Tours

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

Europe: Corsican Caper

“Singing not allowed,” reads the German sign at the entrance to the beer garden—a rather tough and unusual rule, especially in Bavaria, where the largest fair in the world is held. But Oktoberfest was yesterday. Today is our first riding day on an organized tour with Rob and Gretchen

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

Maine: Moby Lobster

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago I was haunted—by a lobster. Not just any crustacean, mind you, but “Moby Lobster,” a Maine variety so tasty and succulent that it lives on in my dreams. Every other dinner decapod since then has been doomed to mediocrity. Can you imagine how

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

World Travelers:Indonesia - Riding the Ring of Fire

We are at the Butterworth dock on Malaysia’s west coast, and the morning’s already a scorcher. Stinging sweat drips into my eyes as I instinctively duck my head; mere feet above me, my precious motorbike is lofted high and swings like a 700-pound pendulum as it’s winched

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

Lake Tahoe, California Shamrock Tour®: Gold Rush Country

Lake Tahoe is best known for being a world-class ski area. Those rugged mountains also provide some of the best motorcycle roads in the country. Numerous passes, dense forests, and streams make this worthy of a Shamrock Tour®. Circumnavigating the Jewel of the Sierras Walking to our motorcycles, we can’

Sep/Oct '13

City Escape: Vancouver, British Columbia

> A winding tarmac ribbon soaring from sea to sky through BC’s Coast Range into semi-desert, then back through the spectacular Fraser Canyon. Take in four climate zones! Yes, it’s a long ride, but it’s comfortably doable in a day as long as you start early. This

Sep/Oct '13 Premium Content

Illinois and Missouri: The Lewis & Clark Trail

“The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River & such principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river, may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across this

Jul/Aug '13

City Escape: Los Angeles, California

> This ride is very diverse with sections that include: climbing through the Cleveland National Forest, outstanding views of Lake Elsinore, and scenic roads through native oak forest. Many interesting attractions spaced out along the route allow for a full day of riding. Length Approximately 120 miles Meet-up Spot Starbucks

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Malaysia: Jungle Joy Ride

Under a royal blue sky, we’re hurtling south along a smooth multi-lane freeway amid a sea of rolling greens hills. Waves of lush forestation, palm farms, and tea plantations stretch into the horizon. Malaysia is a dynamic melting pot that Malays, Indians, Chinese, and a host of others call

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Las Vegas, NV, to Sturgis, SD: Off the Cloud in the Wild West

Modern life is grand—always on the go, always connected to the “Cloud,” always tweeting, pinning, liking, sharing, and then recharging so that we can do it all again. It is, admittedly, overwhelming sometimes—even for The Digital Rider. In the midst of these thoughts, an email arrives. It’s

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Alberta, Canada: Ironhorse on the Cowboy Trail

Thousands of Canadians still head west hoping to capture some of the wealth from Canada’s richest province (per capita income) for themselves. But it’s also a favorite international tourist destination well known for its expansive blue skies and scenery as well as both winter and summer activities. Founded

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Idaho: Six Scenic Byways in Two Days

Idaho has around 30 routes that are officially designated scenic byways. I spend a weekend in late September to take on a half dozen of these with a group of riders led by some avid motorcyclists from the Idaho Tourism Department. After landing at Boise Airport, I’m just 20

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Roanoke, Virginia Shamrock Tour®: Dirty Dancing Through the Curves

As summer ends and autumn approaches, the days get shorter. While we get ready for winter by cleaning out the garage and servicing our motorcycles, trees use up the last of their food supply in a way that attracts millions of tourists. And what better way to see nature’s

Jul/Aug '13 Premium Content

Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma: Chasing Dragons

It’s a long ride from my home in Oklahoma to Deals Gap, the twisty, 11-mile section of Highway 129 bordering Tennessee and North Carolina also known as the “Tail of the Dragon.” But rumor has it that eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri are infested with elusive serpents just waiting

Jul/Aug '13

City Escape: Atlanta

> A scenic jaunt through the southern Appalachians and rural northern Georgia, this route contains an abundance of natural beauty. The best times to go are April to June and September to November. Length Approximately 226 miles Meet-up Spot Starbucks, 12330 Crabapple Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Lunch Stop Hofer’s of

May/Jun '13

City Escape: Washington, D.C.

> A relaxing ramble through rolling Maryland farmlands and the Blue Ridge Mountains with challenging curves and scenic vistas. The best times to go on this loop are May, June, September, and October. Length Approximately 186 miles. Meet-up spot Starbucks at 14941 Shady Grove Rd (Fallsgrove Shopping Center across from

May/Jun '13

City Escape: Portland, OR

> This route includes some of the most breathtaking scenery in the northwest United States, from sweeping vistas atop Mt. Hood to the geological wonder that is the Columbia River Gorge. Spring, summer, and fall are all glorious seasons to experience this road trip. Length Approximately 184 miles. Meet-up Spot

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

Haunted Ohio: Who Ya Gonna Call?

My eyes snap open. I’m instantly awake as if some internal alarm has been tripped. Against the faint light entering the windows, I see a dark form standing over me. I lay motionless for several long seconds before throwing a roundhouse punch and hit … nothing. Was it real or

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

Longview, Washington Shamrock Tour®: Volcano Craters to Foggy Seashores

Scanning my map, I quickly realize what an incredible motorcycling wonderland I’ve arrived at. There are not many locales where you can visit the ocean, the rain forest, the mountains, and the desert in a few hours. Oh, and did I mention that three national parks and one monument

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

Hudson River Valley, NY: Along America's Rhine River

“Some folks like to get away. Take a holiday from the neighborhood. Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood. But I’m taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line. I’m in a New York state of mind.” From the song “New York State of Mind” by

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

Colorado: Maiden Voyage

Something’s wrong, I think as rain pours from the skies above Lake City, gateway to the high passes of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. My eight companions are up there somewhere, riding big, fully loaded adventure bikes on four-wheel-drive roads that climb to almost 13,000 feet. They are

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

World Travelers-Thailand: A Land of Smiles

Under a veil of low morning fog, we quietly slide our motorcycles onto the pontoon and cross the Mekong River for the last time, exiting Laos and entering the most northern realm of the Kingdom of Thailand. After successfully getting the bikes off the float on the other side, without

May/Jun '13 Premium Content

Colombia: The New World Ride

Motorcycle in Colombia? “You must be crazy,” my friends say. “We’ve already established that,” I retort. “You’ll have to come up with a more compelling reason to keep me from going.” “Oh … bandits, kidnappers, drug cartels, armed rebels … you’ll never be seen again,” they warn. But when

Mar/Apr '13 Premium Content

World Travelers-Cambodia and Laos: Mekong Meanderings

With Pakistan, India, and Nepal behind us, we are flying low over Thailand’s hedonistic capital, Bangkok. Through the small oval window, we can see mile upon mile of rice paddy fields; the entire shimmering landscape is still submerged after recent heavy rain. Shantytowns intermingle with newer structures until all

Mar/Apr '13 Premium Content

California: Hot Springs the Hard Way

Seeking a hot spring while the temperature in Los Angeles boils over 100 degrees might seem like a rather strange journey, but my loaner BMW F 800 GS and I are off to do just that in the Eastern Sierra. Let’s go! Slipping out of town at noon in

Mar/Apr '13 Premium Content

Switzerland: Swiss Dream Ride

Playing cards were fastened to the frame of my bicycle with clothespins. I’d packed a lunch and tucked my Heidi book into my pants. As the cards hit the spokes, my bike made a satisfying roar down the street, and I felt certain that I would be in Switzerland