Tim Kessel

Nov/Dec '23

City Escape: San Antonio, Texas

This City Escape, northwest of San Antonio, is a fun foray into the Texas Hill Country. The route is nicely curvy, features some great state and regional parks, and even a nod to the Celtic druids along the ride. SR 39 sits at the midpoint of the route and is

Jan/Feb '23

City Escape: Henderson, Nevada

This City Escape northeast of Henderson, NV, offers some of the most striking rock formations and desert landscapes in the Southwest. The loop ride includes the stunningly beautiful Valley of Fire State Park, and a great return route through Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is a four-season ride that

May/Jun '22

City Escape: San Jose, California

Winding through redwoods on the way to the ocean is a great way to escape the daily grind. This loop ride southwest of San Jose combines much of what makes California’s central coast uniquely spectacular. Following a serpentine path through vibrant old-growth forests, this green canopy ultimately opens up

Jan/Feb '22

City Escape: Las Vegas, Nevada

> Most visitors to this area, and likely many Las Vegans, have no idea what wonders lie just outside the neon-illuminated city limits. Rugged red rocks and alpine peaks reside a short ride from the frenetic streets of Sin City. Due to the altitudes, it is best negotiated in spring

Jul/Aug '21

City Escape: Sante Fe, New Mexico

> Route names like “The High Road to Taos” and “The Enchanted Circle” give you some indication just how special this city escape north of Santa Fe is. Mix in some great New Mexican towns like Taos, Angel Fire, and Red River—with several significant historical sites—and you have

Mar/Apr '21

City Escape: Chandler, Arizona

> Massive stands of saguaro cacti and panoramic vistas highlight this southern Arizona escape from the bustle of the ever-growing Chandler-Mesa metro area. The ride includes a stopover in a remote desert town that is undergoing a creative rejuvenation and a ride through a magnificent national monument. Because of the

Jan/Feb '21

City Escapes: San Bernardino, California

Sep/Oct '20

City Escape: Bakersfield, California

This varied loop ride east of Bakersfield features a visually striking state park and a massive desert lake. It also boasts a series of great roads lined by an intriguing mix of desert plants, evergreens, and whimsical Joshua trees. Itís an escape suitable for most any time of year except

Mar/Apr '20

City Escape: Fresno, California

> The towering trees and winding roads of Sequoia National Park are on the itinerary for this ride east of Fresno. There are interesting things to see and great stretches of road outside the park boundaries as well. The route starts at the desert elevation of 300 feet above sea

Nov/Dec '19

City Escape: Kahului, Maui, Hawaii

This entertaining, challenging, and supremely beautiful ride has Kahului, Maui’s largest city, as its axis. It features a short out-and-back on the island’s famed Road to Hana as well as a full loop around the beautiful West Maui region. Variety is the spice of life, and this mini-tour

Sep/Oct '19

City Escape: Phoenix, Arizona

> This figure-eight ride northwest of the Valley of the Sun links a series of significant roadside attractions on a truly enjoyable route. A wide array of road types, including view-filled straights, ultratight hairpins, and long, sweeping corners, keep the ride lively and interesting. To cap it off, one of

Sep/Oct '19

City Escape: San Francisco, California

> This route unfolds just south of the bustle of San Francisco. The ride includes a coastal stretch as well as a beautiful and twisty route through the mountains. To top it off you can eat lunch at one of the Central Coast’s most iconic motorcycle stops before your

May/Jun '19

City Escape: Salem, Oregon

This loop northwest of Oregon’s state capital is a nice mix of curvy roads and great scenery. It features the conifer-rich forests that the Beaver State is known for, but also adds a coastline stretch and several interesting natural and man-made attractions along the way. The weather on much

Mar/Apr '19

City Escape: Cheyenne, WY

When it’s time to get out of Wyoming’s capital city, this short foray south into Colorado features great scenery and some intoxicating winding roads. For just a single-day ride, this Cheyenne City Escape is remarkably diverse. You will roll through both arid grasslands and alpine forests. The roads

Nov/Dec '18

City Escape: Reno, Nevada

Sep/Oct '18

City Escape: Dallas/Fort Worth

> This is an entertaining and varied loop located due west of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. Dotted with interesting towns and land features, it also offers a sampling of several different road types from straights to sweeping curves and even a few hairpins. The ride can be enjoyed

May/Jun '18

City Escape: Eugene, Oregon

> This loop southwest of Eugene includes forests, rivers, lakes, state parks, and stirring views of the Pacific Ocean. Southwestern Oregon is filled with stunning scenery and this escape is a good sampler of what the region has to offer. This ride is best taken from late spring through early

Mar/Apr '18

City Escape: Riverside, California

> If you limit yourself to the freeways in Southern California, you’ll never know what treasures hide on the byways. This loop southeast of Riverside is a climb into the mountains on thrillingly windy roads. This is a three-season ride with only winter months to be avoided on two

Jan/Feb '18

City Escape: El Paso, Texas

> Wineries, missiles, and views—this loop north of El Paso is a great mix for a short getaway. This city escape begins with a ride through a peaceful wine and agricultural region. It then tracks through a small portion of the fascinating White Sands Missile Range (ID and appropriate

Nov/Dec '17

City Escape: Spokane, Washington

> Spanning two states and some of the most beautiful real estate in the nation, this Spokane, WA, City Escape is truly memorable. Best ridden in spring through fall, the route flanks the banks of miles of pristine lakes and rivers. Evergreens, water, curves, and views rule the day on

Sep/Oct '17

City Escape: Colorado Springs, CO

> This scenic loop west of Colorado Springs includes some great small towns and miles of tree-lined splendor. Some iconic mountains and rock formations are mixed in for good measure. The ride is best made from late spring through early fall. Rocky Mountain weather is, to say the least, variable,

Jan/Feb '17

City Escape: Honolulu, Hawaii

> Aloha, island riders. This escape from the bustle of Honolulu is a figure eight that features most of what makes Oahu great. The ride includes the can’t-miss twists, turns, and views of Round Top/Tantalus Drive. It also boasts miles of coastal riding and two passes through the

May/Jun '16

City Escape: Boise, Idaho

> This loop northeast of Boise is a microcosm of the rest of the Pacific Northwest. It is varied and spectacular. Throughout the ride, the ecosystems change from high desert foothills, to chaparral, to alpine. Then there’s the water! Lakes, lazy rivers, white water rapids, and hot springs are

Mar/Apr '16

City Escapes: Billings, Montana

Wide open spaces, hundred-mile views, and light traffic highlight this loop southwest of Billings, MT. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nearby waterways with most of the route flanked by beautiful Montana rivers like the Yellowstone, Stillwater, Rosebud, Bear Creek, and Clark Fork. This is a ride best made in

Sep/Oct '15

City Escape: Las Vegas, Nevada

> This loop south of Las Vegas is a serene escape from the urban bustle. Once free from the neon lights and the traffic of Sin City, riders will experience the raw beauty of the Mojave Desert. The clear desert air allows awe-inspiring views of rugged mountains, expansive sand dunes,