13 Oddball American Places to Ride
We all love our bikes out in the grandeur of nature, but occasionally you come across something odd and have to stop and give it a closer look. Here's 13 out of the ordinary sites, as found on Roadside America.
World's Largest Bat - Loisville, Kentucky
If you are a baseball fan, and you are anywhere near Kentucky, be sure to look for the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. If you have any trouble finding it, just keep an eye peeled for the 120' tall replica of Babe Ruth's own bat. Even a ball player as big as Babe would have had trouble swinging this one though, since it weighs in at 68,000 pounds! The museum is full of baseball memorabilia, and you can watch them making bats as well.
The Fremont Troll - Seattle, Washington
If you are touring the Pacific North West, be sure to spend a good amount of time in Seattle, Washington where under the Aurora bridge you will find the Fremont Troll. This big guy was a project creatively done by four artists in the local area in 1990. Climbing is encouraged, and if you want to take a poke at his good eyeball, you'll find that it is really a hubcap. He is crushing a VW Bug in one hand, but he does not have any animosity to motorcycles.
Grave in the Middle of the Road - Franklin, Indiana
As you find yourself traveling across the Midwest, specifically through Franklin, Indiana, you can look for a cemetery on Highway 31. Actually the highway was built right through the land where the cemetery was located in the 1800s. Nancy Barnett's grave ended up right in the middle of the proposed lanes of the new highway. When the construction workers attempted to move the gravestone, one of Nancy's relatives threatened the man with a shotgun. The company decided that the plot could stay, and built around it. Recently, as the road was being widened, the earthen mound was dug up to be re-interred in concrete, and the bones of seven bodies were discovered.
Bottle Tree Ranch - Helendale, California
In California, along one of the best North American cruising roads on Route 66, you can visit Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch near Oro Grande. There you can see a forest of trees made up mostly of bottles - over 200 of them. If you decide to stop and explore, you will also find guns, walking paths - even an old gas pump. This is a classic roadside attraction, made by the type of eccentric loner the American west is known for.
1,000 lb. Chicken Wing - Madeira Beach, Florida
Going to Florida for bike week? Well if you get hungry for beasts and thighs, you might want to visit this attraction. Located at the Hooters restaurant in Madeira Beach, FL is a giant sculpture of a chicken wing, reported to weigh more than a Harley full dress tourer. But seriously, do you need another reason to stop at Hooters?
Dedeaux Clan Giant Rockin Chair - Gulfport, Mississippi
It's time to cruise the Gulf Coast, or head down the river to Gulfport, Mississippi. If you get tired and want to sit down, you'll need an extension ladder to sit in the Dedeaux Clan Giant Rocking Chair. Originally created to promote the families furniture store, it is now officially know as the "Magnolia State Rocker". There is actually a battle raging all over the country over the title of biggest chairs, and Roadside America has the story and a map, if you are looking for a way to kill a month of touring.
Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail - Weldon SPring, Missouri
If you've been wheeling across the Midwest, wouldn't you enjoy a stop in Weldon Spring, Missouri for a little rest? How about on top a mountain of nuclear waste! Really, it's no joke! In 1966, this was the site of a uranium mine that was closed down and abandoned by the United States Department of Energy. The clean-up process entombed all the dangerous material in a man made mountain. The big dump is the highest point in the county, and covers 54 acres, reaching a height of nearly 8 stories. There is plenty of history to explore in the visitor center, and you just may get super powers.
Cathedral of Junk - Austin, Texas
There is no shortage of things to see and do in Austin, but here's another to add to your list. After filling up on BBQ, you may stumble upon a particular small cottage with which happens to have a cathedral in the back yard - a Cathedral of Junk.The cathedral contains everything - including the kitchen sink - also lawn mowers, beer cans, clocks and a television pyramid.
World's Largest Catsup Bottle - Collinsville, Illinois
If you are in the Great Lakes region, plan a stop in Collinsville, Illinois. There you can grab a hamburger for lunch, and maybe add some catsup. If you plan your trip right, you can even attend the World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival, typically in july. The iconic, historical landmark is actually a water tower 70 feet high, mounted on top of a 100 foot tower at what used to be a catsup factory.
Bonnie & Clyde Death Car - Primm, Nevada
If you've lost all your money in Vegas, why not head to the town of Primm, Nevada for a history lesson. You've probably heard of a young couple named Bonnie and Clyde? They went on a killing and bank-robbing spree back in the 1930's and became famous by avoiding capture across the country. Eventually, they met their fate on a country road in the South, but the last car they stole is right here in Nevada. The death car is complete with 100+ bullet holes throughout and even contains some of Clyde's shredded shirt. This being Nevada, it is located in a casino as well, Whiskey Pete's.
World's Most Scenic Urinal - Kealakekua, Hawaii
You can't ride there, but rentals are easy to arrainge, so you can experience the Hawaiian Islands on a motorcycle. Take a ride up to Kealakekua, where you can make a necessary nature stop and to use the World's Most Scenic Urinal. This photo says it all.
Nicholas Cage's Tomb - New Orleans, Louisiana
There is also no shortage of stops to make in the Big Easy. Any self respecting biker is going to want to visit the famous above ground cemeteries like Billy and Captain America, and you can check this out at the same time. Nicholas Cage has been to the crescent city several times for work and play, and was even the Captain of the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade a number of years ago. He had his grave built there, too, though we don't think he has used it yet. It uses symbolism from his movie National Treasure, which kind of explains why it is a 0 foot tall pyramid. This grave, and the scene from Easy Rider are both at the same location.
The Awakening - Fort Washington, Maryland
When you choose to take a patriotic ride up around the nation's capital, you can veer slightly off the beaten path into Fort Washington, Maryland. Hop off your bike and relax by the harbor where you will encounter this 70-foot-tall giant who appears to be attempting to free himself from a premature burial. The sculpture is called "The Awakening".
for service and maintenance information for your bike, see the how to sections of HDforums.com
