The event is a pay-to-ride event organized by Steve Litz and John Strange, two off-roaders who have successfully organized the Great Smoky Mountains Dual Sport Tour in Tennessee during the annual Honda Hoot for four years.
Litz said a couple of hundred riders participate each year.
"We normally have people coming from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee we get people from everywhere coming," said Litz. "We have some from out of California even for our events. Our mailing list is almost a thousand names."
Litz is also one of the riders who came in for the photo shoot for Honda Red Rider Magazine in May. According to Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop, this is where the idea of a motorcycle event began.
"Then we got to looking at the idea a bit more seriously, noting the fact that this would bring another type of off-road enthusiast to our county, the dirt bike rider," said Grieshop.
"We approached various landowners and obtained proof of insurance for a special two-day ride and got the project AMA (American Motorcycle Association)-sanctioned," he said. "About 15 landowners were approached. Risk has always been the issue. Once they knew that the insurance risk was covered, they were willing to open the doors for their property for this special event."
This event, which is planned to be an annual event, is sponsored by Mountain Adventures Honda and several big names, including Michelin and Dunlop.
But unlike the Great Smoky Mountains Dual Sport Tour, which is a motorcycle-only event, the Black Mountain events will include rides for motorcycles as well as ATVs.
"Two separate events, same place," said Litz. "But both go generally the same way."
Beginning at Verda field on Oct. 22, the events will take riders to Cumberland and back on Saturday and to Stone Mountain and back on Sunday and will include lunch each day and a meal on Saturday night.
Some of the flyers mailed out made it to Harlan Countians, but those who are interested can still show up at Verda next Saturday. Litz said those wanting to go on the motorcycle ride should be there between 7 and 7:30 a.m., and those who want to go on the ATV ride should be there between 7:30 and 8 a.m.
The rides will cost $30 for one day or $50 for both days.
Litz said he hopes to build the event into something bigger next year.
"We're committed to do that," he said.
Grieshop said he would also like to see the event grow.
"More people are coming to see our beautiful mountains, they're telling their friends and family about Harlan County, and this activity is generating tourism dollars that's benefiting our local economy," he said.
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