10 Best Roads in America

[MMRanch]

I've rode to Tx. twice to ride the "Hill Country" including the "Twisted Sisters" , ... After Wayah Rd. NC, and Hwy. 80 between Mt.Michell and Marion , the Sisters seem really tame.

I'm going to have to put WV./VA. SR-16 on my bucket list now   !   

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

M22 Northwest lower Michigan's west coast serpentining, lakeshore following, somewhat desolate at times, jaw droopingly gorgeous two lane  gets my vote...and we try to ride it every year during the Michigan Guzzi rally.

It's pretty, but in my honest opinion can't touch Mountain Roads.

[John A]

It's pretty, but in my honest opinion can't touch Mountain Roads.

Yep, third gear blasts up a mountain is the best!

[Dean Rose]

VA/WV SR 16   The Back of The Dragon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ENROYAjsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06E0FHoxBYo

[tpeever]

So I came across this 10 Best Roads in America list on You Tube.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
2.Pikes Peak
3.Blue Ridge Parkway
4. Tail of the Dragon
5. Beartooth Highway
6.Going to the Sun road
7.Coastal Route 1 Maine
8.Grand Staircase, Escalante, Utah
9.Natchez Trace Parkway
10.River Road Texas
I have ridden number 1,2, 8, 10. But I wonder about number 10. How about Million Dollar Highway? Maybe they were afraid Montana and Colorado would dominate? In Texas is Twisted Sisters better than River Road? I have ridden both each has it strong points. So almighty all knowing Guzzi riders please weigh in with your thoughts.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

North Cascades Highway in WA. Most northerly route across Cascades in the state. Highway 2 across Stevens Pass isn't bad too.

[Scud]

Best road for what? Sightseeing or spirited riding? If it's spirited riding, pick any pass over the Sierra Nevadas (expect CA 120 which has a low speed limit through Yosemite) and stick it on the top of the list. If scenery is part of what makes it a "best road", then CA 120 should be on the list, along with the roads through Zion National Park and Sequoia National Park.

I hope I'm not being too much of a Western Mountain snob, but there is nothing like riding up a vertical mile or more (elevation change). Can't do that back East.

[Perazzimx14]

Best road for what? Sightseeing or spirited riding? If it's spirited riding, pick any pass over the Sierra Nevadas (expect CA 120 which has a low speed limit through Yosemite) and stick it on the top of the list. If scenery is part of what makes it a "best road", then CA 120 should be on the list, along with the roads through Zion National Park and Sequoia National Park.

I hope I'm not being too much of a Western Mountain snob, but there is nothing like riding up a vertical mile or more (elevation change). Can't do that back East.

No more so than I am a WV snob. We all have our favorites. Ain't life grand?

[Gliderjohn]

Part of the problem is that the most scenic roads are often the most challenging to ride quickly (i.e.fun) so you have to pick, no watching scenery or riding relativly slow. I think this could be referred to as a first world problem.
GliderJohn

[Chuck in Indiana]

Best road for what? Sightseeing or spirited riding? If it's spirited riding, pick any pass over the Sierra Nevadas (expect CA 120 which has a low speed limit through Yosemite) and stick it on the top of the list. If scenery is part of what makes it a "best road", then CA 120 should be on the list, along with the roads through Zion National Park and Sequoia National Park.

I hope I'm not being too much of a Western Mountain snob, but there is nothing like riding up a vertical mile or more (elevation change). Can't do that back East.

True.. true. 

Part of the problem is that the most scenic roads are often the most challenging to ride quickly (i.e.fun) so you have to pick, no watching scenery or riding relativly slow. I think this could be referred to as a first world problem.
GliderJohn

Also true.  I've gotten into problems looking for a scenic view to post here on WG. You just can't do that on the *best* IMHO roads.

[keener]

Northeast Oregon gets my vote! No traffic, great roads, great scenery, high speed sweepers to tight and twisty, elevation changes, canyons, following rivers, forests, mountains, panoramas... hard to beat. In fact, most of the Pacific NW is great riding.

 :1:

[twowheeladdict]

Best road for what? Sightseeing or spirited riding? If it's spirited riding, pick any pass over the Sierra Nevadas (expect CA 120 which has a low speed limit through Yosemite) and stick it on the top of the list. If scenery is part of what makes it a "best road", then CA 120 should be on the list, along with the roads through Zion National Park and Sequoia National Park.

I hope I'm not being too much of a Western Mountain snob, but there is nothing like riding up a vertical mile or more (elevation change). Can't do that back East.

Mount Mitchell State Park is well over a mile above sea level and the surrounding valleys might make it a mile change in elevation.





There is nothing like the roads in the eastern TN, western NC mountains

[Arizona Wayne]

Mount Mitchell State Park is well over a mile above sea level and the surrounding valleys might make it a mile change in elevation.





There is nothing like the roads in the eastern TN, western NC mountains

I have news for you...............a mile of elevation is nothing out west.  I've ridden on public mtn. roads 8k' to 12K' that are full of curves and beauty if you have time to look at your surroundings.  Until you've ridden on primo roads out West you can't understand the difference some of us are talking about.   In Colorado 5k' is like sea level out east.  It's like trying to explain what  the Grand Canyon looks like to anything else you've seen before it.  It can't be done.  There's no way to convey the difference.
 
There are roads in Wash. St. that you would swear you're going downhill when in fact  you're going uphill because you have to use more throttle to keep your speed constant.    The West is so different than the East.

[Scud]

Mount Mitchell State Park is well over a mile above sea level and the surrounding valleys might make it a mile change in elevation.

There is nothing like the roads in the eastern TN, western NC mountains

If so, then I stand corrected. I've never ridden there, but the pics I've seen are beautiful.

In California, you can leave the Central Valley at 400 feet elevation and crest the Sherman Pass (over 9,000 feet elevation) in about 60 miles. Dress appropriately... 

[twowheeladdict]

I have news for you...............a mile of elevation is nothing out west.  I've ridden on public mtn. roads 8k' to 12K' that are full of curves and beauty if you have time to look at your surroundings.  Until you've ridden on primo roads out West you can't understand the difference some of us are talking about.   In Colorado 5k' is like sea level out east.  It's like trying to explain what  the Grand Canyon looks like to anything else you've seen before it.  It can't be done.  There's no way to convey the difference.
 
There are roads in Wash. St. that you would swear you're going downhill when in fact  you're going uphill because you have to use more throttle to keep your speed constant.    The West is so different than the East.

I have ridden the entire lower 48.  Until you have ridden the eastern mountains it is hard for you to understand the difference and the excitement of every curve being a blind curve.  It was much easier to ride fast out west because you had a good idea of what was coming.

You will never see this much of the ride ahead when you are riding the eastern mountains.





My favorite state to tour was Utah just because it is so different than the eastern mountains.

Every State has its own unique feel and scenery and views, but take away the scenery and views and I will take the eastern mountain roads and lack of traffic any day.

[yogidozer]

and a song to bounce around your head, on the road of your choice


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdoT50N8uv4

[Perazzimx14]

and a song to bounce around your head, on the road of your choice


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdoT50N8uv4

Or....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGj7-R6WPf4

[yogidozer]

Or....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGj7-R6WPf4

stepping forward a few years......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw

[LowRyter]

No way can I come up with a list.  But I do have some memorable drives and rides.  Some favorites.  It's hard to balance scenery with riding pleasure:  if you're riding hard, you're looking at the asphalt, not the scenery. 

1.  PCH.  I've driven from Big Sur to Leggett and the Redwoods.  Rented a turbo Mini Cooper stick.  A great balance of beauty and fun.   

2.  Deal's Gap & 28.  One of my favorite rides.  Take the Dragon from Tenn all the way to Highland NC.  I think Deal's Gap is the best motorcycle roads anywhere.  Too bad it's so crowded.  Lots of folks like the Cherohala, it's much more open and to get a real thrill you're running race track speeds well over 100.  I prefer the challenge of the Dragon.   But I wouldn't miss the Skyway, Smoky Mtn Park and the rest of the great roads in the area.

3.  Colorado.  My favorite rides there are Hwy 92, 133, 149, 12 and 550.   I took 141 in the truck to Gateway and it was gorgeous.  The hwy 90 through Paradox Valley to Moab is memorable.  But there are great county roads all over the state like SW of Denver or W of Ft Collins.

4.  New Mexico.  Roads around Chama, follow the train to Alamosa.  Taos ride to Red River, the Rio Grande bridge on 64 and 518 to Las Vegas.  The drive up Sandia Peak.

5.  Arkansas.  My personal favorite.  The complete NW part of the state.  Take any road.  Beauty and challenge.    The roads are generally in good shape if not what they were 15 years ago.  Usually not a lot of traffic.

[Chuck in Indiana]

stepping forward a few years......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw

I was going to say, "I've been everywhere, man.." wrote a song about it. 

[twowheeladdict]

No way can I come up with a list.  But I do have some memorable drives and rides.  Some favorites.  It's hard to balance scenery with riding pleasure:  if you're riding hard, you're looking at the asphalt, not the scenery. 

1.  PCH.  I've driven from Big Sur to Leggett and the Redwoods.  Rented a turbo Mini Cooper stick.  A great balance of beauty and fun.   

2.  Deal's Gap & 28.  One of my favorite rides.  Take the Dragon from Tenn all the way to Highland NC.  I think Deal's Gap is the best motorcycle roads anywhere.  Too bad it's so crowded.  Lots of folks like the Cherohala, it's much more open and to get a real thrill you're running race track speeds well over 100.  I prefer the challenge of the Dragon.   But I wouldn't miss the Skyway, Smoky Mtn Park and the rest of the great roads in the area.

3.  Colorado.  My favorite rides there are Hwy 92, 133, 149, 12 and 550.   I took 141 in the truck to Gateway and it was gorgeous.  The hwy 90 through Paradox Valley to Moab is memorable.  But there are great county roads all over the state like SW of Denver or W of Ft Collins.

4.  New Mexico.  Roads around Chama, follow the train to Alamosa.  Taos ride to Red River, the Rio Grande bridge on 64 and 518 to Las Vegas.  The drive up Sandia Peak.

5.  Arkansas.  My personal favorite.  The complete NW part of the state.  Take any road.  Beauty and challenge.    The roads are generally in good shape if not what they were 15 years ago.  Usually not a lot of traffic.

Ride the Dragon about 7:00 AM on a weekday that isn't part of a holiday.  I have ridden that road where I was pretty much by myself. 

[Scud]

Just thinking a little more about this. The way I ride, the best roads are the little, less travelled ones that are near the "attraction" roads. The gems that make me feel like I've discovered something, rather following along with the crowd.

Like this secret spot in Utah:

[twowheeladdict]

Just thinking a little more about this. The way I ride, the best roads are the little, less travelled ones that are near the "attraction" roads. The gems that make me feel like I've discovered something, rather following along with the crowd.

We don't discuss those roads on the internet.     Don't want them getting crowded.  Within a 50 mile radius of my house there are so many sparsely travelled curvy roads that I wish I could capture photos of, but they are too dangerous to pull over to the edge to snap a photo of the curves.  Here is a photo of the terrain where I live.



 


This only shows the main roads.  It doesn't show all the roads that have "hollow" or "ridge" in the name. 

Here are some of the views from the roads near my home.















The last one gives you a better view of the elevation changes where I live.


upload image to a post on web

[mjptexas]

Just thinking a little more about this. The way I ride, the best roads are the little, less travelled ones that are near the "attraction" roads. The gems that make me feel like I've discovered something, rather following along with the crowd.

Like this one in Central Texas:

[Scud]

I think I'm gonna start a new thread about the roads less-traveled.

[PJPR01]

I think I'm gonna start a new thread about the roads less-traveled.

By all means Scud...

This feels like the appropriate place to insert a little Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Happy Riding everyone...just back from a fun outing this morning with a few new riders...such a satisfying feeling...perfect weather, good camaraderie, great riding and lots of curves. 

[Scud]

By all means Scud...

This feels like the appropriate place to insert a little Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

That's exactly what I was thinking. You beat me to it, thanks.

New Thread started...

[Utrider]

Great thread. I've started giving a 2 part score for a lot of the roads I like. 1 for scenery, and another for the road itself. 

I've had the good fortune to ride some of the western states roads mentioned in the thread and some thoughts come to mind.

Hwy 12, Lolo to Lewiston solid 9 on both counts.

Hwy 25 Hollister to Coalinga (I see you there AZ Wayne, lol)  Scenery about a 4, but the road solid 8.

Hwy 12 in Utah #8 on the list, if you go from the turnoff of 89 to Torrey, Scenery 8 and the road an 8.

One that hasn't been mentioned is 191 in AZ, from Morenci to Alpine.  Scenery 7 road a 9.

Id Hwy 71 to Baker City via OR 86, Scenery 5 road an 8.

OR 242 from Sisters to Hwy 126, Scenery just for the diversity 9+ road solid 8.  You go through 3 ecosystems over the course of maybe 30 miles crazy cool.

UT Hwy 14 east out of Cedar City to 89, Scenery 8 road 8.

UT 143, Parowan to Panguitch (and through 148 past Cedar Breaks in here as well) Scenery 8+ Road Solid 8.

The road I fell in love with my Stelvio on, after 191 mentioned above. Long Canyon out of Boulder, Ut on the way to the Burr Trail Switch backs. Scenery 9+ Road 9. 

Had the opportunity to ride on some amazing roads going from Tahoe to Santa Cruz this summer, in California Hwy's 88, 89, 26 and 9 near the coast. Scenery 8 roads 9.

In Colorado, Hwy 92, Hwy 65, 149 through Lake City and Creede to South Fork. 141 to Gateway and the aforementioned 550 All solid 8's and 8-9 on the roads.

We are very lucky to have access to such incredible roads, so reasonably close to home.  Hell I just wish there were a Guzzi dealer as close!

[Darren Williams]

From my limited perspective... I loved the BRP, but Colorado for scenery and NW Arkansas for sporting good roads with little traffic. Push Mountain!   

[MMRanch]

I can't get : "The Back of the Dragon" out of my mind ,,,

Is there a Good campground , Camping cabins , etc. in the area ?   

[MMRanch]

TwoWheelAddict

I was just looking at the Map you posted ... My house is on that map , near Lynchburg .   You ever been to DELINA ? 

or  ,  the area around Normandy lake ?