BF, are you a rider?
I am and live in western NC south of Asheville.
Mike, I've never been a 'real' bike rider like you or those folks who will be in this event, all of my riding was mostly when I was a kid and then while my kids were growing up. We had all kinds of bikes, from regular old Wal-Mart cheapies to mountain bikes to the low end road and distance bikes.
I was however a life long rider of the motorcycle type of bikes, starting when I was about 9-10 years old and last riding one in my early sixties... haven't stopped, just haven't did a ride for a while now.
Ps: We are not that far apart, if you get down by W-S or Tobaccoville let me know and maybe we can get together for coffee.
PPs: My brother Russ lives close by to you as well... he's in Inman, SC.