13 Fun Rides Back East (East Coast and Appalachia)

Plenty of Fun to Be Had Back East

This is the second of four posts listing some of the best rides in each region of the United States. You could divide the country into any number of different regions, or even do each of the 50 different states, but for the sake of brevity, each one is roughly going to cover one of the four time zones. This piece will feature, New England, New York, the East Coast, Pennsylvania, Ohio, all the way down to Florida. If you prefer to ride without a helmet, New Hampshire will be happy to accommodate you, and Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida will let you ride without as long as you are old enough.

If you are looking for rides anywhere in the world, a good site to start at is Best Biking Roads, which is where many of the recommendations in this article come from. The first article, with rides out west, is right here.

1. Bangor, ME to the Border Loop - 220 miles

I choose to start this list at the northern most tip of the east coast and work my way down, so our first stop is in Maine. In all honesty, Maine has such great terrain and so few residents, that you can hardly pick a bad road to ride on on any given day. The best time of the year may be between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, when the leaves are all doing their annual fashion show, but you will have to deal with the other "leaf peepers" mostly in slow moving Toyota Avalons. This loop goes from Bangor, to the Canadian Border at the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge, then north before turning and following the Penobscot river back to Bangor. Watch out for moose and other wildlife, especially near sunset.

Starting in Bangor, head north east on state route 9 to US route 1 at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, and follow that south to the Canadian border at Calais. Double back on US 1, and head north along the water to Topfield, ME, where you turn west on state route 6, through a number of small town like Springfield and Lee with triple digit population counts. In Lincoln you will meet up with US route 2, and the Penobscot river, and head south west, back toward Bangor. If you still have a little ride left in you, continue down the Penobscot river 30 miles on state route 15, and visit the bridge and observatory at the Penobscot Narrows. At 420ft high it is one of the tallest structures on the East Coast, and the tallest in the state of Maine. Here's the map.

2. Laconia, NH - Montpelier, VT Loop - 315 miles

This 315 mile loop through Vermont and New Hampshire is like riding through the various painting of Bob Ross' career. Just about everywhere you look is a rustic cabin, or a happy little tree, or a babbling brook, or a majestic mountain. These old roads, even the highways, follow the undulations of the terrain and seldom proceed straight and flat for very long, going from village to village in the green and white mountains. Take a 15 mile detour (plus the 16 miles to the summit and back) and you can visit the summit of Mt. Washington, the tallest mountain on the east coast, but be prepared for the worst weather on the east coast at the top.

From Laconia, head north on state route 106 to US-3 in Meredith, then turn right and head east on state route 25. Turn right again on state route 113, and follow it along to state route 16, where you will turn left. New Hampshire route 16, merges with US-302, as you head into the White Mountains National Forest, and if you want to detour to Mt. Washington you will turn right and stay on route 16 when they split up again. US-302 is a long and winding old style highway connecting New Hampshire with Montpelier, VT, where you will get on interstate 89 for a short distance. Near Bethel, VT, you will exit, and head west on state route 107, to route 100, heading south, until you meet up with US-4 headed east again. Just past Woodstock, VT look for Vermont route 12, and turn left, heading south. From route 12 take US-5 or I-91 south until 12A/103, where you will again turn left and head east, back toward Laconia. When you get near Lake Sunapee, you will have to leave Route 103, and turn left onto route 11. New Hampshire route 11 merges with US-4, then splits off again, then intersects US-3, which will lead you all the way back to Laconia. If you are in town for the big bike week, make sure to carve out a day when the weather is good to at least ride up to Mt. Washington and back, if not do this entire loop. Here's a map for you.

3. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut - 325 miles

It may sound like a cop out, but there are really no bad places to ride in these three little states. Take a look at the map, pick a secondary or tertiary route, and have fun. Notable is the collection of Indian Motorcycles in the Springfield Museum, and their annual bike show during July. These states are so compact, you can visit Boston, Springfield, Hartford, and Providence and be back in Boston in a day.

From Boston, head west on state route 2, then continue on as it becomes US 202 south, to Springfield, with is just 102 miles. There are more direct ways, but non that avoid the interstate drone. From there is is about 35 miles to Hartford along US 5 or interstate 91, and another 35 miles to New Haven, if you want to eat the best pizza in the world. From New Haven it is just 100 miles to Providence on I-95, or link together a bunch of little secondary roads, but avoid US-1, as it is just stop and go traffic the entire way. Connecticut route 80 goes a lot of the way there, but doesn't cross the Connecticut river, you have to head north to the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry crossing, near the Essex Steam Train and Gillette Castle. You can then take Connecticut route 82 to route 165, and meet up with I-95 again near Exeter, RI. From Providence it is another 50 miles to Boston, though there is no real direct rout for some reason, you have to take I-95 to I-93, or the Mass Pike/I-90 to get into the city.

4. New York US-9 Hudson River Loop - 300 miles

The area of New York between Manhattan and Albany has been settled by Europeans since long before the Declaration of Independence was declared, and yet there are still areas dominated by nature in this 300 mile loop. If you are in New York City, and want to get away from it all, a trip up the Hudson isn't a bad idea, though there are plenty of places to get away from it all within 100 miles of the city. Another good trip, when you can avoid summer traffic, is all the way out on Long Island to the Hamptons and Montauk. This Albany loop on US-9 and US-9W follows the Hudson River up one side and down the other, and takes you through many Dutch and German settled villages from the 1700's.

US route 9 actually runs along Broadway, so for the sake of taking a great picture, why not start in Time Square? I'm not going to try to navigate you around Manhattan, so just head up the river toward Yonkers and try not to get killed by a taxi cab. You can even get on I-87 and head out toward the Tappan Zee Bridge, then exit and rejoin US-9 in Tarrytown. Then it is just north for 100+ miles to Albany. Try to stop into the Motocyclepedia Museum in Newburgh, NY on the west side of the river, not too far north of West Point. Further north, in Rhinebeck on the east die of the river, you may also want to plan on stopping at the Old Rhinebeck Airdrome to see some of the oldest planes still being flown (and dog fighted regularly). There are plenty of other little side excursions around Bear Mountain and West Point as well. When you get to Albany, cross the river, and head south on the opposite side. Here's a Google Map.

5. Trenton to Delaware Water Gap, PA - 190 miles

Contrary to what all the cheap jokes would have you believe, many parts of New Jersey are actually beautiful. Get away from Newark, toward the south, the shore, or inland, and it becomes much greener, full of rolling hills and trees. The Delaware River is the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and runs from the ocean, practically all the way to the Catskills in New York. This route takes you from Trenton through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area, and back.

From Trenton head north on US-206 toward Princeton, and just cruise. This road has been a major artery since the days of the horse and buggy and gets nicer as you move away from the larger cities and head north. After Princeton you will pass just east of the Sourland Mountain Preserve, a 4,000 acre county park. In all it is about a 100 mile ride to the top of the Delaware water gap, where US-206 meets up with US-209. Turn left and head south west on US-29 until you get to Stroudsburg, and the junction with I-80, then exit on state route 611 and follow that south. After about 60 miles, eventually 611 gets to Doylestown, PA, where you turn left and head north east on US-202 to New Hope, PA, which is a popular destination for motorcycle riders from the surrounding area. From New Hope it is just a short ride down state route 32 back to Trenton. If you want a map just click here.

6. State College, PA through Sproul/Susquehannock State Forests - 250 miles

Pennsylvania is one of those states seemingly made for day tripping on a motorcycle; it is big enough to keep you interested, but not so big as to feel daunting, and the roads are all great. This trip takes you out from State College, PA, home of Penn State, around and through several state forests and wild areas. There are tons of Jeeping and dirt bike trails through these areas too, if you enjoy riding bikes other than Harleys.

From State College you can head out on I-99 north until you get to I-80, where you have to decide to cruise up the interstate headed east, or head west and get off at state route 150, which follows Bald Eagle Creek all the way to the town of Jersey Shore, PA. If you choose I-80, exit on US-220 and follow that to Jersey Shore. From there turn left and follow state route 44, eventually taking the fork and continuing on route 414, following that all the way to the junction with US-6 at Wellsboro. Take US-6 west to Sweden Valley, then turn left again and head south on state route 872 all the way to Sinnamahoning. Go left again and take state route 120 east to Renovo, where you go right and head south west on state route 144. Route 144 can take you all the way back to I-99, or hop on I-80, back to I-99 if you have had enough of the twists and turns of rural routes. This route takes you through a lot of the most wild parts of Pennsylvania, and too many Wild Areas, and State Parks to list, so just look at the map.

7. Ohio/Muskingum River Loop, Steubenville, OH - 260 miles

This loop runs 260 miles and takes you though Wayne National Forest, along the Ohio River, and then back north following the much smaller Muskingum River. This is steel country, and if you have a vintage bike, you may have steel from the plants that used to smelt it in Ohio. Steubenville is one of those old steel towns, plus it has a colonial era fort you can visit, or at least a recreation of the original that used to stand there.

From Steubenville, head south on Ohio route 7, along the Ohio River, also known as the Ohio River Scenic Byway, all the way to Marietta, just past the junction with I-77. Turn right and head north/west on Ohio route 60, which roughly follows the Muskingum River for 60 miles to Zanesville, though you can add to the distance by following the river closer on route 376 along the way, which adds another 20 miles. If you do take that detour you will be able to stop at Big Bottom Memorial State Park, which has nothing to do with the Queen song, but instead commemorates an Indian massacre that stated a war. When you do get to Zanesville, make a left on Main Street, and check out the historic Y-bridge, as pictured above, then make a U-turn and head back east on US-40/22. This road, and the Y-bridge, are actually part of the first National Road, started in 1811, from the Potomac River in Cumberland, MD to Vandalia, IL, and before that was part of Zane's Trace first plotted in 1797. Now it is just a long cruise back up to Steubenville along old highway 40, which is still fairly rural, but without Indian attack for more than 200 years. Your Ohio map is here.

8. Baltimore, MD to Gettysburg, PA Loop - 130 miles

Gettysburg, PA is one of the most historic locations in the eastern states, site of one of the deciding battles of the Civil War. A ride through Maryland and Pennsylvania to clear the head and contemplate your own mortality, and the sacrifices many young men gave for our freedoms, with a stop at the battlefield makes a good weekend trip. Every July for the past 15 years, the city of Gettysburg hosts a bike week as well.

Head north west out of Baltimore on state route 140, and continue to just past Westminster, MD, where you will head north on state route 97. Follow the signs and stop at the Gettysburg National Military Park, where you can witness live reenactments on any weekend from April till the end of October. From the battle field, continue north until you hit state route 116 in downtown, then turn left and head west. Just before Zora, PA, turn right on state route 16, and follow that along until the town of Blue Ridge Summit, where you turn left on state route 491/Fort Richie Access Rd. Follow 491 along until you get to route 64 in Smithsburg, where you go left, and left again on state route 77 just a mile later. Continue along 77 through Catoctin Moutain Park, and just a mile from the Camp David presidential retreat. Route 77 becomes route 550 as it crosses US-15, and you follow route 550 the whole way, till you hit Libertytown, MD, where you turn right on state route 26, which goes all the way back to Baltimore. You can check out the map of the area here.

9. Richmond, Port Royal, Newport News, VA loop - 250 miles

This ride is a big long loop from Richmond Virginia, north almost to Washington, D.C. and then toward the coast to Newport News. Yes it will take you all day, but its a long lazy route with plenty of cruising, and good BBQ should be a stones throw away no matter where you stop for lunch. 

From Richmond head north on US-301 a little more than 50 miles to the little town of Port Royal, which had a little more than 100 residents at the last count. Just before you get to the junction with US-17 look for a historical marker on the center divider, and you can stop at what used to be a tobacco farm, and is the location of John Wilkes Booth's death, after fleeing from his assassination of Lincoln. Turn right and head south on US-17 along the Rappahonnock River, the entire 110 miles to Newport News and Hampton. Cross the James River, still on US-17, then turn right on US-258, which eventually become sleepy state route 10 in Smithfield, which you follow north west all the way to Sury, home of Edwards Virginia Smokehouse, famous for their ham. Now you can turn right and follow state route 31, and the ferry across the river, or turn left and continue along route 10. If you choose Route 10, you can cross the river further up via route 156, and continue on route 5 to Richmond, or follow it all the way till it crosses I-95, which you can take right into Richmond. If you do take the ferry, you'll go right through Jamestown, the earliest English settlement in the United States. Turn left off of route 31, onto route 614, then left again onto route 5, which eventually leads you all the way back to Richmond. You can see the area on the Google maps here.

10. Outer Banks Loop - 280 miles

Ask anyone and they will tell you that North Carolina has some awesome riding roads, and unless they are from South Carolina, tasty BBQ. Sport bike guys love bragging about riding the "Tail of the Dragon" around Deals Gap, or state route 28, with roughly parallels it through the hills. For more relaxed cruising (because it is narrow, patrols, and has a low speed limit) you can try the Blue Ridge Parkway. This ride takes you out along the coast, to places that don't even look like that have roads, until you zoom in the map, and includes the site of the Wright Brothers first flight at Kill Devil Hills. Yes, it is a lot of miles, but it is a beautiful ride and includes two ferry crossing during which you can stretch your legs, especially if you avoid the summer tourist season. It is about 140 miles to Kill Devil Hills from Greenville, and another 60 to the Ocracoke - Hatteras ferry, which runs every hour in the off season. You will need to plan the whole trip in order to catch the Swan Quarter ferry from Ocracoke to the mainland, which leaves at about 4 p.m., and you should call ahead for reservations.

From Greenville, head north on US-13, turning and heading east on US-64 toward Woodland Acres, where you will head north again on US-17. The 17 eventually heads north east toward the coastal town of Elizabeth City (home of the potato festival), where you will take a right on US-158, which leads all the way south along the coast to a little spit of land called Point Harbor. Next cross the bridge via state route 12 and you pass Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, home of the first powered flight, as you head south. Take a brief detour if you'd like, and visit Roanoke Island, and bask in the mystery of the lost colony. It would be a good idea to make sure you have gas in the tank now, because the rest of the ride can get pretty lonely, until you hit Hatteras Landing and the ferry terminal. The only major road here is state route 12, so it's impossible to get lost as you take in the ocean views all around you. Take the 30 minute ferry ride to Ocracoke, and ride another 15 miles or so to the ferry landing at the other end of the island. The Swanquarter ferry leaves from here and drops you back at the mainland 2.5 hours later, and reservations are recommended. Once off the boat in Swanquarter, it is a simple thing to follow US-264 all the way back to Greenville. You can study the map for yourself here.

11. Charleston to Edisto Island, SC - 120 miles

This is a quick little run from Charleston to the tip of Edisto Island, where you can get lunch and a beer, then head back. Head south west out of Charleston on US-17 and keep your eyes opened for state route 262 at Rantowles (site of of a famous slave rebellion), where you will bear left. Follow 162 for a ways, until you reach state route 165, where you turn left again, then continue straight on Toogoodoo Rd, until it hits state route 174, the Edisto Island Scenic Byway, and stops. At 174, turn left again and head south towards Edisto, 20 easy winding miles away. At the end of the line, look for McConkey's Jungle Shack and get yourself some fish and chips, and a whole lot of history of the tragedies and haunting on the island during colonial times. On the ride home you can follow the same course, or keep going north on route 174, and take the long way via Spring Grove Rd. and Hyde Park Rd. before turning right on County Line Rd. (which becomes Davidson Rd.) and drops you back at US-17. You can see the map here on Google. Another great destination in the wetlands outside of Charleston is the Firefly Distillery, but you might not be able to ride home afterwards.

12. Helen, GA through Chattahoochee Forest Loop - 85 miles

If you happen to be headed to Helen, GA for their annual bike weekend (typically in August), or Octoberfest, this loop gives you a nice excursion during the day if you want to stretch your bike's legs and get some wind in your hair. Included in this stretch is state route 180, which is the road that got all the bikes here in the first place, and lead to Helen starting a bike weekend. Any other time of the year is a great time to visit Helen as well, as it is a tourist focused alpine village with plenty of places to eat and shop. The opening image is from forum member MountainPharm who visited in 2013.

Head north out of Helen on state route 17/75 until you come to the junction of state route 180, where you turn left with all the other bikers. Enjoy the twisty 26 miles of route 180 through the Chattahoochee Forest, until it ends at state route 60 in Suches, GA. Turn left and head south on route 60 through the mountains until it dead ends at US-19, where you can take the easy way home by heading south, or go back into the heart of the twisties by turning left and heading north. If you head south, stay on US-19 until you come to the junction with state route 52, where you turn left, and continue as it merges with state route 115. In Cleveland, GA (where Cabbage Patch Kids are born) go north on US-129 briefly, then head east on state route 75, which leads you right back to Helen. For the more difficult way home, head north on US-19 until you are back at route 180, where you briefly head east, then turn southward again on state route 348, which will drop you right back in Helen. Here's a map for you to peruse. 

13. Florida Everglades Ride - 165 miles

There are not a lot of corners in Florida, unless you are on the track at Sebring, or the Daytona road course. This ride takes you out of Miami, south and west, to the tip of Florida and the Flamingo Visitor Center at Everglades National Park. It is about 80 miles out there, and then you turn around and do the same trip over again, as there just are not many roads through the swamp. Opening picture is HDForum member NoWife who got caught in a thunderstorm in the Everglades.

Head south on US-1 out of the city, or if you want take the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, turning right on state route 9336/West Palm Drive in Florida City. Then it is just a matter of following the signs, and the curves, through the park, until you reach the visitor center, 48 miles away. Plan on bringing a picnic lunch though, there are limited services at the visitor center. There is a camp ground though if you want to stay the night, and numerous little roads you can ride that loop around the park, before turning and heading back to town. Here's a map of the area.