Living in western North Carolina I am so spoiled by the wealth of great roads to ride. We literally roll down the mountainside for less than a minute and we've hit some nice twisties. When you live in the heart of it, it's all good.

Photo (163923))

Just down the Street

For those who aren't nestled within the Appalachian hills, I sympathize. You are compelled to spend time on the major roads and highways to climb to the promised land. There's nothing quite as sweet as carving through the high country and it's worth enduring droning along on the highways to get here.

Photo (163924))

The Mountain Highways

While I'm truly spoiled living here, I long for more, to ride through other mountain landscapes as they are all good. Nothing beats mountain riding, though the scenery is different from place to place. It's the commutes to reach them that get me down.

And so, I embark on my next motorcycle adventure along the southern Arizona border, this trip is assisted by Delta Airlines. Today I fly from Waynesville, NC to Phoenix, AZ through Atlanta. It's the first real travel in almost 8 months and I'm bristling with excitement to be on the move again!

Photo (163941))

Stormy Weather - Delays

I awoke this morning to pouring rain as a strong cold front moves in. My flights are already cancelled, delayed, being shuffled around and rebooked. My clockwork itinerary that would have had me there in hours is now going to be an all day slog, potentially into the night. I've cancelled the dinner reservations I had waiting, I'll be in too late. It'll be 4-5 hours in the Atlanta Airport instead of 35 minutes. Oh well.

Photo (163943))

Killing the hours at the airports

I killed the hours in a small bar at the international terminal - much less traffic there than the main airport which was quite busy.

Photo (163944))

Arrived Phoenix

The remainder of the trip went like clockwork. The flight was fine, the hotel shuttle waiting as I stepped outside, the ride to the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix short. The trip is begun!

Article by Wayne Busch, America Rides Maps

We produce detailed maps of the best roads to enjoy on your motorcycle travels in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Get the maps at America Rides Maps.com