Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

34  VISITING THE USA

Travel by Motorcycle or Bike Backroads organizes a variety
of guided bike tours, following
For visitors with time on their hands as well as a sense of some of the most spectacular
adventure, touring the United States by motorcycle or bicycle scenic routes, with overnight
can be a rewarding experience. Ride the open road with a stays in country inns or national
Harley-Davidson, or mountain bike throughout the beautiful park campsites. If interested in
long-distance cycling, be sure to
and peaceful American wilderness for the adventure of a contact the Adventure Cycling
lifetime. Good planning, familiarizing yourself with the rules Association, which has deve-
and regulations, and using the right equipment can make this loped a network of bike-friendly
an enjoyable way of seeing the country. routes on quiet and scenic roads
and also offers a wide range of
guided tours, as well as advice.
Motorcycles Bicycles
Fans of Marlon Brando’s Bicycles are another great way
famous movie The Wild One to see the country. Unlike Recreational Biking
(1953) or Jack Nicholson’s classic motorcycles, bicycles can be In country areas, many bike
Easy Rider (1969) may dream brought on most airplanes as paths have been reclaimed from
of exploring the United States luggage. Check the requirements unused railroad lines. Known as
on a motorcycle. Today, there first with your airline – many “rail trails,” these are some of the
are several motorcycle rental carriers require that you best long-distance bicycling and
companies, especially in bike- disassemble and pack the bike walking routes in the country,
friendly areas, where licensed into a special box, which is avail- often running alongside rivers
riders drive classic motorcycles able in most good bike shops. and having moderate grades.
such as Harley-Davidsons In a great many cities, there In addition, there are miles
or BMWs. are extensive networks of bike and miles of country roads
An American motorcycle paths, which are often separated everywhere you go. Areas such
license or an International Driving from car traffic. In some larger as California’s Wine Country and
Permit for motor cycles is cities, bikes can be strapped New England’s river valleys are
necessary. Also, the law in most onto the outside of local buses among the most popular.
states requires that you wear or carried on the subway. The more athletic or daredevil
a helmet. For serious long-distance traveler may also want to try
biking, it’s important to equip off-road mountain biking,
yourself with a good bike, tools which is encouraged in many
Motorcycle Rentals & and spares, maps, and recreational areas such as
Tours
preferably a helmet. Cyclists downhill ski resorts in summer.
Renting is expensive, since the must obey all traffic laws and
rates and liability insurance can should be careful to lock up DIRECTORY
add up to well over $100 a day. their bikes and gear.
Moreover, you have to pay extra In the US, bikes are not as Motorcycle Rentals &
for collision insurance. If you plan common as they are in many Tours
to stay for a long period, it might other countries. Car and truck
be less expensive to buy a bike drivers are not used to sharing Blue Sky Motorcycle Rentals
for a few months, then resell it. the road with bikes, which can Tel (800) 251-5550.
Eagle Rider Motorcyle make cycling hazardous. Be ∑ blueskymotorcyclerentals.
Rentals & Tours rents Harley- aware of RV drivers in particular, com
Davidson and other motorcyles because it is easy for them to
in more than 25 states for misjudge the size of their vehicles. Eagle Rider Motorcycle
pick-up and returns to the Bikes are prohibited on restricted- Rentals & Tours
same location, and offers both access highways and freeways. Tel (888) 900-9901.
guided and self-guided tours. ∑ eaglerider.com
Blue Sky Motorcycle Rentals Bicycle Rentals & Tours
has locations in about 10 states, Bicycle Tours
primarily in California and Bikes are available for rent in all
the western US. major US cities for around $25 a Adventure Cycling
Riders may be interested in day, or you can buy used bikes Association
taking part in one of the many from flea markets or garage sales. 150 E Pine St, Missoula, MT 59802.
motorcycle rallies, when Notices of secondhand sales (800) 755-2453.
thousands of riders get together appear in newspaper ads or ∑ adventurecycling.org
for annual gatherings held in hostel notices. In many cities
places like Daytona Beach, such as Boston, Chicago, and Backroads
Florida (early March); Laconia, New York, there are bike share Tel (800) 462-2848.
New Hampshire (mid-June); or schemes that allow you to ride ∑ backroads.com
Sturgis, South Dakota (August). bikes locally for minimal cost.

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