Here are our top picks for your inaugural spring road-trip.
You’re finally shaking off the winter blues. Your bike has been maintained, cleaned, and is raring to go. Maybe you’ve even decided to take a few days off to soak up the warmer weather.
Now all that’s left to do is decide where to ride, then to hop on your bike and go.
But choosing where to go is always tricky. You probably want a blend of beautiful scenery and well-maintained roads.
And because the most gorgeous places in America change depending on what season it is, you’ll want to pick out the perfect spring ride.
1) US Route One — Georgia to Key West, Florida
US Route One is a long stretch of easy-to-ride highway. Surrounded by palm trees, rolling hills, lagoons, and eventually the ocean, it’s a great ride that ends in one of America’s best vacation spots.
Approaching this ride during the spring is smart. Come summer, even speeding down the road on your bike won’t be enough to shake off the blistering heat. But, riding too early in the winter might cramp your style with a ton of snowbird traffic.
March and April are good months to see this gorgeous, coastal stretch of road from the seat of your bike.
2) Blue Ridge Parkway — North Carolina and Virginia
The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and this 469 mile ride is ripe for a good ride. As spring rolls along the Great Smoky Mountains and through Virginia, the stunning greenery emerges from the snow.
While the ride is relatively tame, with a 45 mile per hour speed limit and gentle peaks, you’ll want to ensure that your bike is in good condition for a sprint. The arresting mountain views make the Blue Ridge Parkway a must-see for all serious motorcyclists, and spring is one of the best times to go.
Tip: Make sure you’re packed for variable temperatures and spring rains.
3) Black Hills — South Dakota
Hop on South Dakota Highway 87 and prepare for an awesome ride. While it might not feature the stunning ocean views or the soft greenery of our other routes, South Dakota serves up fierce landscapes through jagged mountains and jaw-dropping sunsets.
You can also visit Mt. Rushmore during your journey. The national park with the famous presidential heads carved into the side of the mountain face is more exciting on two wheels.
Mostly likely, though, the real winner here will be the unique scrub and brush landscape and the mild weather. Head here towards the end of April to avoid any surprising frigid temperatures.
4) Tunnel of Trees — Harbor Springs, Michigan
This lesser-known route is perfect for riders itching to scratch some smaller rides off their bucket list. It may be short, but it’s mighty. Enjoy a relatively short cruise down a snaking road underneath a soaring green canopy of hardwoods.
There are plenty of restaurants and places tucked away on this route to stop as well. It’s perfect for a much more relaxed way to take in the warm spring weather, and if you haven’t had enough when you’re done with your first pass — turn around for another.
Tip: Go towards the end of April or the beginning of May to avoid any leftover frosty weather.
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