If you had to come up with a list of the ten best motorcycle trips on the North American continent you could imagine, what would they be? Would you include a ride along the Pacific Coast Highway? What about Alaska? Trans-Canada? The Four Corners? (Just reciting the names makes me want to get the bike out of winter storage and go riding!)
My next project for Whitehorse Press is a title that will explore these types of trips. I want to give readers a head start in mapping out successful trips that by any standards would be considered “lifetime rides.”
What would you consider an ultimate North American journey, or what trips have you already taken that fit that category for you? What made them an “ultimate” for you?
Hey, Dale:
My ultimate trip must remain a secret as my own book is percolating in my head and on paper. Guaranteed to be unique and as yet not covered in any publication. Two to three years down the road.
My favorite has been a month long run to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and sundry two lane roads necessary to carry me there from Michigan (through Ohio, Pennsylvania, northern New York, northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine). The return took me along a more north-south route through Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, finally ending up at the Jersey Shore near Atlantic City for some beach time before heading home to Michigan. The best parts were circumnavigating the shore of the Bay of Fundy and the coast of Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island was a disappointment. It’s mostly flat-to-rolling farmland with little to differentiate one region from another.
My next trip that way will likely include others whom I wish to share the Bay of Fundy/Nova Scotia shoreline run with, PLUS a couple weeks doing a serious investigation of Newfoundland.
The best parts of Nova Scotia: the food, the incredibly open and friendly people, the scenery, the wonderful attitude of the population, great roads, and the welcoming attitude of the inhabitants. The accolades regarding the people may seem hyperbolic, but are no exaggeration. It is what they add to each day that has me wanting to return for a third run. (My first was more of a high speed run to catch the high points – I was hooked.)
As far as Alaska – I have heard too many horror stories regarding the massive road repair zones in the summer. Besides, I hitchhiked up, around, and back on a four month odyssey in the summer of 1970. This was years before the oil pipeline. Alaska was much different then. I think I was spoiled by the experience.
PS. God bless the DeLorme Gazetteer folks. I have found some incredible roads on those pages. I am not yet sold on the necessity of GPS. I love pondering over maps and linking sinuous lines into a coherent day’s meandering.
Dale,
My favorite trips have always included Colorado (Ouray, Black Canyon, Pike’s Peak, Mount Evans). South Dakota would have to be my second favorite state given all of the great roads and scenery located in close proximity (Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon, Needles Highway, Custer National Park, Crazyhorse monument, Deadwood). When we go there we avoid the Sturgis event dates. We’ve been to Sturgis twice and had our fill. Utah is also a great state with destinations like, Monument Valley and Moab (the Arches state park is really something to see).
Good luck and let me know if you’re ever passing near the Nashville area.