Ride Info

“Python Squeeze” – Motorcycle Map

The “Python Squeeze” is an alternate or continuance ride from the PineolaPython18.com. The ride starts in the parking lot of the main sponsor; The Mountian Boomer BBQ Restaurant in Pineola at milepost 312 at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head down the curvy and challenging turns on highway 181 headed to Morganton like the orginal ride.

The ride takes you down 181 and through downtown Morganton past the courthouse. You will see a great place to stop and get a beer Hillman Brewing Company which caters to bikers and car enthusiasts. They have many selections of beer on tap, food truck, and picnic tables outside to enjoy the great weather. The ride then turns around and heads back up route 181. If you are hungry and want a great lunch or dinner and its my favorite stop in and try Greenway Pizza for authentic Italian pizza and entrees. Take a LEFT turn onto Bypass 64 and on the right side is the Town Tavern of Morganton for salads, sandwiches, beer and burgers. The Town Tavern sits right next to the Catawba River serving local snd tourists alike with 16 taps of different beer.

Get back on the bike and take a RIGHT turn onto US 70 (Carbon City Road). There are many repair shop salon gthis part if needed and a few stop s for food. Continue on 70 until you hit donwtown Marion NC where you take a RIGHT turn onto Business 221. Then another RIGHT on US221 towards the mountian town of Linville Falls. Dont forget to stop at the North Cove Leisure Club for a cocktail or the Linville Fall Winery for a break and a tasting.

Take a left on 3 mile highway towards Ingalls, NC. Then a RIGHT turn onto 19E and follow the Toe River going through many quaint mountain towns such as Spear, Plumtree, Mineapolis, Roaring Creek, and Cranberry. You will reach the Elk Park Highway take a LEFT then take a quick RIGHT on to 194 towards Banner Elk. On this turn is the Elk River Depot Restaurant. This road is windy two lane road along the Elk River into Banner Elk until you reach the light. There are many places to stop eat, and walk around in Banner Elk. At the stop light take a RIGHT on 184 Tynecastle Highway. As you ascend up the hill you pass through Sugar Mountain and reaching the top light and the Tynecastle intersection of Highway 105. Take a RIGHT and ride to Liniville. Passing through the high country you now see the famous Grandfather Mountain on the right side of the road strecting in to the sky above you.

Take a LEFT at the light and grab the Bst Brger in he High Country at Smokeys Fillin Station and quick gas fill up at the Citgo next door, Take a Left onto US 221 and in a few miles anopther left onto 181 and your back at The Mountain Boomer.

Turn By Turn Directions

Drive 117 mi, 2 hours, 54 minutes

Ride Start Address:
63 Logan’s Ln, Newland, NC 28657 – 30.0 mi, 47 minutes

• Head southeast on NC-181 S toward Logan’s LnPass by
• Bojangles (on the left in 26.5 mi) -28.0 mi
  
• Continue onto N Sterling St – 0.446 mi
  
• Slight left toward S Green St – 338 ft
  
• Turn left at the 1st cross street onto S Green St – 0.426 mi
  
• Continue onto US-64 E/US-64 BUS – 456 ft
  
• Continue straight onto NC-181 N/N Green St – 0.908 mi
  
• Turn right onto US-64 BYP W – 26 ft
  
• 401 Sanford Dr, Morganton, NC 28655 – 45.4 mi, 1 hour, 3 minutes
  
• Head south on US-64 BYP E/Sanford Dr toward NC-181 S – 1.17 mi
  
• Turn right onto US-70 W/W Union StContinue to follow US-70 W – 19.1 mi
  
• Turn right onto US-221 BUS N/US-70 W/N Main St – 2.09 mi
  
• Continue straight onto US-221 BUS N – 0.541 mi
  
• Turn right onto US-221 N – 22.4 mi
  
• 3050 US-221, Newland, NC 28657 – 20.6 mi, 31 minutes
  
• Head southeast on US-221 S – 810 ft
  
• Turn right onto NC-194 S – 4.17 mi
  
• Turn right onto US-19E N – 16.3 mi
  
• Turn right onto NC-194 S – 13 ft
  
• 5320 Elk Park Hwy, Elk Park, NC 28622 – 11.5 mi, 20 minutes
  
• Head northwest on NC-194 N toward US-19E S – 0.367 mi
  
• Turn right to stay on NC-194 N – 6.55 mi
  
• Slight right onto NC-184 S/NC-194 N/Main St W – 0.349 mi
  
• Turn right onto Shawneehaw Ave S – 2.86 mi
  Continue onto NC-184 S – 1.38 mi
  
• 4530 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk, NC 28604 – 9.10 mi, 12 minutes
  
• Head southeast on NC-184 S toward NC-105 S – 36 ft
  
• Turn right onto NC-105 S – 4.00 mi
  
• Continue onto NC-1545 – 1.64 mi
  
• Turn left onto US-221 S – 1.82 mi
  
• Turn left onto NC-181 S- 1.63 mi
  

Ride End Address:
63 Logan’s Ln, Newland, NC 28657