Five Great Rides
Hit the open road around the country on these bike-friendly, scenic routes.
BY ERIC PETERS
Warm weather, two wheels — and the open road. It’s what motorcycle riders look forward to every year. And the best rides transport you far away from the workaday on byways that make the journey the destination. Here are five getaways to check out next time you need a mental health break.
West Coast
California Highway 36, Eureka to Red Bluff
Roughly 240 miles up the road from San Francisco toward the Oregon line is scenic Humbolt County, California, and the small city of Eureka (see www.eurekawebs.com). The trip up the coast toward Eureka (take Pacific Coast Highway 1 and then U.S. 101 for the last leg) is just a prelude to the journey that awaits as you break off onto Highway 36 East near Alton and head in-country.
You’re only looking at about 136 miles from start to Red Bluff, California — but don’t be deceived. You may want to hit it again. And it may take longer than you think: Highway 36 — part of the California Scenic Highway system — is a magical ribbon of pristine pavement that undulates through rolling countryside, hugging the terrain instead of being carved through it. The unexpected dips come one after another, punctuated by challenging 90-degree esses, with dramatic vistas falling away to your left and right. You’ll climb to about 4,077 feet through the mountain passes and reach the Trinity National Forest area about midway through the ride. (At this point, you can also detour on Highway 3 northbound toward Peanut and Hayfork/Hayfork Pass; it’s worth doing if you have the extra time.) The approximately 30-mile section near Mad River (there’s a small town there with a general store, gas station, and burger joint) is something you’ll never forget.
The end point/turnaround point is the city of Red Bluff — a good place to stay overnight before saddling up for the return run.
Caution: Highway 36 is Nirvana for sport bikes; cruisers and two-ups should take it easy as there are numerous dips and bends and decreasing radius turns that can be hard on the wrists — and even harder on your pegs. Allow four hours for the entire trip, one way, not including pit stops. www.visitormags.com/humboldt/features/highway_36.html
Rockies
State Route 67, Colorado
This one’s for you dual-sport riders: roughly 126 miles, all told — with an unpaved section from the famous Cripple Creek/Pike National Forest/Phantom Canyon area to the junction at U.S. 50 near Cañon City. The entire route runs parallel (north and south) to Interstate 25 — with the city of Colorado Springs roughly at the mid-point. Cripple Creek is a wonderfully scenic area, with both sightseeing and shopping opportunities. A tourist railway line runs between Cripple Creek and Victor.
The other big attraction along the way is 14,110-foot Pike’s Peak (and Pike’s Peak Highway) west of Colorado Springs near Cripple Creek (see www.pikespeakcolorado.com). This is a very steep ascent (with an altitude gain of more than 7,000 feet in 13 miles) with quickly noticeable changes in air temperature and climate. Watch for snow — and bring warm-weather gear. Allow at least two hours to make a round trip journey up and down Pike’s Peak Highway. www.motorcycleroads.us/co.html
Northeast
State Route 11, Scenic Byway, Fort Kent to Portage, Maine
This is a very pleasant cruise in rural northern Maine, close to the U.S.-Canadian border. Part of the route runs along the East Branch of the Penobscot River, along rolling farm country — with dramatic views of Maine’s highest point, Mount Katahdin (see www.mtkatahdin.com). The 5,200-foot peak also marks the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, so hiking and camping opportunities abound.
This route is great for cruisers or sport bikes and can be ridden at varying paces with equal enjoyment. The Fish River Valley area is particularly scenic. This is moose country, however, so be very careful at twilight and during the morning hours when these large ungulates may suddenly appear in the road. www.byways.org/browse/byways/11513/
Texas/Gulf Coast
Blue Water Highway/Route 3005,
Galveston to Surfside Beach, Texas
This 41-mile stretch of eye candy runs along the barrier islands between the Gulf of Mexico and West Bay. It can be picked up from I-45/Galveston or from the Lake Jackson area and Route 332.
There are a number of attractions in the Galveston area (see www.galveston.com) you may want to stop for, including Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, where you can check out several WWII-era naval vessels, including the submarine USS Cavalla and the destroyer escort USS Stewart. The ride on Route 3005 itself takes you past coastal homes ranging from million-dollar mansions to humble shacks — and everything in between. There are many places to stop, shop, and gas up along the way, too. The roundtrip makes for an enjoyable, leisurely long afternoon cruise or day trip. For longer excursions, keep heading south past Lake Jackson and on toward Corpus Christi — or up the Gulf Coast from Galveston toward Louisiana. www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/tx_fm3005.html
East Coast
Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke, Virginia, to Asheville, North Carolina
This 220-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway takes you through some of the most stunning mountain areas of Southwest Virginia and adjacent North Carolina, depositing you in historic Asheville — close to the Biltmore Estate as well as within an easy ride of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Here you can pick up the well-known “Tail of the Dragon at Deal’s Gap” road (see www.tailofthedragon.com) near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line — about an hour’s ride away from Asheville via I-40.
The Parkway is ideal for cruisers; Deal’s Gap is a sport biker’s paradise. Both should be on any biker’s “to ride” list.
Pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway at post mile 122 southbound, just off U.S. 220 on the outskirts of Roanoke, Virginia. There are overnight lodging and camping facilities available nearby, as well as the amenities of downtown Roanoke (including several bike shops, in the event you need gear or service).
Not to be missed: Tuggle’s Gap near Route 8 and the town of Floyd, Virginia. Be sure to stop in Tuggle’s Gap Restaurant, a popular pit stop for bikers that features lots of atmosphere and some rib-sticking food. Mabry Mill, a few miles down the parkway, is another regional attraction you’ll want to stop for. Try the homemade pancakes. Fans of The Andy Griffith Show may want to detour off the Parkway at U.S. 58 to nearby Mount Airy, North Carolina — the real-life hometown of the fictional TV program. www.blueridgeparkway.org
For most of the rides in the story, 3D maps are available at www.keyhole.com.
Road Runners
You’ve got your route — now you need a ride. Here are six new steeds that could be the perfect accessory for this year’s road trip. Or track day. Or both.
2007 Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Long-distance comfort for two is what the Norge is all about; yet it’s also easy to handle in close-in, city-type riding thanks to a short wheelbase and reasonable weight (just 542 pounds, light for a full-size sport tourer). Enhancing its road trip capabilities are integrated side bags, a large six-gallon fuel tank, standard ABS, and an optionally available GPS unit built into the instrument cluster. The Norge also features a high-output (550-watt) alternator to power accessories such as heated suits and gloves. It is powered by the traditional Guzzi engine — an air-cooled 90 degree V-twin (in this case, developing 95 hp) working through a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive. $14,990. www.motoguzzi-us.com
American Iron Horse Outlaw
The Outlaw is for those who want a bit more individuality than a mass-produced bike can offer. Each Iron Horse is built to the customer’s individual specs — everything from paint and graphics to custom seats and in-house designed wheels and multiple engine options (there are three versions of the S&S “super sidewinder” V-twin, ranging from 111 cubic inches to 124 cubic inches). Like one-off, custom-built choppers and power cruisers, the Outlaw features a stretched, tubular steel Prostreet Soft-Style frame (including A-frame rear swingarm), 42-degree front rake, progressive hidden shock suspension, billet and chrome custom trim pieces — and plenty of bad-boy attitude. But unlike most custom-built choppers, Iron Horse bikes come with a full factory warranty — and a nationwide dealer network. Prices are bike specific. www.americanironhorse.com
Victory Hammer S
Here’s a bike for the guy (or gal) who doesn’t want a full-on sport bike (and the aching back that often goes with it) but isn’t quite ready for traditional laid-back cruiser (and the old-fogy image that comes with it). The Hammer S features powder coating and blackout treatments instead of chrome everywhere, and offers a more upright seating posture to make even all-day rides a no-sweat proposition. But there’s 100 cubic inches (1,643 ccs) of Freedom V-twin power to deal with any doubters — along with a six-speed overdrive transmission and dual Brembo disc brakes up front. Twin megaphone-style pipes and a huge 250/40R-18 rear tire give the Hammer a street stance that’s unmistakable. $19,749. www.polarisindustries.com
2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
Perhaps the world’s ultimate hyper-sport motorcycle, the ZX-14 one-ups the old ZZR1200 by a considerable margin in every category of performance and functionality. This bike is as happy running all out at nearly 186 mph as it is cruising for hours at 65 mph, thanks to excellent wind protection and rider ergonomics (seat height, bar position, etc.). The DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine produces ample low-speed torque as well as race bike levels of high-RPM power — making it a great all-arounder. Accepts hardbags for extended touring. $11,599. www.kawasaki.com
2007 Ducati 1098 Superbike
The much-anticipated successor to the 999 Superbike arrives with an even larger, even more ferocious 90-degree V-twin engine belting out 160 horsepower, along with a much-revised suspension and up-rated Brembo brakes featuring race-derived monobloc calipers for 11 percent more stopping power at high speeds. The 381-pound 1098 also marks the first OEM use of Pirelli’s Diablo Corsa Pro rear tire, in a meaty new 190/55-17 size. An even more aggressive S version of the 1098 ($19,995) is available as well; it comes with an Ohlins racing suspension and forged Marchesini wheels, among other features. $14,995. www.ducati.com
Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special
The Dark Lord of Harleys, this special edition version of the V-Rod muscle bike swaps chrome and polish for matte black and menace. A fuel-injected, 120 horsepower version of Harley’s 1130cc liquid-cooled Revolution V-Twin powers the beast. Front forks feature a steep 36-degree, chopper-style rake, while the rearview is defined by a huge (240mm wide) rear tire that leaves an impression wherever you go. The frame, wheels, tank, and cowling — even the brake calipers and lines — are all finished in dress black, with thin-line orange pinstripes for accent. And there’s go to accompany all that show. The Night Rod is as quick as many full-on sport bikes — capable of 11-second quarter-mile runs. And besides, when you’re this bad to the bone, there’s no need to run away from anything. $16,495. www.harley-davidson.com