All About Motorcycle Gear & the Biker Lifestyle

If a motorcycle route that winds through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado is your idea of a wonderful trip, you may want to strongly consider the scenic bends that take you through the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Winter Park, and Granby. This stretch along US highways 34 and 40 offer amazing views off mountain roads and brings you through several small city roads as well. Part of this 200 mile stretch takes you through the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and provides beautiful photo ops all throughout.

This route, which takes approximately six hours of ride time, can easily stretch into a whole day’s trip. It takes you up 6,500 feet through the rocky hills, offering both climbs and descents at about a 20% slope. These breathtaking views make the Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park motorcycle route one of the most scenic, beautiful stretches of US highway roads.

This curvy route takes you through several small tourist towns, including Estes Park, that offer diners to eat and great places to gas up when on the way. Motorcyclists should be prepared with cash for the national park’s $10 entrance fee, which is charged per bike. The fee is worth it for the spectacular views of the mountains that you can enjoy through the park stretch of the route.

This US motorcycle route is definitely a great day-long trip that can provide for amazing photographs and a wonderful tour of Colorado’s most breathtaking display of nature!

If you’re looking for a scenic route that won’t let you down, you will want to consider one of the most popular highways along the west coast… US Highway 101 also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. US 101 is noted for its long stretches of beautiful coastal highway, with its bendy roads, proximity to a number of tourist attractions and sightseeing locations touted by many travelers each and every year. And there’s no better way to enjoy this stretch of scenic roadway than on a motorcycle, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells of this amazing coastal highway.

While the pacific coast highway stretches the entire north and south connection of the western states, the most popular area tends to be the stretch that covers the Oregon area, specifically Depoe Bay, Oregon to Tillamook, Oregon. Whether you’re traveling north or south, you will be able to admire the many scenic areas of ocean and bays, perhaps spotting seals and whales in the water.

This section of highway is primarily asphalt, and mainly two lane with a few areas of four lane traffic for easy passing. Along the way, there are plenty of places to stop to eat, shop, and enjoy the view. Previous riders of this stretch of road often recommend that newbies bring their camera–and their appetite–to truly enjoy all that this US highway has to offer for motorcyclists cruising through the towns.

Riding along the Pacific Coast on US Highway 101 is one way to enjoy the full beauty of the western coast. Although some motorcyclists run into heavier traffic during peak times of the year, many recommend scoping the area out after Labor Day to enjoy the least amount of tourists on the road.

When the weather is warm and beautiful, this is a great strip of highway to cruise slowly and enjoy the stops. With lots to see and do, you will not be disappointed, and will enjoy slowing things down in order to take it all in on your motorcycle trip!

For motorcyclists, riders and passengers, looking for a thrill, many turn to the area in North Carolina and Tennessee on a stretch of road dubbed “Tail of the Dragon.” This stretch of US Highway 129 stretches 11 miles and boasts an amazing 318 curves. The area is also known as Deals Gap, and the highway crosses borders into the adjacent states. Winding through the mountains, many motorcyclists believe this to be the true test of one’s ability to handle their motorcycle on curvaceous roads with absolutely no driveways, businesses, or intersections. This forested area around Great Smoke Mountains National Park is undeveloped and completely surrounded by nature, making it not only exciting, but a wonderful scenic trip for those looking for something off the beaten path. Tail of the Dragon is close to other highly populated motorcycle routes such as Moonshiner 28, the Devil’s Triangle, and the Diamondback, among others. Nearly half a million drivers cruise the Tail of the Dragon each year.

Although beautiful, this stretch of highway can also be fatal. Thirty two deaths have been reported on the Tail of the Dragon since 1995. Due to the tight corners and sharp turns, it can truly test one’s ability to handle their vehicle, and the road ahead of them. Accidents have involved riders skidding off the road, hitting other vehicles, and dangerous speeds. Before 1992, the speed limit along this stretch of highway was 55 mph, but has been periodically reduced over the years. The current speed limit is 30, and speed traps are randomly set up to enforce vehicles and motorists to take caution in this area.

While many enjoy the scenery, this road has lived up to its name thanks to the thousands of bikers that come to challenge themselves on tricky territory. The Tail of the Dragon is one of the craziest, curviest roads in the nation, and many motorcyclists have made special trips to this part of the North Carolina state line to test their skills–and the strength of their stomachs!