Nov/Dec '13 - RoadRUNNER

Huntsville, Alabama Shamrock Tour®: Rocket City Road Trip

The Deep South is a region of rich history, agriculture, and charm. But there’s more here than you may know. One southern city has been reaching into the solar system for more than a half century.As motorcyclists go, we’re a bit of an odd couple. My good

Nov/Dec '13 Premium Content

Southern West Virginia Coal Heritage Trail: A New Black Gold

Being from West Virginia, my roots are tinged with coal dust and steel rails. It’s a noble heritage of hard work, callused hands, and long hours spent chiseling the bituminous rock from the earth and keeping the steel wheels rolling. Coal is energy; and West Virginia is coal. We’

Nov/Dec '13 Premium Content

The Lewis & Clark Trail: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota

It’s July 4, 1804, and the Corps of Discovery is celebrating Independence Day on the Missouri River near present-day Atchison, KS. Their location is close to the starting point of Part 2 of our journey. Before they can build their winter quarters in modern-day North Dakota, the expedition still

Nov/Dec '13 Premium Content

Australia's Outback: The World's Longest Shortcut

I’d commented to Lisa that I wanted a ‘big’ ride. “I need some dirt, sand, raw beauty, and a little danger. Well, just enough to shake me up a little,” I’d continued naively. I should have known better.We are perched on the northeastern coast of the world’

Nov/Dec '13 Premium Content

Lake Erie Circle Tour, Canada: Our Neighbors to the North

Crossing the Peace Bridge into Ontario is a mostly benign experience. I present my passport and answer a few questions: “Citizenship?” “How long will you be in Canada?” “Do you have any weapons?” Wait, what? Do I have any weapons? Well, I guess I am an American, and this is

Nov/Dec '13 Premium Content

Colorado: Off Road Across the Rockies

I could stay on I-70. It crosses the Rocky Mountains in a couple of hours—but this would be a waste of landscape and adventure. Here in Colorado, America’s major mountain range offers one fantastic and rare opportunity. You can cross it almost completely off-road. Not in hours, but

Nov/Dec '13

2014 Kymco MYROAD 700i: The New King of the (Scooter) Hill

Lately, there seems to be a displacement war going on in the most unlikely of motoring segments: scooters. There are now at least five companies in the U.S. selling scooters with displacements of 500cc and up, but there can be only one displacement king. And here it is—the

Nov/Dec '13

Comparison: 2013 BMW R 1200 GS vs 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R: Battle of the Giants

With the allure of traveling around the world on two wheels ever increasing, the adventure-type motorcycles seem to be at their limits. “How much better can they get?” one might ask. Well, since they can already get to almost any place on earth, now they can do it fast, too.

Nov/Dec '13

2013 Ducati Hyperstrada: The Minimalist, Say Hello to Motard Touring

This addition to Ducati’s model lineup can be called the younger cousin of the Multistrada or the responsible brother of the Hypermotard. An absolute blast to ride with its light weight, power, and ergonomics, the Hyperstrada is also comfortable for a long day in the saddle, and it (surprisingly)

Nov/Dec '13

City Escape: Austin, Texas

A romp through the eastern edge of Texas Hill Country. Tall, rugged hills with thin layers of soil on top of limestone or granite rock make for a scenic backroad excursion through a western movie-set landscape.LengthApproximately 226 miles Meet-up spotStarbucks, 12400 SR 71, Austin, TX. Lunch stopNavajo Grill, 803

Nov/Dec '13

City Escape: Columbus, Ohio

Stretching east out of Ohio’s capital city and into the rising sun, the topography quickly transitions from flat to excellent rural hill country. The first warm days of April open the riding season, which extends well into October. Fall foliage can be spectacular.LengthApproximately 190 miles Meet-up SpotTim Hortons,