Far left : Riders on Kudzu Curve on Back of the Dragon ( SR-16 ). Below : Motorcycles lined up in Tazewell for the Old Town Revival . Inset : The author at Back of the Dragon Brewery .
While many Southern towns have struggled with the disappearance of anchor industries , some have bounced back on a rising tide of renewal and resurgence . One such town is Tazewell ( pronounced TAZZ- well ), located in the heart of southwestern Virginia ’ s slice of the Appalachian Mountains .
Founded in 1799 , Tazewell was a thriving coal- mining town for nearly a century . When the coal industry declined , so did the town ’ s fortunes . But the downturn was short- lived . A shared love of twisty roads has been breathing new life into Tazewell , which has become a destination for motorcycle and car enthusiasts alike .
For those who love curves , the primary draw is Back of the Dragon , the 32- mile section of State Route 16 that claims 438 curves and 3,500 feet of elevation change as it winds south from Tazewell to Marion . I took a long solo ride from my home in Kentucky to ride the Back of the Dragon and to enjoy the third annual Old Town Revival , a weekend- long rally held in June .
After a loosely curvy ride via state highways on my Kawasaki Versys- X 300 , I pulled up to my home away from home , the Farmhouse Suite ( see sidebar ). This deluxe hotel suite is in the bottom level of the Haus of Taylor art gallery , which displays fine art and curated goods .
Famished after my long motorcycle ride , I took advantage of the suite ’ s central location and walked downtown . Several restaurants are
nearby , including Bee Noodle ’ d , with bright , bee- themed decor and a friendly staff .
The restaurant is known for their local ingredients , particularly honey , so I ordered one of their specialties , the Bee Mac : homemade white- cheddar mac ’ n cheese topped with crispy honey- teriyaki chicken . A perfect blend of sweet , creamy , and tangy , it was comfort food at its finest , washed down with a refreshing Bailee ’ s Famous Lemon Bee honey- infused lavender lemonade .
After eating , I continued strolling down Main Street through Tazewell ’ s charming downtown to the Back of the Dragon Brewery . Festivities for the Old Town Revival rally , a motorcycle and car enthusiast gathering , were already underway . Cruise- ins , stunt shows , live music , derby races , Harley- Davidson giveaways , dyno testing , tattoo
RIDERMAGAZINE . COM / APRIL 2025 / 21