Asheville 2009 Official Visitor Guide - (Page 7) PHOTO COURTESY OF JEN LEPKOWSKI, NC STAGE COMPANY on the road again Need some suggestions on where to rev up your motorcycle? Just head to Acme Motorcycles, where local riding advice is free and friendly. “Western North Carolina is the epicenter of some of the finest riding in the country,” Scott Olofson says. “There are a huge number of roads that are awesome riding. Some require skill, and others are great for cruising.” For riders looking for a great cruise, Olofson recommends taking a leisurely ride along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, commonly called America’s Favorite Drive. For seasoned riders looking for a test of their skills, Olofson suggests hitting U.S. Highway 221, heading from Marion to the Blue Ridge Parkway. “Highway 221 is a nice, curvy road that goes up to Boone,” he says. “We have a lot of local knowledge about roads and rides. Many of the roads have great places to stop and enjoy the view.” Didn’t bring your bike but have a hankering for the wind blowing in your hair? Acme Motorcycles rents, sells and services bikes, and stocks a full line of helmets and riding gear. an event for every taste The area’s artistic spectrum ranges from soulful jazz performances to thrilling experimental theater and poetry slams. Dozen of creative events fill the area’s cultural calendar, including the LEAF – Lake Eden Arts Festival, a spirited celebration of folk arts held each May and October. August’s Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and Shindig on the Green both celebrate traditional Appalachian music and dance. Also, mark your calendars for the Annual Asheville Film Festival in November and the 31st Annual Bele Chere, the Southeast’s largest free, outdoor street festival, held in July downtown. coming attractions No doubt about it, Asheville has a wealth of things to do – but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to come. Just around the corner, the much-anticipated new Pack Square Park will add more than 6 acres of beautiful open green space to Asheville’s downtown by spring 2009. The broad green will reflect the area’s unique character with native plantings, locally designed art and performances by area entertainers. The celebrated Asheville HATCHfest debuts in April 2009. The four-day festival showcases everything from film and fashion to architecture and technology. On the way for 2010: The Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its diamond anniversary – that’s 75 unforgettable years. scott olofson Motorcycle enthusiast Scott Olofson is president of Acme Motorcycles and is familiar with some of the best riding roads around. FOR MORE blueridgeparkway.org nps.gov/blri ExploreAsheville.com 7 http://www.exploreasheville.com/event-calendar/index.aspx http://www.blueridgeparkway.org http://www.nps.gov/blri http://www.ExploreAsheville.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.