Cycles, Burgers, Dogs, and more

06/01/2026

Returned to the Happy Valley Filling Station, located just north of Lenoir NC, on Hwy 268. As usual the best best pizza in many many miles, great service, plus a very nice area for some curvy roads!

04/02/2026

Stopped in at Teens and Deens north of Taylorsville, NC (Hwy 16) for lunch yesterday. We were the first ones there! Got Hot Dogs. Sues all the way. Mine chili, onions, and mustard. Split and order of onion rings. 50/50 iced tea. Was just fine. Will be going back.

03/30/2026

Harley-Davidson cutting production.

I hate to see anyone lose their employment, however H-D has to do whatever needed to remain the top player in heavyweight motorcycle sales in the US.

The layoffs come after a difficult 2025 for Harley-Davidson, which reported a $29 million operating loss, with a 12% year-over-year global motorcycle sales drop, including North America, where sales were down 13%.

03/30/2026

CrossRoads Grill. Taylorsville, NC.

Locally owned, simple menu, food is very good, and very good service. We eat here often, and have never had any complaints. They are very busy around lunch, so plan accordingly.

4 star rating

03/30/2026

The Beacon Drive-In. Spartanburg, SC.

Several of us rode down a while back to check this place out. Turned out, the ride was the best part. This place reminded me of the lunch room line in school, and the taste of the food was no better than what you got in your school cafeteria. I was not impressed, and have no idea why the the hoopla of the place even exist. Maybe the folks in Spartanburg, SC have never had a nice, flavorful burger. I have no desire to ever return.

2 star rating. And that's being generous.

03/21/2026

Tried Red Bridges BBQ in Shelby, NC today. First of all, it was a nice, early spring ride. Only the 2nd time Sue has ridden her Heritage Softail this year (shes been lovin' on the Dyna Low Rider too much). I rode my Ultra Limited on this ride. Gave the Street Glide a rest!

The BBQ is very good. Classic Lexington style. As usual we ordered one plate and split it. Was more than enough for both of us.I'd rate this BBQ just slightly under what we used to get at the former Hickory Smokehouse BBQ here in Hickory. Make no mistake about it, Red Bridges was head and shoulder above most anything else I had. The only thing that neither one of us really cared for was the sweet tea. It was like drinking sugar! If we had know it was this sweet, we would have did a 50/50. Lesson learned. We will be going back? Yes! It was well worth the ride down to give this joint a try.

4 star rating

03/20/2026

Freeborne's Restaurant and Motel

One of our favorite joints when were up in Wilkes, Ashe, and the Allegheny county area of NC.

Always receive very good service, and very good food.

Rating 4+ stars

03/14/2026

Looking for a good semi-local curvy ride?

Try this.

Stop at Big Boys BBQ & Grill in Bluff City for a quick bite.

03/14/2026

Blue Ridge Harley-Davidson, Hickory NC

Ever since Jim and Kibby Albright sold Blue Ridge Harley-Davidson, I've never had much luck with the sales and service departments. The place has been sold time and time again. About the only thing I use BRHD for is parts. Kinda hard to screw that up. Just go to the back, get the part, hand me the part, then take my money so I can leave.

03/14/2026

Highlander BBQ - Roan Mtn, TN

Have been here once, and it was very good. Service was very good. Portions were generous. Decor was very country. Liked it! Haven't been on 19 E in Tennesse in a while, but that's fixin' to change. Will be stopping in..

4+ star rating