Itinerary

Blue Ridge Parkway and US MotoGP 2009 Itinerary

Cincinnati to Cincinnati

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Day One: Cincinnati, OH to Indianapolis, IN – (117 miles)
Please plan to fly into Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport early today. If you arrive on Thursday or Friday, an airport shuttle to a nearby hotel will be available all day, or the Aerostich Tours van can pick you up as your flight arrives. The rental bikes will need to be picked out and set up to be on the road by noon today. A three to four hour ride through the Indiana countryside will be a good warm up for the rest of the week, and will get everyone to Indianapolis in time to check in at the hotel before heading off to the fairgrounds to watch the Indy Mile National Championship dirt track races. We can ride our bikes to see the races or a lift in the Aerostich Tours van is available for those who prefer to participate in the festivities at the track.

Sunday, August 30, 2009
Day Two: Indianapolis area – (30 miles)
The MotoGP schedule begins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway fairly early in the morning. Today we have the same options. Those who wish may ride their bike to the speedway, or once again, a lift in the Aerostich Tours van is available. Special bike parking is provided for everyone who rides a bike, right on the backside of the Speedway oval. Great seats at the end of the front straightaway are reserved for anyone with the tour group. It will be a great day of exciting action. The final laps of world class racing will be over sometime around mid to late afternoon and from there we will all return to the hotel for a hosted reception. Reservations are made for the official tour welcome dinner this evening at a famous local brewhaus.

Monday, August 31, 2009
Day Three: Indianapolis to Natural Bridge State Park, KY – (307 miles)
This day begins fun riding through the beautiful countryside of Indiana and Kentucky. The morning begins in the beautiful Brown County area south of Indianapolis. The group then travels alongside the Ohio River Valley, crossing this mighty river on the Markland Dam Bridge. The day unwinds as we wind-up through the amazing farmland scenery, gaining elevation all the while to end up in the lush, green, Boone National Forest. Tonight's accommodations are situated within the fascinating natural geology of Natural Bridge State Park. This lodge is in the perfect setting of forest and water. Swimming and rafting is available, as well as hiking to the natural bridge itself. There will be a great dinner served right on site.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day Four: Natural Bridge State Park to Little Switzerland, NC– (346 miles)
Mile after mile of amazing roads are to be found today, including the “Snake”, which coils it's way through vividly green countryside. This full day of riding also includes parts of the fabled Blue Ridge Parkway. Traffic is minimal and rest stops abound and the best spot will be chosen when the time comes for a roadside picnic lunch. Although the roadway is narrow, the pavement is beautifully maintained and the shoulders are like a manicured estate drive. Roll into the green hills of the Appalachian range through one perfect curve then the next. The older and smaller village of Little Switzerland is tucked into the woody hillside with spectacular views. Dinner is provided this evening at a very special restaurant right at the Switzerland Inn.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day Five: Little Switzerland to Cherokee, NC - (281 miles)
As we travel south and crisscross the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, you will experience roads that seem to twist themselves into knots. You will lean into so many fabulous curves your neck may ache by the end of the day. Tonight's is in the popular Appalachian tourist town of Cherokee. The ride from the antique Switzerland Inn to the more modern river town of Cherokee offers several quiet back roads that have almost no traffic yet are congested with tight curves. After a picnic lunch, any more beautiful and even famous bends in the road are still left for us to lean into. After a full day of this, swimming right in the river is a fun and popular local pastime which you can join into.

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day Six: Cherokee to Deals Gap, NC– (180 miles)
You will lean your bike over so many times today you might see the tires start to wear more on the sides of the tread than in the middle. Experience the well known Dragon and Cherohala Skyway, and you will be shown many miles of lesser known but equally fascinating routes as well. A great picnic lunch at a scenic overlook will be a chance to relax a bit before continuing on through the beautiful green hillsides to the famous Deals Gap Resort. Extra time is available in the afternoon before dinner to play on the area's side roads.

Friday, September 4, 2009
Day Seven: Deals Gap to Nashville, TN – (260 miles)
More of the same “boring” turns, after turns, and more turns, for most of the day, finally brings us back to civilization in Nashville. Staying at the lavish Opryland Hotel will be a special treat and a great list of performers are lined up to entertain us in the Grand ‘Ol Opry itself.

Saturday, September 5, 2009
Day Eight: Nashville to Florence, KY – (244 miles)
Even more green countryside filled with great pavement will bring us to the historical old Ohio River town of Florence, KY. The Belterra Riverboat Casino will delight your senses with it's charming atmosphere and entertainment options. Just sitting by the river and remembering all the great riding from the week will be a quiet retreat. A hosted reception will greet us upon arrival at the resort and a delicious farewell dinner will be served in one of several great restaurants within the huge facility.

Sunday, September 6, 2009
Day Nine: Florence to Cincinnati, OH – (72 miles)
A final ride along the picturesque Ohio River will get us back to Cincinnati today by early afternoon. Lunch will be in the famous old river trading town of Rabbit Hash, KY with all the local Sunday motorcyclists. A short time later we can turn in our rental bikes and the tour van will deliver you to the airport for your flight home or to a local hotel to rest up for another night. At this point you will have leaned into so many fabulous curves in the road, you will find yourself subconsciously drooping a shoulder every time the van driver turns the steering wheel.

Total Miles: 2198