Join your fellow RA club members and other like-minded motorcyclists for an exciting weekend getaway ($50 members / $60 non-members) at Big Lynn Lodge in scenic Little Switzerland, North Carolina, located off of NC 226A (The Diamondback) at 4,000 feet just a hundred feet off of the Blue Ridge Parkway!

This wonderful and historic 100-year-old motel has cabins, old-style motor court rooms, and private rooms connected to the main lodge. The motel has accommodations for up to 100 people at double occupancy—that means if you pair up with a riding bud, more motorcyclists can stay at the Lodge. You will not want to miss your chance to stay at Big Lynn Lodge, so reserve today! The room rate of $155/night will include a full dinner and full hot breakfast in the onsite restaurant. Overflow motels within a short ride of Big Lynn Lodge will also be made available to attendees.

We hope to see you all there for a weekend full of meeting old and new friends, camaraderie, and riding great roads! Click here for directions to the venue.

Lodging Details

Your registration DOES NOT include lodging. Call the Big Lynn Lodge at 828-765-4257 to reserve a room or cabin (biglynnlodge.com). Ask for Kelly or Hoyt and let them know you are with the BMW RA group. If you book only one night, a $50 deposit is required when the reservation is made. If you book two or more nights, a full one-night deposit is required when the reservation is made. When all rooms are booked at the Big Lynn Lodge, they will direct you to other partner motels, all within several miles of the Lodge.

UPDATE 5/7/23: Big Lynn Lodge is full, but rooms are still available just down the road… or, if you’re lucky, a last minute cancellation may have opened up a room onsite. Call Big Lynn Lodge at 828-765-4257, and their friendly staff will help you.

Note about Big Lynn Lodge cancellation policy (this is for the motel only, not the RA’s registration cancellation policy listed below): In the event that you need to cancel, please do so 7 or more days prior to your arrival date. There will be a $20 cancellation fee. If you cancel within 7 days of your arrival date, you will lose your deposit. Sorry, there are no refunds for early departure.

Tent camping is not allowed at Big Lynn Lodge. Click here for a list of nearby campgrounds.

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Your event registration includes access to event activities on the grounds of Big Lynn Lodge.

Raffle prize drawings will be a big hit on Saturday evening (must be present to win):

• One full day training ($900 value) at BMW US Riders Academy in Greer, SC
• Garmin Zumo XT GPS ($500 value) from Bob’s BMW
• Two BMW Motorrad Fit-for-All comm systems (each $398 value) from Eurosport Asheville
• BMW Connected Ride Cradle ($259 value) from Eurosport Asheville
• And more surprises!

Massage therapy will be onsite! Anne Marie LaFrance frequently sets up at motorcycle rallies and knows just how to ease riders’ muscles. Details will be available at the rally.

A party with live music by Bridget Gossett on Friday evening will be a unique treat—she’s fresh out of the recording studio! Look for her on Spotify, Apple Music, and Facebook. Sponsored by Station 80, a soon-to-come venue on The Devil’s Whip.

Alpine Tour Challenge Rides are a BLAST, and you can earn additional raffle tickets by tackling one of two loops. You may join a guided ride on Saturday (scroll down to Saturday’s schedule for details) or ride them on your own.

>> To receive your reward(s), you MUST check in at the registration table Saturday afternoon/evening. Times will be posted at the event.

• Snake Loop: A 241-mile, 8-hour ride that will include some of the best roads in the region and is for fast-paced, skilled, and experienced riders only. Remember to allow time for lunch and a break or two… with stops, you may be out-n-about for 9+ hours.
  • Download GPX file 1 | file 2
  • Download 15-pg PDF with turn-by-turn directions
  • Download JPG (map only)
  • View on Google Maps
• Erwin Loop: A 128-mile loop for a gourmet bite of Western NC roads for varied skill levels. Just under 5 hours of ride time.
  • Download GPX file
  • Download 9-pg PDF with turn-by-turn directions
  • Download JPG (map only)
  • View on Google Maps

*Access this PDF for instructions to import .gpx files to your GPS navigation device.

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>> Registration is $50.00 for BMW RA members and $60.00 for non-BMW RA members.

>> If you are not staying at Big Lynn Lodge, please join the group for breakfasts, $7.50 per meal, and dinners, $15 per meal.

>> The deadline to order event shirts has passed, but a few extras of various sizes will be available at the event for $25.00 each.

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REGISTRATION REFUND POLICY: Event registration fees are refundable if canceled 30 OR MORE DAYS prior to the start of the event. Cancellations less than 30 days prior to the event will receive a voucher for a future weekend getaway if the cancellation is due to one of these specific reasons:

1. Death or hospitalization of the registrant or a member of their immediate family.
2. Declared state of emergency within a fifty-mile radius of the event location.
3. Jury duty or summons to appear at court proceedings.
4. Military deployment.

When You Arrive Onsite…

Make sure all the red tape is taken care of so that the rest of your time is carefree!

• If you didn’t pre-register online, register onsite. Head to the registration table located inside the lobby of the Big Lynn Lodge and we’ll take care of you. $50 for active BMWRA members and $60 for non-members.
• Pick up your registration packet and pre-ordered shirts. Look for the BMW Riders Association banner and head through the main entrance! Have your confirmation email and downloaded ticket handy in case they are needed to verify purchase. Your packet will include your event access wristband, raffle ticket, and event info. Shirts not picked up by 6pm Saturday, May 13, will be forfeited.
• Grab your Big Lynn Lodge meal tickets. If you are NOT staying at Big Lynn Lodge but would like to eat breakfasts or dinners there while attending the rally, visit their desk to purchase meal tickets ($15 for dinners / $7.50 for breakfasts). Breakfasts and dinners are free if you’re staying at the Lodge.
  >> Breakfasts are a made-to-order menu that includes pancakes, eggs, choice of meat, grits, coffee, and more.
  >> Dinner menus vary but include an entree with sides, dessert, coffee, tea, and more.
• Sign up for a chair massage if desired. Slots go fast! Details will be provided in your registration packet.
• Wear your wristband at all times to ensure access to event activities.

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

The itinerary below is as final as it’s going to get on the website. We’re spit-shining a few details that will be announced at the event.

Thursday, May 11

Noon-5pm
Check-in and onsite registration at Big Lynn Lodge (if you arrive after 5pm, please check in Friday morning). Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the surrounding roads, meeting and relaxing with fellow attendees on grounds of the Big Lynn Lodge, or taking in the local culture!

6pm
Optional dinner at Big Lynn Lodge.

7:30pm until
Informal meet-n-greet at Big Lynn Lodge. Meet new friends and old on the deck or in the backyard (weather permitting; indoor and covered space is available if needed). Water and soft drinks available for purchase. Alcohol isn’t sold onsite, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Friday, May 12

7am
Optional breakfast at the Lodge. Leave at your own pace to take one of the two Alpine Tour Challenge Rides (self guided) or spend the day enjoying your own adventures!

8am-5pm
Check-in and onsite registration continues. If you arrive after 5pm and wish to attend the Friday evening party, visit the front desk at the Big Lynn Lodge and ask for Chris Parker or an RA volunteer to check you in; if you arrive after 5pm and do NOT wish to attend the party, please check in Saturday morning.

Lunch
On your own.

6pm
Optional dinner at Big Lynn Lodge.

7-9pm
PARTY! Live music by Bridget Gossett and sponsored by Station 80, a soon-to-come venue on The Devil’s Whip. Hang out on the deck or in the backyard (weather permitting; indoor and covered space is available if needed). There may be an announcement or two from rally chair Chris Parker. Water and soft drinks available for purchase. Alcohol isn’t sold onsite, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Saturday, May 13

7am
Optional breakfast at the Lodge. Leave at your own pace to take one of the Alpine Tour Challenge Rides (self guided) or spend the day enjoying your own adventures!

8am-noon
Check-in and onsite registration continues. No check-ins after 12 noon.

8-8:15am
SNAKE LOOP GUIDED RIDE: With a full tank of gas, begin gathering in front of Big Lynn Lodge around 8am to meet fellow riders. Make sure your comm system is working and can connect to SENA’s Open Mesh (or you can Bluetooth with another rider who has SENA’s Open Mesh) BEFORE leader Dan Steinberg’s meeting at 8:45am sharp. Kickstands up at 9am. The route will be the 241-mile Snake Loop, one of the Alpine Tour Challenge Rides. It is fast-paced for highly skilled, experienced riders only. Lunch location TBD. Maximum participants: 12.

10am
ERWIN LOOP GUIDED RIDE: Gather to join the guided version of the 128-mile Erwin Loop, one of the Alpine Tour Challenge Rides. Led by Hawk Hagebak at a comfortable pace, this is a fun ride during which you’ll take in a road that one waitress described as “too twisty to ride a motorcycle.” Then you’ll follow the Toe And Nolichucky Rivers through bucolic farmland before climbing over the mountains into Tennessee. You’ll pass through the hiking town of Erwin, TN, before crossing back over the mountains into North Carolina. You’ll stop for lunch while out carving the asphalt. All riders welcome—this is for fun, not for speed.

11am-2pm
You’re on your own for lunch, but here’s an option: Station 80 (2050 US 70W in Marion, NC), a soon-to-come venue on The Devil’s Whip, welcomes rally attendees for an open house. Check out the historic building (pre-construction/bathrooms open) and purchase lunch from the Smoke A ‘Lil Smoke food truck.

4-6pm (approx / exact times will be announced at the event)
Head to the registration table and pick up your extra raffle ticket(s) earned by tackling one or both Alpine Tour Challenge Rides.

6pm
Optional dinner at Big Lynn Lodge.

7:30pm
A short, informal presentation featuring emcee Hawk Hagebak, rally chair Chris Parker, and raffle prize giveaways!

8pm until
Hang with new friends and old on the deck or in the backyard (weather permitting; indoor and covered space is available if needed). Water and soft drinks available for purchase. Alcohol isn’t sold onsite, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Sunday, May 14

7am
We encourage you to grab your last Southern Alps Weekend breakfast at the Lodge! Check out of motel rooms and leave before 12 pm, the official end of the weekend getaway.