The Michigan Squadron of the  MSTA has enjoyed the Michigan Mountain Madness "MMM" event in North Carolina for ten years. These were great years thanks to Gregg Mitchell !    We are going to a  new venue for 2009--the Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge.

"Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Campground is a secluded 39-acre resort on Stecoah Creek in the smoky mountains of western North Carolina. It is surrounded by the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains, which provide some of the best motorcycle riding in the world. Iron Horse is within minutes of the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, the scenic Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Fontana Dam, and the Nantahala River Gorge. Gather around the fire at the Iron Horse Pavilion and enjoy a home cooked meal.  The Pavilion is glassed, screened and lighted. A large screen projection TV with VCR, DVD, and surround sound are provided. Internet access is available at the resort." *

Mark your calendar for 17-23 May 2009.  Arrive on Sunday the 17th, depart Saturday the 23rd.  Or stay part of the week, whatever works for you.  In this manner, we avoid the weekend traffic for motorcycling. 

The Ironhorse held the entire facility exclusively for MSTA member registrations until March 2009; at this time, however, any part of the facility for which members have not made a reservation is opened to non-MSTA members.   

Who is staying with and riding with whom?     If you have started to form a group that would like to secure a particular cabin and you are looking for others to join-in or you will have an empty trailer slot or you are looking for a trailer slot, please click on the Bill Webb link below and send me a note;  I will start a page that lists those details. 

Reservations are easy to make.  Look at the  listing of available cabins, private rooms, semiprivate rooms, etc.,  which can be found  here; non-MSTA members may also have reserved rooms that are not reflected on the list.       Then call the Ironhorse directly  at 828-479-3864 and advise you are with the MSTA group and make your reservation.  As soon as you have made a reservation, send an e-mail with the dates you reserved and which accommodation option you choose to me......  Bill Webb  , and I will update the website.  

UPDATE (9 March 2009)--If you have not received an e-mail with information on how to download route maps and optional GPS route files, click on the Bill Webb link above and request that information.  If you have not already ordered your free state maps, please do so now from the links at the bottom of this page.  The route maps and GPS files are available as a result of the hard work of Gregg Mitchell.  There are four files that have been uploaded to the server, route maps and direction maps in PDF format and Global Positioning System files in both GPX and GDB formats.  Ian Orr has made a GPS file available that is configured for use with Zumo models. This information will only be made available to those that have made a reservation at Ironhorse.

INTERNET ACCESS:  Wireless Internet will be available to those staying at Ironhorse with the following limitations:  The wireless does not work inside the cabins nor is it accessible at the full cabins.  You can receive wireless in the pavilion and back deck. There is also a computer in the pavilion that guests may utilize.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:  When you want to take a day off from riding, there is locally available water rafting, horseback riding and hiking.  On a rainy day, the Ironhorse pavilion has a large projection screen TV,  pool table and card tables.