Fall riding: Three fall motorcycle trips you won’t forget

Cool weather. The changing of the leaves. Less-populated tourist attractions and more affordable hotel prices.

While the aforementioned are characteristic of the fall season, there’s one other important aspect to the season, especially for motorcycle riders – it may be the last time of the year for you to saddle up on your bike before putting it away for the winter. Here are three fall road trips that you won’t regret:

Pure Michigan

When most people think of Michigan, they think of cars and trucks. But Michigan is much more than just the Motor City, and a scenic ride up I-75 is proof of that. Start your ride in metro Detroit and then head north on the popular interstate. It won’t be long before you’re out of the city and into the rolling hills and tree-lined portion of the highway, which is breathtaking in the fall. Take I-75 north until you reach Mackinaw City and stop at the lookout for pictures with the Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas. From here, you can continue into the U.P., turn back, or take the ferry over to historic Mackinac Island, where you’ll be privy to fall hotel rates and all the scenic beauty the famous island has to offer.

Chicago

What’s more beautiful than a casual stroll on the shores of Lake Michigan? Meet your pals in downtown Chicago and then find Lakeshore Drive. Take it north hugging Lake Michigan and stay on the road as you follow it outside of Chicago as it turns into Sheridan Drive. Continue north into Wisconsin, where eventually, you’ll ditch the lake and head into the country. In addition to seeing a mix of lake and leaves, you can plan the finale of your trip at a Wisconsin apple orchard.

West Coast riding

Switching focus to the West Coast, the Pacific Coast has some of the most scenic paths for which a motorcyclist could ask. If you’re out west, try this 286-mile scenic byway: Starts about 300 miles east of Portland, Ore., on Highway 7. You’ll cross wide valleys, ancient sea beds and many different variations of terrain as you head west to Highway 26, north on Highway 207 and eventually west-bound until you hit the Columbia River. It’s a great ride no matter what time of year you’re going, but you’ll be able to enjoy the five-hour trek much more in the less-busy fall season. Passing through several National Forests is a sight in fall that you just can’t get any other time of year.

But before you hit the road, aside from packing, it’s essential to know what your motorcycle insurance policy covers. Don’t have insurance? Contact Nationwide Insurance today for fast, free motorcycle insurance quotes and to see what discounts and services the company can provide for you. You shouldn’t be riding without the peace of mind of a quality insurance plan.

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