City Escape

A collection of 141 posts

Sep/Oct '22

City Escape: Portland, Oregon

This route includes a ride through some foothills of the Cascade Range, awe-inspiring waterfalls, and a cut across the Willamette Valley into Oregon’s Wine Country. There are good stopping points in some of western Oregon’s colorful small towns. From mountain views to working farmland, rolling hills and rural

Sep/Oct '22

City Escape: Boston, Massachusetts

The White Mountains of New Hampshire and roads like the Kancamagus Hwy get all the attention. But there are some fine roads and thinly-settled areas to explore when heading from Boston, MA, to southern New Hampshire. The region is filled with quiet roads to nowhere and crossroads with little more

Jul/Aug '22

City Escape: Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but this counterclockwise loop from the Twin Cities into Wisconsin follows large and small rivers. You’ll be riding along the mighty Mississippi, the Chippewa River, and the Saint Croix River. Two of these waterways are so big that at certain

Jul/Aug '22

City Escape: Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ, offers on-road and adventure rides within minimal miles of the city. Tucson is in southern Arizona, between the Santa Catalina and Tucson Mountains. Mount Lemmon, Picture Rocks, Signal Hill, and the Saguaro State Park have cacti-lined roads and plenty of twisties. Incredible landscape changes unfold as you leave

May/Jun '22

City Escape: New Orleans, Louisiana

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

Mar/Apr '22

City Escape: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Mar/Apr '22

City Escape: Danbury, Connecticut

> Danbury, CT, approximately 70 miles northeast of New York City, was nicknamed Hat City for producing more hats than any other U.S. city in the 1800s. You can visit Tarrywile Mansion sitting on approximately 600 acres to take a step back in time. This ride follows the Housatonic

Jan/Feb '22

City Escape: Frederick, Maryland

> If you enjoy an endless progression of curves and elevation changes on off-the-beaten-path roads, then this City Escape is for you. Because of the challenging riding environment, it may feel much longer than its designated 155-mile length. These roads are great fun. The area has a rich panoply of

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

Nov/Dec '21

City Escape: Traverse City, Michigan

> Welcome to the land that glaciers carved. What remains is a natural landscape of forests, lakes, the highest freshwater-adjacent sand bluffs in America, vast coastal beaches, historic lighthouses, expansive bays, and a collection of charming small towns. The central urban area for the region is Traverse City, MI, located

Nov/Dec '21

City Escape: Missoula, Montana

> Missoula, MT, is located in a green landscape where five valleys converge in the northern Rockies. With three rivers running through town, Missoula was the ideal shooting location for the 1992 film A River Runs Through It that featured Montana fly-fishing. Riding north from Missoula, you’ll encounter a

Sep/Oct '21

City Escape: Seattle, Washington

Sep/Oct '21

City Escape: Atlanta, Georgia

> Escape the sprawling urban landscape of Atlanta by taking a series of secondary roads to Alabama’s iconic Little River Canyon, and then return via rural roads in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Charming historic settlements along the way include the Georgia towns of Dallas, Cave Spring,

Jul/Aug '21

City Escape: Springfield, Missouri

> The Ozark Mountain region of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas provides one of the best motorcycling venues in central U.S. The combination of vibrant scenery, rural mountain roads, historic Civil War sites, and the iconic Victorian village of Eureka Springs, AR, makes this route a pleasing riding escape

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

May/Jun '21

City Escape: Boston, Massachusetts

> This historically themed Boston, MA, daytrip begins in the town of Waltham, which was incorporated in 1783 and is known for watchmaking. The morning section of the route visits historic locations that range from the American Revolutionary War to the Industrial Revolution. In the afternoon, you’ll get to

May/Jun '21

City Escape: Ridgeland, Mississippi

> This escape takes riders from a modern-day suburban environment back to the 19th century when bloody Civil War battles determined the future of our nation. You’ll also visit a historic location where columns of stone are the only ghostly remnants of a once expansive plantation. After a lunch

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

Mar/Apr '21

City Escape: Richmond, Virginia

> Journey back in history along some of Virginia’s most enchanting byways, where American history is combined with lost-in-time backroads through a hilly agricultural landscape, mountaintop vistas, a classy lunch stop, and a slice of the Blue Ridge Pkwy as a delicious dessert. Traffic on the backroads is usually

Jan/Feb '21

City Escapes: Maryville, Tennessee

> This trip is for those who like long riding days. Start early to complete the entire loop before dark and ride during summer to get the most sunlight. This is a three-season route, as higher elevations tend to get snowed up in the winter. The mountains are stunning in

Jan/Feb '21

City Escapes: San Bernardino, California

Nov/Dec '20

City Escape: Albuquerque, New Mexico

> This day ride stretches out through ancient ruins and historic mining communities in Albuquerque. With little traffic, it all but guarantees solitary motorcycling bliss. The tail end of the route includes a ride up and down Sandia Crest to take in some astounding views before returning to the city

Nov/Dec '20

City Escape: Jacksonville, Florida

> While Florida roads are mostly straight, a ride around the St. Johns River offers a curvier experience. After starting south on San Jose Blvd, making a detour out to Mandarin Rd helps with traffic. The last 60 miles to Palatka go along a winding, scenic river road. The way

Sep/Oct '20

City Escape: Tahlequah, Oklahoma

The rugged landscape in northeastern Oklahoma offers tree-canopied lanes of twisty asphalt alongside clear mountain streams—perfect for flowing rides sprinkled with diverse restaurants and historical sites dating to the days of Indian Territory. Moderate temperatures and bright foliage make fall the best time to ride this loop, but the