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Oh -- and this thread isn't for helmet bashing or mean stuff. Can we just have a nice discussion?? PLEASE??
Calling all bikers!! Can you ping your lists?
OH!! I forgot -- both of the above rides were on our FJR -- we have traded that in and now have a Ducati ST4S for 2 up and hubby just got the new LE R-1 -- which is a story unto itself -- for his alone rides and track days!!
Well, I almost purchased my favorite Harledy model, but almost every other day, some poor soul dies from a bike crush - ususally a baby boomer that does not know how the ride a bike. I'll bet it's safer to ride in groups, slower and safer - even for me.
Hwy 20 across WA state provides gorgeous vistas. Once you reach the coast you may as well take a ferry out to the San Juan Islands...Orcas is among my favorites.
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When I turn fifty, I am going to ride a bike through Red Rock country, maybe all over the Southwest even. That's living life to me.
Highway 7 from Harrison to Hot Springs, AK is a nice ride, also recommend the "Land between the lakes" ride in KY.
...but it's a fantastic area for motorcycle riding, especially if you prefer to ride alone or in small groups like I do.
There's a wide range of topographies within just a few miles of each other. You can go from twisting coastal highway to mountain roads to twisties to flat plain straightaways within a few minutes of each other. And you can easily ride 9-10 months out of the year.
This site lists some of the better Bay Area riding locations. My personal faves are Alice's, Highway 9, Highway 84, Skyline (35), and Mount Hamilton.
Page Mill Road is extremely twisty & not much fun for cruisers. < |:)~
State Road 11, Karstad to Island View, 169 miles, Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway. (MN)
http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/11175/
My favorite so far as been farming countryside in and around the Pennsylvania/Ohio region. Some of the winding roads are only a lane and a half wide, and that only adds to the charm and sense of relaxation.
My hardware has always been a sportbike and I've found that even as I age I still prefer the aggressive seating position that spreads the weight fairly equally across the arms, legs, butt, and back. This mandates everyone riding their own horse and packing lightly if staying in a Bed & Breakfast one of the evenings.
~ Blue Jays ~
I love the ride that is just outside my door. Santiago canyon OC Cal not the most beautiful but fun and populated with friends. There is a little watering hole called Cook's Corner where we meet with friends and admire the bikes.
Keep the painted side up
Stumpy
Try the Black Hills of South Dakota. There's a reason why we have the "Big Rally" here every year in August. Lots of hills, lots of curves, beautiful scenery, great weather,and real friendly (conservative) people.
This photo of my '78 ash covered R100/7 was taken in Missoula MT. I was headed from WI to see Mt. St. Helens, but it blew while I was in MT. I aborted the mission and veered North where I first ran across the HWY 20 ride. I returned via the trans/canuckistan to Winnipeg. One can make good time across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. the throttle was locked on 120 for hours at a time.
I love the Blue Ridge Parkway here in VA all the way down into NC. Some fun riding, and some beautiful views.
Sweet FJR.
Alone, there are some twisties I like to run west of the city. With my wife on the back, I take the scenic route a little slower. I want to get some of those intercom headsets. They would be neat. I don't like to ride in a group. Most group rides seem to be heavy on the showoffs.
First, is Hwy 191 that runs along the Arizona/New Mexico border from Clifton to Alpine, Az. Head onorth on the highway through the town of Morenci and snake your way around the biggest friggin hole you ever seen (The Phelps Dodge copper mine there is 3 miles across and goes down to sea level)! From there, the road gets interesting. Even on an atlas the road is one bid squggly line, so that should give you an idea how twisty it is. For the next 75 miles, you will spend very little time with the bike straight up. You will be spending the majority of the time leaning hard in first or second gear. This has been voted one of the ten best bike roads in America.You go from 3000ft. at Clifton to a high point of just over 9000ft at Hannigan's Meadow. (Note: The 'Meadow' is surrounded my aspen trees. Go in Ocotber.) Then head another 20 miles north and kick back at the Bear Wallow Cafe.
And if that's not enough, just take Hwy 180 out of town where it heads over into N.M. -- not near as winding, but still fun where you pick up state Hwy 78 that snakes back over into Az. and in to Clifton wehre you can start all over!
Oh yeah, almost forgot. This road never has any traffic on it! Even on holiday weekends!
Second would be southern Utah. Especially Highway 12 which cuts along the northern edge of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park and heads up into the mountains. Here you won't want to pull off the road because in mny places, there is a steep dropoff on both sides! From there you will go through Capitol Reef Nat'l Park and be darn close to Arches Nt'l Park. When you get on Highway 96, take a little side trip over to the Bullfrog Marina and take the ferry across Lake Powell. Then you'll come back into Arizona at one place that's always worthy of mention:
Monument Valley.
It's called the Snake and is south of it's big brother, The Dragon, on the Ga side of the mountains. The T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only) Resort In Suches, Ga. is a pleasent and inexpensive stay and right in the thick of the ride.
Last time I was there was a bike shop in Dahlonga, Ga called Toosey's Weigh Station. Good burgers and the repair shop was not above lending me a few hand tools for a quick repair.
Then we come to my old pal, riding partner, Pouch. He built a bike resort in Blairsville, just outside the Snake, but if he didn't comp me a room I couldn't afford it. Now for a bike trip, they realy do rock! He even had Born to Ride TV come out and make a video. :-)
trails end cabin rentals video
Check these out: Luxury Biker Cabins
But switching gears, I do ever so much miss the Catskill & Pocono mountains in the summer up in NY State.
Thank you for the great thread StarCMC. :-)
Second and closer favorite: the bottoms along the Missouri and Yellowstone near the confluence, especially in spring and early fall.
No headsets, thanks, the motor is music to me.
I do not mind riding in a group, but prefer to be well at the back.
My hardtail ('82 Shovel in an old Drag Specialties frame) does not allow for being boxed in, and I have to avoid those little inconsistencies in the highway to avoid compression fractures. Tight formation flying doesn't give a guy much room to dodge the odd chuckhole.
My favorite ride? My commute, the first and last 17 miles of each day are rural mountain roads. I see you are part of the fellowship of the Roadcrafter.