The Rocky Mountains are a spectacular sight that everyone should see at least once. As Columbia and James Island motorcycle accident attorneys, we love to ride in this area, and one of its most breathtaking motorcycle routes is the 80-mile Colorado River Headwaters Byway. You’ll pass through the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests, lush mountain valleys, sparkling lakes, and awe-inspiring canyons with opportunities to fish, hike, raft the Colorado, and view the abundant wildlife that roam the area. You can also choose to simply sit along the banks of the Colorado, or on a boulder off the beaten path, and listen to the sounds of nature.
The Colorado River provides water for the southwestern states and is the river that created the Grand Canyon. This motorcycle route runs from the resort town of Grand Lake, CO and passes through the charming towns of Granby and Kremmling, ending at State Bridge. (Note: the road between Kremmling and State Bridge is gravel, so should not be traveled after rain or snow.)
Designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005, the Colorado River Headwaters Byway begins on Highway 34 in Grand Lake and travels southwest to Granby, and then Highway 40 takes you through Hot Sulphur Springs on your way to Kremmling. Be sure to spend a little time in each town experiencing its unique character and friendly people. For the final leg of the Byway, you’ll turn on County Road 1 in Kremmling and travel to State Bridge, passing by an historic wagon trail and watchable wildlife route.
If you enjoy fishing, you’ll love Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, and Lake Granby. You’ll also enjoy Williams Fork Reservoir, off Highway 40 near the little town of Parshall, where a wide variety of fish, including Northern pike and brown trout, are waiting for you. If you choose to spend the night, try the Historic State Bridge Lodge or Grand Lake Lodge, which is nestled in a grove of tall trees.
If you enjoy history and museums, the Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs is housed in the original Hot Sulphur Springs School. It holds a skiing history display, 8,500-year-old Windy Gap artifacts, and a Pioneer Women exhibit. Kremmling’s Heritage Park Museum highlights the history of ranching. It holds the old Kremmling jail, the 1906 DNW&P Train Depot, the McElroy Livery and Barn, and the Horseshoe Ranger Station.
If you go to Colorado from a low elevation, take note that this byway ranges from 6,500–9.000 feet in elevation. You may feel a bit lightheaded or have difficulty breathing for the first day or so. Be sure to stay hydrated as you visit the Rockies, so you can fully enjoy the spectacular mountains, lakes, and canyons.
What’s your favorite motorcycle route in the U.S.?
Mild in the winter and cool in the summer, the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway in northeast Georgia is a 40-mile cruise that winds through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains. Magnificent views, cool waterfalls, and majestic forests make this a trip not to be missed, and you’ll cross the Appalachian Trail on your journey.
The byway begins north at Robertstown and runs along SR 17/75, then goes southwest along SR 180, southeast along SR 348, and ends at SR 75 Alternate. Along the byway, you can visit several state parks, the Tray Mountain Wilderness, Raven Cliff and Anna Ruby Falls, and Brasstown Bald. Other areas to explore include High Shoals Creek Falls Scenic Area, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation area, and Yonah Mountain.
With over 1200 acres, Unicoi and Vogel State Parks are two of Georgia’s most popular protected areas, with campsites and cozy cottages. Vogel also has trailer and RV sites. In these parks, you can hike, swim, play tennis, and go fishing while you take in the spectacular scenery. In the autumn, you’re treated to the changing colors in spectacular fashion.
Hiking trails abound in the Tray Mountain Wilderness, making it the perfect spot to watch wildlife. If you love waterfalls, the three Raven Cliff falls—one of which flows through a split in solid rock—will take your breath away. The Curtis and York creeks merge in dramatic fashion at Anna Ruby Falls, and you’ll enjoy picnic areas and a visitor center there.
One of the most spectacular views is on top of the 4,784-foot high Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain peak. You can hike the trail up the mountain, or you can take the tour bus. Its large observation deck gives you a 360-degree view of the mountains and timberland year-round. You’ll see the North Georgia Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Rich Mountains, and Lake Chatuge in the Enchanted Valley. As you descend Brasstown Bald, you’ll see Track Rock Gap with its 10,000-year-old petroglyphs.
As motorcycle lawyers who also ride, we’ve been on many of America’s byways, and the Russell-Brasstown is one of our favorites.
Click here to read more posts about great scenic routes for motorcycle trips.
On August 18, 2008 at approximately 6 PM, a road rage incident took place involving a green motorcycle -V- white pickup truck. The white pickup passed on the right shoulder, clipping the motorcycle and causing it to go down on right shoulder of roadway and severely injure the biker. This incident occurred approximately 1.5 – 2 miles past Carnes Crossroads towards Cane Bay High School. If you have knowledge of this accident, please contact Uricchio Law Firm at 843- 795-9300. Biker is disabled Marine.
Whether you’re in Charleston, South Carolina, within driving distance, or halfway across the country, you don’t want to miss out on the upcoming Charleston Bike Fest! From May 13, 2011 through May 15, 2011, the Charleston Bike Fest will be in full swing, featuring scenic rides through the glorious lowcountry. Rides will take motorcyclists through some of Charleston’s charming neighboring towns and coastline. The Charleston Bike Fest will also feature a variety of bike shows around the Charleston area, as well as bands, DJs, and much more!
If you’ve never been to Charleston, this is definitely the perfect time to come visit. The weather is absolutely perfect for rides—it’s my favorite time of year since there’s still a breeze and the temperature is in the high 70s / low 80s. When you partake in some of the rides through Charleston, you’ll enjoy historical and cultural insight into the area and pass through picturesque scenery with canopying live oaks, drizzled with Spanish moss. You’ll also have the opportunity to mingle with other bikers from across the country—one of the best perks about events such as this one.
When you’re not riding or partaking in festivities, enjoy some of Charleston’s attractions, including Sullivan’s Island beaches, Belle Hall Plantation, Fort Sumter, and more. At nighttime, enjoy great southern food, drinks, and music around downtown Charleston and visit some of the Charleston Bike Fest vendors that will be around the entire area.
For more information about the event, contact 843.514.4433.
Twenty seven U.S. states currently have partial motorcycle helmet laws—this means that, depending on a motorcyclists age, they may be required to wear a helmet. Some states even have bicycle helmet laws. In South Carolina, individuals who are 20 years-old or younger are required by the state to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. The only states that do not have age requirements associated with helmets include Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
We did a sweep of current motorcycle news across the country and found a few states that are in the works of changing their motorcycle helmet laws. Below are three mini news stories related to motorcycle helmet laws across the country:
Connecticut: According to a recent article on NewHavenIndependent.org, “The analysis of state Department of Transportation crash data between 2001-2007 found that there were 9,214 motorcycle crashes, including 358 fatalities. The number of fatalities was more than twice as high – 235, or 65.6 percent – among those riders who were not wearing helmets as among those who were – 123, or 34.4 percent.”
Connecticut implemented a mandatory helmet law in 1989 for motorcycle riders 17 years of age and younger. Since 1989, legislation was to change these laws arose five separate times, however, the law has remained the same.
Michigan: According to an article on Northern Michigan’s 9&10 News, 2011 just might be the year when motorcycle helmet laws are dropped. “Some still feel optimistic this could be the year the law gets repealed due to the republican control in the state house, senate, and the new republican governor.”
Oregon: Currently, all motorcycle riders must wear a helmet—no matter their age. According to the Insurance Journal, Oregon legislators are attempting to pass partial motorcycle helmet laws, which would require motorcyclists under the age of 21 to wear a helmet. Click here to view the 76th Oregon Legislative Assembly House Bill 3141.
To view all state motorcycle laws, click here.
SQ Rescue is hosting their second annual bike ride on April 2, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Village at Sandhill in Columbia. The money raised by the event will go to SQ Rescue, which is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter. For more information about the ride, or to learn how to participate in the ride, contact SQ Rescue at agreatreasontoride@gmail.com. And don’t forget to visit their website to learn about great animal adoption opportunities!
See below for the flyer for this event:
Will you ride for the animals of the SQ Rescue animal shelter?
We’ve written several blog posts in the past that inform our readers about motorcycle safety tips. Today, we’d like to share a great video on how to find a motorcycle helmet that works for you and provides you with the most comfort and protection possible.
As we all know, it can be a challenge finding a helmet that fits in your price range and protects you from injuring yourself. In the below video, you’ll find out what features to look for when helmet shopping and understand what elements make a helmet effective.
See below for this video:
If you’re ever involved in a serious motorcycle accident, you have up to two years to file a suit. And it’s important when filing a suit to find the best legal representation for your situation. The personal injury attorney you choose should be able to tactfully pursue personal injury claims and have an understanding of how motorcycles operate on the road. Many people who do not ride or understand the operation of motorcycles don’t understand how motorcycles handle on the road, which can lead to misinterpretation. From witness statements to police reports, and lawyers without riding experience, anyone can misinterpret the facts. Having a motorcycle injury lawyer will help you to assist in obtaining proper compensation for your injuries by deeply investigating the accident and the facts involved.
Motorcycle accident attorneys should also be able to perform a comprehensive investigation around your case and the facts involved in your accident. Because not all facts are recorded during accident investigation and facts may be misinterpreted in a police report your attorney should do extensive research with an accident investigation team to extract any additional facts from the accident and ensure that all recorded facts are accurate.
It’s also important to ensure that you are properly compensated for medical coverage and other injuries that you have sustained. A great personal injury lawyer has the power to do this.
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**Image to the left taken from ThinkBeaufort.com.
Great motorcycle rides in South Carolina can be found within its two main regions of scenery. The lower part of the state (to the east and southeast of Columbia) is the Lowcountry. This region is mostly flat, with numerous farms, some marsh areas, and areas out to the coast where there are many bay inlets. The Upstate region (west and northwest of Columbia) hosts the Piedmont where thick forest-covered foothills, picturesque rivers, and waterfalls can be found.
Here are some of South Carolina’s most popular motorcycle rides:
South Carolina Highway 28–Tri-State Tour
Starting in Walhalla, SC, this 30 mile run crosses three states (SC, GA, and NC) and ends in picturesque Highlands, NC. This ride has beautiful National Forest scenery- mountains, rivers and waterfalls – and travels through the both Sumter National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. With plenty of tight curves as well as some long sweepers, this ride provides versatile terrain ideal for a fall ride.
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
Considered one of the best motorcycle roads east of the Mississippi, Route 11 North from Gaffney will take you through breathtaking Cherokee Indian country with spectacular views of mountains, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, forests and wildlife. The road offers plenty of twists and turns, climbs and dives, and are remote enough to make it really enjoyable.
South Carolina Highway 17–The ACE Basin
Highway 17 South between Charleston and Savannah travels through the scenic ACE Basin, where the Ashepoo, Combahee and South Edisto Rivers come together to create one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the east coast of the United States. Beautiful views of marshes and wetlands characterize this 60 mile drive.
We want to know—what’s your favorite ride?