The Best Motorcycle Roads in the Country

Every motorcyclist has their own list of the best roads they've ever ridden, as well as some ideas of some great roads they hope to ride some day. I mean, you didn't buy that Suzuki Boulevard C50T to let it sit in the garage, did you? That bike wants to go places! Wouldn't it be nice to have a definitive list of the best roads in the country so you might even make some plans to hit them?

Well, thanks to the folks at the American Motorcyclist Association, that list has been compiled. They asked their members to vote on which roads they consider the best and a list of the top 15 motorcycle roads in the U.S. is what resulted.

Many of the roads on the list are what you would expect. The Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina is on there, in the No. 3 spot, and the Pacific Coast Highway is there as No. 5. Voted the best road of them all is the Beartooth Highway up in Wyoming and Montana. I've been on the PCH and the Beartooth and I can confirm they belong there. But there are some roads you've probably never heard of, and that's one of the beauties of this list. It gives you new destinations to dream about.

Here's the complete list, with my comments.

15. Washington Route 129 and Oregon Route 3, between Clarkston, WA, and Enterprise, OR -- What? Where? This is one of those "thanks for the tip" routes. It's in the very eastern part of those states and I know that area is mountainous. I'll have to check it out sometime.

14. Ohio Route 170, Calcutta to Poland -- OK, Poland is a little south of Youngstown and 170 arcs south down toward the West Virginia state line. I guess being that close to West Virginia ensures some hills as well.

13. California Route 58, McKittrick to Santa Margarita -- Hmm. Interesting. 58 runs west out of Bakerfield and comes to McKittrick. They say this is hilly so it must be going across the coastal range.

12. U.S. Route 33, Harrisonburg, VA, to Seneca Rocks, WV -- Yes! Looking at the map I can see this one is a good one. Crossing through the Appalachians.

11. Natchez Trace, from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN -- OK, here's one I've been on and I guess I need to go again. I've heard a lot about the Natchez Trace but I found it boring. It seemed to wind endlessly through the trees with little of interest to see. I found it more interesting getting off and visiting the town is bypasses.

10. Angeles Crest Highway, California Route 2 -- Coming up out of Los Angeles, this one is well-known, and very twisty.

9. U.S. Route 12, Lolo Pass, Idaho and Montana -- A good one for sure. Coming southwest out of Missoula, this one is sweet.

8. Route 36, California -- A heavily wooded, mountainous area in northern California. Again, thanks for the tip.

7. Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina and Tennessee -- Right through the Smoky Mountains. A natural.

6. Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana -- Now we're getting to the very best, and also the better known. This is definitely one of them. Ride it one way and then turn around and ride it the other way. It's fabulous.

5. California Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway -- Oh yeah, and Big Sur is the best of the best.

4. Highway 550, from Ouray to Durango, Colorado -- Going up over Red Mountain Pass, this is absolutely one of the very best roads in Colorado. It deserves this high ranking.

3. U.S. 129, The Tail of the Dragon, on the North Carolina-Tennessee Border -- The fabled road featuring 318 curves in 11 miles. Take it slow.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina -- A very famous, well-known road. Try to do it when you can avoid the worst of the tourist season.

1. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming -- Miles and miles cruising along above timberline, mountains all around you, gorgeous views. If you've never been there, put this at the top of your list.

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How to Drive Across the Country on a Motorcycle

Whether you are planning to take off into the sunset on your own, or with a partner or group, driving across the country on your motorcycle can be an exciting experience that you will never forget. The chance to feel the open road ahead of you, while taking in the many interesting cultures of the country is something that many people dream of, but few actually do. If you have decided to make this exciting journey, there are a number of things to keep in mind.

First and foremost, before you embark on your trip, everything needs to be planned out down to the last detail. While it may be easy to lose yourself in the Easy Rider fantasy of simply jumping on your bike and riding out on the highway, the reality is that doing so would be very dangerous. Without proper planning, your trip could be cut short, or worse, you could be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Depending on what route you are planning to take, as well as what season it will be during your trip, proper supplies will be needed. Questions you need to ask yourself; what will the climate and terrain be like in the various states you'll be passing through? Do I have the proper attire to handle weather changes? It is important to know enough about the regions you will be passing through in order to plan.

Next, make sure you have supplies. Some of the common items you will want to carry would be a flashlight, a cigarette lighter, ear plugs, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other toiletries, as well as a small bottle of glass cleaner. It would also be a great idea to carry a small set of tools. Wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers that match the parts on your bike are essential in the event of a breakdown. Finally, a first aid kit with essential supplies should be carried in the event of an emergency.

In terms of navigation, it would be a good idea to get a GPS tool. Using GPS, you can not only plan out your trip, but with more advanced GPS systems, you can find local attractions along the way, as well as restaurants and hotels, all while being able to be guided back onto your route. It would also be a great idea to have copies of maps of the various states you will be riding through. While a GPS tool is very handy, it isn't foolproof and if it goes down, maps will be your best friend.

Finally, in your planning, you must tell someone where you are going. Even if you are taking this trip with other people, it is imperative that people know where you will be. It is also a good idea to have a cell phone to use to contact a predetermined person once a day. Find a friend or family member and make sure they know the route you will be taking, when you expect to arrive at each destination, and when you will be checking in.

Once you have everything planned out, hit the road. Keep in mind that if you are taking this trip on your own, you are going to have a lot of time to think, so use that time to clear your head and let any stress go. You may want to bring along a digital camera with spare batteries and memory cards to document the cool parts of your trip. If you are going to be camping along the way, make sure that you have the proper protective gear for any electronics in case of bad weather.

Taking a trip across the country on your motorcycle is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable and enlightening things you will ever do. With proper planning and supplies, you are sure to enjoy every second of the ride. Riding across the country will give you the chance to experience the many and varied cultures while giving you many great stories to tell for years to come.

Nothing compares to the experience of a long distance trip on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. However, being prepared such as having the proper gear and service upkeep on your bike is important. Wildcat Harley Davidson serving Lexington, London, Hazard, Richmond, Berea and Somerset has the gear and service you need prior to your trip.

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