Classic Roads

A collection of 75 posts

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The Waterfront Jewel of America—Great Lakes Seaway Trail

A beautiful waterscape is one of the best backdrops for a laidback motorcycling outing. The Great Lakes Seaway Trail serves both good times and water views in spades. This National Scenic Byway (also known by its previous official name, Seaway Trail) is a series of designated roads in Pennsylvania and

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Ride into the Green at Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees

Michigan is famous for its trees, sporting lusciously full canopies of leaves. Taking your motorcycle to the Tunnel of Trees lets you ride right into the midst of the greenery. The Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route—also known as SR 119 or locally as M-119—is a narrow paved

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Wichita Mountains National Scenic Byway

The uninitiated generally perceive Oklahoma as one big flat wheat field—remember that Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that celebrated the land “where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain?” In reality, however, the Sooner State does have several “mountainous” regions. Although the peaks are more like speed bumps compared to

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Ride the Highest Pass in the Eastern Alps—Stelvio Pass, Italy

The Stelvio Pass is one of the most challenging and exhilarating motorcycle roads in the world to ride. It’s absolutely worth a trip to Italy just to wrassle with this beast. At 9,045 feet, Stelvio Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the

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From the Gateway to the Ozarks—Missouri SR 100

Missouri might not be on the top of your list when thinking of good places in America to ride your motorcycle, but don’t you knock the Show Me State. The place hosts many great roads—such as SR 100. For about 120 miles, SR 100 follows the curves of

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Riding Alaska’s Iconic Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway

The Glenn Highway in Alaska is not just a roadway—it's a lifeline connecting the bustling urban center of Anchorage to the serene wilderness of the last frontier. Stretching approximately 135 miles from Anchorage to Glennallen, this iconic highway traverses some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth,

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The Curvy Beauty of the Woods—Diamondback Loop in North Carolina

It’s not about how long it is, it’s about how good of a time you can have with it. I am, of course, talking about the Diamondback Loop in North Carolina. Just short of 17 miles, this loop through the dense woods of the Pisgah National Forest is,

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The King of Roads—Historic Columbia River Highway

A title like the King of Roads sets up a lot of expectations. The Historic Columbia River Highway lives up to all of them. That’s not the only accolade bestowed upon this 75-mile stretch between The Dalles and Troutdale, OR, though. It’s also designated a National Historic Landmark,

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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

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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