Blue Ridge Parkway and Indianapolis Races

Blue Ridge Parkway and Indianapolis Races:
The USGP & AMA Mile

August 29 - September 6, 2009

Ever thought you could see the best motorcycle racing in the world, and ride some of the finest motorcycling roads in the USA, all in the same week? Well, if you join us, you can. Great tickets for both the 2009 Indy Mile dirt track championships and the US round of the World MotoGP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been reserved for everyone on the trip. A custom Appalachian and Blue Ridge Parkway ride route is especially designed for this tour that you will never forget. Significant and historical lodges and roadhouses have been selected for your overnight stays along the way and the most fun and interesting local cuisine will be on the menu at each meal. After an unforgettable week of awesome roads, places, and races, you can kick back with everyone and enjoy a night at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville Tennessee too. This ride starts and finishes in Cincinnati Ohio. Bring your own bike to ride or rent a sport-touring motorcycle from us. All pavement.

More details coming soon! Email us in the meantime if you have questions or are interested in signing up.

Tour Information

Great roads and the best of racing all in one tour!

Tour Price Includes:

Tour Price Does Not Include:

Guides/Support:

The guides accompanying the tour are backcountry first aid certified. They will be carrying cell phones and a satellite phone at all times. The support vehicle will carry spare parts for repairs on the road.

Money:

Bring credit card(s) or spending cash for meals and gasoline on the road. Participants will need to bring enough cash for eight day's worth of meals and gas. The amount of cash you will need to bring differs from person to person; how much and how often do you plan to eat? Three full meals? Only breakfast and dinner? Only dinner with snacks in between? The amount varies from person to person and is up to the individual. Plan to bring as much cash as you would for any other tour or vacation.

Tips:

Tipping is welcome and highly encouraged.

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

Pricing

Single Occupancy with rental: $5,899.00
Double Occupancy with rental: $4,399.00
Double Occupancy with two-up rental: $7,099.00
Single Occupancy with own bike: $4,199.00
Double Occupancy with own bike: $2,699.00

Please call 800-222-1994 ext. 402 or email us for more information or to register for this tour.

Deposit

A $1000.00 deposit is required to secure a spot on the tours. The deposit will go towards the final tour price.

Full Payment

Full payment is due 60 days prior to the start of the tour.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received more than 60 days prior to departure for a full refund. Cancellations received less than 60 days from departure will receive a 50% refund. If your reservation is filled by another rider, a full refund less the deposit will be issued. After 60 days, deposits are NOT refundable, but ARE transferable to a different party or to a later date (subject to availability). We strongly suggest that riders purchase traveler's insurance prior to registering for a tour to help off-set any costs involved in the event of a cancellation.

Tour Dates

Tour dates are subject to change in the event of accommodation restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances and limitations. In the event of a date change (usually only by a day or two), riders will be notified, and reasonable assistance and reimbursement will be provided.