Favorite Ride Locations (Biker Chat)

My head | Now | Me

[StarCMC]

Ok -- here was a comment by JoeSixPack1 made to me on this thread:

Riding is an extremely personal affair and each and every one of us that swings a leg over a saddle has one thing in mind while firing up the 2 wheeler... ::: To survive our passion.

But here on FR biker threads, the discussions devolve so quickly into biker bashing, intimidating safety advice, organ donor jokes, life support jokes, and every other aspect of biker lore that it's like being a conservative on a DU thread or a troll posting at FR.

When was the last time we had a thread talking about great places to ride? Or a thread on new safety features? Tire quality? Hand grip style? Comfortable riding clothes?
Answer = never.

We're too busy apologizing for scaring the big trucks or waking the baby sleeping in the back seat or explaining our insurance coverage or wowing at the latest 240mph crotch rocket or chuckling at the new bike prices.

So what say you all? Sound off -- what's your favorite place to ride?

I have 2. The first is (and yes, I know, cliche) the Dragon. We went 4 years ago -- it rained on us the whole time and it was in the middle of Bear Season in North Carolina (whoops!) but it was gorgeous!! I LOVE the Blue Ridge Mountains.

And my other favorite ride we have been on was in the Big Bend National Park area of Texas. We did this ride with a bunch of hubby's friends affectionately known as the "Hoons." It was a blast!! (Yes -- those ARE Draggin' Jeans)

[gigo]

Cool thread.. and not one "donor-cycle" idiot. yet.

I like to ride anywhere in the Blue Ridge, Smokies and virtually all of West Va. Hard for me to pick a favorite, but the Cherohala Skyway is near the top. Deals Gap is a little manic, but a lot of fun. All of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful and relaxing cruise. Also sections of 221 between Boone NC and Independance Va.

Anyone who likes Deals Gap style peg scrapers, should also check out Shady Valley Tn. Beautiful twisty roads and much lighter traffic. Shady Valley Country Store

Blue Ridge Parkway

Crabtree Falls area fire road

[StarCMC]

Niiice! I passed that on to hubby! :o)

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I love it. Sit back relax and enjoy the ride.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I was there in a car. I want to go on the Blue Ridge on the bike though.

It is a beautiful area.

[spunkets]

Yes, riding along the Mississippi is nice. I usually cut over to the MN side N of LaCrosse. The speed limit's higher. Then cut over if I'm going back into WI. The roads off of, N of and around Eau Clare has some great country to ride through.

[wallcrawlr]

that roads a fav of a car club I'm in.

if you ever see a black MR2 riding behind you...give a wave :)

[gigo]

I was there in a car. I want to go on the Blue Ridge on the bike though. It is a beautiful area.

Go back! Riding in a car does not do it justice. Nearly 500 miles of (mostly) gentle sweepers and views like this:

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Thanks. I have to get back to Va. sometime to see family I have not seen in years.

[SFC Chromey]

I have a Sergant saddle, and I had her on back for the 2002 WSB Laguna Seca races. She did NOT like it at all! She likes riding on back, just not folded up like a pretzel.

BTW, what a race that was! Colin on the red,white blue RC-51!

She's thinking more Gold Wing than R1, and all the creature comforts that go with it!

On the Duc all my rides are solo, but when I go, I usually hook up with guys that I am comfortable to ride with.

[StarCMC]

Some race indeed. Hubby's going back again this year -- are you gonna make it?

I really loved our FJR. I like the Duc as well, it's just different. The thing I noticed -- and this is in layman's terms -- is that the Duc feels less wallowy in the curves -- more surefooted.

We do have helmet headsets that hook into each other and we have our cell phone and mp3 player hooked in as well, so that's a pretty nice system. There are a lot of times when we DON'T talk, but it's handy for being able to say "Deer at 10:00." LOL!

[StarCMC]

That was on my list of 100 things to do before I die -- ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. Got that one checked off -- it was gorgeous.

[AGreatPer]

Don't worry sweet. Lessons are a MUST here. Thank you for the suggestion.

I will NOT be over confident.

Fortuniately I have a lot of good friends with bikes and they will not let me out alone until they approve. That's the way good bikers are.

[cyborg]

thank you for that wonderful post...I've actually saved it on paper in my ride journal :-)