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Mt. Lemmon is fun.... Weekends and summer can be busy..... Have breakfast or lunch at the Iron Door..... Free ski lift ride included....... Camping is pretty good too...Mt. Graham is a good one too....
I have ridden Rt 100 in Vermont and it is awesome. We stayed at the Gray Ghost Inn in West Dover on Route 100. The accommodations are excellent. They Welcomes bikers, have a great free breakfast and very reasonably priced. They also provide a number of motorcycle routes for both adventure bikes, and road bikes. It’s also a short ride into New York and the Adirondacks, and Lake George. A great area that won’t disappoint.
You stayed right up the road from my cousins house. VT is so beautiful and it’s where my mom grew up. I e trucked up and down that road a bunch but never did it on my bike
I live near the Route 33 ride. It’s a great ride. When you get into the higher elevations just keep an eye out for rock falls in the road around the twisties. They’ll sneak up on ya.
Chief Joseph Hwy is awesome ride before getting on Beartooth. Stopping and looking back on what you just road will bring a smile to your face. Mt Lemmon?? New one to me. Thanks.
We did Crater Lake in a car late last June. Only about 60% of it was open due to snow. 😳. What we DID see was SO breathtaking, I couldn’t imagine doing it on a bike. I LITERALLY said to my wife that I’d be afraid to do that loop due to being so distracted!
It was cool to see the Chief Joseph/Beartooth ride mentioned, as I've spent my entire 55 year life living and riding in this area, and routinely ride those highways (and the Bighorn Mtn highways) multiple times every spring, summer, and fall (I've even ridden the Bighorns in January). But what made me decide to comment is the image at 10:45. Correct me if I'm wrong (I doubt I'm wrong), but that HAS to be Neil Peart! Right? I would recognise that Beemer and plain red street helmet anywhere. I have all of Neil's books and Rush has been my favorite band since 1980. Though I've ridden dirt and street bikes for most of my life, it was Neil who lit my ADV riding fires with his Ghost Rider book. He also lit my fire for scotch in his books and every year on Jan 7th I toast the man with a glass of The Macallan. RIP Neil, you'll never be forgotten. :( P.S. I also caught a few seconds of "The Big Money" playing earlier in the video. It's great to see Neil/Rush get a nod in your video.
Lolo is awesome - no service, no cell service and some great camping sites along the way. Stars are absolutely stunning there at night. Friends and I stopped in the middle on our way back from Glacier two years ago and the next morning hit Kooskia for a nice diner breakfast. Completely recommend!
I’ve heard of eight of the roads but have only ridden two of them. Talimena and Chief Joseph I have ridden several times and absolutely would recommend them. I’ve ridden Talimena in May and September and with no traffic at all. Probably the only time you are going to see much traffic on Chief Joseph is the weeks around Sturgis rally.
Old McKenzie HWY 242 outside of Sisters Oregon is another great road. It’s closed until the second week of June due to snow but it is by far my favorite road from Central Oregon to the valley.
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads highway 19 eastern Oregon to the town of Fossil then 218 to Shaniko. There're some great loops you can take in that part of Oregon. Every motorcycle rider in Oregon should know 218. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PUFlJQHkz6k.html
Thanks for your awesome videos! TX FM 170 river road could be on this list. It goes from big bend National park to presidio along the rio grande. Amazing little road, of course riding inside the big bend itself is a wonderful experience.
Good video. These are all great choices. I've not yet taken my bikes east of the Mississippi, however I've ridden most everything west of the great river. I'm surprised the 3 sisters route and (Big Bend ntl park) Texas hill country didn't make this list. Definitely ranks at the top. Of course spending most of my life in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Colorado I'm no stranger to an abundance incredible riding.
I've got 5 of them checked off on my list... VT-100 (grew up near there); Chief Joseph Highway (that area is unworldly); Talimena Byway (Ozarks) I think. We zigzagged all over the Ozarks and into Oklahoma, so we likely hit that or at least something very similar; Crater Lake a couple times. Cool, but can be a lot of traffic; CA-33 out of Ojai is basically my back yard. At the very top is an out and back to Mt. Reyes campground paved almost all the way with absolutely stunning views in all directions. It's worth linking up Hudson Ranch Rd and Lockwood Valley Rd to make a loop out of the North end of that ride. Keep an eye on your gas range. Happy Riding... I think I did Lolo Pass once, but not sure so I'll have to go back ;-), and adding Mt Lemmon to my bucket list.
I'm from Canada, but have driven many miles on wonderful American Roads, including several in this list. And one of very favorites, which I've done three times, is the Lolo Pass highway. Its one not to miss, and I love that much of the highway tracks the river adding to overall experience. Great video guys - thanks!
Seven years ago I rode the Alacon highway from the United States to Alaska. I can only say British Columbia, is not only a beautiful ride. The people There are beautiful as well, friendly, helpful, courteous, just good people. It was one of the best trips of my life I rode through there for four months. I camped In many providences parks, what are the best ride of my life thank you, all you good Canadians (I have been riding for 69 years. This was not my first ride.)
OR-138 for sure a beautiful ride. Both Crater Lake and Diamond Lake. You can then continue west or North. I did that ride starting from Klamath Falls, OR, and the day before I did hwy 70 through Paradise and then 89 through the Lassen Volcanic National Park. Absolutely gorgeous views and great curvy roads all along the way. No time to get bored with straightaways :) I also did CA-33 going north, and then I took 58W towards the coast. Total moonscape on CA-58, but an amazing one. And lots of curves to negotiate and get you ready for PCH :)
If you’re in the Gatlinburg area I found a great road nearby… Rt. 32 off of Rt. 321 about 18 miles East. It’s a short, but very technical ride, with many hairpin turns.
Wow! What a great surprise at the end… all of them connected to a cross country trip! Awesome!! Only done VT100 and BOTD VA16 so far… Let’s see if we can ride the Madrid to Colebrook this June while attending Laconia… 🤘🏼😝🤘🏼
Another great video guys! Lolo Pass is my #1 (I try to ride it every other year although it's often smokey in Sept due to wildfires). I've also done Crater Lake and Mt. Lemmon many times and agree they are hidden gems.
Awesome list. I've ridden many of the roads. Lolo Pass is a wonderful ride with great places to camp. I got a spot just a few feet from the river once. It was awesome. I did Beartooth to Chief Joseph last year. It was awesome. Crater Lake is gorgeous. CA33 is an awesome ride. So is CA36 (not on this list and not sure if it made your CA list).
Lolo Pass is my fav...I try to ride it every other year but it's often smoky from wildfires in Sept. I'm going to try early July instead this year and will be camping on the river near Lowell.
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads There is a sign not far west of Red Bluff or Redding (I mix those two up often)... just a few miles into going west on it that says 140 mile miles of twisties. :)
Just goes to show that no matter where you live there's plenty of great roads and scenery. No one would think of New Jersey as being a real good state to ride in but we have our share of beautiful roads and areas. 519 from Phillipsburg to High Point state park. NJ 94 from Columbia to the NY state border. 513 from Frenchtown to Chester being just three to start with. Not epic like some of the roads in this video but each definitely a great ride.
ARIZONA: State Route 89A Just out of Flagstaff, to Sedona and Oak Creek, Jerome over Mingus Mountain, down to Prescott, then into Peeples Valley, then the town of Yarnell and finally onto the flat desert floor to Hwy 60 just North of Wickenburg. Tons of twisties from pine forest of Flagstaff to pizza oven heat the Sonoran desert in summer.
Mt. Lemon hwy is an awesome route but the Devil's hwy (formally rte 666) 191 from Morenci AZ to Springerville AZ is a beautiful curvy ride. Another great ride although much shorter is 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona. The views are stunning. Thanks for the great video.
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads after checking out your website I see that you have most of the cool routes covered. Great website. Thanks for doing what you do.
When out in New Mexico try NM state rt 3 south from i 25 challenging curves lots of canyons little communities with indigenous peoples I did not do it on two wheels I did it in my Pontiac TransAm
You must be aware of animals up near the rest area at Lolo Pass. I was riding west on a new Harley and saw deer, elk, and a black bear passing over and along side the road. It is a beautiful ride for sure.
I live in the Pacific North-West and I have to say that US 12 (Lolo Pass) is in my top three motorcycle roads in the Western United States. Beautiful scenery, light traffic and a terrific, well maintained road surface make this a very satisfying motorcycle trip to experience. I never get tired of this ride! Great video...Thanks for posting.
Have you ever investigate us 35 (the great river road) out of Duluth Mn all the way to Prairie du Chien Illinois. Beautiful road with loads od scenery changes.
Talimena... climbing up out of Mena some of the road needs fixed. Take it easy in the first hard curves and you will see the bad spot, There was a sign when we did it in Oct 23.
I've ridden the Devils Triangle and Back of the Dragon on my '05 1800. Your summary is spot on. Excellent video, thank you for putting it together! Our Glacier NP trip this summer will definitely include the Chief Joseph Hwy. I've been told by others it's a not to miss, and you confirmed it.
It would be difficult to avoid coming from Glacier, but you totally need to do Beartooth to Chief Joseph. They're actually connected. Then have the buffet at Buffalo Bill's Irma Restaurant in Cody. If you're lucky, you'll catch the street show outside, too.
I have been riding Virginia roads for 25 years. Route 33 from Harrisonburg to Seneca Rock, W. Virginia still is one of my all time favorite roads. Maybe you have rode it. If not, please check it out and maybe do a video on it or include it on other road videos. Thank you, Jim Dempsey
#5 Devils Triangle - did this 2 years ago. Loved the challenges of this ride. The road conditions were awful though. Several spots where half the lane was completely washed out. On the bright side my group had the place to ourselves for the most part so hogging the lane in the washed out parts was no problem. Make sure to visit the jail. It’s worth it.
Another masterpiece! I learned of 5 roads that I have not ridden. But I will get around to them. And you are now an Honorary Virginian for saying "Appalachian" correctly as you were talking about the Back of the Dragon near Tazewell, Va.! I really enjoy the videos. It snowed a little bit today and COLD! The videos really make me look forward to riding season just around the corner!
Great and useful vid!! Thank you! I lived 32 yrs in CA and rode virtually every road a sportbike could navigate. The list of great ones is simply too long to recap here but my last 8 yrs were spent in Redding. Some of the best: 89 thru Mt. Lassen Park, to 36 west thru Red Bluff & all the way to 101 at Fortuna - Stewart Pt - Skaggs - Hwys 253, 120, 3, 299 & the northern end of Hwy 1 from Leggett south & about a thousand more. The state is an embarrassment of riding riches! I live on Table Rock Lake now in the Ozarks with some of the finest uncrowded roads I've ever seen!
These are exactly the type of roads I seek out, and I have ridden many of the great ones west of the Rockies. That said, my absolute favorite day of riding was from Blanding to Bryce in southern Utah. (Hwy 95 to Hanksville > Hwy 24 to Torrey > Hwy 12 to Bryce). Right in my daily riding sweet spot at just shy of 300 miles. Spend the night before in the excellent (and not expensive) Stone Lizard Lodge in Blanding. Depart in the morning and you'll have the sun behind you most of the day, highlighting extraordinary scenery.
Here are a couple of others: Arizona 89A from Yarnell through Prescott, over Mingus Mountain to the Jerome ghost town, then Sedona up through Oak Creak Canyon. The other is the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway that starts in Payson, Utah. Happy riding!
This was amazing! I have been up and down the Mt Lemon highway numerous times while stationed in Arizona back in the early 80s. Not on a motorcycle, but an old Military bus! the road at that time was about one and a half lanes as construction was being conducted to finish the paved road. The aerial views were amazing in this video. Mt. Lemon highway did not nor was not nearly as it is now. I need to revisit this!
In 2021, I coined what I laughingly refer to as the "Day of the Dragon" began at sunrise at the northern start of the Eye of the Dragon, KY to the Back of the Dragon, VA to the south end of the Tail of the Dragon, NC. Recently transitioned to BDR so too much pavement for me these days. Maybe when I get older😅😅. Great video and amazing rides. Be safe.
I’ve ridden Back of the Dragon more than once. It’s a great road. I’ve driven a car on Chief Joseph Bwy and it’s on my bucket list for motorcycle rides.
Another ride I like for local thrills Is Illinois SR 64 (North Ave ) Chicago west bound to Saint Charles Illinois SR 64 becomes Main Street 64 goes all the way to Savanah Illinois on Mississippi River if you choose to continue this scenic rt into Iowa you will cross over into Sabula Iowa and it becomes Iowa 64 and terminates at Anamosa Iowa at highway 151 very scenic ride some good hills & curves I present you with this route courtesy of a Triker & hot rodder ❤
Great video. Thanks for adding two new roads to this summer's ride. I'd have to add the Alaska Highway. There are some amazing roads through the Canadian Rockys.
If you are ever in Washington state. Two spots worth checking out that you can do in the same day is "Chukanut Drive" and Highway 20 over the cascade mountains particularly Washington Pass. Absolutely INSANE views. You will probably recognize the hair pin corner from many car commercials.
I've been riding in California for 30 years now and the best ride in the state is highway 36 from Red bluff to Fortuna. It has everything from high speed sweepers to thick forest technical and ends at the Pacific Ocean. It's very lightly traveled do to Interstate 299 being the newer primary transit from I5 to the coast for most travelers.
36 is very good, but IMO there are even better roads nearby there; check out Ceicilville Rd off CA 3 out of Callahan, they call it The Racetrack. Also not too far away on the east side of I5 is CA 162 Bucks Lake Rd from Quincy to Oroville.
@@jwfraga I'd have to look at a map, but I'm certain I've done the 162 area roads you're talking about (very close to home) and I love hwy 3. Only thing being, I've probably seen more deer per mile on hwy 3 than any roadway I've been on. Ceicilville is certainly new to me and I appreciate the heads up, I will check that out if this rain ever stops ;) I think my favorite part about 36 is just the complete lack of traffic, everytime I've made that trip it's almost seemed like my own private road.
From TN and I’ve ridden the Devil’s Triangle. Hated it and refused to do it again. Not only are there a lot of coal trucks, but the road is constantly dusty from the coal and unexpectedly slick even when dry. Even riding well below the speed limit my bike was sliding all over the place. Hwy 30 between Spencer and Dayton, TN is much nicer ride.
I really enjoyed the video. Thank you so much for the attribution. I agree with you about the Kancamagus. It doesn't compare to the route you outlined from Madrid ME. That area of Maine over to Colebrook is absolutely stunning. I've ridden most of the roads you listed but there are a few that are now on my list, thanks. Keep up the good work. Be well, stay safe. Rich
I remember Pratt's ride around the Crater Lake area. A guest rider whom you pictured got a special treat from the "Ghostrider". I did do the Talimena ride about 10 years ago and it was as awesome as you say. Have you featured Hwy 118 in Texas from Alpine down to the west entrance to Big Bend National Park? It's about 80 miles and worth mentioning. Thanks for always honoring our favorite rider!
I did the Back of the Dragon a couple years ago. I was just getting back on the bike after seventeen years off. I met some locals at the snack bar in Tazewell, and they invited me to ride with them. They left me in the twisties, but waited in the valleys. Nice to have someone looking out for you. Great ride, and beautiful scenery. I rode the Tail the next day,,and honestly, was not that impressed. Too short, too low speed limit, too much traffic, and too many cops.
Great Video. Thanks for the tips on roads that are not as well known. With the exception of Crater Lake, I have yet to explore any of these rides. Love the new ideas. Thanks!
I've ridden Lolo Pass 4 times, twice in each direction. It is a very underrated ride and I cannot recommend it more highly. Have also ridden Chief Joseph Hwy and the mentioned Crater Lake ride as well. Definitely recommend them as well.
Outstanding choices. I've done many of them and will do the remainder soon. I particularly like that you can traverse the country and hit every route. I did Beartooth Pass starting in Red Lodge, MT and ending in Cody, WY while riding my 850GS. It was 26AUG2022 with the temps at 80 degrees and sunny at the bottom. As we progressed, the weather became increasingly worse eventually degrading to snow and winds gusting to 60mph at the top. Many cars pulled over because they couldn't continue. Anytime I tried to stop I almost got blown off of the bike so I muscled through. I met a group of local bikers at the lake at the bottom of the pass and they were shocked by the conditions on the peak. I can say without a doubt it is the most invigorating ride I've ever done on the pavement. So word to the wise, if you are going to do this route check the weather conditions at the top before you go. Regardless of the time of year.
@@GreatMotorcycleRoads my bad btw, it was actually in 2021 not last year. Keep up the good work and if you're around for Laconia's 100th this year give me a shout. Headed to Arizona next week for their bike rally. Stay tuned to my channel for more content about that soon.
One road I like that's not really a hidden gem but haven't really seen is Iron Mountain Road US16A in South Dakota in the Custer state park. Then again it's a known list of must ride roads during the Sturgis Rally as well as a few others. The roads in Yellowstone National Park are also very great riding roads around the park all the way out the south gate to Jackson's Hole which you get a great view of the Tetons along the way as well.
