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We’re not only South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys, but we’re also avid riders—and the Northeast has some of the most beautiful motorcycle routes in the country. With its rolling hills, picturesque shoreline, and quaint towns, Connecticut is a perfect getaway for everyone, and it has some lovely scenic route and loop tours.
Lovely Litchfield Loop
This 50-mile scenic route begins in Litchfield, CT and moves west on US 202 through Bantam and New Preston, at which point you’ll turn north on East Shore Road (SR 45) and go toward Warren. When you reach Warren, you’ll take 341 and go west to the town of Kent. Go north on US 7 along the Housatonic River up to Canaan, and then go east on US 44 to Norfolk.
Litchfield was the home of author Harriet Beecher Stowe and America’s first law school, the Tapping Reeve House and Law School. If you enjoy watching wildlife and scenery, the White Memorial Foundation wetlands sanctuary has hiking and bird observatories, and Mount Tom State Park has a lookout tower. The village of Kent has plenty of shopping and museums and is a perfect place to spend the night if you choose.
You’ll find woodlands, lakes and streams, and waterfalls along the route, and if you’re a history buff, you’ll love the historical towns with their stately colonial mansions. This is New England at its finest, and you’ll never want to leave.
The Western Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut Loop
Beginning in Newport, RI, this winding loop takes you on many different backcountry roads during its 64 miles. It begins on Route 138 West and goes to Route 1 North to Route 102 North. You’ll enter CT on Route 165, turn right on Route 49, and again turn right on Route 14A to head to Sterling and Oneco. To return to RI, take Route 117 to Route 102 South to Route 1A through Wickford.
This route takes you through the largest state forest in Connecticut, the beautiful 24,000-acre Pachaug State Forest near Voluntown. Visitors to this state forest are fascinated by the miles of stone fence winding through the forest, and most of the streams still show evidence of mills and dams from days gone by. On this route, you’ll also pass through Beach Pond State Park and Arcadia State Park in RI.
Northern CT Appalachian Mountains Ride
This 102-mile route begins near Granby, CT, at the intersection of Routes 20 and 202. You’ll take Route 20 west into Winsted, then turn on Route 44 and continue west to Canaan and Lakeville. Turn on 41 South to Sharon, and then turn onto 4 South to Cornwall Bridge and through several towns with shopping, restaurants, and sights to see. Pick up Route 7 and ride south along the Appalachian Trail to New Milford, and then if you choose, turn onto 45 North and head back to Canaan.
This route is popular with tourists, so you may wish to explore this in the off-season. Throughout the ride, you’ll find plenty of state parks, museums, and quaint towns to explore, as well as many places to stay and shop, especially along Route 7. The Appalachian Trail has scenery like no other, and much of the ride is along designated scenic routes.
Which route would you prefer, or do you know of any wonderful motorcycle routes in CT?
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.
When you’re on a motorcycle trip, one of the most exciting treats is finding a unique bed and breakfast to stay in. Here are three not to be missed:
Image to the left taken from the East Main Guest House Bed & Breakfast Inn website.
East Main Guest House Bed & Breakfast Inn
This 1916 home is located in Rock Hill, and is a beautiful combination of antiques, art, and pine floors. It has several rooms to choose from, such as the romantic Honeymoon Suite with a fireplace, canopy bed, and whirlpool garden tub. The East Room is a lovely, dignified suite with designer window treatments, and the Garden Room’s windows let in plenty of sunlight and give you a stunning view of the gardens and pergola.
East Main Guest House offers a sitting room with a game table, television, and puzzles, and the rooms have Wi-Fi and cable television. A hot gourmet breakfast is served every morning with coffee, tea, juice, fruit, muffins, and croissants.
Travel Holiday says that The Governor’s House Inn has the most glamorous feel and most sophisticated style of all the inns in Charleston. A former governor’s mansion, this enchanting inn has the distinction of being a pre-Revolution National Landmark and boasts stunning drawing rooms and verandah porches.
Image above taken from The Governor’s House Inn website.
The Governor’s House Inn was the residence of Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is located within walking distance of the historic Battery, the Old Market, and the Gibbs Art Museum. Its suites each have a distinctive look and personality. The Rutledge Suite boasts a large master bedroom with canopied 4-poster bed, Italian chandeliers, private porch, and marble bathroom with whirlpool.
If you desire, the staff will handle all your entertainment and dining arrangements, and a gourmet southern breakfast awaits you every morning. Should you choose, you might enjoy afternoon tea, wine and cheese, and sherry in the parlor in the evening.
If you love the outdoors and cozy cottages, the Red Horse Inn is for you. Located in Landrum, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this AAA 4-Diamond bed and breakfast is one of BedAndBreakfast.com’s “Top 25 Best Undiscovered Incredibly Romantic Inns.” The spacious Springhouse Cottage has a private deck leading to a relaxing outdoor spa, and mountain views await you from a luxurious king-size bed and tall arched windows. The Carriage Bay Cottage has a romantic loft, fireplace nook, and whirlpool tub.
The Red Horse Inn also offers romantic packages that include roses, wine or champagne, and strawberries with dipping chocolate. Your breakfast is prepared before your arrival and stored in your kitchen, ready whenever you are.
Which B&B would you like to visit, and why?
