Motorcycle Travel Tips

If you’re looking for a relatively short by interesting ride in Central Florida, you should check out this one.  It’s located not to far outside of Orlando and offers a much different terrain from what you would normally find in Florida. The Sugarloaf Mountain ride is supposed to be a favorite of motorcycle riders in Florida and is only about 50 miles long. It’s got hilly inclines, tight corners and a very dramatic scenery change.

The trip begins north out of Orlando and the scenery changes to deeply wooded areas with very little population. On the north side of Laka Apopka, the ride really gets interesting. The road loops around Sugarloaf Mountain with winding curves and steep inclines.Once at the top, thee are awesome views of Lake Apopka.

And if you’re staying in Orlando, even better. Being in this part of the state, there are loads of places to stay. There are some amazing Orlando vacation rentals so you can have some privacy, and most feature pools to relax in after a long day on the blacktop.

There’s nothing like opening up the throttle on your bike while riding in the Texas Hill Country and taking in the scenery. Some people may not think there is much to take in in Central Texas, but their are a few very interesting things, including Enchanted Rock, wineries, Fort Scott, and the Bat Tunnel where you can see a colony of Mexican free-tail bats fly out on their nightly hunt from June through October.

While traveling through, there’s lots of lodging and cabins to stay in to rest and put your feet up and watch the world go by.

There are some awesome rides in this part of the state, including Highway 16. This route lots of twisty’s all in a comfortable 38-mile ride. The route goes through Kerrville then to Bandera. You’ll eventually find yourself in the Medina River Valley. I wouldn’t do this ride at dawn or dusk in this part of Texas, considering the deer population in the area.

I almost forgot to add some information about these incredible walks on Jekyll Island. There’s some loggerhead turtles that frequent the area and every year, May through August, some females make their way onto the shores of Jekyll Island and bury their eggs. These turtles, who are on the state’s threatened species list, have found a safe haven on Jekyll Island.

Not only is Madison a great place to ride your bike, but apparently there is much support of bicycle racing and biking in general.  If you feel the draw to come and ride around the area, check out some of the rides posted by the Bombay Bicycle Club.  This club prides itself on being the Madison area’s bicycle touring club and has been around since 1974.  The public is welcome to participate in any ride as long as they wear a helmet and sign a liability waiver.

How about Bicycle to Work week?   In the spring, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin puts on Bike to Work week.  This year the activities take place in May.  The Federation is trying to encourage more riders to get on their bikes and ride.  Whether it is for the office or school, biking helps you save money and keeps you physically fit.  Why not check out the Bike to Work festivities in Madison or in your local area.

There are also some great resources on the City’s website including maps of biking trail across the city.   I love a city that encourages physical activity in it’s residents and visitors.  It’s one of those things that my family looks for when traveling!

Also, GrandStay Madison supports a cycling team that participates in some great rides across the country.  For more information about the team check out GrandStay Cycling.

I have always been a fan of Wisconsin, especially since I was born there.  I even toyed with the idea of attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Sometimes I wish that I would have.  There are a lot of beautiful sights to be seen there.

Madison is supposed to be a great place for all kinds of stuff, and I imagine the scenery to be ideal for riding.  There’s a few good clubs around, but so far, the best I found was the Madison Motorcycle Club.  This group is not dedicated to one type of rider or bike, but just dedicated to getting on the bike and riding together.  They’ve already gathered for an Annual Snowflake Run on New Year’s Day and have two events scheduled for this spring.  Their website has lots of great riding information and plenty of trails to check out while you are in the area.

If you are looking for a good place to stay while in the area, check out a fantastic Madison Wisconsin Hotel - GrandStay Madison.  This all suite hotel offers great service and really specializes in long term stays.  But, these suites are perfect for business, vacation or just checking out the Madison area.

There’s an untouched barrier island at the west end of Sunset Beach where wildlife thrives. This area is right on the North Carolina/South Carolina border and is worth the trip. The wildlife found on the island is quite intriguing and some of the animals found are endangered or threatened in some way.

Previously, this area was separated by a tidal creek from the main island which has now filled in making the two islands one. It used to be that you could only access the island by foot during low tide but now is always accessible. Some 1300 acres of wetlands, beach and marsh are now managed by the Division of Coastal Management in North Carolina and in 2002 this area became the 10th site in the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program.

What to expect while visiting Bird Island?

Look for the Kemp’s Ridley and Loggerhead sea turtles. These species both make the endangered species list and are quite interesting beings. The Kemp’s Ridley turtles make annual voyages to Mexico to lay eggs and the Loggerheads are immune to the toxins of a Man O’War. Be sure to obey any warnings about disturbing these turtles while visiting.

You’ll also find the piping plover, wood stork and black skimmer. All of these animals are found on the Threatened/Endangered species list and are not found in many places in the states.

Just 50 miles south of Wilmington and 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach, you’ll find Sunset Beach. Easy to find and access, this beach community is a great escape for any time of year. Located in the Brunswick Island area of North Carolina, the temperatures are always perfect and the sun is out just about every day.

If you love the Grand Strand of North Carolina, then don’t miss visiting the gems you’ll find at Sunset Beach. The island boasts more natural and unspoiled surroundings than any other community in the area. And, not far from the beauty of the beach, you’ll find golf, great dining and shopping.

Sunset Beach NC Vacation Rentals are the way to go while visiting this island. Sunset Vacations offers over 300 vacation rental properties in the area, with a home to fit your style and needs. You’re sure to find what you need when booking a vacation rental with this company. If they don’t offer it, they’ll help you figure it out.

Even today, as I look at the information about Sunset Beach, the temperature there is 70 degrees and clear. Although the sky is fairly clear where I am, that temperature sure beats the 30 degree weather here.

Scenery so spectacular you won’t be able to keep your eyes on the road is a great way to describe the riding that you will fing along Highway 1 in California. It is suggested to only take in a few miles at a time along this route as there is truly so much to see!

Whether you want to ride through the many state parks in the area and see the redwoods, or just drive along the inland on the narrow, winding roads Mendocino has much to offer. You’ll find plenty of resources online for suggested rides and things to do in the area.

Here are some great places to find information about riding in Mendocino and along California’s coast:

Mendocino County Harley Owner’s Group

Easy Riding: The Ultimate Motorcycle Tours

Open Road.TV

CoolBirth Blog Recount of Ride to Mendocino\

California Motorcycle Club Links

If you are planning a trip to California, Mendocino may be just what you need. The area holds the distinction of being one of the only Historical Preservation Districs in California and being set on a peninsula makes it quite romantic. There’s good places for fishing, enjoying a picnic, hiking and just relaxing.

A great Mendocino Bed and Breakfast with a lot of history is the Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo. The Inn features six uniquely furnished guest rooms with private baths. Or maybe you would rather stay in one of the two cabins that offer your own private escape. Either way, you’re guaranteed to enjoy this one of a kind lodging along the coast.

While you visit the Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo, there’s plenty to do. Enjoy some wine tasting at local wineries or go hiking, biking and just take in the views at one of the 24 state parks in the area. Maybe you want to watch the whales or take in a round of golf. There’s a little something for everyone when you visit Mendocino.

Some of us like it country, others prefer jazz and some just love it all. While enjoying the sun and fun on Myrtle Beach, don’t forget to check out the live music. From live dinner shows to concert halls, you won’t want to miss what you find here!

Here’s a list of places to check out music in Myrtle Beach:

HB Spokes Saloon - The largest indoor/outdoor biker bar in North Myrtle Beach. The property spans 4 acres and has 10 outside bars, 2 concert stages and a retail shop.

Legends In Concert - Just 6 miles south of Myrtle Beach, you’ll find the greatest live tribute show. This concert has been performed in fifteen countries on five continents and entertaining millions! Don’t miss the event you will never forget.

The Carolina Opry - This is South Carolina’s premier entertainment attraction. Ticket prices are affordable and the shows are lots of fun.

Like Dolly Parton? Catch the Dixie Stampede Dinner show. It’s more of an adventure, but there’s music too.

Froggy Bottomz - Live entertainment begins at 9pm

Club Boca features party music from techno & hip-hop to latin house. It’s the only big city style night club in Myrtle Beach.