Find Your Back Road on Two Wheels: Scenic Rides with Crossroads Harley Davidson

Back Roads in Wilkes and Motorcycles -- A Great Combination

You’re probably used to seeing a lot of motorcycles on the road during the month of May. It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month, so with the combination of great weather and organized events around the region, there’s plenty of reasons to hit the road. It’s definitely a great time to get back on the bike after a long, cold winter.

Wilkes County has plenty of scenic routes to get out and ride, whether you’re looking for a day trip or a starting point for a longer adventure. “You can turn left or right on any road in Wilkes County and be guaranteed a great ride,” says Micah Dunleavy, Business Sales Manager of Cross Roads Harley Davidson. “I’d much rather ride the back roads in Wilkes County than some of the other more talked about places. The scenery here is beautiful and you don’t have to deal with traffic on the roads.”

Map Your Route

If you’re looking for some scenic routes to ride around Wilkesboro, one popular ride is Highway 268 between Wilkesboro and the community of Warrior. The rolling hills and country roads make for a great ride. Convenient to the campgrounds at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir for a weekend adventure.

Route 16 is another good choice. This highway runs from Jefferson to Charlotte, making its way through the entire length of Wilkes County. From the Blue Ridge mountains to the Brushy Mountains, breathtaking views are around every curve.

For more suggested routes, check out MotorcycleRoads.com, or try some of the crowdsourcing apps such as Rever or Eat Sleep Ride.

Try an E-Bike

It’s not just motorcycles that Cross Roads Harley Davidson is getting on the roads and trails in Wilkes. “We’ve seen a surge in popularity for our new e-bikes,” Micah says. “Last year, when everything shut down due to the pandemic, an easy thing for people to do was get outside and explore the trails and greenways. For people who might have lung conditions, allergies, vascular damage in their legs or other health conditions that limit their physical activity, these bikes are a great way to help them get on the greenways, a mountain bike trail or even on the road.”

Powered by a motor, the e-bike provides pedal assistance for riding, making uphill inclines a little less strenuous, or helping out on long distances that would otherwise be challenging. It’s also a good alternative for getting to work, for those who want a little exercise or are looking to decrease their impact on the environment.

Upcoming Events

Cross Roads Harley Davidson is more than just a dealership in Wilkesboro. It’s an institution and a gathering place. The franchise was started in 1946 by Everett Lyle, and even with a name change and a big move to a new spot on 421, the dedication to the community remains the same, as evidenced in the many charity events held on the premises or sponsored within the community. Here are a couple of events to look forward to in the next few weeks:
 

June 5: I Love You Concert. Sponsored by Cross Roads Harley Davidson, this concert and bike show at Carolina West Community Commons and Wilkes Communications Pavilion is a benefit in honor of Michael Heath Lipford. Activities are from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and include a bike show, cornhole competition and silent auction. Bands include CJ Ballard Band, Racen Hollow and Darrell Harwood Band. Tickets are $15 if purchased by June 1, $20 at the gate.

July 17: Dillon’s Ride. A 100-mile escorted ride though the mountains of North Carolina in memory of Sergeant Dillon Baldridge, an Army veteran from Ashe County who lost his life serving our country in Afghanistan in 2017.