5 Adventure-Twisting Rides To Start Planning Now
Feb. 22 2021
Rides
It's never too early to start thinking about that next epic ride. Here are five great rides to get your planning started.
- GOING TO THE SUN ROAD, MT
Fifty miles of winding roads cut through the length of Glacier National Park near the Canadian border, offering some of the steepest elevation gains and twistiest turns of any road in the United States. Great views of vast glaciers, alpine wildflowers, jagged mountain peaks, and crystal-clear lakes abound. The views from Logan Pass and the Wild Goose Island turnout are particularly spectacular.- RIDING TIPS: Start at St. mary Lake and head west on Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park to the town of West Glacier. The roads are well maintained but mid-summer is the best time to visit to avoid the potential of roads being blocked by snow.
- RIDING TIPS: Start at St. mary Lake and head west on Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park to the town of West Glacier. The roads are well maintained but mid-summer is the best time to visit to avoid the potential of roads being blocked by snow.
- ANGELES CREST HIGHWAY, CA
Known to be one of the most technically challenging roads in California, with climbs, twists, switchbacks and drops galore, the Angeles Crest Highway delivers the full Alpine experience for its 66-mile length and yet is just minutes from downtown LA. The two-lane route ascends to more than 7,000 feet through the Angeles National Forest along the most scenic ridges of the San Gabriel mountain range. The road surface is excellent- RIDING TIPS: Start on the east side of Los Angeles at La Canada Flintridge, and take Highway 2 east into the mountains and on to the end point at Wrightwood, CA. Stop at legendary biker hangout Newcomb's Ranch for food and to admire the host of bikes in the lot.
- RIDING TIPS: Start on the east side of Los Angeles at La Canada Flintridge, and take Highway 2 east into the mountains and on to the end point at Wrightwood, CA. Stop at legendary biker hangout Newcomb's Ranch for food and to admire the host of bikes in the lot.
- TIOGA ROAD (HWY120) - YOSEMITE, CA
Tioga Road (HWY 120) climbs above the Valley and provides a way to drive through the park's high country connecting Yosemite Valley with Highway 395. Tioga Pass is located in the eastern portion of Yosemite National Park and is the highest highway pass in California. Traveling HWY 120 will take you from Yosemite Valley's base at 4,000 feet of elevation to almost 10,000 feet of elevation. The elevation changes provide many breathtaking views and visits.- RIDING TIPS: Enter Yosemite from the east side off highway 395, or do the whole 206-mile stretch from west to east starting in Manteca, California. Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park, from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass) is usually closed from November through late May or early June.
- RIDING TIPS: Enter Yosemite from the east side off highway 395, or do the whole 206-mile stretch from west to east starting in Manteca, California. Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park, from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass) is usually closed from November through late May or early June.
- STEVEN PASS (U.S. ROUTE 2), WA
The ride along Highway 2 is one of the most scenic roadways in Washington as it winds through the wild, forested Cascade Mountains, often keeping the Skykomish River within sight or close by its side. The 90-mile segment from Monroe to just past Leavenworth has been designated the Stevens Pass Greenway Scenic Byway and is part of the popular Cascade Loop Scenic highway.- RIDING TIPS: Pick up the start of U.S. 2 in Everett, WA, and head east to Monore. The sweet-spot of the ride is between Monroe and Leavenworth. Enjoy the little towns on both sides of the pass. Try to plan your ride around the peak summer travel time as RV and tourist traffic can be slow.
- RIDING TIPS: Pick up the start of U.S. 2 in Everett, WA, and head east to Monore. The sweet-spot of the ride is between Monroe and Leavenworth. Enjoy the little towns on both sides of the pass. Try to plan your ride around the peak summer travel time as RV and tourist traffic can be slow.
- LOVELAND PASS (U.S. HWY 6), CO
The Rocky Mountains always give the ride an extra sense of adventure. just west of Denver off I-70, you'll find U.S. Hwy 6, the Continental Divide's scenic route. Take U.S. 6 over Loveland Pass (elevation 11,990 feet) and enjoy a dramatic climb, a few quaint towns, and many switchbacks. A stop at the top offers panoramic mountain views that make you grateful that you ride.- RIDING TIPS: Coming from the south side on U.S. 6, you'll ride up past Keystone and Arapahoe Basin ski areas and then up via switchbacks to the top of the pass. The north side of the pass peers down onto I-70 and is loaded with switchbacks and brings you out past the Loveland Ski area
- RIDING TIPS: Coming from the south side on U.S. 6, you'll ride up past Keystone and Arapahoe Basin ski areas and then up via switchbacks to the top of the pass. The north side of the pass peers down onto I-70 and is loaded with switchbacks and brings you out past the Loveland Ski area