Show your support and remembrance for those who died while serving this great nation, on Memorial Day by decorating your bicycle or golf cart! Whether you plan on attending a yummy barbecue at a neighbor’s house, partaking in a neighborhood block party, or listening to a Memorial Day community concert, you’ll probably have to travel some distance. So why not show your pride and support for our nation’s armed forces while en route?

Below are a few ways to decorate your bicycle or golf cart:

• Purchase an American flag on a stick and add it to the back of your bike.
• Decorate your golf cart hub caps with mini American flags. *DO NOT decorate your bicycle wheels. Materials could get caught in your chain and cause you to fall.
• Add streamers or mini American flag lights to the roof of your golf cart.
• If you’re riding a bicycle, decorate your helmet with an America-related decal.
• Play our national anthem from a portable stereo in your golf cart.
• Tie red, white, and blue balloons to the back of your golf cart or bicycle.
• Take a tip from the presidential motorbrigade by placing two American flags on both sides of the hood of your golf cart.
• Buy an American flag windsock and let it dangle from the roof of your golf cart.
• Find a plastic bald eagle statue and securely mount it to the front of your vehicle.
• If you’re transporting your dog in your golf cart, dress him or her up in an American flag bandanna.

**If you choose to decorate your bicycle or golf cart, be sure that all of your decorations are securely fastened to your mode of transportation and that none of the decorative pieces could impair your driving  /riding or the driving / riding of others.

**And, if you decide to decorate your motor vehicle or motorcycle, be sure to securely fasten any items down and ensure that they do not obscure your vision or the vision of other drivers. You do not want to cause any motor vehicle accidents or personal injuries due to loose decorations.

If you’re in the Charleston, SC, area for Memorial Day weekend, don’t forget to attend the Piccolo Spoleto Memorial Day Concert happening in Marion Square Park, Monday, May 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this concert, you’ll witness local bands play and march in honor of those who’ve died for our country. For more information, please visit www.piccolospoleto.com.

What are you doing for Memorial Day?

See below for bizarre bikes:

Image above taken from www.Just-Whatever.com.

Image above taken from www.SoothBrush.com.

Image above taken from Andyw-inuk.

Image above taken from TheSmokingTire.com.

Image above taken from OhioRiders.net.

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South Carolina is one of my favorite places to ride and the best region for driving is the beautiful Lowcountry. Here, you’ll travel past sprawling marshes, horse- and cow-clad farms, forests, and rivers.

Below are three of my favorite South Carolina rides:

Trip to Beaufort: If you’re looking to soak in some picturesque scenery on your motorcycle trip, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to Beaufort. Here, you can enjoy a nice picnic in Hunting Island State Park, enjoy nature walks, or explore Beaufort’s old historic district. This quaint seaside town is a great way to enjoy nature and the coast.

Image above taken from BeaufortSC.org.

Highway 28: The Blueridge Parkway offers some great twists and turns, as well as sprawling views of valleys and rolling hills. Sometimes it’s nice to get away to the mountains and breath the fresh air from above sea level!

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway: Witness waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, and a variety of wildlife on this picturesque route through northwestern South Carolina. On your way along this highway, there are a handful of state parks that are great to stop at and enjoy a picnic or relax as you enjoy the quiet natural surroundings.

What’s your favorite South Carolina ride?

Unfortunately, these restrictions limit motorcycle parking options drastically. If you’ve ever tried parking downtown, you know how difficult it can be—especially in busy commercial areas. There are, however, a handful of metered lots located near King Street and Market Street—these lots can be found as black or grey squares on the City of Charleston Parking Guide.

Motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers, alike, can now use a new system call SmartCard, which enables them to use prepaid cards to pay metered spots.

And a little side note for motorcyclists in Charleston, according to the Municode Section 19-256, the city allows up to 6 motorcycles in each metered spot, so long as all the vehicles are parked within the boundaries of the space.

Have you had issues parking your motorcycle in Charleston?

We’ve compiled a list of some upcoming biker events in the Charleston area. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, January 15, 2011: Colllision Awareness Training 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. More information here: http://www.tricountybhb.com/

Sunday, January 23, 2011: Rock-n-Ride Benefit for MUSC Children’s Hospital. More information here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=174581962579213

Saturday, January 29, 2011: Charleston HOG Membership Drive & Oyster Roast. More information here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=141700512555296

Monday, February 7, 2011: Bikers Helping Bikers Monthly Meeting. More information here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=167220446650428

Saturday, March 26, 2011: Bikers Helping Bikers Spring Yard Sale. More information here: http://www.tricountybhb.com/

Friday – Sunday, May 13 – 15, 2011: Charleston Bike Fest (More information forthcoming)

Mark your calendars!

Here are a few of our favorite motorcycle getaways in the U.S.:

CALIFORNIA: Mendocino Coast

Just four miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, Highway 1 escapes the diligence of U.S. 101 and snakes its way toward the white sands of Stinson Beach. The ride will take you inland over rolling, grassy hills and into vast forests of Bishop pine, then back over to the coast to vertigo-inducing views of the steep, craggy shoreline.

Connecting the vast portions of untamed back country are tiny towns and villages. Almost all offer fuel, food, and lodging. Each establishment–from bed and breakfast to beach bungalow–is personalized by private ownership. There are many overnight facilities scattered along the coastline. You can stay as a guest in a farmhouse or be a recluse in your own remote, solar-powered cabin. The choices are extensive, but in the peak summer months the place is booked up.

COLORADO: San Juan Skyway

The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile ride that may well be the most scenic loop in America. You’ll find it 90 miles from Grand Junction or 250 miles from Pueblo. The route incorporates five passes, countless ghost towns and a smattering of some of the finest former mining towns in the West, as well as the historic Million Dollar Highway–-the miraculous road, which crosses Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet.

There is no doubt the Million Dollar Highway is the jewel of the San Juan crown, so take your time. There are many, many pullouts that allow you to enjoy the breathtaking views and explore the old ghost towns and mining facilities. The route continues onto Telluride. The popular ski resort destination also showcases a well-preserved historic section that should not be missed.

TEXAS: Hill Country

While most people think the Lone Star State is an endless dry, flat, windy road, the Hill Country, with its tempting hills and canyons, is perfect for two-wheeled exploration. Follow Highway 83 up to a higher altitude where the temperature cools creating an ideal climate for lush pinon, juniper and oak trees. The roads of hill country are fantastic for all types of riding. Many are straight or sweeping and a few offer challenging corners. All are hugely scenic and deliver you to an assortment of wonderful villagelike towns and historic hamlets.

GEORGIA: North Georgia Mountains

In Northern Georgia, not two hours above bustling Atlanta, the land begins to gently tumble and swell. The legendary Blue Ridge Mountains begin here–part of the Appalachian Range that extends all the way to Maine. It seems to be a secret that the Georgian landscape includes such voluptuous assets, and as a result these mountains and the roads winding amongst them are usually quite empty.

This road offers some gentle sweeping corners, but most of it is challenging, with 25-mph S-curves and plenty of exciting elevation changes. The Parkway is a 24-mile run that ends at Wolf Pen Gap Road (state Route 180). Some say this is the most curvaceous road in Georgia.

The fact is, you can’t make a wrong turn when you’re riding in the Chattahoochee area. Road surfaces are generally excellent, though soft, sloping shoulders common to this region don’t allow much room for error. Along with the scars of the Civil War and the ghosts of the Cherokee Nation, this motorcycle playground will remain a refuge for years to come.

FLORIDA: Everglades to Key West

Most of this country’s universally favored motorcycle roads have corners, don’t they? Not so with the Keys–just 120 miles of 360-degree majesty so captivating you might fall off your bike trying to swivel your head in all directions.  Expect low speed limits and nary a passing opportunity, too. It’s key to sink into the situation and not feel rushed.

The motorcycle ride takes you through the islands–Key Largo, Islamorada, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. By the time you reach Marathon and the famous Seven Mile Bridge–the longest segmented bridge in the world–you’re in the Middle Keys and starting to feel a real tropical vibe. This quieter section of the Keys, with its mom-and-pop restaurants, retro lodging and camping retreats, will suit some more than what’s to come in Key West.

There are plenty of places to eat and stay, but lodging can be pretty pricey all year, and reservations are recommended. There is no real “season,” though I’d recommend winter, when the rest of the world is wearing wool. For better or worse, the road is absolutely straight and flat (the highest elevation on the islands is a whopping 18 feet). Still, it’s the most unusual stretch of road you’ll find in America.

Want to find the best places in South Carolina to ride? Visit our blog post on Best South Carolina Motorcycle Routes.

Have you picked up your www.lowcountrybikers.com bumper sticker? If not- you’re missing out! Stop by our office or give us a call at 843-795-9300 so we can send one your way.

Whether you ride a motorcycle or not, help us spread the word that all drivers need to keep an eye out for bikers!