theauhawk
08-12-2007, 12:31 PM
Hey, everybody!.....:D
As I write this, we're all in what's referred to as the "dog days" of summer, but before we know it, the weather will turn cooler and dryer, mother nature will hit us with the autumn "eye candy" splendor of brilliant colors, the atmospheric haze will recede, and (around here, at least) the weather will get more predictable.
I like to refer to the above described post-summer time of year as "peak touring season"....and to me, it's the best time of the year for thinking about putting some really serious miles on our bikes.
To that end, and without further introduction, I thought I'd submit for your review the following resources I’ve found, to help plan your next touring ride that (if done right) you'll be talking and reminiscing about for decades to come......
1) AAA Triptik--AAA has recently made its online “TripTik” feature available to AAA non-members! This feature is an interactive source for things like road conditions, gas stops, and construction zones. You can also book a hotel on-line or check out fuel prices. Visit www.aaa.com.
2) AMA Ride Guide to America--The American Motorcyclist Association has put out a publication that is a collection of road trips, routes and scenic suggestions around the country. It’s divided by region for easy access. Visit www.whitehorsepress.com for more info.
3) Mad Maps--These foldable, weather-resistant maps are a real find for motorcylists, listing color-coded recommended routes, fuel stops, and local-area attractions on each route. I picked up the one for north Georgia and the Appalachian area and it’s pretty neat. You can learn more about ‘em at www.madmaps.com.
4) Motohawk--These books let you be your own tour guide. For those interested in touring locations in the eastern US, visit www.motohawk.com/index.html. The website is an interesting read in parts, as well.
5) Harley-Davidson Great Roads and Ride Planner--On www.harley-davidson.com, click under the “experience” tab, and you’ll find some online tools for riders. The “Great Roads” section has roads and destinations that are rated for ride, and scenic value. Click-and-drag maps there allow you to view the lay of the land and access hotel info.
While we’re on the subject of our HD nemesis, HD also puts out a Ride Atlas of North America. It’s a rubber-covered reference atlas that has ride maps, and detailed US city and state maps that are tailored to motorcyclists’ needs. It also rates minor highways and secondary roads in bold colors. For more info on this one, visit your <<eccchh!>> HD dealer, or go to www.randmcnally.com.
6) Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007--The new version of this software is even more intuitive, which has an interactive GPS locator that you can plug into your computer. Way cool. Visit www.microsoft.com for more info.
7) The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel, by Dale Conyer--If you’d like some help or wisdom in prepping your bike or yourself for an extended ride, check this out. Good planning is of course the key to a really good time on the road. Visit www.whitehorsepress.com for more on this one.
More info on the web:
Motorcycle roads--www.motorcycleroads.us
America’s Byways--www.byways.org
Firestone Legendary Drives--www.firestonelegendarydrives.com
Road notes--www.roadnotes.com
Hey, why stop here? If you’ve got a great website or resource not listed above, please add to the fun by posting it here in this same thread!!!....:smiley_th
As I write this, we're all in what's referred to as the "dog days" of summer, but before we know it, the weather will turn cooler and dryer, mother nature will hit us with the autumn "eye candy" splendor of brilliant colors, the atmospheric haze will recede, and (around here, at least) the weather will get more predictable.
I like to refer to the above described post-summer time of year as "peak touring season"....and to me, it's the best time of the year for thinking about putting some really serious miles on our bikes.
To that end, and without further introduction, I thought I'd submit for your review the following resources I’ve found, to help plan your next touring ride that (if done right) you'll be talking and reminiscing about for decades to come......
1) AAA Triptik--AAA has recently made its online “TripTik” feature available to AAA non-members! This feature is an interactive source for things like road conditions, gas stops, and construction zones. You can also book a hotel on-line or check out fuel prices. Visit www.aaa.com.
2) AMA Ride Guide to America--The American Motorcyclist Association has put out a publication that is a collection of road trips, routes and scenic suggestions around the country. It’s divided by region for easy access. Visit www.whitehorsepress.com for more info.
3) Mad Maps--These foldable, weather-resistant maps are a real find for motorcylists, listing color-coded recommended routes, fuel stops, and local-area attractions on each route. I picked up the one for north Georgia and the Appalachian area and it’s pretty neat. You can learn more about ‘em at www.madmaps.com.
4) Motohawk--These books let you be your own tour guide. For those interested in touring locations in the eastern US, visit www.motohawk.com/index.html. The website is an interesting read in parts, as well.
5) Harley-Davidson Great Roads and Ride Planner--On www.harley-davidson.com, click under the “experience” tab, and you’ll find some online tools for riders. The “Great Roads” section has roads and destinations that are rated for ride, and scenic value. Click-and-drag maps there allow you to view the lay of the land and access hotel info.
While we’re on the subject of our HD nemesis, HD also puts out a Ride Atlas of North America. It’s a rubber-covered reference atlas that has ride maps, and detailed US city and state maps that are tailored to motorcyclists’ needs. It also rates minor highways and secondary roads in bold colors. For more info on this one, visit your <<eccchh!>> HD dealer, or go to www.randmcnally.com.
6) Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007--The new version of this software is even more intuitive, which has an interactive GPS locator that you can plug into your computer. Way cool. Visit www.microsoft.com for more info.
7) The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel, by Dale Conyer--If you’d like some help or wisdom in prepping your bike or yourself for an extended ride, check this out. Good planning is of course the key to a really good time on the road. Visit www.whitehorsepress.com for more on this one.
More info on the web:
Motorcycle roads--www.motorcycleroads.us
America’s Byways--www.byways.org
Firestone Legendary Drives--www.firestonelegendarydrives.com
Road notes--www.roadnotes.com
Hey, why stop here? If you’ve got a great website or resource not listed above, please add to the fun by posting it here in this same thread!!!....:smiley_th