Jonas Ridge Store has new ownership!

[CafeTBird]

Anyone that has ridden highway NC 181 out of Morganton, NC north to the Blue Ridge Parkway is probably familiar with the Jonas Ridge Store.  It is that one on top of the twisty mountain run, with the old Esso sign on the side, and the parking lot that has always been a popular loitering spot for most riders around there.  Just in case you need a refresher, here it is:



The place went out of business a couple of months back, and has been sitting idle, while still accumlating the loiterers.  It is the "Calderwood Overlook" of NC 181, if you know what I mean.  Well there is some good news - the place has been purchased by motorcycle enthusiasts that plan to reopen it with a bit of a flair for us riders in mind!

3 of the members of our Charlotte RAT pack have bought the place. Tom "Motoman" Bridges (http://www.campmotoman.com), Bob Rehley, and John (Got Wilk?) Wilkinson bit the bullet and bought it a couple of weeks back, because they recognize that it has great potential!  They are modeling it with a little bit of Crossroads of Time, a little bit of the Shady Valley Country Store, a little bit of TWO, and a little bit of their own flair.  These guys have a unique kind of ingenuity.  We went up there today to check it out, it is going to be fantastic!

So when you find yourself motoring the "181 Speedway", please be sure to stop in and support your fellow riders in this new endeavor....  they are in the process of re-stocking, and it will be repoening in 2 weeks.

[iXXion]

Great news....I always felt the place had a lot of potential for the motorcycle crowd...glad to hear some enthusiasts are the force behind it.  Definately one more reason to head to Jonas Ridge when we're in the area.

[BobW]

Thanks for the info. We knew it had been purchased, but not any of the details. Place has gone through a couple of owners, this concept sounds like it should do very well.

Cheers
Bob

[Desmo Demon]

The winter months will probably not be the easiest for them with a new business venture like that, so I'll try to make a run up there in the next few weeks and buy something to help them along until spring.  

[sprint_st]

I stopped by yesterday.  Nice place.  First time I went up 181 too.  Nice road. It's fun to watch the cars pull up to the pumps and try to get gas. You could start a lottery on how long it takes for them to figure out they aren't working    

[Mr. Average]

I was delighted to hear the great news.  My retirement home is about 10 minutes from there and I told my wife several years ago that the right person with vision would buy it someday and turn it into a motorcycle destination.  If I had been younger and had the gumption and the inclination for hard work I would have bought it myself.
I stopped by Saturday to say hello and they seem to be a great group of people.  The RAT club connection would explain the Triumphs in the parking lot.  I believe the grand opening is on Oct 27 with a live band to help celebrate.  Now if I can just talk them into putting in a good espresso machine, I can sit on the porch and imagine I'm back in the Alps  

[JoBu]

I just added it to my "places to see" for my next trip to the mtns.  Thanks a bunch for posting this info.

Cheers,

Joe

[CafeTBird]

Now if I can just talk them into putting in a good espresso machine, I can sit on the porch and imagine I'm back in the Alps  

It is pretty good for that, isn't it?  I had a mental image right away, as I was up there once on April 1st sitting on that front porch in a snow storm....

Don't worry - they will have good coffee, I am sure. From the sounds of things, there'll be a simple, but satisfying menu in the kitchen, with seasonal variations.  Nathans hot dogs, hopefully good Carolina que, chili....

They also plan to add elements that appeal to the hikers, cyclists, and Parkway traffic, not just motorcycles.  The winter should give them opportunity to establish themselves...

[johnbryer]

Wish I was still around to support them.  I hope they do well.  It should be a great location.

[Mr. Average]

It is pretty good for that, isn't it?  I had a mental image right away, as I was up there once on April 1st sitting on that front porch in a snow storm....

Don't worry - they will have good coffee, I am sure. From the sounds of things, there'll be a simple, but satisfying menu in the kitchen, with seasonal variations.  Nathans hot dogs, hopefully good Carolina que, chili....

They also plan to add elements that appeal to the hikers, cyclists, and Parkway traffic, not just motorcycles.  The winter should give them opportunity to establish themselves...

I like your list of bikes.  I grew up in Pleasant Gardens, between Marion and Old Fort so I am a homeboy to that area.  We are in Clemson now but will be moving to the Linville area full time this Spring.  Lets get together sometime for a quick spin in the mts.  Do you know the new owner's of the store?  I sure hope they do well and we will try to suport them whenever we can.

[prez]

Thanks for the tip T-bird, may head up there this weekend. Be nice to meet "mototman". BTW, might I have met Bob at Mac's before?

[CafeTBird]

Do you know the new owner's of the store?  I sure hope they do well and we will try to suport them whenever we can.

Yeah, they are some of my riding buddies.  A pretty eclectic group with an MV, Triumphs, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Yamahas and a Harley Cafe Racer among their rides...  I expect that ecleticism will reflect on the store also.

I am willing to bet a group of us will be going up on the 27th for the official opening.

[CafeTBird]

Thanks for the tip T-bird, may head up there this weekend. Be nice to meet "mototman". BTW, might I have met Bob at Mac's before?

You might have met any of them at Macs before - they have all been there.  There are about 3 Bob's in our group, though - and also Bob the Service Manager from Motorcycles of Charlotte.  This Bob has an FJR and a Harley Sportster Cafe Racer.

[falcofred]

It's on my calender, as long as the weather is good, and my family doesn't have any conflicts on the calender I"ll be there.

[BobW]

Stopped in today to say Hey. They are getting their ducks in row for the Grand Opening. Very good long time plans coming together. Side note; temps are perfect, fall colors are starting and the deer and wild turkey were everywhere.

[iXXion]

Figured here would be as good as any place to ask.

I'm seeing Table Rock Mountain Road, connecting to 181 just south of Jonas Ridge and reconnecting with 181 several miles south of there, all on the western side.   Does anyone know this road?  It has been previously mentioned that Pirelli Diablo's don't like dirt roads, and I heartily concur.

Thanks!

[dlrides]

Figured here would be as good as any place to ask.

I'm seeing Table Rock Mountain Road, connecting to 181 just south of Jonas Ridge and reconnecting with 181 several miles south of there, all on the western side.   Does anyone know this road?  It has been previously mentioned that Pirelli Diablo's don't like dirt roads, and I heartily concur.

Thanks!

It is a gravel road, travel it frequently. One set of switchbacks are a little rough. I ride it on my '74 cafe' racer sometimes too.

[JohnBoy]

Anyone know of any details on the grand opening?  All day thing?  Music, food....dynos?

[dlrides]

I hope this place does not turn into a gay pirate(HD) hangout. Since it is a 70 mile round trip from the Hickory area, it makes an all day poser ride.

 

[Lone_RT_rider]

Anyone know of any details on the grand opening?  All day thing?  Music, food....dynos?

John,

Let me know if you head that direction.  The RT is back in one piece and running great (as is my knee).  It sounds like a good day ride for me.  

Shawn

[CafeTBird]

Anyone know of any details on the grand opening?  All day thing?  Music, food....dynos?

As far as I know, it will be open all day  

This is a store, not a miniature version of Myrtle Beotch Bike Week.  My understanding is that they will cater to basic needs of the motorcyclist, but also to local hikers, bicyclists, and the community itself.  I wouldn't expect it to turn into Bullfeathers or the Bowery..... (thank God).

[bpg]

cool stuff Scot - always liked that place and was sad to see it shut down this summer...  Might have to check out the grand opening!!

[Mach VIII]

AWESOME NEWS Scott!!!  I'm really excited to hear about this.  I really like that spot and have thought it had great potential as a motorcycle/outdoorsy-oriented stop.  I'm really looking forward to checking the place out again and will be most happy to support this venture for Motoman, Bob, & company.

Please give us any more details you can on the grand opening, as that might be a good enough excuse to head up there next weekend.

[JohnBoy]

As far as I know, it will be open all day  

This is a store, not a miniature version of Myrtle Beotch Bike Week.  My understanding is that they will cater to basic needs of the motorcyclist, but also to local hikers, bicyclists, and the community itself.  I wouldn't expect it to turn into Bullfeathers or the Bowery..... (thank God).

Wuz hopin' for a bit more info, as I read on another board that there was going to be a band and I didn't want to miss out on anything!!

And don't worry...there'll be plenty of gay pirates in their Halloween customes to MAKE it look like a mini version of Bike Week.

[falcofred]

I hope this place does not turn into a gay pirate(HD) hangout. Since it is a 70 mile round trip from the Hickory area, it makes an all day poser ride.

 

As long as there is no beer  :beerchug:served, it won't become a true Harley destination

[CafeTBird]

As long as there is no beer  :beerchug:served, it won't become a true Harley destination

Right - and they cannot serve beer there.  They are planning to sell it, but it cannot be consumed on the premises.  That WOULD be a disaster, now that Margaritaville shut down in Lake Lure...

I think the "grand" opening is going to involve just getting the place up and running again at the moment, and at this point, i'll be happy with that. Good things take time.  Just stop in and say hello if you find yourself in the area, but don't go up expecting a big party.

[bpg]

FWIW, some of us in the Charlotte area are planning on meeting up 9-ish to zip up to the store.  

Should mention: PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

As of now, we're planning on meeting at 9:00 am off exit 14 of I-85, just west of Charlotte (right above Gastonia).  

EDIT - from exit 14, point yourself N (or W?) on 274 toward Bessemer City. As SOON as you're on 274, turn your left blinker on, we're meeting at Bojangles.  (there are a few gas stations on the left as well).

After the store, we could even shoot east on BRP/221(!!!!) to Blowing Rock, then re-trace to return to the Charlotte area.  Not the Gap and Cherohala, but some GOOD riding in some great scenery, with some really cool destinations..

Who's in??
 

[buster]

Just a word of caution for anyone heading up Saturday morning...lot's of pedestrians and police will be around b/c...

RIDGE TO BRIDGE MARATHON: Oct. 27, Jonas Ridge to Morganton, 7 a.m. Call: 828-432-6664.

Ride safe.  

[bpg]

Just a word of caution for anyone heading up Saturday morning...lot's of pedestrians and police will be around b/c...

RIDGE TO BRIDGE MARATHON: Oct. 27, Jonas Ridge to Morganton, 7 a.m. Call: 828-432-6664.

Ride safe.  

thx for the heads up...  Hmmm , it starts at 7 am - hopefully it's over noon-ish...  We'll have to take it easy up 181 fo' sho'..

[BobW]

126 around Lake James over to Marion then  80 or 226A or 221 or ? then BRP to 181.

[bpg]

126 around Lake James over to Marion then  80 or 226A or 221 or ? then BRP to 181.

might not be a bad idea...  Haven't run some of those roads since spring!

[CafeTBird]

That explains the cyclists I've seen on 181 lately... they must be practicing.  The crowd will be good for the store, I imagine!

Welcome to STN, btw, Buster...

Scot

Just a word of caution for anyone heading up Saturday morning...lot's of pedestrians and police will be around b/c...

RIDGE TO BRIDGE MARATHON: Oct. 27, Jonas Ridge to Morganton, 7 a.m. Call: 828-432-6664.

Ride safe.  

[JohnBoy]

Count me IN, Brendon.

If your plans change, post up.

FWIW, some of us in the Charlotte area are planning on meeting up 9-ish to zip up to the store.  

Should mention: PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

As of now, we're planning on meeting at 9:00 am off exit 14 of I-85, just west of Charlotte (right above Gastonia).  

According to Google, as you get off exit 14, there's a BP gas station located juuust north of I-85 on 274 (can anyone confirm??).

From there, we can then ride up the fun way: 274/Old 18/Piedmont-Brown Mt Rd around Morganton, then up 181 to the store.

After the store, we could even shoot east on BRP/221(!!!!) to Blowing Rock, then re-trace to return to the Charlotte area.  Not the Gap and Cherohala, but some GOOD riding in some great scenery, with some really cool destinations..

Who's in??
 

[bpg]

done deal John , I was just sayin' how I hadn't seen ya for a while - should be a fun day...

Do you use Carolina Rider forums?  We have a thread going on in their re: details (not that we can't hash them out here as well).

http://www.carolinariders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1752

[bpg]

UPDATE:

Same meeting time (9:00, Saturday)

Same exit (exit 14 off I-85)

from exit 14, point yourself N (or W?) on 274 toward Bessemer City. As SOON as you're on 274, turn your left blinker on, we're meeting at Bojangles.  (there are a few gas stations on the left as well).

Hope to see y'all there!

[JohnBoy]

Cya there!!

[cultureslayer]

How can I have been to the area almost all of my life and never been there?

My grandparents had a cabin in Newland for many years and now I wanna go there and try Hickory Nut Gap on the motorcycle and camp in the spring (cabin was sold   ).

[bpg]

Don't know Hickory Nut Gap (or maybe I've already run it and didn't know it - very possible! )..  Ya'll gonna make the store tomorrow??

It's definitely a great riding area, eh?!?!

[cultureslayer]

Don't know Hickory Nut Gap (or maybe I've already run it and didn't know it - very possible! )..  Ya'll gonna make the store tomorrow??

It's definitely a great riding area, eh?!?!

I'm moving tomorrow.  No road trips for me.

Hickory nut gap is probably the curviest way to get from Newland to Banner Elk.  It's been years since I've been on it so I can't comment on the condition.

[falcofred]

I got over there today, coming out of Tennessee on 107 which turns into 226 taking it down to 226A then winding over to Lake James picking up 126 to 181. Had a nice ride up 181, no LEO, not much traffic. Stopped in at the store for a burger and coke. Unbelievable power buy on on lunch, loaded cheese burger and can of diet coke for $2.42. I got there after 2:00, saw a few bikes, couple of Guzzi's, a Multistrada and some really rashed out sport bikes ridden by guys with blue and green hair
Seem like real nice guys running the place, bike enthusiasts.
Looks like the new owners have got a good start, hopefully they will be able to last through the slow months of winter.
Hopefully this will be successfully without becoming another Deals Gap.

[bpg]

Our group of 9 made it there a bit after 1:00...  There were maybe 3 bikes there when we staggered in, and after about 10 minutes there were about 20, so a decent little crowd!

The store looked great, completely opposite of the plasticized/sanitized mega-gulp-n-goes we're so used to frequenting; I liked it!

Saw a State Trooper whilst headed down 181, then a sherrif when headed back up...  luckily we were "almost" behavig at both instances

Great time, great ride, great folks!!

[bpg]

I'm moving tomorrow.  No road trips for me.

Hickory Nut Gap Rd. is probably the curviest way to get from Newland to Banner Elk.  It's been years since I've been on it so I can't comment on the condition.

Ahh, I see it now, looks like a fun road!!  How's the pavement, any gravel, etc?  

thx for the tip, I'll have to check that out next time I'm up there.  

[Mr. Average]

Hickory Nut Gap is a good road and scenic, but very bumpy and broken up in places.  It is a high altitude road and parts of it do not get much sun in the winter so it takes a beating from the freeze thaw cycle every winter. It is hard to ride it in a "sporty" fashion because of this.  Just make sure your rebound setting is softened up before you ride it.  

[cultureslayer]

Hickory Nut Gap is a good road and scenic, but very bumpy and broken up in places.  It is a high altitude road and parts of it do not get much sun in the winter so it takes a beating from the freeze thaw cycle every winter. It is hard to ride it in a "sporty" fashion because of this.  Just make sure your rebound setting is softened up before you ride it.  

Thanks for the info!

Last time I was on it was in a car with my father driving and he drives so slow it's impossible to notice anything about the road other than WhyTF aren't we going faster?!  

[Mr. Average]

Thanks for the info!

Last time I was on it was in a car with my father driving and he drives so slow it's impossible to notice anything about the road other than WhyTF aren't we going faster?!  

I noticed you posted that your family formerly owned a home in Newland.  My wife and I have a house in Land Harbor which in a few months will be our full time location when we retire.  Did you grow up in the area?  I grew up in McDowell co. but lived in the Boone area for many years.

[cultureslayer]

I noticed you posted that your family formerly owned a home in Newland.  My wife and I have a house in Land Harbor which in a few months will be our full time location when we retire.  Did you grow up in the area?  I grew up in McDowell co. but lived in the Boone area for many years.

Nah, grew up in the Hilton Head area but the grandparents always owned a second home in the Newland/Linville area until recently.  Their last place was in Land Harbor.  Of course they sell it right as I am starting to put a lot of miles on the bike, not that it was much to begin with (a shack to pull a motorhome up next to, then the motorhome area was turned into a living room and bedroom).