One of the first tools I reach for when planning a trip is a map. And my map of choice for a motorcycle trip is one from MAD Maps . "MAD" stands for "Motor Adventure Destinations," and MAD Maps is a different kind of map company. Founded by a motorcyclist, the company puts out a variety of state and regional maps that cater to motorcyclists. The maps highlight the best motorcycling roads, the coolest biker destinations and fun, out of the way places that don't always stand out on an "ordinary" map. When you're out riding, the shortest distance between point A and point B is not necessarily the best route. And MAD Maps knows it.
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While much of the East Coast of the US is digging out from under record snowfall, Daytona Beach, Florida is getting ready for the kickoff event for motorcycle season: Bike Week.
The 69th Annual Bike Week celebration in Daytona Beach will take place this year from February 26 - March 7, rain, shine or snowfall. If you haven't already made your plans and reservations, you may not be completely out of luck yet. There are 11 Best Western Hotels within 50 miles of downtown Daytona Beach, and as of this writing, most still have rooms available during Bike Week. Check on the Best Western website , and you might just get lucky with a good room.
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Usually, I plan an easy itinerary for the last day of a trip. Not this time. I had a jam-packed day ahead of me, and I got started early.
I couldn't start without a good, hearty breakfast, though -- right? The Best Western Atrium does an especially good one, with eggs cooked to order, biscuits and gravy, sausage and bacon, and other goodies. I wolfed down my food, loaded up the bike, checked out of the hotel and rode across town to the campus of the University of Texas. I had another president to check off my list, and this one was a humdinger.
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum opened in 1971, with President Johnson's words describing the institution's mission:
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Today was supposed to be a short day of riding, so I decided to take it a little easy on myself. I set the alarm for a leisurely 8:30 am, instead of my usual 7:30. Of course, I woke up at 7:30 anyway. I was excited about riding.
My first stop, as always, was the Best Western Atrea at Old Town Center lobby for a delicious complimentary hot breakfast. Biscuits, cheddar cheese scrambled eggs and some hot coffee, and I was ready to ride. I checked out, and loaded up the Electra Glide. My first stop was just a few miles away this time, in the next town over, College Station. Home to the campus of Texas A&M University, which also hosts the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. I've been to seven presidential libraries so far (Nixon, Reagan, Ford, Eisenhower, Truman, Carter and Kennedy), and I hope to visit them all.
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I woke up in Galveston eager to ride. I had planned a route that promised to take me past some very beautiful scenery today, from the Gulf waters to wildlife sanctuary to National Forest lands. I skipped the complimentary breakfast in the Best Western Beachfront Inn's cafeteria. I just slugged down some of the free coffee in the lobby, loaded up the Electra Glide and checked out of the hotel.
I was ready for the cold weather today, more ready than I had been yesterday, anyway. I had two additional layers of clothing on top, purchased at Academy Sporting Goods last night: A good thermal ski shirt, and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. Total investment: under $10. Perhaps the best $10 I've ever spent.
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Okay, I just thawed out. Finally.
The temperature when I woke up in Corpus Christi this morning was 35 degrees. Not bad if you're in a car, but a little chilly if you're on a motorcycle. More than a little chilly, actually.
I went up to the eleventh floor of the Best Western Marina Grand Hotel and had a good, complimentary hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, flour tortillas and refried beans, along with plenty of hot coffee. I was going to need it.
The skies were clear as I loaded up the Electra Glide. I fired up the engine, and pointed the wheel north.
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Overcast skies covered the city of Laredo when I woke up this morning. A quick check of the forecast gave me some encouragement, though. I've been using the free Weatherbug app for my iPhone, which gives great hour-by-hour predictions, along with live view Doppler radar maps of each area. I spotted an area of clear skies down the length of the Rio Grande all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, so I charted a course that would take me near Brownsville, then back up the Gulf Coast to Corpus Christi. My other option would have been a much more direct route across the desert, which promised to be shorter, less eventful, and much less interesting. Longer, more eventful and more interesting won out. But first, breakfast.
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The day did not start out with promise. When I looked out the window of my room at the Best Western Ingram Park Inn in San Antonio, the rain was coming down in sheets.
After a quick shower, I packed my luggage, then availed myself of the free continental breakfast in the hotel lobby and weighed my options. I watched the Weather Channel, and noted that the southern end of the storm seemed to tail off somewhere between San Antonio and Laredo, my destination for the day. I decided that my FXRG gear was going to get a good road test.
I checked out, and asked the desk clerk to call a cab for me. Despite the rain and traffic, a taxi arrived within five minutes, and ferried me over to Caliente Harley-Davidson. In just a few minutes, I had the keys to a black 2010 Electra Glide Classic. I loaded my gear into the saddlebags and Tour Pak, and hit the road by 10:00 am.
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The day has finally arrived. I'm in San Antonio, Texas.
After weeks of preparation, I headed to the airport this morning lugging my rolling duffel bag full of motorcycle gear, and boarded a plane for the Lone Star State.
Yesterday was a flurry of activity, as always before a trip. Flying off for a motorcycle trip is different than a normal trip. I always travel light, but the definition changes when you have to carry your gear with you. My helmet alone takes up a good portion of my luggage.
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I hope that you are more mechanically inclined than I am. I hope that for your sake. I do okay, but when it comes to complex work, I turn to professionals. But even with my limited skills, I have been able to tackle a number of projects related to my motorcycle.
Winter is the best time to get work done on my bike. I'm more patient, and less distracted by the opportunity to ride.
The first project that I tackled this winter was organizing my workspace. I tore out some clunky old cabinets and shelving in my garage, and replaced it with a more efficient system. I didn't spend a ton of dough -- I refitted my whole two-car garage for under $500. But I made better use of space, clearing floor space for my motorcycle, and organizing my stuff in the process. Now all of my motorcycle tools, supplies and spare parts are in the same area, easily accessible and ready to use. I've even got a workbench to help with staging work comfortably, up off of the floor.
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I've written about how much I enjoy planning a trip. I enjoy it almost as much as I enjoy the trip itself, if truth be told. Well, the beginning of a new year is always a great time to take a look at the calendar to figure out when and where we'll be riding as the pages flip.
Here are a few of the major motorcycle events scheduled for 2010. Take a look at your calendar, and see if you've got room for a trip! It's never too early to start planning.
February 26 - March 7: Bike Week 2010, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Known as "The World's Biggest Motorcycle Event," Bike Week is a 10-day festival that was originally built around actual motorcycle racing.
March 5: The Daytona 200 , Daytona, Florida.
A great chance to see world-class motorcycle racing in person.
April 14 - 18: Arizona Bike Week , Mesa, Arizona.
This has turned into a wonderful venue for music, with appearances from major bands planned.
April 21 - 25: Laughlin River Run , Laughlin, Nevada.
Great weather, great riding and a wild atmosphere.
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I actually really do believe in New Year's resolutions. I don't believe in driving myself nuts over them, but I do believe that setting some goals for the coming year can help to focus my efforts and can help me make decisions when I'm not sure which way to turn.
One area of my life where I make resolutions has to do with my motorcycle riding. Here's a list of some of my Rider's Resolutions for 2010:
- I resolve to wear all of the gear, all of the time. I will not take shortcuts with safety.
- I resolve to keep my bike clean and polished. A clean bike is a happy bike.
- I resolve to perform my routine maintenance on a regular schedule. I will change my oil and filters, check my fittings and cables, and re-torque all nuts and bolts to spec.
- I resolve to check my tire pressure before each ride, and at the beginning of the each day on a multi-day trip.
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I'm a year-round rider. I don't put my bike to sleep for the winter; I keep riding. I'm lucky. I live in Southern California, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. But that doesn't mean it doesn't get cold on my Sportster. It gets very cold, and besides being mighty uncomfortable, it can actually be dangerous. Cold temperatures can raise your reaction time, reduce your ability to control your bike, and generally make you a worse rider. The wind chill factor amplifies the effect of cold air on your body, and riding at 60 mph on a cold night will feel like standing in a 60 mph windstorm. In a word, cold!
In mild weather, layering is the smart way to go. Start with a wicking fabric next to your skin. Cotton is good, but a high-tech microfiber layer is even better. Add thin layers of clothing on top -- clothing designed for skiers and snowboarders is great for this. Each layer will add insulation, and will also trap a layer of air, which is fantastic insulation as well. Finish off with a breathable windproof layer, like a Gore-Tex jacket, underneath your regular riding gear. Make sure not to overdo it, and layer just enough to keep warm, but not so much that you lose mobility.
Bundling up can help, but there's a limit. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue.
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For me, there are two seasons -- riding season and show season. And I'm happy in either one.
Right now, we're in the middle of motorcycle show season, as the manufacturers bring out their new models to show to the public. If you're lucky enough to live in one of the towns where the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show makes a stop, trek on out to the convention center and see the new bikes. If you don't live nearby, why not plan an overnight trip?
I love going to the motorcycle show because it's a chance to actually sit on a wide variety of bikes, to talk to the experts and to mingle with other motorcycle enthusiasts. There's always a great vendor's area, where I can look at new accessories, apparel and product innovations (and maybe even buy a few things). Several vendors bring clearance and closeout merchandise, and there are often deals to be had. In warmer climes, the manufacturers even bring out demo bikes and offer rides on their new models. It's a great big biker Wonderland, with something for everyone.
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That special motorcyclist in your life deserves a special gift this holiday season. My non-biker friends know that I'm into motorcycles, and when they think about a gift, they fall back on knick-knacks. Now, I like a die-cast Harley-Davidson as much as the next guy, but I've kind of reached my limit, and I'm almost positive that anyone who has been riding for more than a few years has all they can handle, too. So, to help out my fellow riders, and to help out those who wish to buy gifts for riders, I've got a few suggestions that will make this year's gift season better than ever.
Great gifts under $50:
The Jimi Wallet: Bulk is the enemy when you're riding a motorcycle. The Jimi is a slim, lightweight plastic wallet that is made of 100% recycled and recyclable materials. It's designed to be carried in your front pocket, and will only hold the essentials. I switched from a conventional leather wallet to the Jimi a few years ago, and it's the best wallet I've ever had. ($15)
The Sculpted Skull Belt Buckle : Bikers love belts, and bikers love skulls. So this one is a natural. The best feature on this buckle is that it doesn't have any sharp edges to dig in when you're sitting on the bike. And it's cool looking. ($30)
Compact Tire Gauge and Tread Depth Indicator with Braided Stainless Steel Lead : Sure, your biker friend has a tire gauge. But this is a better tire gauge, with the added advantage of tread depth gauge and a long lead that makes taking readings much easier. One tool no biker should be without. ($30)
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I've heard this story every spring, and so have you. My riding buddies call to ask for some help -- it's the first nice day of the new season, and time to go for a ride. Except their bikes won't start. Dead battery, or bad fuel, or gunked up oil. Who knows? All I do know is that they didn't take the time to get their bikes ready for the winter, and now it's springtime, and now they're suffering.
So, you know what's coming: My tips for prepping your motorcycle for the winter.
- First and foremost, give your motorcycle a good, thorough cleaning and detailing from top to bottom. Fix the little things that you've been putting off all summer and fall. Tighten those loose fasteners. Lube that chain. Wrap that frayed wire. A little bit of time spent now will save you a ton of heartache later.
- Figure out where your bike is going to spend its winter. The best of all worlds is a heated, enclosed space, but not all of us have that option. You're going to need access to an electric outlet with "always-on" power, as well.
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The weather is starting to turn, even here in sunny Southern California, where I call home. Even though temperatures are pleasant during the daytime, in the 60s and 70s, after the sun goes down I can expect 40s and 30s. It's hard to figure out what kind of gear to wear, what to carry, whether to ride or to take the car. I have to admit, there are times when I wimp out and ride in the cage, just to avoid the discomfort. I'm not proud of it. But it's the truth.
Which got me thinking - when it's getting colder here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's getting warmer down in the Southern Hemisphere. I started to do more than fantasize about locations below the Equator where I might like to ride.
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Winter is coming on, and the riding season is winding down for most of the country. This is the absolute best time to shop for a used bike.
Think about it -- the holidays are coming, cash is tight, and that motorcycle in the garage starts to look like an ATM to many people. Maybe they didn't ride that much this summer, maybe they have plans to buy a new bike next spring, maybe they're just tired of debating with their spouse about that motorcycle taking up valuable space in the garage. Whatever the reason, plenty of bikes go up for sale this time of year.
At the same time, there are fewer buyers to compete for used bikes. Impulse buyers will be less likely to spring for a motorcycle when Old Man Winter looms on the horizon. With the economy being so tight, even hardcore bikers will be inclined to save up their dough for family gifts rather than adding a bike to the stable.
All of which adds up to the perfect time to buy a used motorcycle.
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I own two motorcycles. One I've had since 1980; the other (my new one) I bought in 1993. Recently, I've been thinking about buying a new touring bike like a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. If I decide to pull the trigger on a new bike purchase, my other bikes will have to go. So, researcher that I am, I've been studying up on what steps to take in order to sell my motorcycles.
First, I'm going to perform an inspection. I'm going to decide which repair items will get fixed, and which items will remain unrepaired for the new buyer. One of my bikes has a very faded paint job. It would cost about $500 to repaint the bike, but repainting the bike would not increase its value. So, I won't repaint. But, I will repair that torn seat, tidy up that loose clutch cable and polish that rusting chrome -- all necessary maintenance that will cost me little more than elbow grease but could impact the sale price significantly. I'll also remove any accessories or extra equipment that I might want to keep or sell separately -- sometimes, a bike is worth more in pieces than it is as a running whole.
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I don't know if you saw the news recently, but Brad Pitt had a little tipover on his motorcycle while evading the paparazzi. He was unhurt, but it made me think about how many celebrities ride motorcycles.
Pitt is well-known for his love of motorcycling. So is his buddy George Clooney, who rides with a posse of friends on a regular basis. Other big-time actors who are unrepentant motorcyclists include Aaron Eckhart, Adrien Brody, Antonio Banderas, Jeremy Irons, Billy Bob Thornton, Scott Glenn, Bruce Willis, Ewan McGregor and Tom Cruise, just to name a few. Motorcycling and movie stars have always gone hand in hand.
Marlon Brando and Clark Gable rode bikes, but the golden age of celebrity motorcycling may have been the 1960s. That's when Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and every cool guy in Hollywood was on two wheels, influencing an entire generation of motorcyclists. Arnold Schwarzenegger redefined motorcycling onscreen as the title character in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and rides prominently in real life, even as he serves out his term as Governor of California.
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When you're riding your motorcycle, in the best of all possible conditions, the only thing that touches the road is the contact patch on your tire. And yet many riders pay little or no attention to their tires before heading out for a ride.
I'd like to encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about your tires right now; a few minutes inspecting your tires later; and a few minutes checking your tires before each and every ride.
What should you look for when you check your tires?
We all know that it's important to check tire inflation pressure. Your bike should have a VIN sticker or VIN plate that displays recommended tire pressure and GVWR. Your owner's manual will also have a page detailing correct tire pressure, front and rear -- the numbers are frequently different, depending on the size and type of bike you ride. Try to check your tires and add air (if necessary) when the tires are cool. Once tires heat up from riding, air pressure readings will rise, because hot air expands.
Don't overinflate or underinflate -- both conditions can lead to handling issues, and possible tire failure.
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I write about riding around on two wheels. That's my passion.
But there's another step between two wheels and four: Three wheels.
There are two ways to get on three wheels with Harley-Davidson. Since 2009, the Motor Company has offered a factory Trike, with one wheel and a traditional fork in front, and two wheels in the rear. For 2010, you can choose between the Tri Glide Ultra Classic (starting at $29,999), which is basically a three-wheeled version of the Ultra Classic; or a Street Glide Trike (starting at $26,999), a more stripped-down version of the Touring platform.
The other option is to add a sidecar to your bike. Harley makes a sidecar rig that's designed to hook up to the Touring lineup, and there are aftermarket manufacturers who will build sidecars for other bikes in the lineup. When a sidecar is hooked up to a bike, the resulting three-wheeled contraption is called a "rig," or a "hack," probably based on the tradition of horse and buggy hacks.
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You've spent some time on that new motorcycle. You took the Rider's Edge New Rider Course. Then you spent some more time on your scoot. You took the Rider's Edge Experienced Rider Course. And then you rode some more.
Now, you're looking for a new challenge, a new way to build your skills.
Maybe it's time for Track School.
The best riders on the road have usually had some training and experience on the track. Time on a racetrack is the safest, quickest way to build riding skills, and it's actually much more accessible and affordable than you might imagine.
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We all know someone who has been hurt in a motorcycle accident. It's the first thing that comes up when our friends find out that we ride. We deflect, we change the subject, we reassure - we're safe riders, riding is all about managing risk, everything in life is dangerous, you can get killed walking down the street. You know the conversation.
Every once in a while, though, it hits hard.
My cousin Dave and his wife Linda were in a motorcycle wreck last week. Riding two-up on a 2006 Harley-Davidson through a small New Jersey town near their home, they collided with, or were hit by, a pickup truck driven by an 18 year-old boy. Dave and Linda have sustained major injuries. They will both survive, but each has had their left leg amputated. The pickup truck driver was not injured in the accident, and a police investigation is underway.
Dave and Linda will survive. Their injuries, though severe and life altering, are no longer life threatening. The impact of that collision will resonate far beyond that New Jersey street.
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I live in Southern California now, so I get to ride my motorcycle year-round. But one thing that I miss about living in the Northeast is the change of seasons, especially the arrival of autumn. Green gives way to gold, red, yellow and a spectacular explosion of color just before the trees give up their leaves. Already beautiful scenery becomes outrageously, fleetingly mind blowing. The show moves from north to south, as fall creeps slowly down from Maine to Georgia. Florida doesn't get as much of a show, but then Florida has a show year-round anyway.
When I lived in New York City, I had three favorite routes out of town for great day rides to see the foliage.
My favorite route was always directly to the north. We'd ride up the West Side Highway and onto the Taconic State Parkway. Almost immediately upon leaving the border of New York City up in Yonkers, the Taconic becomes a beautiful divided highway, with long stretches of curvy, tree-shaded two-lane road carved into the rocky hillside. There are even some challenging sections for a motorcyclist, with changes in elevation, decreasing radius turns and off-camber curves. Mostly, it's a beautiful country ride through the Hudson River Valley that can make you forget you were ever in a crowded city. We used to ride up to Lagrangeville for brunch at the Daily Planet Diner then tool around Poughkeepsie, looking at the architecture and admiring the campus of Vassar College before heading back to Manhattan.
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Today is going to be a real motorcycling day. We're going to ride the Tail of the Dragon .
The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most famous motorcycling roads in the United States, and has become a real destination ride for people from all over the world. The main reason is its layout: 318 curves in 11 miles of smooth blacktop, winding through beautiful tree-lined hills in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Officially known as US 129, the Tail of the Dragon is a lovely, challenging road that emits a siren call to bikers the world over.
A word of warning about the Tail of the Dragon: Any road this famous will attract its share of idiots, morons who forget that they are on a public road with other traffic. A search of YouTube will reveal a myriad of moronic behavior, hooliganism and wrecks that could easily be avoided with a touch of common sense. I wouldn't ride the road on a busy weekend - it wouldn't be any fun. The key to enjoying a safe ride on the Tail of the Dragon, as with any ride, is to ride safely, ride within your limits and respect the rules of the road. 'Nuff said.
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The skies are threatening as we eat our breakfast in the solarium at the Best Western Villa Inn. Looks like this could be the day that we have to break out the rain gear.
As we saddle up on Melvis, a guy waves us down, running across the parking lot. I flip open my visor.
"Ya'all been in weather before? Because we're about to get some weather."
I thank the guy for his concern, and assure him that we've been in weather before. Because we have ridden through some real gully washers in our time, and we actually kind of enjoy it.
"Ride safe, now."
Looking at the sky, I figure that if we head out now, we can avoid the weather and stay dry. The front seems to be moving from north to south, and we're going east. So we ride off, knowing that our rain gear is easily accessible should we need it.
History is all around as we ride. In place and street names, we see reminders of David Crockett, Tennessee pioneer and statesman, revered throughout the state.
We ride toward living history in Lynchburg, a tiny town in the center of Moore County. Since 1866, the principal industry in Lynchburg has been the making of Tennessee Whiskey at the Jack Daniel's Distillery . They've been doing it there (with a short interruption for Prohibition) the same way Jack Daniel started, with the same water source and the same recipe for nearly a century and a half. Tours of the Distillery are free, and take about an hour. Our tour guide, Billy, is a squat man with a big grey beard spreading over the front of his overalls. He looks a little bit like a troll, and he's got a sharp sense of humor. He gives a great tour, rife with company history, lore and insight, along with a real passion for the product. There are no samples on this factory tour - good thing, too, because we've still got riding to do.
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Another big day today. We're going to Graceland.
We check out of the Best Western Suites after a quick free breakfast in the lobby. It's been a nice stay, but we've got places to go, and the King to see.
A short ride on the Interstate, and we're piloting Melvis down Elvis Presley Boulevard. On the south side of the street, there are the famous gates with Elvis's silhouette and musical notes. We pull in to the Graceland parking lot on the north side, and sit Melvis alone to wait in the shade. The guards at the gate are kind enough to let us know that there are lockers at the visitors' center where we can stow our helmets and jackets while we are on our tour, a great convenience for motorcyclists and others for just 50 cents. We pay our admission fee, and board a shuttle bus for Graceland Mansion and a self-guided audio tour. Each guest is handed a headset and a small Walkman-like device. A very pleasant, informative soundtrack guides you through the public areas of Elvis' home and grounds - the private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) are off-limits. The famous Jungle Room still draws gasps of wonder, with its green shag-carpeted ceiling and indoor waterfall. My favorite room is Elvis's rec room, decorated in bright yellow and blue with his TCB lightning bolt logo on the wall and a mirrored ceiling. The trophy room provides a great historical look through Elvis's career accomplishments. It's amazing to look over all that Elvis did and then to realize that he died at the age of 42. He's been dead for over 30 years, and still people listen to his music, watch his films and visit his grave. Which is right there at the Mansion, at the end of the tour. In the light of Michael Jackson's recent demise, Elvis' story feels all the more current and tragic to me right now. Though Graceland is decidedly tiny, tacky and a little bit sad, it is an absolute must for any true music fan to visit.
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After a quick (free) hot breakfast in the lobby, we hightail it to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum so that we can be there when they open at 9:00 am. Neither Robin nor I are particular fans of country music, but we've heard that the museum is great, and we're eager to see it before we leave town. The Museum turns out to be fantastic. They've got a great collection of memorabilia, everything from Elvis' gold piano to Hank Williams' guitar to Porter Wagoner's Nudie suits. The whole place is intelligently laid-out, with sound and film clips illustrating the history and vitality of the music and culture. We get a chance to tour a special exhibit about Hank Williams and his progeny, "Family Tradition." After a $70 visit to the gift shop, we leave feeling inspired about country music.
We load up Melvis and check out of the Best Western Music Row, heading west out of Nashville on US 70. Interstate 40 is a direct route to Memphis, but we want to stay on the back roads as much as possible, while still making time. This is one of our longer days, 210 miles by the shortest route, and we've got a detour to make. We've heard that the world's greatest fried chicken is in Mason, Tennessee at a place called "Gus's." We can't let a claim like that go unexamined, so we plot a course for the tiny town.
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Up bright and early, we eat our free hot breakfast at the Best Western Cedar Bluff Inn . Packed and ready, we meet Harry from Odyssey Airport Taxi in front of the hotel for the ride over to Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson in Maryville. Oops - we discover that our motorcycle is actually across town at Knoxville Harley-Davidson on Lovell Road. No problem - by now we're now old friends with Odyssey Airport Taxi, and Patrick comes by to shuttle us to the correct Harley dealer. I am once again forced to re-learn a travel lesson: confirm your itinerary carefully, and pay attention to the details. Luckily, my mistake hasn't cost us much more than a few hours and an extra cab ride.
We finally arrive at Knoxville Harley-Davidson, to a warm greeting from Sean Hickey, Rental Manager. Sean has our paperwork ready, and we're soon loading up our black 2009 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide with gear. Robin immediately christens the bike "Melvis." Melvis is a stock Ultra Classic, with just over 8500 miles on the clock. He's in excellent shape, with a few tiny nicks and scuffs adding character. The only accessory I can spot is a set of highway pegs, which I know will come in handy on the longer rides.
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Traveling by motorcycle is all about the gear - what to wear, what to take, what to leave behind.
Robin and I have carved our packing down to a science. We start with the essentials, and lay out what we consider to be the minimum amount of stuff that we can bring and still have a good trip. Then we take a hard look at what we're planning to bring, and see what we can leave behind. We usually realize that we're over packing, and we're able to reduce our load before we ever leave.
One thing that we never leave behind on a motorcycle trip is rain gear. A day of rain doesn't have to spoil a motorcycle trip, but without rain gear, it almost certainly will. We each have good two-piece rain suits that are designed for small packing and quick donning. They go in the bag first.
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Planning the ride is almost as much fun as the actual ride. At least it is for me.
I have never really spent any time in Tennessee. I've passed through on my way to somewhere else, but I've never lingered. And Tennessee deserves better.
My wife Robin is taking a week off from work to ride as my passenger and share the adventure. Robin is the best passenger in the world. Always cheerful, she never complains and she's very entertaining when we're off of the bike. She helps me plan the trip, and studies up on our destinations for fun things to see and do. If I wasn't already married to her, I'd have to court her all over again.
Weeks before the trip, once we decided on Tennessee as our destination, we hit the books. We found three excellent travel books that provided great inspiration and information: Moon Handbooks Tennessee by Jeff Bradley (Avalon Travel Publishing, 2005); Off the Beaten Path Tennessee by Jackie Sheckler Finch (Morris Book Publishing, 2009); and Scenic Driving Tennessee by Russ Manning (Falcon Guide, 2005).
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I've made no secret about it - I love motorcycles, all motorcycles -- especially Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The sound, the feel, the look - Harley-Davidsons are what I picture in my head when I think "motorcycle."
Some riders have an entirely different picture in their heads. They see chiseled, modern lines. They see track-ready bikes with lightweight body parts and high-tech mechanicals. They see sportbikes.
That's where Buell comes in. A wholly owned division of Harley-Davidson since 1998, Buell is the American Sportbike.
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I get a lot of pleasure out of keeping my motorcycle clean. My SUV usually looks like it just came back from a race through the desert, but my bike always gleams like new.
Keeping your ride clean isn't just a matter of vanity, it's good preventative maintenance. As you clean your bike, you'll have the opportunity to inspect every square inch of machine. You'll notice any loose fasteners before they fall off. You'll discover fluid leaks before catastrophe hits. You'll be able to solve problems before they keep you from riding safely.
Over the years, I've developed a number of tips about bike cleaning that I will now share with you:
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As summer winds down, the kids are getting restless. They're bored with math camp; they're waterlogged from swimming lessons; they've made so many lanyards that your keychain looks like a vinyl peacock. Why not take the kids to a museum?
I can hear the groans now. Not another museum! Exactly, not another museum - a motorcycle museum!
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Riding through New York State can bring a surprise at every turn. If those turns bring you to the Lake Placid area, you're in luck. You've just discovered a little slice of motorcycling heaven.
The town of Lake Placid lives along the shores of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, two adjacent bodies of water in Northeastern New York State. It's a five or six hour ride from Manhattan to the South, about two hours from Montreal to the North and about an hour from Burlington, Vermont to the east. That's if you're in a hurry to get to Lake Placid.
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Christmas comes early for Harley-Davidson fans, as the Motor Company announces its new lineup every summer. And, despite a downturn in the domestic motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson is heading into 2010 with an aggressive push that they call "the most expansive new-product introduction in the history" of the company.
Here are some details about the new lineup:
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The 69th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally takes place from August 3rd to 9th in Sturgis, South Dakota.
For many motorcyclists, especially Harley-Davidson riders, a trip to Sturgis during the Rally is a lifetime goal. For others, it's an annual rite, and no year is complete without it.
If you're headed to Sturgis for the first time this year, or for the 69th time, here are a few tips to make your trip even better.
Plan ahead. Even though spontaneity is one of the great hallmarks of a motorcycle trip, if you think that you'll be able to show up at Sturgis without any reservations or plans for accommodations, you're going to have a disappointing time. Use the Ride Planner on the Harley-Davidson website, and you'll be able to find Best Western Hotels along your route to the Rally.
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You can't ride all the time. Sometimes, you have to stop and watch a movie about riding!
Here are a few films with great motorcycle footage to inspire you to take a long ride.
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All good things must come to an end, and it was the same with our trip to Montana and Idaho.
After another delicious hot breakfast at the Best Western Grant Creek Inn, we checked out of the hotel, loading Monty one last time for the short ride to Montana Harley-Davidson.
We returned to the dealership, and Chandra greeted us. She checked the bike in as we unloaded and re-packed our belongings back into our luggage.
Chandra gave Monty a thorough inspection, and I made sure to return the tool kit, cable lock, keys and registration materials that we had taken with us on our trip. A few signatures, and we were all done. I felt badly that Monty was so dirty and covered with bugs when we returned him, but Chandra assured me that he was in perfect condition - and besides, it was somebody's job to give him a good washing and detailing.
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American motorcycling history begins and ends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. So why not get to know America's 23rd-biggest city a little better with a road trip?
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I woke up with particular vigor on this morning. It would be our last full day of riding for this trip, and we were taking our one real detour, into Glacier National Park.
And it was my birthday.
Does it get any better than that? A perfect day, a great motorcycle to ride, my ideal companion on the pillion, a dream destination and it's my birthday?
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No matter how unsociable you're feeling, take the time to talk to people during your travels.
I've learned that lesson over and over, as the most casual conversations have resulted in the most amazing travel experiences.
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After a very pleasant breakfast buffet at the Best Western Salmon Rapids Lodge, we loaded up Monty and headed out of town.
I've got a thing about backtracking on a trip. I hate doing it. I want to discover new vistas, new roads, new towns. Rather than retracing our steps 50 miles to rejoin US 12, as had been our earlier plan, we decided to follow US 95 north all the way up to Coeur d'Alene. We figured that we might experience less of the Nez Perce Trail and beautiful unspoiled nature, and take in a little more of small town life. It turned out to be a great decision.
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We woke up early, eager for the ride ahead. The Best Western Grant Creek Inn has a great breakfast buffet, free with our night's stay. I loaded up on scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, while Robin had a dainty bowl of cereal. A few cups of coffee down the hatch, and we were ready to go.
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Finally, the day arrived for my wife Robin and I to leave for the Northwest and our motorcycle ride.
Our closest airport is Bob Hope International in Burbank, California, but we flew out of Los Angeles International (LAX). Knowing that we would have two very heavy bags and that we'd be very tired upon our return, I debated springing for airport parking over our usual Park-and-Ride option - convenience over cost. A quick internet search turned up a 10% discount coupon for The Parking Spot, a very convenient chain of parking garages with two LAX locations, and that sealed the deal.
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I love planning a trip almost as much as I love traveling. As my wife Robin and I prepared for our trip to the Northwestern United States, we knew that we had some choices to make.
We would be flying in to Missoula, Montana on Monday. Picking up our motorcycle on Tuesday, and riding to Riggins, Idaho. From Riggins, up to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Wednesday. From Coeur d'Alene to Whitefish, Montana on Thursday, then back to Missoula on Friday, with a return flight on Saturday morning. We knew that we'd be staying at Best Western hotels each night along the way.
Beyond that, it was up to us.
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I was lucky enough to be included on a motorcycle trip with a few other journalists last week. We explored the roads (and vineyards and restaurants) of Napa Valley on Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles. We also made our way through Marin County, Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
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I can go on a real tear, and read book after book on a given subject. As a result, I've got shelves groaning at the weight of books about motorcycling, so I thought I'd share a little bit about some of my favorites.
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We can't be on our bikes all of the time. In fact, you're in front of your computer right now, aren't you?
The website has replaced the workbench as the prime location for exchanging motorcycle stories, travel tales and bike knowledge. Think of your computer as an extension of your garage - a place to work on your bike, hang around with friends and waste a lot of time chatting about trips you want to take on your motorcycle.
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Forget everything that you think you know about motorcycle rallies. Erase the images of drunken bikers rampaging through town, terrorizing the locals and leaving chaos in their wake.
Replace those images with friendly, considerate motorcyclists, gathering in a beautiful corner of the world to share a common interest, socialize, celebrate and (gasp!) learn. That's Americade, billed as "the world's largest multi-brand touring rally."
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As I've mentioned before, I'm an ATGATT guy (All The Gear, All The Time). But as temperatures begin to creep up, even the most devoted safety gear wearer can find it challenging to balance safety and comfort.
Here are some DOS AND DON'TS to help you stay comfortable, cool and safe on your motorcycle when the heat is on.
DON'T lose the jacket. One of the big mistakes riders make in hot weather is to take off their riding jackets and ride in a t-shirt or tanktop.
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I love my motorcycle. I also love my dogs and cats. Until recently, I had resigned myself to the fact that my two loves would always compete. Spending time on my motorcycle meant time away from my pets; spending time with my pets meant time not riding my bike.
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If you've got a motorcycle in your garage right now, you have the first ingredient in my recipe for guilt-free travel.
Traveling by motorcycle requires clever use of resources. Especially if you're taking a passenger along and traveling two-up, every little item that you carry with you must serve a purpose. So, motorcyclists travel light.
Traveling by motorcycle consumes less fuel. Even a full-dress touring bike like the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide is rated to achieve 35 mpg city/54 mpg highway.
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They're not part of a gang. They don't start fights. They don't scare little old ladies. But they are tough, and you can join them if you dare. They are the Iron Butt Association (IBA) , the World's Toughest Riders.
35,000 members strong, the IBA is "dedicated to safe long-distance endurance motorcycle riding." They conduct an annual ride called the "Iron Butt Rally," an 11,000 mile timed road ride. To qualify for the Iron Butt Rally, you have to complete an official Saddle Sore 1000 or a Bun Burner 1500.
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This had to be the ultimate business trip on a motorcycle.
As reported in the Gettysburg Times and elsewhere, Jordan's King Abdullah II took some time off during his visit to the United States recently to ride his Harley-Davidson through West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He even made a stop at Battlefield Harley-Davidson in Gettysburg, and bought several t-shirts.
Apparently, the King rides at home in Jordan, and wanted to explore our Civil War sites during a break from discussing Middle East peace with President Obama in Washington. He traveled with several other motorcyclists, and his security detail rode along on their own motorcycles.
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Once my friends know how to ride, they're ready to start shopping for a bike. Though it is possible to start out on a large displacement motorcycle, most experts will advise new riders to begin with a bike with a smaller engine, 500 cc or less. This is especially good advice for smaller riders, because in general, the smaller the engine, the lighter the bike. A lighter bike is easier to handle, move around the garage, and keep upright at a standstill.
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When my friends find out that I ride a motorcycle, some of them are horrified. "It's so dangerous!" I remind them that life is dangerous, that driving a car is dangerous, that walking down a busy sidewalk is dangerous, and yet we somehow manage every day. I have spent years honing my motorcycle riding skills, and I don't take unnecessary risks. It's all about managing risk, and risk versus reward. The rewards of motorcycling are great, and, for me, more than worth the risk.
When my other non-riding friends talk with me about motorcycling, some of them are intrigued. A few have even asked my advice about getting started on a motorcycle.
I always recommend that my friends take a riding class before committing to motorcycling. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has a great program, the Basic RiderCourse, available in most parts of the United States. Many locations have motorcycles available for loan or rental in coordination with the classes, so you can see if riding is for you before you invest a significant chunk of cash on a bike.
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Riding a motorcycle is all about managing risk. But what happens when you park your bike - especially overnight at a hotel? How can you manage the risk of motorcycle theft while you're asleep?
Back in the good old days, I used to stay at roadside motels where I could pull my bike up on the sidewalk directly outside my window, and keep one ear peeled for any bike rustlers. Some guys I knew even rode their beloved choppers into their rooms. I had a cousin who claimed that he once rebuilt his Harley's transmission in a motel bathtub during a cross-country trip. Now that I'm staying in nicer places, I've had to develop other, more socially acceptable strategies to protect my Sportster.
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Motorcycle travel and business travel are not mutually exclusive. I have done my share of both, and on happy occasions, I've been able to combine the two. Traveling by bike has helped me save money and time, and I've had the chance to make a unique impression when I arrive (if I choose to).
In this age of miniaturization, most of the business tools I need for a trip will fit in a briefcase - so with some careful packing, I can get them onto my bike.
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My wife Robin is the perfect passenger. She wasn't born that way. In fact, before we started dating, she had never ridden on the back of a Harley-Davidson, or any motorcycle for that matter. Robin was eager to try out the pillion, but she was a little nervous at first. We both were. Now, after years of riding together, we're like a well-tuned riding team, and Robin says that she gets as much pleasure out of the journey as I do. Here are some tips on how to build the perfect passenger.
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Getting ready for a trip always involves a big gear inspection. What to wear, what to pack, what to leave at home. I happen to enjoy the planning part of a trip almost as much as I enjoy the trip itself. Almost.
I have to confess that I'm one of those ATGATT guys. You know, All The Gear, All The Time. So my senses are particularly tuned to pick up what I perceive as real mistakes by my fellow riders. At risk of sounding like a gear evangelist, here are a few things I've actually seen other bikers and their passengers wearing on the road:
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Sam Lowe
Chris McGinnis
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
Karla Henriquez
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