CNN: Best Motorcycle Roads - Have you been there?

[tiborgh]

Here is an article from cnn.com, on which roads have you been so far?

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/12/travel/best-motorcycle-roads/index.html?hpt=hp_c2



A great road is a great road, but if you're riding a motorcycle, you're looking for something special: twisties, vistas, turnouts, that perfect stretch of smooth tarmac, and biker-friendly stops that make getting there most of the fun. Here are 10 of the best roads across America for an unforgettable motorcycle journey:

1. Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1): 1700 miles from Astoria, Oregon to San Juan Capistrano, CaliforniaThis undisputed champion of road trips presents beaches, cliffs, redwood forests, sleepy seaside towns, hot tub B&Bs, and world-class dining along a ribbon of winding, undulating road that (between RVs) can provide thrilling sport riding and contented cruising. Stop at the frequent turnouts, and don't miss wild Olympic Peninsula, rustic Big Sur, Hearst Castle, bikini-clad Malibu, or biker-friendly Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego.

2. Appalachian Mountains: 770 miles from Front Royal, Virginia to Deal's Gap, North CarolinaThis four-in-one magic mountain ride begins with Skyline Drive in Virginia, a 105-mile run along the ridge of the Shenandoah National Park, conveniently connected with the Blue Ridge Parkway for 469 miles of smooth roads and sweeping blacktop. Ride east to Tellico Plains along the Cherohala Skyway (Hwy 28) descending into Tennessee backcountry. Loop back via Hwys 360 and 72 to Deal's Gap, and take on the internationally famous 11 mile Tail of the Dragon and whip through those 318 curves for some bragging rights.

3. River Road, (FM 170): 120 miles from Terlingua to Candelaria, Big Bend, TexasFarm to Market 170 is all smooth heavenly pavement along the Rio Grande through the Big Bend's Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem with its mountains, canyons, badlands, and stunted forests, and even grandma's Buick can handle the 17 mile off-road loop through the Valley of the Gods. But if you've got a dual-sport, you're going to be in heaven. Once it reopens (progressing well at the time of writing), you'll be able to ride on a boat over the Rio Grande at the Boquillas Crossing for a short jaunt for lunch on the Mexican side of the border.

4. Going to the Sun Road: 50 miles in Glacier National Park, MontanaBefore this two-hour, 50-mile ride over Logan Pass was completed, it took visitors several days to get through the park, which speaks of its height and contortions. Watch out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and pull over at the Jackson Glacier Overlook to take in the most spectacular scenery in the park.

5. Beartooth Highway, (US 212): 68 Miles in Yellowstone National Park, WyomingSquiggle along for a couple of hours over the highest highway in the Northern Rockies as it twists and turns its way up to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass in Wyoming. Stop to take in views of glacier-laden peaks, alpine plateaus dotted with lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests in one of the most rugged areas in the lower 48 states.

6. Highway 12: 124 miles between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, UtahTake a psychedelic sunset ride into fantastical sandstone rock formations, canyons, deep blue lakes, and pine forests and all the curves you might expect. Swish along to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Boulder Mountain, and Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest.

7. Coastal Highway 1: 170 miles from Kittery to Bucksport, MaineDetours, not twisties, along Maine's 3478 miles of coastline is the point here. The oldest highway on the east coast is dotted with over 60 lighthouses, countless cute towns, antique shops, lobster shacks, and almost 50 peninsulas to explore. The highway connects with many other scenic routes, including a ferry ride to Nova Scotia.

8. Overseas Highway (Hwy 1), Florida, 100 miles from Key Largo to Key WestPut your sun screen on and cruise out onto a narrow stretch of road made of bridges atop a living reef in the turquoise Straits of Florida sandwiched between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Join the margarita-saturated tourists in tropical paradise and enjoy the biker-friendly atmosphere. Salt air, sea food, and slow speed get you onto island time in no time flat.

9. Route 66: 2200 miles from Chicago to Santa MonicaOn just about everybody's bucket list is Route 66. Ride all 2200 miles of this history lesson smothered in kitsch, or just grab a slice or two, like the pies you'll find in endless supply at the many biker-friendly stops between Chicago and Santa Monica.

10. The Great River Road (Hwy 61): 2,552 miles from Itasca State Park, Minnesota to Jackson, LouisianaGRR 61 is a single route created in 1938 to highlight the 10 states bordering the great Mississippi River from its headwaters in Minnesota to its termination in Louisiana's Cajun Country. Local riders from all 10 states flock to 'their" section of the road, whether it's lined with meadows, cypress swamps, thick forests, limestone cliffs, or wildlife refuges. Industrial areas are easily avoided.

*******************************************************************

Me:
1. 2009 - Partial/Car
2. 2009 - All/Moto
5. 2010 - All/Moto
6. 2012 - Planned for August/Moto
8. 2011 - All/Moto
9. 2009 - Partial/Car

 

[kiwi]

Did the pacific coast highway in a chocolate brown 79 ford fairmont many years ago.

It was fun in San Fran, going down Lombard Street screeching tires and all!

 

[regder]

1 and 2 are awesome, highly recommended. Did a bit of 7 on the northern side, don't remember being too impressed. 8 is nice but dead straight.

9 (Route 66) is beyond overrated, I did pieces of it from Texas to Illinois. Found it to be one giant kitsch tourist trap. For the most part it's just empty broken up road that rans parallel to the interstate. For the bits of it that actually had something to see, it was just overpriced touristy diners, vintage looking gas stations, and stores hawking RT66 memorabilia. There's nothing about the road that seemed genuine and interesting. Nicest thing I saw was in Shamrock, TX, where I stayed for a night, they have a refinished Conoco gas station. Which is conveniently their tourist office.

 

[kiley]

Myself.....
1) This is on my bucket list
2) Did this last year (2011)
3) Nope
4) Doing this in Aug (2012)
5) Doing this in Aug (2012)
6) Nope but will look at this for next year
7) This one is interesting as it says
"Coastal Highway 1: 170 miles from Kittery to Bucksport, Maine"
I did the part from Bucksport to the Ontario boarder at Saint Stephen.

8 Did this twice 2011 and 2012
9) Haven't done this and have no real desire to do it
10) Haven't done this but will look at it

Honorable mention imo should be Cabot Trail.

 

[BeastieGirl]

.
9 (Route 66) is beyond overrated, I did pieces of it from Texas to Illinois. Found it to be one giant kitsch tourist trap. For the most part it's just empty broken up road that rans parallel to the interstate. For the bits of it that actually had something to see, it was just overpriced touristy diners, vintage looking gas stations, and stores hocking RT66 memorabilia. There's nothing about the road that seemed genuine and interesting. Nicest thing I saw was in Shamrock, TX, where I stayed for a night, they have a refinished Conoco gas station. Which is conveniently their tourist office.

I've done 2 and 6 and parts of 9 - which I agree is highly overrated. I camped just outside of Williams, Arizona last year - riding 66 through Flagstaff is like riding through any medium size city and goes to prove that sticking a "66" on something doesn't necessarily make it interesting. I stayed in Santa Rosa in New Mexico on the "strip" again and then kept to the interstate again through the balance of New Mexico and Texas, venturing off onto 66 again in Oklahoma. Boring and slow :-( I didn't make it to Seligman which I understand is one of the more interesting sections.
What can you say about the Blue Ridge/Deals Gap/Cherahola that hasn't been said before (though I think Skyline Drive is a snoozefest)? And you could put a dozen other roads in Utah on this list.
Which of course leads to the observation that all lists are highly subjective.

 

[V-Tom]

I've been fortunate enough to ride parts of 1, all of 2 and 6 and a chunk of 9 (as a previous poser suggested highly over-rated.) I should have been doing 4 and 5 this year but that wil now have to wait.


Nice thing is that there are so many road to ride on!

..Tom

 

[MacDoc]

Did the Pacific Coast by car up from LA to San Fran- lovely road.

Did the top have of the BRP on the RD400 a few decades ago. Did the full route by car several times when I was a kid as a passenger

Route 66 was the THE highway to get across the US but now just slow and touristy the few bits I've been on.

I'm a little surprised the road from Sequoia National park down to Death Valley is not included - wild and steep - real brake burner and gorgeous.

Looks like there are couple there to do on our western road trip in the van we are planning ( Yellowstone being primary ) and for sure that Maine run sounds good as never have done the Northeast US ....duh.
Every other corner and lots of continents but not that nearby corner of the US.

Vermont is on for this year for sure.