Tours

Mar/Apr '14

City Escape: Victoria, British Columbia

> Ride west from historic Victoria via Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline to Port Renfrew, then cross the island through remote villages and ancient forests as well as along rushing rivers back to the Trans Canada Highway by Lake Cowichan. Admire the totem poles in Duncan, and ride the spectacular

Mar/Apr '14

City Escape: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

> This route meanders along both sides of the Delaware River through New Hope and Easton to its northernmost point in Columbia, NJ. Spring to fall is the best time to take this shaded scenic ride. Length Approximately 165 miles Meet-up Spot The Eagle Diner, 739 W Street Rd, Warminster,

Mar/Apr '14 Premium Content

Ethiopia: One More Cup of Coffee before the Desert

After an extreme experience in 2001, I was forever done with Ethiopia. Nonetheless, ten years later, I went back with my husband, Herbert, in search of the best coffee in the world. Much to my surprise, I saw the country from an exciting new angle. My old picture of Ethiopia

Mar/Apr '14 Premium Content

Little Switzerland, NC Shamrock Tour®: The Parkway's Hidden Gem

Western North Carolina is a mountainous area where the Blue Ridge Parkway slices through the state on a northeast to southwest diagonal. An ideal setting of endless curves and fun in these mountains creates a natural playground for motorcyclists. Fifty miles east of Asheville, NC, right on the route, is

Mar/Apr '14 Premium Content

Idaho, Washington, and Oregon: The Lewis & Clark Trail

By fall 1805, the Corps of Discovery was following Lolo Pass through the snow-covered Bitterroot Mountains. The men were near starvation when Sergeant John Ordway recorded in his journal: “We followed down the main creek about 4 miles had nothing to eat but Some portable Soup we being hungry for

Mar/Apr '14 Premium Content

Big Bend, Texas: Into the Great Wide Open

We wake to sunny skies, a forecast in the mid-70s, and our bikes are ready to go. As I pull on my boots, my pulse quickens. I sense that this is going to be a great day for riding. Stepping outside, I find it hard to believe that it’s

Mar/Apr '14 Premium Content

Reader Ride: San Pedro, California-The Long Way Home

San Pedro enjoys a mild year-round Mediterranean climate with cool ocean breezes and usual temps around 72 degrees. In addition to easy access to kayaking, skin diving, mountain biking, hiking, surfing, and sailing, it also happens to be a great place for motorcycling. I ride my 2003 Triumph Bonneville America

Jan/Feb '14 Premium Content

World Travelers: Australia Coasting Down Under

The arid air of Western Australia tugs at the peaks of our enduro helmets, and we’re about to change worlds. Behind us is red Martian dust, ancient history, and beautiful isolation. Easing off the throttle, we bounce from our sandy track onto the asphalt and enter the modern world

Jan/Feb '14

City Escape: Toronto, Ontario

> Use Kingston Road and Highway 2 to escape Canada’s most populous city; then let the twisty backroads of the Kawarthas take you away from the crush of traffic. Keep watch for the Buckhorn, Dyno, and Northeys Bay Road. The best times to ride are late September, early October,

Jan/Feb '14

City Escape: St. Louis, Missouri

> Riders will follow the Missouri River along its serpentine course from the outskirts of St. Louis to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Pleasant views of farmland, charming villages, and numerous vineyards abound on this journey through the Missouri Rhineland. Length Approximately 230 miles Meet-up Spot Starbucks, 6187

Jan/Feb '14 Premium Content

North Dakota and Montana: The Lewis & Clark Trail

When the Lewis & Clark Expedition departed Fort Mandan on April 7, 1805, Lewis noted in his journal, “we were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civillized man had never trodden; the good or evil it had in

Jan/Feb '14 Premium Content

Salem, Oregon Shamrock Tour®: Over the River and Through the Woods

Dense stands of old-growth conifers line ribbons of smooth asphalt that climb from the crashing waves and rolling fog of the Pacific Ocean to the desolate lava fields and craggy peaks of the Cascade Range. Despite 30-degree temperature swings, the weather is perfect. Welcome to Oregon. Early on a July

Jan/Feb '14 Premium Content

Vermont: One if by Land. Two if by Sea. Three if by KLR.

Water is entering the top of my Alpinestars Alpha Touring boot as the entire left side of my body is being introduced to the cool refreshing waters of Pond Brook. The trusty Kawasaki KLR is getting a much needed (yet unexpected) rinse—the victim of an underwater obstacle and an

Jan/Feb '14

City Escape: New York, New York

> Curve-addicts from New York City can satisfy their cravings on the plethora of motorcycle roads around the lakes in the surrounding areas and through the rolling terrain in Harriman State Park, NY. This tour is best after the first rain in the spring washes away the salt and gravel

Jan/Feb '14 Premium Content

Reader Ride: Nova Scotia, Canada - The Cabot Trail

The shrill announcement is loud and awakes us from a sound, gently rocking sleep to proclaim we are one hour away from docking at North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Four of us, on adventure motorcycles, are traveling on the North Sydney-Port Aux Basques ferry from Newfoundland to the northeast coast of

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. Length Approximately 190 miles Meet-up

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. Length Approximately 226 miles Meet-up spot Starbucks, 12400 SR 71, Austin, TX. Lunch

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 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

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

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

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

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

Sep/Oct '13

City Escape: Phoenix, Arizona

> You’ll experience a diverse loop that includes a high desert lake and historic mining towns. This route is rideable virtually all year. Length Approximately 225 miles Meet-up Spot Cindy’s Arizona Café, 124 E Mckellips Rd, Mesa, AZ, (480) 655-1349. Lunch Stop Libby’s El Rey Café, 999

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

Lake Erie, Circle Tour - U.S.: A Tale of Two Worlds

Detroit. The name alone conjures up images of cars rolling off assembly lines, factories belching smoke, Henry Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. In a word, industry. First settled in 1701, Detroit (aka: Motor City) is one of the oldest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Along with holding responsibility for the