RIDE APPALACHIA

As we prepare for our biggest motorcycle season yet here at Backroads of Appalachia and the Whitley County Motorcycle Group, we wanted to let everyone know a few important facts about who we are and why we do what we do here. Backroads of Appalachia is a 501-C3 Non-Profit Organization that strives to deliver economic development to the small forgotten coal towns in Central Appalachia through Motorsports Tourism and other development projects. The Coal Industry left our region almost 20 years ago, taking our livelihood and local economies. It brought poverty to towns that once flourished as they supplied the United States with our greatest commodity, Black Gold. Us mountain folk then began to realize that while the coal companies might have taken the minerals from our region, the roads they paved to get to the minerals exposed the true diamond in the rough. The roads in the hills and hollers these coal trucks once hauled coal on expose some of the best rides and sites in all of Appalachia. There simply is nowhere that compares to the backroads of Appalachia- and that’s why we call ourselves the last great outdoors. Explore the backroads we call home on our new “Backroads of Appalachia” mobile app that is available on most devices. No matter what bike you ride- we have a trail for you here in Appalachia that is sure to take your breath away. While in our mountains, be sure to explore one of the more than 1,300 “Uniquely Appalachian” points of interest highlighted in our mobile app, including the mom & pop general stores that have served as the backbone of these mountain towns for decades, the hidden waterfalls and gems that us locals treasure, and some of the best country cookin’ of your life! Just picture yourself riding down the Dragon Slayer, the trail that started it all; imagine the epic scenery as you ride along the more than 200 twists and curves through the oldest mountains in the world and the highest peak in Kentucky. We understand you have countless options as a rider- and while many other destinations are fascinating, nowhere out adventures Appalachia. So now you must be wondering- Who is the Whitley County Motorcycle Group? In collaboration with Backroads of Appalachia, the Whitley County Motorcycle Group is a group of riders just like yourself. We love our Appalachian region- and we would love to welcome you to the place we call home! So if you are on Facebook, like the Backroads of Appalachia Facebook page and join the Whitley

County Motorcycle Group to stay up to date on the rides and events we have planned this year and everything motorcycle that is happening in Appalachia. We ride over 8 thousand miles each year in the WCMG all for charity and great causes while also helping our region and promoting our amazing trail system and mobile application. Our WCMG Road Crew is made up of local riders here in our region who grew up riding these roads and each year these riders volunteer their time to train on our routes to prepare for our season and upcoming events. Although we are just public riders on public roads we do our best to ensure that everyone who comes to ride our mountains has the best experience possible with safety in mind. Everyone is welcome to ride with us in the WCMG regardless of what you ride, where you come from, or what other groups you may belong to. We even have one of the fastest growing Lady Rider Groups in the Southeast The mountains are calling- will you answer?

Let’s Ride Appalachia!

-The Backroads of Appalachia Journalism Staff