Classic Roads

Iconic stretches of highway.

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Slay the Dragon on US 129

Few roads in the world are as famous—or infamous—as US 129, better known to motorcyclists as the Tail of the Dragon. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this 11-mile stretch through the mountains packs a jaw-dropping 318 curves into its short distance.  Riders flock from all

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Riding The Pig Trail in Arkansas

Some of the most scenic and twisty motorcycle riding in the U.S. is in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. Geologists estimate that the Ozarks were formed some 1.65 billion years ago, making them America’s oldest. Over time, weather has eroded their overall height and created steep-sided

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Whip It Good—Ride the Devil’s Whip in North Carolina

If a problem comes along, you must whip it. That sucks for the devil, though, because he forgot his whip in North Carolina. The Devil’s Whip, officially designated SR 80, is a 26-mile stretch of twisty two-lane asphalt slithering its way through the Pisgah National Forest in a more

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Explore Napa Valley Wine Country Along Silverado Trail

California’s Napa Valley is famous both domestically and internationally for its excellent wines. Silverado Trail is the premier thoroughfare taking you through the gorgeous California wine country. This road stretches for roughly 30 miles between the cities of Calistoga and Napa. Its northern terminus is at the intersection with

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Needles Highway—The Governor’s Road

The Needles Highway covers the northern portion of SR 87 in southwestern South Dakota. This road is famous for offering some of the best riding and scenery in the state’s Black Hills region. Officially, the Needles Highway carves through the mountains for 14 miles. Its length, however, depends on

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US 70 in New Mexico: An Out-of-this-world Journey

US 70 is a highway that once stretched coast-to-coast through the southern half of the country. Having been rerouted several times, it currently travels from North Carolina to Arizona. Along this historical and scenic road, the 68-mile section in New Mexico between the cities of Las Cruces and Alamogordo stands

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Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway

The area surrounding Brainerd, MN, is popularly known as Vacationland, and for good reason. If you want to enjoy a classic up-north getaway—renting a rowboat and catching a few walleyes to grill over an open fire while you watch the sun set over a sparkling blue lake—Vacationland is

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Chasing Curves on Moonshiner 28 in North Carolina

North Carolina SR 28—often called Moonshiner 28—is one of the Southeast’s most legendary motorcycle roads. Stretching roughly 112 miles from Deals Gap to Walhalla, SC, this twisting ribbon of pavement cuts through the heart of the Smoky Mountains and offers motorcyclists a thrilling ride. The northern end

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US 6 in Massachusetts—Your Highway to Cape Cod

Some riders might find themselves scratching their heads if asked to identify which road US 6 in Massachusetts is. That said, they’re certainly familiar with its other name—the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. This road, stretching 3,205 miles across the country, is the longest continuous highway

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Classic Roads: Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

Want a feel for what it’s like to ride to the Arctic Circle, but you’re not ready (or willing) to commit to a 5000-mile, out-and-back journey across the vast Yukon Territory? Head to northern Minnesota and explore the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway instead. Covering over three million

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Classic Roads: Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway

Minnesota is famously known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes—it says so right on the state’s license plates. If you want to ride to some of the best and most scenic of Minnesota’s many fishing lakes, aim your headlight toward the Edge of the Wilderness National

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The Most Beautiful Road in the State—Indiana SR 135

Indiana tends to get dismissed as flyover country—but that’s not fair to the Hoosier State. Motorcyclists in particular can find many entertaining routes at the Crossroads of America. One of the foremost among them is Indiana SR 135. But what is Indiana SR 135? The answer depends on

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Natchez Trace Parkway—The Road of 10,000 Years

It’s a thrill to ride down a historical road. Knowing that you’re traversing the same trail that those who shaped our history did is a special feeling. If you’re looking for this kind of thrill, you can’t do better than getting on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

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Ride one of America’s Most Scenic Roads—Ohio SR 78

There’s no shortage of beautiful motorcycling roads in the U.S. Yet, even in this gorgeous crowd, some are more scenic than others. Ohio SR 78 is one such road. This 105-mile-long strip of two-lane asphalt spans the distance between Nelsonville, OH, in the west and Clarington on the

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Pennsylvania SR 144: A Beguiling Backcountry Byway

My first assignment for RoadRUNNER was a 2003 roundtrip in Pennsylvania with the magazine’s founder, Christian Neuhauser. SR 144 was part of that journey and I’ve been drawn back to ride it again several times. It’s a ride that has never disappointed. The tarmac twists and turns,

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Simply a Nice Ride—Indiana SR 450

Motorcyclists flock to certain roads because there’s a new famous sight and attractions behind every bend. Others, meanwhile, are more understated—they’re simply a good ride. Indiana SR 450 is one of these roads. This calm strip of two-lane begins just north of Shoals, IN, roughly 80 miles

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The Road of Legend—Going-to-the-Sun Road

Motorcyclists who like mountains shouldn’t miss out on tackling the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Its remote location, challenging switchbacks, and majestic views are the essence of mountain road riding. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only paved road traversing Glacier National Park in Montana. Over its approximately 50-mile length, it crosses the Continental

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Discover the Waterfalls of US 64 in North Carolina

North Carolina has no shortage of great, scenic mountain roads for motorcyclists to explore. But even in this distinguished crowd, one section of US 64 stands out. This federal highway is a long one, running over 2,200 miles from Nags Head on North Carolina’s eastern coast to Teec

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Nevada’s Red Desert Jewel—Northshore Road

Not all beautiful motorcycling environments in America bristle with abundant plant life and teem with animals. The barren, rugged majesty of the desert makes for a charming ride as well. Northshore Road in southern Nevada is a unique one, even among the many great U.S. desert rides. Despite its

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Perfect Mountain Curves—Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway

The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (OHSB) is a tailor-made road for any motorcyclist on the prowl for curves and gorgeous forested mountain scenery. It’s not a very long road, but we’re talking about a serious “quality over quantity” situation here. This beautiful stretch of asphalt consists of an

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George Washington Heritage Trail

The three counties of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle (Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan) were where young George Washington spent much of his time as a surveyor. Later, he returned here to enjoy the region’s scenic splendor and soak in the hot springs. Many of America’s seminal historical events

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The Spine of Missouri—SR 19 in Mark Twain National Forest

You’ve ridden on the backs of dragons and demons but how about an entire state? That’s what you can do on SR 19, also called the Spine of Missouri. Well, I know at least one rider who has called it that. It’s a good and appropriate name,

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Explore the Jemez Mountain on Jemez Scenic Byway

This classic route combines New Mexico’s stunning western scenery with curvy mountain roads and fascinating historical sites. SR 4 is my favorite portion of the longer Jemez Scenic Byway.  This route is a surefire recipe for exciting both the senses and sensibilities. Although the designated route is just 90

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Explore The Pennsylvania Wilds Along SR 120

SR 120 in north-central Pennsylvania meanders for some 116 miles along the West Branch Susquehanna River and other streams through narrow mountain valleys. These waterways are a 300-million-years-old collection of rivers and creeks. The West Branch is the main tributary of the mighty Susquehanna River, which flows south from New

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Discover the Fun and Characterful Tail of the Gecko

Motorcyclists love a good reptilian tail. Just look at all the riders flocking to experience the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee. But you don’t need a mythical beast to have a good time on a motorcycle. Sometimes, a more unassuming reptile will do just fine. Like a gecko.