Tips and Lists

Arizona

• A must ride is the Devils Highway also known as the Coranado Trail or State Route 191, Use to be State Route 666 hence the Devils Highway Name. This road runs between Eager and Morenci on the Eastern border of the STATE  Elevations up to 9,000 feet and plenty of twisties to checkout them Sport Tourers.  This road is one of the most beautiful roads in the State. While that section of road isn't really all that long due to the twisties it takes around 3 hours to navigate it.

A little Hint on how to do this.   Get up early and get to US60 head east out of town go through Globe then take I think its 79 0r 71 towards Safford.  In Safford you will hook up with 191 follow this into Morenci.  As you come up the hill there will be a Conoco on your left a good place to stop and get gas.  Continue on there will be a Chevron on your right at a light.  This station is not always open so I don't recommend it as a fuel stop.  If you go straight up on the left is the Morenci Hotel it has a decent restaurant and would make a good food stop if needed.  Otherwise take a right at the light by the Chevron Station this will take you up past the Phelps Dodge Mine and onto the Devils Highway.

Once on the devils highway just follow it all the way to Eager where you can hook up with 260 and head west into ShowLow and eventually Payson.  Show Low makes a good place to stop and I can recommend the DAYS INN hotel on the Deuce of Clubs BLVD they have a JB's on Premises along with a BAR and the Hotel Pool is warm with jets like a spa all over the place.  This hotel is very biker friendly.

The reason I recommend this way is that it should be getting hot by the time you hit Morenci but you are only minutes away from being at altitude.  If you go the other way  there is a 3 1/2 hour trip back to the valley in the heat of the afternoon.

It is much better to only make the trip back from Payson in the afternoon than from Morenci.

Be sure to stop and enjoy some of the overlooks on 191. Also in Morenci there is an overlook/rest area at the top of the mine. Interesting to see all the trucks the size of 2 story buildings that look like matchbox toys in the bottom of the mine.

Louisiana

• Take a ride though the swamp. Hwy 90 from New Orleans to Lafayette. The ride from Houma to Morgan City is especially nice. Looks like something from National Geographic.

North Carolina

• Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive - this road stretches from Front Royal, VA in the north to Cherokee, NC in the south, winding along the ridges of the Appalachians/Blue Ridge mountains. The road is in pristine condition with no road hazards but deer (abundant); there is a small construction zone at the southern end of Skyline and a 10 mile or so detour on the northern section of the Blue Ridge. Skyline Drive is a National Park with a $10 entrance fee and is a parking lot in the fall when the leaves change. Skyline is actually the least attractive part of the Blue Ridge road, which is nothing but mountains and trees in the southern parts. The speed limit on the 100 odd mile Skyline portion is 35 MPH, with lots of cops. The Blue Ridge Parkway portion is 45, but no cops means do what you want. Give yourself 4 days for the roundtrip to enjoy it.

Nova Scotia

• Cabot Trail, Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia - a beautiful scenic route which runs through a variety of landscapes, from rocky coastline to foggy, moose infested highlands. A nice windy, desolate road with no gravel, potholes or other obstructions. Give yourself 2 days for the loop road.

South Carolina

• The Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment
  Some of the best riding in the South is located along the SouthCarolina/North Carolina state line in the mountainous part of the state. This area, bordered on the South by SC Scenic Highway 11, to the East by I-26, to the North by Highway 64 , and to the West by Highway 28, is dominated by the southern Blue Ridge Escarpment. An escarpment is defined as a long continuos cliff caused by erosion or upheaval. The roads in this area that run between SC and NC are all a blast to ride and some of them are as challenging as any that can be found in our country. Starting at the eastern end, at the intersection of SC 11 and I-26, go north on I-26, you will soon see the signs warning truckers about the upcoming grade (the Saluda Grade). Because of the engineering challenges, the Saluda Grade was the last portion of I-26 to be completed. The road here widens to give the truckers an extra slow lane and is made up of a series of high speed sweepers (if you have the power). My favorite part of this ride is at the top where you can look to the left and see most of the northern part of SC. The next road, US 176, is a narrow winding 2 lane road. While 176 does not feature any terrific views, there are some beautiful little towns along the route. US 176 was the detour for 1-26 while the highway up the Saluda Grade was completed. I traveled over it several times (in the car with my parents) until the interstate was finished more than 30 years ago. When I drove up 176 last summer, it seemed as though time had stopped in the early 70's (after I-26 opened). The next road to the West is US 25. US 25 is a major traffic route for citizens of the Greenville, SC area who are heading north. The road is interstate quality with some good views and many pretty farms and homes along the way. This is probably a good time to talk about SC Scenic Highway 11. This road runs along the base of the escarpment for 70 miles. The highlight of the ride along of SC 11 is the spectacular cliff formations that are visible to the North as you travel along the highway. Also, one of SC's best parks, Table Rock State Park,on SC 11. SC 11 is not a challenging road - no twisties or real elevation changes. A hot spot for SC biker's for years has been US 276 between SC 11 and Brevard, NC. This highway is a 2 lane road, paved many years ago. There are many tight switchbacks as the road goes through considerable changes in elevation. Again, you go through some small towns where it seems like time has stood still. The road goes through Ceasar's Head State Park and the overlook at the top, "Bald Rock" is worth stopping for. Next road to the West is US 178. Highway 178 runs from Rosman, NC down to SC 11. It is similar in character to 276 but the road is in better shape. I recently went through this route with group and we had a great time playing in the twisties. One warning - traveling south from Rosman, just as you cross the state line, 178 opens up and flattens out for about 1/2 mile. It is really tempting to put the hammer down in this section, especially if you are behind others in your group. However, the SC State Patrol likes to station one of their finest in a special pursuit Camaro to help control speeds in this area. Beware the bear. SC 130 and SC 107 are 2 more roads that climb the escarpment. There is a beautiful waterfall off 130 you can see if you don't mind a short hike. If you go all the way up 130, it changes to NC 281 as you cross the SC/NC state line. Highway 107 is an old road and is not as spectacular as some of the other roads in in the area. I like it because of the town at the intersection of 107 and 64, Cashiers, NC. There is a gas station/resturant there with some of the best hot dogs I have had. Last on my list is my favorite, Highway 28. The good part of this road actually starts in Walhalla, SC at the Steakhouse Cafeteria (sorry - no steaks). North from Walhalla, the road travels up and down several ridges and includes nearly every combination of turn you could imagine. Traffic is normally light and I have traveled the complete section from Walhalla to Highlands, NC without being slowed by cage traffic. One piece of advice - Highlands is a favorite spot for the NC jet set. Traffic there can be heavy on the weekends. The shops are nice but the price is high. If you have your significant other with you and stop here it might be expensive ;O). BTW, if you really feel like riding, 28 goes all the way to Deal's Gap, ending at the intersection 28 US 129 - the start of the "Dragon". I have used this route to the "Gap" several times and it is never boring. Hope you enjoy the ride. 
  Andy Simons andy112652@aol.com 

Virginia

• Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive - see North Carolina