Her hubby was road kill some years ago and she been carrying on just fine since. She has a setup might be more suitable for us to make our own meals under cover there and our 80 or so would be just right. I had considered that, but chose Iron horse for the variety of offerings, but a point was made,  the tent camping area a fart will be heard by many, har har!  I could really screw you all up and do it THERE next week. I have no obligation to Iron Horse and asked for nothing from them about accommodating us. The cabins are $$$ and there are expectations of the guests to spend other monies for food, gifts and whatnot. The dining is inside (??) which kinda takes the camp out of camping

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

OK, Mr Mayor, lol.  Good buddy, not going to let you off the hook so easy now.

I did a google trip search.  Asheville to Cruso is about 1 hour.  Asheville to Stecoah is only 30 minutes more, 1 1/2 hour.

It's not that much additional time for you!

cruso is 45min-1hr of twisty back country roads or the BRP-- Round Trip of <2hrs (plus hang out and shoot the shit time)

Iron Horse is 1:30 one way ONLY if you take the interstate straight there-- Round trip of 3 hrs, all on highway

I NEVER,EVER ride the interstate unless it's an emergency, I absolutely hate it, but any decent interesting route to Ironhorse that avoids the slab would give me a (very fun & nice) 2-3hr one-way trip

As it stands, I am lucky to ride my moto 3 hours a month... Getting away all day saturday is not an option for me... and I would sooner miss the rally than ride 3 hrs on the interstate.

If I were going to Cruso, I can get off work at 4pm, be at Cruso via BRP in about 35mins, and home by 10pm (I am back at work to open Sunday morning), all while enjoying beautiful scenery and back roads.

If I go to Ironhorse, I get off at 4pm, take a decent route to the rally, arrive at 6:30-7, hang out a max of 1-1.5hrs, and ride home white-knuckle in the dark on the interstate to get back by 10pm.

If I go to neither, I get off at 4pm, ride my bike on beautiful perfect WNC roads for 3hrs, and I'm home cooking dinner with my smokin hot girlfriend by 7:30pm....  To me this is a no-brainer

YMMV, 1.5yrs into a new business, I have to pick my battles

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

now, I see it's only 30-40min on I-40, then on NC-74 the rest of the way. 74 isn't bad... just a bit boring, so perhaps I will reconsider...

[Bill Hagan]

****

If I go to neither, I get off at 4pm, ride my bike on beautiful perfect WNC roads for 3hrs, and I'm home cooking dinner with my smokin hot girlfriend by 7:30pm....  To me this is a no-brainer

****

now, I see it's only 30-40min on I-40, then on NC-74 the rest of the way. 74 isn't bad... just a bit boring, so perhaps I will reconsider...

Reconsider?  Are you nuts?  Reread that excerpt from your earlier post. 

OTOH, if she's already dumped you, either rally might do.

Bill

[oldbike54]

 Here would be my suggestion based on hosting a few rallies and having some insight into Guzzi family culture . Attend whichever of these events you choose , let the respective rally hosts work out something for next year , maybe Spring and Fall events that don't conflict . There simply can't be too many Guzzi centered gatherings , right fellas ?

 Dusty

[leafman60]

It's an 18 hour round trip for me!  I am still trying to make it work with my schedule but not sure at this time.  I'd love to go to the rally at Iron Horse.

[drbone641]

Got a cabin at BRMC, yesterday for this weekend. Possible showers and after 5 days of rain hiking the App Trail this spring, I want dry. Easy ride down to 28 and Iron Horse for Sat am for a few hours, and back Sat evening.

[NC Steve]

now, I see it's only 30-40min on I-40, then on NC-74 the rest of the way. 74 isn't bad... just a bit boring, so perhaps I will reconsider...

Mayor, how would you pick up 74 from Asheville and on down below Canton? I usually get off 40 in Oteen near the VA Hospital, then take the BRP over to Hwy. 276, which is also Cruso Rd.,
 leading to the campground. I'm a bit leary of that stretch of 276 if it's been raining though, there are lots of gravel driveways following blind curves that tend to wash rock or sand onto the road. What about taking Hwy 23 from the downtown Asheville area? Does 23 possibly swing south of downtown, maybe thru the Biltmore area?

[guzzisteve]

Just called Iron Pony and all that's left is 5 beds in bunkhouse setting. I camp IF I'll have $ by the end of week, paying bills
comes 1st.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Mayor, how would you pick up 74 from Asheville and on down below Canton? I usually get off 40 in Oteen near the VA Hospital, then take the BRP over to Hwy. 276, which is also Cruso Rd.,
 leading to the campground. I'm a bit leary of that stretch of 276 if it's been raining though, there are lots of gravel driveways following blind curves that tend to wash rock or sand onto the road. What about taking Hwy 23 from the downtown Asheville area? Does 23 possibly swing south of downtown, maybe thru the Biltmore area?

I wouldn't mess with 23 from asheville to canton...  long divided strip-mall highway peppered with lights. Your route along the BRp isn't the best stretch... but it beats stop & go traffic.

This would deff qualify as a scenic route, but you could get off 40 in Marion instead of Black Mtn (exit 81) and go south on Sugar Creek Rd to Bills Creek Rd and take 64 right thru Hendersonville and on toward brevard...  64 intersects with 276 on the Brevard side of the park way.. then up past sliding rock, looking glass falls, cradle of forestry, etc to the parkway.

A longer and more scenic route would be DONT take 64 thru Hendersonville, take 64 to 225 just east of hendersonville, then go south of town down to Green River Road along the SC line and over Cedar Mtn to bring you to Brevard and 276

The route you are already taking is probably the best most direct route...  as long as your not on the Black Mtn-to-Asheville stretch of the BRP during rush hour.

[NC Steve]

All packed and ready to ride out to Cruso tomorrow morning-hope to see a few of you there!
If you are riding down the BRP from the North, be aware that there are several closures and delays, due to road construction. This includes a 25 mile stretch that encompasses Hwy 8 to Floyd, Mabry Mill, Rocky Knob, etc, and ends just before mile post 177, at Willville. At least Will has been spared!

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

[Guzriter]

Just found out some of those that had earlier said they were going to BRMC aren't going at all. I've decided I'm heading to the new venue with the new rep. He deserves to have his efforts taken into consideration. He's doing the work, and we're just riding!

[HDGoose]

I wish the new NC rep well. Some folks still like the BRMC because of what it doesn't have. I prefer camping at BRMC.


I wonder if the new venue will have someone walking around telling us got to bed at 10PM. I probably would feel comfortable leaving my cigar humidor (for those that still do enjoy a nice cigar) on a picnic at the new place.

But, I have other obligations the first weekend of August every year.

If I attend by myself, I still tent camp. But my wife cannot handle that any longer. Our toyhauler allows her to enjoy what she can, and then retreat, when she feels necessary, to a nice place. The new venue seems to accommodate that.

I am sure that Mark and Barbara have made friends at BRMC. Am I appreciate what they have facilitated over the years providing a destination for me to ride to and bring minimal gear.

I'm the big guy that likes to ride a Guzzi to a "Harley" event, and a Harley to a Guzzi event.

[leafman60]

I wish the new NC rep well. Some folks still like the BRMC because of what it doesn't have. I prefer camping at BRMC.


I wonder if the new venue will have someone walking around telling us got to bed at 10PM. I probably would feel comfortable leaving my cigar humidor (for those that still do enjoy a nice cigar) on a picnic at the new place.

But, I have other obligations the first weekend of August every year.

If I attend by myself, I still tent camp. But my wife cannot handle that any longer. Our toyhauler allows her to enjoy what she can, and then retreat, when she feels necessary, to a nice place. The new venue seems to accommodate that.

I am sure that Mark and Barbara have made friends at BRMC. Am I appreciate what they have facilitated over the years providing a destination for me to ride to and bring minimal gear.

I'm the big guy that likes to ride a Guzzi to a "Harley" event, and a Harley to a Guzzi event.

HDGoose

Long time.  Haven't seen you in a long time- since the Guzzi rally at Malibu.  Remember the little café (Neptune's Net) right there on Hwy 1? We all hung out there.

I remember Clem Salvadori was with us several times.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Just found out some of those that had earlier said they were going to BRMC aren't going at all. I've decided I'm heading to the new venue with the new rep. He deserves to have his efforts taken into consideration. He's doing the work, and we're just riding!

Hey, welcome to WG and it was nice meeting you today!  Although I hate to say I've slipped your name, please remind me!

Stop by on the way home and get that beer!

[Nick]

Been riding around Willville for the last couple of days. Plan to visit the BRMC sometime this PM for a couple of days.
I may also visit the Mayor, if time permits. The menu sure looks good 

[mojohand]

It was great to catch up with old friends and ride with new ones. Got to pop in to the Ironhorse Lodge--looked like everyone was out riding. Nice place (but I'm partial to BRMC, YMMV). After a ride to Ironhorse, Bob, Ray, Christine, Johannes and I rode to the NOC for lunch, then some 19 to the BRP and a wonderful ride down 215 and on back to camp. A great Saturday!

Took a few pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/albums/72157684703363674

[Idontwantapickle]

It was great to catch up with old friends and ride with new ones. Got to pop in to the Ironhorse Lodge--looked like everyone was out riding. Nice place (but I'm partial to BRMC, YMMV). After a ride to Ironhorse, Bob, Ray, Christine, Johannes and I rode to the NOC for lunch, then some 19 to the BRP and a wonderful ride down 215 and on back to camp. A great Saturday!

Took a few pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/albums/72157684703363674

Lovely photos, Thank you.

[Nick]

It was great to catch up with old friends and ride with new ones. Got to pop in to the Ironhorse Lodge--looked like everyone was out riding. Nice place (but I'm partial to BRMC, YMMV). After a ride to Ironhorse, Bob, Ray, Christine, Johannes and I rode to the NOC for lunch, then some 19 to the BRP and a wonderful ride down 215 and on back to camp. A great Saturday!

Took a few pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/albums/72157684703363674

It was nice to see you and "Giancarlo" again, and thanks for the pictures!!

[Bill]

Enjoyed the pic's I know it's a Guzzi event but I sure enjoyed the FJR photo's. Both places are great but I love the openness of BR campground.
Bill

[Guzriter]

Mayor,
I appreciate the offer for my return trip last wknd, but i needed to get back home in time to head to a friend's band's concert in Chapel Hill. I will take a raincheck on a future trip, and can vouch for the food @ Sweeten Creek Brewing, as well as the pilsner!
As for the new rally location and hosted by Roger, the (W? NC rep) where I set up camp, it was much better than I expected, and I only had rain just as I left my beer stop in Bryson City on the way in. The food was good but a bit $+, and more importantly, the campground was on par with BRMC. Although gravel camping pads are supposed to drain better if it rains, I think next time i might opt to set up on the grass.

Roger did a splendid job of hosting & guiding us on a Cherohala Skyway & Tail of Dragon Parade/129 tour. Roger brought cheese, deli meats, beer, water & wine. He even gave us a tour of his work shop in Robbinsville @ the start of the tour, which is handy for a repair resource. It is a worthy area of consideration for sport touring without even considering the bs overcrowded ToG, and I'd be willing to go again next year.

I know I'll probably catch hell for saying this, but.....This guy took on a volunteer job that 99% of us wouldn't or couldn't take the time and extra effort to put together. And frankly I'm disappointed in the grumpy, unappreciative attitude that some are showing. I don't care that this(Luddite attitude) is the "way we've always done it". If you like the campground so much, then go there another weekend! This is no way to treat a guy that's gone to this much trouble to hold a Guzzi event!