Advertisement

Author: Rob Brooks

YouTube video

Return to Iron Horse

4 1/2 years. That’s how long it’s been since the last time I rolled in and set foot on the grounds of Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, North Carolina. Had it really been nearly that long? My memories of our last trip here in many respects feel like yesterday. Phil, Ted, my friend Lyle, and myself, all enjoying one of the most beautiful, colorful autumns in recent memory, up in the mountains of western North Carolina. We stayed in one of Iron Horse’s creekside cabins, waking to the gentle burbling stream every morning. Delightful meals, even more delightful people, nightly campfires, and exceptional hospitality by owner Jerry Goss and his staff. We even rode a trio of Yamaha Nikens, those mechanical silverback gorillas, across the famed Tail of the Dragon, along the Cherohala Skyway, and a stint on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Iron Horse owns and operates Wolf Creek Rentals, just down the street from the lodge. More on that shortly.
I remember it all as if it were yesterday. And yet it’s been almost five years. Too many years.

Read More

Rob’s Monthly Musings: Goodbye, FTR

Over the winter between the 2024 AFT racing season and the start of this one in March, American Flat Track dramatically changed the rules and specifications for motorcycles used in their AFT SuperTwins class. For nearly a decade, Indian Motorcycle dominated the premier class with their incredible FTR750. The revived “Indian Wrecking Crew” tore up the class for years, with Jared Mees and teammates breaking records, winning races and clinching championships year after year since 2017. Early on, many thought the renewed legendary rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle would make for incredible competition in the class. Turns out, Harley’s 750 machines couldn’t hold a candle to the FTR750 bikes, much less ever beat them on the track. By the 2024 season, the Harleys had all but disappeared from the class, with most teams utilizing the FTR750, Ysmaha’s MT-07, KTM 790 Duke, even a couple running the Royal Enfield 650, to name a few.
Now all that has changed. If you can’t beat them, eliminate them from the competition.

Read More

Why We Ride- How A Movie Became A Mission

Bryan Carroll is a man on a mission. He wants to see childhood brain cancer eliminated in our lifetime. And he’s determined to help make that dream happen. Bryan, the producer and director of the acclaimed 2013 motorcycling film, “Why We Ride”, along with his friend and colleague James Walker, love motorcycling, and love the motorcycle community. And like so many in our community, Bryan and James have big hearts for philanthropy, specifically for children’s causes.

Read More

Moto Misfortune

First published years ago by Rebecca Dudley of the News-Tribune, she shared the story of a biker who pushed his motorcycle from his front patio into his living room, where he began to clean the engine with some rags and a small bowl of gasoline. When he finished, he sat on the bike and decided to fire it up, to make sure everything was in running order.
Yes, in the living room.

Read More

Spotlight: 50 Years of CMA

My initial contact with CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) came in 1998, when I was invited by a friend to a local chapter meeting and dinner. The group convened monthly in a fire station cafeteria, and one of the first CMAers I met that night was a big bearded burly guy who approached me and introduced himself as “Rev”. As I extended my hand, he instead reached past and gave me a back-popping bear hug, declaring, “You are welcome here, brother!”
Within months, I was a patched-in member, and I’ve never left.

Read More
YouTube video

100 Miles on a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS

Triumph’s quintessential big Bonney is the epitome of classic Brit bike style, yet utilizing all the modern tech we’ve come to expect in our motorbikes- EFI, ABS, adjustable suspension, various ride modes, etc. The Street Twin 1200 rolls with upright ergos, solid shifting and braking, light and responsive handling, and that nostalgic Triumph vibe one can only experience on a Bonneville. I’m biased admittedly, owning a 2017 Bonney 900 myself, and having grown up around them with my Triumph-riding father back many moons ago. I love these motorcycles.

Read More

Triumph and BDR Debut a New South East Route

Now in its 15th year, most of the great and more well-known BDR routes are out west, from Texas and South Dakota westward, with the exception of Montana. But here in the Southeast, the home of Road Dirt, we’ve not had the opportunity to experience the BDR rides like our western brothers and sisters. That is about to change, with the development of the soon-to-be publicly announced South East Backcountry Discovery Route (SEBDR). Finally, some BDR close to home.

Read More

Our Social Pages

2.5kSubscribers
685Followers
465Followers
3.8kTotal fans

Get Rob’s Newest Book

Law Tigers

MotoAmerica 2025

Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge

Cycle Gear Products

J&P Cycles Products

RevZilla

Recent Videos

Loading...

Recent Comments

The Road Dirt Podcast

Picture of The Road Dirt Podcast Cover Art