Johnson City has become known as a hub for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country. The Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau has mapped out 12 of the best rides in Johnson City and branded them "The Southern Dozen." Now, they're offering you a chance to start a riding adventure that could result in prizes, such as a two-night stay at a luxury hotel, a new Zox Thunder 4 Full Face Helmet with MP3 earphones, NASCAR tickets and a $200 gas card.
The "Ride the Southern Dozen" summer promotion leads motorcycle riders to "lean-into-it" curves, breathtaking views, historical sights, great food and more through scenic parts of Northeast Tennessee as well as Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina. Ride profiles, including maps and GPS coordinates can be found on the website at
southerndozen.com.
"Motorcycle riding has become big business for us here in Johnson City," said Brenda Whitson, Executive Director of the Johnson City CVB. "Besides having some of the best roads for motorcycling, we have a variety of restaurants and hotels, and a community of hospitable people who always seem to make guests feel welcome. These 12 rides all originate in Johnson City and bring the riders back to the starting point at the end."
Although the contest encourages riders from all over the country to enter, local motorcycle riders, or even those seeing the sites in a car, are eligible as well. To enter, riders must look for special markers along the designated routes, snap his or her picture in front of the sign and upload the photo to the "Ride The Southern Dozen" Facebook page at
facebook.com/southerndozen. Signs are located at favorite destinations such as the Shady Valley Country Store, Natural Tunnel State Park and the Bristol Motor Speedway. Riders can enter one time per route, for a total of 12 entries.
The deadline to enter is Aug. 11. The drawing will be held Aug. 12.
About Johnson City, Tennessee
If you like straight, easy roads...this is probably NOT your kind of place. Here in Northeast Tennessee, we don't have traffic jams. In fact, many of our roads don't have that much traffic at all. Instead, we've got scenic highways and wide-open byways—the kind of roads you can lean into.
The kind of roads that'll make you want to slow down and soak up the view—even if just for a second. And the very next moment, you're twisting the throttle and gliding through banked turns, roller-coaster dips, and cool mountain air.
So if you're looking to coast, or stay on cruise control, look elsewhere.
if you want to RIDE, come to Johnson City.