If you are planning to take your motorcycle for a spin and get some exploring while you are at it, consider these famous motorcycle routes that Lonely Planet has listed. These routes are considered breath-taking, historical and challenging. Check them out and maybe you can include these spots in your “routes to conquer list”.
- Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1): 1700 miles from Astoria, Oregon to San Juan Capistrano, California. This is a very long stretch of road that follows the cliffs bordering the Pacific Ocean. The highway extends from Monterey and goes as far as LA. This route will offer you magnificent views that include coastal redwood forest, ocean cliffs and secluded coves battered by the dazzling Pacific as you go climbing and descending in every twist and turn. There are a lot of sharp edgy turns, in and out of the mountains and zigzags so drive carefully, especially at night time.
- Appalachian Mountains: The Appalachians span over a distance of 1,600 miles, ranging across 14 states, right from Newfoundland in the North, to Alabama in the South.
- River Road, (FM 170): FM-170 is a 120-mile scenic highway starting in Terlingua, near Big Bend National Park, and passing north along the Rio Grande through some of the remotest lands in the United States. It is arguably the most scenic highway in the state of Texas, rivaling those near the Guadalupe Mountains or even those in Big Bend National Park.
- Going to the Sun Road: This engineering marvel spans 50 miles through the Glacier National Park’s wild interior, winding around mountainsides and treating visitors to some of the best sights in northwest Montana.
- Beartooth Highway, (US 212): 68 Miles in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. In the surrounding mountains, glaciers are found on the north flank of nearly every mountain peak over 11,500 feet. The road itself is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.
- Highway 12: 124 miles between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. Nestled between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Scenic Byway 12 is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Many segments of Scenic Byway 12 have sharp curves and narrow to no paved shoulders, drive carefully and share the road.
- Coastal Highway 1: 170 miles from Kittery to Bucksport, Maine. U.S. Route 1 has always been the premier tourist destination in the State of Maine providing scenic views of the rugged Maine coast, lighthouses, antique shops, Maine lobster and the rolling farmlands of Aroostook County.
- Overseas Highway (Hwy 1), Florida, 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West. The Overseas Highway is the portion of US 1 that goes through the Florida Keys. It is about 127 miles long. Probably the most popular part of the highway is the part that is called the Seven Mile Bridge which is one of the longest bridges in the world.
- Route 66: 2200 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. This legendary old road passes through the heart of the United States on a diagonal trip that takes in some of the country’s most archetypal roadside scenes. Route 66 passes through a marvellous cross-section of American scenes, from the golden sands and sunshine of Los Angeles, past the Grand Canyon and the Native American communities of the desert southwest, to the gritty streets of St. Louis and Chicago.
- The Great River Road (Hwy 61): 2,552 miles from Itasca State Park, Minnesota to Jackson, Louisiana. Route 61 is now called the “Great River Road,” as it follows the mighty Mississippi River. It has the picturesque view that is coupled with the speedy efficiency of a four-lane highway.
Before going for a long road trip on your motorcycle, please check that your ride is in good condition and you have provisions for night time ride. Study the terrain and obey all traffic rules.
Christensen & Hymas wishes you a safe and enjoyable road trip.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia