Choosing Your Next Motorcycle Trip Destination
Picking your next motorcycle tour can feel a bit like staring at a map while the world whispers, “Go on… pick one.” With so many amazing roads and regions calling your name, choosing where to aim your front wheel isn’t always straightforward.
That’s where we come in.
RoadRUNNER has spent decades chasing horizons so you don’t have to guess. Here are a few standout destinations and intriguing attractions that just might decide your next adventure for you. Scroll down to see where we recommend riding.
Before you dive into planning, don’t forget that the RoadRUNNER website is packed with even more inspiration. You can browse full tours complete with GPS files, explore famous roads, or discover unusual spots you’d never think to ride. Use the tour filters to narrow things down and find the ride that fits your mood, your mileage, and your next great story.
The Small Town That’s Got It All—Maggie Valley, NC
Scenic rides, beautiful nature, nearby entertainment and restaurants, fascinating history… Maggie Valley, NC, really does have it all.
This small town is situated amidst the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, roughly 35 miles from Asheville, with easy access along US 19. Don’t let its size and relatively remoteness fool you—Maggie Valley has a lot to offer.
Cuba, MO—Missouri’s Official Mural City
Many towns and cities along Route 66 boast some types of murals. But only one of them is officially dubbed the Mural City.
That would be Cuba, MO.
This small city of a bit over 3,000 residents sits in Crawford County, some 85 miles southwest from St. Louis. Since the early days of the Mother Road, it has served as a pit stop for travelers on two, four, and… However many wheels there are on a train. But why does it share its name with the Caribbean island?
10 of RoadRUNNER’s Favorite International Motorcycling Destinations
America has probably more great motorcycling roads than any rider could explore in a lifetime in the saddle. That said, international motorcycle travel is the best way to expand one’s horizons while enjoying unique roads you won’t find in the U.S.
It’s a wide world, though, and choosing an international motorcycling destination can be daunting. To help you choose, we put together this list of the RoadRUNNER crew’s favorite places to ride internationally. Now, it's time to start planning your bucket list rides!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park—A Green Paradise
If you haven’t ridden in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park yet, what are you waiting for? Set time for a trip and get in the saddle, because you’re missing out.
Covering 522,000 acres on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected forest areas in the eastern U.S. It is also the most visited national park in the country—which should tell you just how amazing it is.
Visit Dyersville’s Field of Dreams
“People will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it,” said Terence Mann.
People know why they’re coming to Dyersville, IA, though. They’re coming for the Field of Dreams.
In the midst of Iowa’s endless fields of corn, you’ll find a baseball field. This out-of-place sports grounds was made famous (and subsequently named after) by the 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
Everything in One Place—Athens, OH
Athens is your gateway to a whole bunch of excellent riding roads. No, not the Greek capital—we’re talking about Athens, OH.
This welcoming city sits on the Hocking River in southeastern Ohio, some 20 miles from the West Virginia border. Athens, named after the ancient Greek city, is perhaps best known as the home of Ohio University.
As a fun fact, though, the university predates the city it’s located in. Ohio University opened its doors to students in 1809, while Athens wasn’t incorporated until two years later.
Haas Moto Museum—Collecting Stories
As motorcyclists, we tend to get wrapped up in numbers. How much horsepower? How much torque? What's the top speed?
Although these certainly are important metrics, I bought my first bike because of how it made me feel. It made me feel alive. It was dangerous and cool.
But, most of all, it was love.
Bobby Haas fell in love with motorcycles in his 60s and decided to become, in his words, “like the Medicis, patrons of Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.” He resolved to sponsor motorcycle artists, builders, and dreamers.
Plunge Deep into the Wonders of Uranus, MO
Picture yourself riding along the Missouri stretch of Route 66. It’s a beautiful day, the weather’s perfect, and the miles just roll by.
But suddenly, you realize your motorcycle has entered Uranus.
Just a heads-up, if Uranus contains a stick instead of a whole heaping helping of juvenile humor, you’ll probably want to keep riding on (and maybe go read another one of our Destination articles). This isn’t a place to be taken very seriously—except that it is.
Lost Coast’s Victorian Gateway—Ferndale, CA
California’s Lost Coast is an eerily beautiful region in its rugged desolation that keeps most modern civilization away. However, you’ll find fascinating and welcoming oases in the midst of the craggy cliffs.
One of them is Ferndale, CA. This small city acts as the northern gateway to the Lost Coast.
6 Unique General Store Lunch Stops in the Northeast
As any motorcyclist knows, there’s magic in discovering new backroads. A part of that magic is exploring the markets and general stores tucked away from the hustle of the city.
They let us experience a little piece of the history of the general store—an important aspect of commerce and growth in America’s early days. Here are six places you may want to check out on your next tour.