I was on Eaglerider’s website and saw a “Southern Music Experience Motorcycle Tour” that looked pretty cool (here's the link: http://www.eaglerider.com/motorcycle...ycle-tour.aspx). I am not trying to infringe on their business, but they will only book a tour if you rent a bike from them and I live in Virginia and want to ride my own bike (the tour includes a Co-Pilots Guide Book of things to see and do).

I know many of you live in or have visited Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky and wanted to see if you all could help me with: things to see/do, places to stay, and routes.

As I said I will be riding from Virginia (Spotsylvania) and want to take the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then I was looking to visit:

Deals Gap/Tail of the Dragon
Chattanooga
Nashville
Tupelo (maybe)
Memphis (Graceland & Beale Street)
Mammoth Cave
Renfro Valley

Again, I am look for your recommendations on things to see/do in these cities (or other cities), places to stay, and routes.

I know I am asking a lot, but I also know you guys are the experts.

Thanks.

Mike

 

Might I suggest you look also at routes that run parallel to the BRP? I've done that trip, several times. It's a slow route, filled with RV's and cops.

 

Come work my job so I can go riding.

 

He might even let you borrow his bullet.

 

nobody asked the peanut gallery to respond

 

In no particular order, some suggestions:

Ridgewood BBQ, Bluff City TN
The Dragon (of course...)
Mean City Cycles-Maiden NC. Coordinate to have your seat redone while waiting.
Mount Airy NC (Mayberry, Andy, Floyds Barber shop)
Peaks of Otter Lodge MP86 on the BRP (Used to have a great brunch, also rooms on lake)
Any of the million dive bars and BBQ joints in backwoods NC.

 

It's a free country and an open forum. I'll do what I want.

To the OP, Deals Gap & The Tail of the Dragon is a good place to start. That whole area is a bikers dream. The Cherahola Skyway, Wheels Thru Time in Maggie Valley, Chimney Rock in Ashville NC and Grandfather Mtn are great stops too. Damn, that entire area is awesome. Come to think of it, even the access roads on and off of the BRP were fun to ride.

 

So I actually basically did this trip last year. I live in NJ so I road down to TN. I did the trip with my brother but here are some things we did.

Kingsport TN -> Phil's Dream Pit these are the best ribs I have ever had. I have ribs all over and these are the best that I have ever had its a must stop its a nice lunch place you sit outside of the small family restaurant.

Chatanooga TN -> Ruby Falls and Rock City are awesome and a must see. Nice ride in that area too.

Memphis TN -> Bryants Breakfast: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bryants-breakfast-memphis best biscuits you can ever have! awesome breakfast def worth the visit. Beale street for dinner go to Dyer's Burgers most amazing burgers ever

Nashville TN -> went to the country music hall of fame, so bars in the local down town area we were there during the CMA music festival so got tickets to that. Also went to the grand ole opry which was the best tour that you can go on def worth the money.

Smokey Mountains -> def worth the ride to deals gap so beautiful out there. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

-Jon

 

Thanks Jon thats exactly the type of info I was looking for. Mike

 

Dawg,

Thanks for the offer - the Government (I work DoD - Marine Corps) decided I should be sequestered so who I am to argue with their decision that I shouldn't work.

I guess the Gov wanted me to ride more.

Mike