We survived The Snake — 1 valley, 3 mountains, and 489 curves. We made a lunch stop at Shady Valley Country Store before carving up more twisties through Holston Valley. One highlight was stopping at Backbone Rock, known as the “World’s Shortest Tunnel,” measuring roughly 20–22 feet long. It was blasted in 1901 for the Beaver Dam Railroad to transport timber and later converted into a roadway in the 1930s. An unforgettable ride from start to finish.

A few of us headed out on our usual backroads discovery ride, winding through the countryside on our motorcycles until we made a stop at Priddy’s General Store. Established in 1888, Priddy’s is a true piece of North Carolina history. The store is still owned and operated by Jane Priddy Charleville, a third-generation steward of this family-run gem. Tucked away near Danbury and just a short ride from Hanging Rock State Park, it’s the kind of place you don’t stumble upon—you se

Lover’s Leap is a scenic overlook nestled between Meadows of Dan and Stuart, Virginia. Over the years, I’ve stopped there many times—especially on early morning rides up to Mabry Mill for breakfast at the restaurant that has since closed. I still miss those pancakes. The first image shown here features my previous 2016 BMW 1200RT. In 2022, the rock wall at the overlook provided a beautiful and fitting backdrop for the bike. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a few of us returned