Tours

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Cape Breton: The Road to Gampo Abbey

It was just a sign by the side of the road. We wouldn’t have seen it. But we stopped because the day was hot and the road was long and we needed a break. The sign read, “Gampo Abbey, 9 km.” My wife Julie and I were in the

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Riding from Mexico to Canada along US HWY 191

A little north of Tombstone, the coyote (Roadrunnerus digestus) emerges from the low scrub brush on the dusty shoulder of Arizona's SR 80. He stops mid-trot and watches with apparent nonchalance as our RoadRUNNER Gold Wing (Burn-em-upus asphaltus) breezes by. But I'm not fooled by his

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Fall in Appalachia: Abundant Turns and Autumn Tones

October is probably my favorite month in general, and it’s definitely my favorite time to ride a motorcycle. As such, Marisa and I were excited to get on the road and had turned in early the previous night. To our dismay, we woke to drizzling rain. Fortunately the temperature

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The Rejuvenating Coast

For me, the ride is restoration—a way to refresh the soul. I take a few solo trips each year just to recharge and it was about time. My destination was somewhere sunny, windy, and warm—Pensacola, FL. I slipped out of bed, trying my best to match the quiet

Destinations

Destination: Coffeyville, Kansas

The Dalton Gang’s Last Bank Robbery Although Coffeyville, KS, was the hometown of famous Major League Baseball pitcher Walter Johnson, it is more famous for being where the Dalton Gang attempted a double bank robbery. On the quiet Wednesday morning of Oct. 5, 1892, the three disguised Dalton Brothers

Sep/Oct '22 Premium Content

Riding in Cuba: Revolution, Raki, and Rum

In 1996, I cruised to Cuba at night like smuggled human freight in Ernest Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not. “Okay, vee go now,” said Rolf, a feisty Swede, tossing me two thick bungee cords to lash my BMW R 100 GS PD to the rail. “Be quick. Vee

Destinations

Destination: Pagosa Springs, Colorado

This picturesque community, situated 35 miles north of the New Mexico border, serves as an ideal location for looped explorations. The San Juan River flows through the city’s center, where you’ll find the Pagosa Hot Springs, touted as the “World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring.” Its name originates

Jul/Aug '19

Classic Roads: Missouri Route 94

Spanning more than 2,000 miles, from southwestern Montana to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers just north of St. Louis, the Missouri River Valley is notable for its rolling topography, forested landscape, and collection of pastoral farms. The area is also home to several wineries and appealing

Sep/Oct '22 Premium Content

Cleveland, Mississippi Shamrock Tour®: The Heart of the Delta

Two days of riding south from Music City gave us the chance to become acquainted with the motorcycles we would be paired with on this Shamrock Tour®—an Indian Chief Limited and Indian Challenger Dark Horse. I’m not sure there could’ve been a better choice of machines for

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear with me, as it’s been 1,200 miles since I left Three Rivers, CA, and the wild views before me are stunning. The Rocky Mountains in Colorado stand majestically before me. The Quaking Aspens tremble in the wind. The weather is mild. I’m on a “rocky mountain

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A Brothers Ride to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest individual trees on Earth—bristlecone pines. Some exceed 4,000 years and appear sculpted by the wind. I’ve never seen them before and I’m looking forward to this adventure. The name alone conjures wild images about this natural

Classic Roads

Ride the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

Superior National Forest, located in the upper northeast corner of Minnesota, comprises over 3.9 million acres of woods and waters, including some 2,000 glacially-carved lakes and rivers. The forest is a mix of conifers and hardwoods. The larger wildlife species found in the area include deer, moose, Canadian

Sep/Oct '22

Classic Roads: Back of the Dragon

The appellation “Whatever of the Dragon” has come to denote a challenging road that motorcyclists particularly cherish. These are destination roads, which usually include switchbacks and steep elevation changes, and are usually laid out in a scenic landscape. While the Tail of the Dragon (aka US 129) in Tennessee may

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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

Sep/Oct '22

City Escape: Portland, Oregon

This route includes a ride through some foothills of the Cascade Range, awe-inspiring waterfalls, and a cut across the Willamette Valley into Oregon’s Wine Country. There are good stopping points in some of western Oregon’s colorful small towns. From mountain views to working farmland, rolling hills and rural

Travel Guide

Top Fall Color Motorcycle Rides to Plan Right Now!

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

Sep/Oct '22 Premium Content

New Beginnings and Mystery in Arizona and New Mexico

I dispensed warm goodbyes to riding friends in Arizona, saddled up, and turned the key in the ignition with a growing reluctance. Internalizing my petulance in the process, I was happy where I was. A heavy sigh betrayed a sadness in parting from the place. Our stint in Yavapai County

Sep/Oct '22

City Escape: Boston, Massachusetts

The White Mountains of New Hampshire and roads like the Kancamagus Hwy get all the attention. But there are some fine roads and thinly-settled areas to explore when heading from Boston, MA, to southern New Hampshire. The region is filled with quiet roads to nowhere and crossroads with little more

Destinations

Explore West Yellowstone, Montana

For the next great ride, head for West Yellowstone, Montana, the scenic entry point to Yellowstone National Park. Not only are the views of the Montana skyline and mountain range from a bike epic, there also is plenty to do during the warm months (and year round!) when it’s

Roundtrip Tour

The Hudson River Valley: New York Roundtrip

The Hudson River Valley is a place of natural beauty, which was the scenic inspiration for the first American landscape painters. The valley also contains the historic presidential homes, a Vanderbilt mansion from America’s Gilded Age, Revolutionary War battlefields, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, stunning mountain

Sep/Oct '22 Premium Content

Sunset Boulevard After Sunset: Hollywood Midnight Ride

In the realm of paved American thoroughfares, there are iconic names that speak to the character of specific places. New York City has the bold and lively spectacle of Broadway, as well as the nefarious shenanigans of Wall Street. There’s the pursuit of musical fame on Beale Street in

Accommodations

Review: Hidden Cave Ranch Bed & Breakfast—Burkesville, KY

Hidden Cave Ranch is a working American Curly horse farm in Cumberland County, KY, just minutes from Dale Hollow Lake and Lake Cumberland. American Curlies are a hypoallergenic breed known for being mild-mannered. Jaro and Marion, who are originally from the Netherlands, moved here to raise Curlies and share their

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In Pursuit of Wildness: Manzanar National Historic Site

Once upon a time, Manzanar National Historic Site was called Manzanar War Relocation Center. It was one of 10 camps where Japanese American citizens were incarcerated during World War II. I had never been there, and I knew little about this site, though I knew that it is managed by

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A Decade-Long Riding Tradition

Every summer we do at least one group ride. We used to spend the whole week together,  but now, three days is about the best we can manage. This year, we chose Oregon and Washington State. Most of the group flew into Portland and rented BMWs. With a fresh Ducati

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