11 Rides to Do Before You Die

1. Coast to Coast

You don’t have to go from New York to L.A., or Atlanta to Seattle, or Portland, ME to Portland, OR. There really are no rules, but to be able to say you have ridden coast to coast gives you the cred to say that you are a serious biker. The United States of America is a great big, complex, country with many, many different people in it, and lots of different cultures spread across hundreds of thousands of miles. I rode from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, via New Orleans and the Mississippi river, and was amazed at how different each little town I stopped in was from the next, even in this age of cable TV and the internet. Do yourself a favor and set aside a good four weeks or more, bring a paper map and avoid the interstate highways as much as possible.

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2. Bike Week in Daytona

Going to bike week in Daytona is kind of cliche, but everyone ought to do it at least once. If you live in the great white north, riding there can be a real ordeal since it takes place in the middle of winter, but it is doable on a properly equipped bike. Get yourself good waterproof gear and an electric vest and as long as you don’t have to ride through a snowstorm you will be fine. One thing is certain, though: this is not a trip that is going to include camping out under the stars, so be sure to budget for hotel rooms all along the way, and plan on some days only getting maybe 100 miles while up north. In Daytona, plan on going to the motocross, flat track, and road races that typically happen that week, and not just profiling out on main street.

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3. Canada to Mexico

This is the so-called “Three Flags Run” because it typically involves visiting Canada, crossing the USA, and visiting Mexico, or vice-versa. This is the north-to-south variation on the coast-to-coast theme and another big bragging right ride among touring riders. I’ve never done it myself, but I aim to ride the west coast one of these days, south to north, and back to Los Angeles. If you are the type of person who likes big organized group events, the Southern California Motorcycling Association does this tour every year in September.

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4. Laconia, NH Bike Week

There are basically three huge bike week rallies every year, and Laconia is the oldest, yet the least well known. They have been having motorcycle rallies here since before the first world war. New Hampshire is a beautiful state full of great motorcycle roads, and in June when the rally happens, the weather is typically perfect. Being in the middle of New England, history is all around, and day trips can take you to Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The road up the tallest peak in the north-east, Mount Washington, typically closes to all but motorcycle traffic for a day during bike week, too. Perhaps the highlight of bike week at Laconia is the hill climb, where specially built bikes scramble up a dirt hill to see who can make it to the top fastest, or in the lower classes, who can make it at all. There is road racing at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway if you prefer. Of course, like any big rally, there is a vibrant main street-to-cruise and plenty of parties to enjoy.

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5. Alaska

People say that Alaska is the last American frontier, the last wild untamed land in the country, and you really ought to ride there. If you are already planning on doing a three flags tour, why not just continue north across some of the great Canadian highways, and head to our largest state? What're a few thousand more miles, right?

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6. Any Local Parade

Now Billy and Wyatt got thrown in jail for trying to join in the local parade, but in most small towns it is not hard to get permission to join the local Memorial Day, 4th of July, or other parades. You may have to get your whole club involved, or you may have to join a club, but the cheers of the crowd are worth the hassle. I’ve wanted to do this ever since I saw a group of Shriners on special purple and white bikes riding around and throwing candy to the kids.

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7. Sturgis, S.D. Rally

Does anyone really need to explain to you what Sturgis is, or why you should go? Are you sure you own a Harley Davidson? Better go check that you didn’t accidentally buy a Honda Shadow by mistake. Sturgis is probably the biggest rally to ride to drawing bikers from all corners of the country like iron to a magnet. The rally takes place in August, which is the heart of riding season and is in South Dakota, which is the middle of the country, and the middle of nowhere. As far as a lot of people are concerned, it is a great time to ride and a nice distance from everywhere. There are races of all sorts at Sturgis, too, with the drag races being the must see event.

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8. Rolling Thunder

Rolling Thunder is an annual ride by bikers and veterans from all over the country that converges on Washington, D.C. every year on Memorial Day. The goal is to raise money and awareness for POW/MIA and veterans affairs. Could there be a better cause? Maybe the Shriners money raising for sick kids, but veterans are always a close second. Ask around, and chances are you’ll find a group in your part of the country heading to D.C. that you can caravan with.

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9. Monument Valley, UT

Along with the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley is at the top of the list of most iconic natural locations in the American West. If you have ever seen a John Ford western, you know these rocks. What better place for a modern cowboy on his steel horse? If you are looking for an epic western road trip you can hit Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Four Corners, and the Million Dollar Highway on a two-week vacation and have a lifetime of memories.

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10. Pacific Coast Highway, San Francisco to Santa Barbara, CA

Admittedly, you can take this route from Mexico to Canada, but the best parts of it in California are between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. That is lucky for folks who are not locals because you can rent bikes at either end. That means East Coast riders can fly in, rent a bike, have an amazing tour for a few days and fly home.

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11. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

If you are like most men, you love your prostate, so why not take a ride to raise money to fight prostate cancer? The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is perhaps the easiest ride to do. In fact, you can do it once a year in different cities all over the country. Everyone shines up their bikes, puts on their Sunday best and goes on a nice easy ride from one bike-centric location to the next. It is the perfect reason to grind down your toenails and get the grease out of your fingernails.

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