Wisconsin

A collection of 27 posts

Destinations

The Finest of Wisconsin—Kohler, WI

Kohler is calling all riders for a luxurious Wisconsin motorcycle trip. Whether you’re looking to spend most of your time on the road or are riding over to experience the destination, this resort town will keep you occupied. Kohler is surrounded by beautiful countryside, woods, and the Great Lakes,

Destinations

5 Must-Visit Places in the Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes Region is one of the most stunning areas of the country. Gazing over the water into the horizon, it can be hard to believe you’re not standing at the shores of an ocean. But the region is as expansive as the lakes, covering eight states from

Mar/Apr '26 Premium Content

Wisconsin Supper Clubbin’

Forget, for a moment, about fine riding. Let’s talk instead about fine dining—specifically, supper-club dining. If you aren’t familiar, a supper club is a uniquely Midwestern institution that artfully combines elements of a restaurant and a social club to deliver a certain type of “high-class”

Classic Roads

Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway

Unless you live in the upper Midwest—and even if you do—your only familiarity with “the big lake they call Gitche Gumee” is likely from the lyrics of folk singer Gordon Lightfoot’s most famous song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Gitche Gumee, which translates to “huge water,

Destinations Premium Content

Bayfield—The Smallest City in Wisconsin

With a population hovering right around 600, Bayfield is said to be the smallest city in Wisconsin. That’s no reason to ignore it.  Whatever Bayfield might lack in numbers, it more than makes up for in scenic beauty. Located near the center of the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway—

Classic Roads

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,

Accommodations

6 Hotels for a Two-Up Midwest Motorcycle Getaway

There’s only one thing better than being out on the open road on your motorcycle—and that’s doing so with the one you love. Whether you’re riding your own bikes or one is tucked in the passenger seat behind the other, adding a romantic overnight element to

Accommodations

5 Unique Wisconsin Hotels for Motorcyclists

As the home of American stalwart Harley-Davidson, Wisconsin has been associated with motorcycles since 1903. The state offers a variety of roads and a host of attractions, from historical landmarks to winding roads, quaint townships to sprawling farmland. A big part of the two-wheel touring experience is finding

WEB Exclusive

Destination: Madison, Wisconsin

Located in Dane County, Wisconsin’s capital city of Madison has a population of 243,000 and is home to five lakes, 10 beaches, 260 parks, and more than 200 miles of scenic bike trails. In fact, Madison boasts more bikes than cars in the city, and is a premier

Travel Guide

Top 10 Motorcycle Rides to See Fall Colors

One of the best things about motorcycle touring is experiencing an area with all of your senses. You hear, see, and feel more than you would from inside a windowed vehicle. At RoadRUNNER, we always feel more connected to an area after a bike tour. Fall is one of our

Classic Roads

Classic Roads: Double Crosse Near La Crosse, Wisconsin

The city of La Crosse, perched on the banks of the Mississippi River, bills itself as the top Midwest motorcycle getaway destination. It may very well be the case, as it has incredible riding roads, unique destinations, and a location that is close to Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Des Moines

Jan/Feb '20 Premium Content

Eau Claire, Wisconsin Shamrock Tour®

Northwest Ridge Routes With a Side of Pie Creating a Shamrock Tour® around Eau Claire, WI, presents an interesting dilemma: Four loops cannot begin to cover all the challenging and scenic roads available. A double—or even a triple—Shamrock Tour is possible, considering all the interesting road and scenery

Nov/Dec '19

City Escape: Sparta, Wisconsin

Jan/Feb '19 Premium Content

Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario: The Superior Trip

This story is a gift to my father, Daniel Lynn Swab, the most important person to me on earth. In fact, he’s the reason that I got into photography when I was younger. Not because he enjoyed taking photos, but because there were no photos taken of him. Born

May/Jun '17

City Escape: Milwaukee

When selecting a route near Milwaukee, it often pays to follow the hometown iron. Highway 67 is very popular with Milwaukee Harley riders, as they take this twisting route through Kettle Moraine State Forest. A bonus is the small town of Eagle, which offers various pub and grill establishments and

Mar/Apr '16 Premium Content

Madison, WI Shamrock Tour®: Mixing it Up

Green Acres is the place to be. Farm livin’ is the life for me. Land spreadin’ out so far and wide. Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside. The opening lines to the old “Green Acres” show, starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, come to mind as I begin this

Jan/Feb '16

Milwaukee City Escape

> When the glaciers melted, they left the area north and west of Milwaukee with gouged and rolling terrain. These glacial kettles and drumlins make for twisting and undulating backroads. This trip on two-lane roads through the Kettle Moraine State Forest is best attempted between mid-May and mid-

Jul/Aug '15 Premium Content

Wisconsin: A Finger in the Lake

On the northern tip of the Door County peninsula, the waters of Green Bay meet those of Lake Michigan creating a particularly dangerous stretch of water known to the region’s first French explorers as Porte des Morts Passage or the “Way to the Door of the Dead” (aka Death’

Jan/Feb '13 Premium Content

Reader Ride-Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri: The Great River Road Run

Midway between my home near Lexington, KY, and Lake Itasca, MN, I begin to question the wisdom of making this trip in April. Although I rationalize that things will warm up and dry out, I travel 1,000 miles of chilly temperatures and driving rain before the real journey even

Sep/Oct '12 Premium Content

Rhinelander, WI Shamrock Tour®

Unlike most Shamrock tours, this one has a prequel. Instead of flying into the closest Wisconsin airport, I flew into Utah and then inaugurated the new 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour for a three day trip to Sturgis. There, I met up with Ken Engelman, and we enjoyed the Sturgis

Nov/Dec '10 Premium Content

Apostle Islands, Wisconsin, and Minnesota

The rustle of autumn leaves and the sight of a golden pumpkin can bring back memories of high school football games, neighborhood battles of Kick-the-Can, and the sweet smell of leaded exhaust from your first bike. This kind of nostalgia can be dangerous, especially if you still own

May/Jun '10 Premium Content

Lake Superior

The shore of the northernmost lake is made famous in poetry and song, from Longfellow's tribute to the shores of Gitche Gumee, to the inspiration for Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Tragic shipwrecks, 350 to date. Lonely lighthouses. Gaping mine shafts.

Jan/Feb '10 Premium Content

The Great River Road - Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin

Truth be known, a "Father of Waters" tour should really begin at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota, the birthplace of the mighty Mississippi; however, to do that justice would have required stretching this three-day tour into five. I choose instead to begin my sojourn at a well

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Lake Michigan

"I love this state. When I was in the Marines, I couldn't wait to come back here," says the state trooper as he hands back my license. Thankfully, that's all he's handing back - no reprimands, no strings and no tickets attached. Pulling

Jul/Aug '05 Premium Content

Shamrock Tour® - Ashland, Wisconsin

Nightfall, and after a long tiring ride we turn into the drive of The Inn at Timber Cove, our tour base camp. Hidden behind old, massive trees, this romantic Bed and Breakfast lies in a lush green meadow. The owners Tina and Brian Miller escort us to our cottage and