Classic Roads

A collection of 67 posts

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Curves for the Next 99 Miles—Lolo Pass & US 12

“Winding Road Next 99 Miles,” declares the famous sign just outside Kooskia, ID. Those five words tell you exactly what you can expect from Lolo Pass. Located in the Bitterroot Range at an elevation of 5,233 feet, Lolo Pass connects Idaho and Montana. US 12 traverses this high mountain

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The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway

Appearing in opaque shades of blue, bluish green, green, and yellowish green, turquoise is a mineral that has been a treasured gemstone for thousands of years. The stone’s value derives from its use in jewelry and other decorative applications. It is usually found in dry climates, which is why

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El Camino del Diablo—A Baptism of Fire

El Camino del Diablo, or the Devil’s Highway, has earned its ominous name. This Native American and pioneer trail snakes through the formidable Sonoran and Yuma Deserts in Arizona, uniting Ajo to Yuma amidst the Tinajas Altas Mountains. During our ride through the devilish road, our friends Beth and

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The Mother of All Roads: Historic Route 66

Some roads are famous. Others are legendary. And then there’s Route 66. Really, I see little point in writing this piece—you probably already love Route 66. It would be hard to overstate just how important the Mother Road is to American motorists, whether they hit the pavement on

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop

The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop stretches for 13 miles through its eponymous canyon, just west of Las Vegas. The one-way road curves its way through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which encompasses nearly 200,000 acres within the Mojave Desert. Look At Those Rocks! What sets Red

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Florida’s Green Mountain Scenic Byway

The Green Mountain Scenic Byway is a 36-mile series of roads in central Florida that showcases the state’s history, culture, and natural beauty. Close enough to Orlando for easy access, yet far enough away to escape the theme park hustle and bustle, the roads and landscapes can make you

Classic Roads

A Bucket List Road—The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway plows through the longest linear park in the U.S., stretching over 469 miles from near Waynesboro, VA, to US 441 in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those hundreds of miles include some of the most stunning views you can find in all of

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Gold and Antiques: California SR 49

Locals and historians call California SR 49 the Golden Chain Highway. It runs north to south and is in the middle of the state on the western side of the Sierra. Touring it is another excuse to see the area around Yosemite National Park. Technically, SR 49 starts in the

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Ride The Beautiful Texas Bluebonnet Trail

Pardon my waxing poetic for a moment, but the Texas bluebonnet season is like life—it’s a beautiful affair that’s over far too quickly. That’s precisely why you should grab your handlebars and motor to the Bluebonnet Trail to enjoy both life and the flowers while they

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Explore the Northern Rainforests—Olympic Peninsula Loop

The Olympic Peninsula in Washington State marks the most northwestern reaches of the contiguous U.S. It sports some of the most majestic sights in the country, from the rocky seaside to tranquil mountaintops and the depths of the rainforests. It comes as a surprise to some, but many of

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Discover North Carolina on US 70

Opened to traffic in 1926, US 70 quickly earned the nickname Broadway of America for its significant role as one of the main highways connecting the U.S. East Coast to the West. Although its western terminus has moved several times, its eastern end in North Carolina has stayed mostly

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The Great River Road

Ah, the mighty Mississippi—the great river of the United States. With the Mississippi’s legendary significance to our nation, it only makes sense that the road that follows its meanders bears a name worthy of its traveling companion. The Great River Road is certainly an appropriate moniker. For 2,

Jan/Feb '24 Premium Content

Stone Bridges of Washington County, Maryland

Washington County is located in Maryland’s portion of the Great Appalachian Valley, which stretches from New York to Tennessee. Because limestone was a readily available building material in the county and it didn’t deteriorate as rapidly or require as much maintenance as wooden covered bridges, stone was the

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The High Road to Taos, New Mexico

New Mexico has a colorful history, stretching thousands of years and covering Native American, Spanish, and modern U.S. settlement. The High Road to Taos takes you on a trip through the state’s past—and onto a stunning motorcycling road. While it is well-known, the High Road rarely makes

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The Scenic Road to Halawa Valley—Kamehameha V Hwy, Hawaii

Halawa Valley on the island of Molokai isn’t one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks, but that doesn’t make it any less stunning. It’s a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path location that supported the traditional Hawaiian way of life well into the ‘50s. To get to Halawa Valley, you have

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Classic Roads: Lakes to Locks Passage Scenic Byway

The Lakes to Locks Passage is a byway in upstate New York that follows an interconnected waterway of canals and lakes extending from near Albany, NY, to the border with Quebec, Canada. This linked series of state and federal roads runs through Adirondack hamlets, charming small cities, bucolic rural landscapes,

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Classic Roads: Colorado’s San Juan Skyway—The Million Dollar Highway

Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in the Centennial State. They are also home to a collection of exceptionally scenic and challenging motorcycle roads. Starting in Durango, riders motor north on U.S. 550. This stretch of road between Durango and

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Classic Roads: Valley of the Gods

Covering some 130,000 contiguous square miles of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Colorado Plateau region is home to some of the West’s most dramatic rock formations and high desert landscapes. Uplifted millions of years ago by geologic forces, this eroded high plateau includes numerous national parks,

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Classic Roads: Demon’s Backbone (Ohio SR 536)

When thinking of challenging, twisty motorcycling roads, Ohio may not be the first place to pop into your mind. But that’s probably because you haven’t heard of SR 536. This stretch of asphalt has many names, including the Ohio Dragon and Ohio’s Tail of the Dragon. But

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Exploring the Mysteries of the Most Haunted Road in the USA—New Jersey's Clinton Road

As twilight falls and the shadows lengthen, there's a road in the heartland of the U.S. that takes on an eerie, otherworldly aura. Known as one of the most haunted roads in the country, Clinton Road winds its way through the densely wooded landscape of New Jersey. This stretch

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The King's Highway—America's Oldest Road

Taking the King’s Highway to get to his Presidential inauguration in New York in 1789, George Washington had to cross a very unique bridge. Another notable American known to have crossed it was John Adams. When a Japanese film crew came to America in 1996 to film an iconic

Sep/Oct '23

Southern Utah’s Backroads

Covering some 130,000 contiguous square miles of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Colorado Plateau region is home to some of the West’s most dramatic rock formations and high desert landscapes. Uplifted millions of years ago by geologic forces, this eroded high plateau includes numerous national parks,

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Classic Roads: California's Highway 74

Most visitors to Palm Springs are there for the climate and the golf. But the roads around the desert hideaway are some of America’s most remarkable. If you’re in the area without one, rent or borrow a motorcycle to enjoy the sweet curves, high desert landscape, and mountain

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Classic Roads: Independence Pass

If you’d like to get high, you can’t do much better than Independence Pass. This stretch of road (technically SR 82) between Twin Lakes and Aspen, CO, is among the highest paved mountain passes in the U.S. at 12,095 feet. Yes, you read that correctly. The

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Classic Roads: Route 375—The Extraterrestrial Highway

Nevada is a barren landscape—pretty, in its desert character, but barren. However, it is that barrenness that provides a relief from the congestion of the city. There’s plenty of quiet, wide open space to be found here. As a motorcycle destination, Nevada is more about the scenery, with