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If you’re a history buff, a little searching will find motorcycle tours to just about anywhere you’re interested in visiting. Below are historical trips ranging from one day to two weeks and from one state to several. If you know of any motorcycle tours that other history lovers would enjoy, please let us know!
Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride
This three-day ride commemorates the Trail of Tears, the brutal journey that tens of thousands of Indians took when soldiers forcibly removed them from their homes and sent them to Oklahoma to live during the 1800s. The ride begins on the third Saturday of September each year in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and continues to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, ending at the Cherokee Heritage Center. For more information, visit http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org.
Historic Adventure Rides in Tennessee 
East Tennessee offers a multitude of short motorcycle rides, including the Eighth Wonder of the World Ride, which ends at the 400-foot-tall Natural Tunnel in Duffield, VA. The East Tennessee Snake ride cruises through Revolutionary War towns such as Shady Valley, Elizabethton, and Stoney Creek. If you’re interested in local history, the Places of the Past Ride takes you through Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough, where you’ll see historic buildings and landmarks. Other East Tennessee rides are outlined here: http://www.johnsoncitytnchamber.com/mediaguide/pdf/oa_3-Motorcycles.pdf
Frontier Forts and Trading Post Loop Ride
This single-day trip in Montana starts at Culbertson and goes through the Fort Union Trading Post; Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered; the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center; and the Fairview Lift Bridge. For those who love old west towns, try the Just Ride tour, which takes you to the frontier town of Scobey, just a few miles south of the Canadian border. Several more Montana motorcycle tours are outlined at http://visitmt.com/experiences/scenic_adventures/motorcycle_touring/high_plains/.
US Route 66 Guided Tour
On this 14-day tour, the road you’ll take is historic. Route 66, also known as “The Mother Road,” runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, and this tour takes you through the heart of America. You’ll see history meld with the present and visit cities such as St. Louis, Tulsa, Amarillo, and Laughlin. You’ll see the Grand Canyon, the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Ice Cave, Meramec Caverns, the Cadillac Ranch, and the Route 66 Museum. Tour information can be found at http://www.ridingroute66.us/index.asp.
What’s your favorite motorcycle tour?
Traveling far distances via motorcycle is one of the best ways to take in the beauty of the country and unwind. There’s nothing like taking a scenic motorcycle trip up the east coast to explore some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
Whenever I’m planning to take a long trip via my motorcycle, I always take a few steps to prepare. See below for some tips to prepare you for your next motorcycle adventure:
1. View Google Maps: It’s always a good idea to have some clue of where you’re headed! Even if you want to fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, using Google Maps to find your way to an end destination is extremely helpful—especially if you get lost and have NO clue where you are, Google Maps can direct you toward your desired destination. And although it’s easy to completely rely on your iPad or smart phone, it’s a smart idea to print a map from Google Maps before you leave—just in case you don’t have Internet service.
Google Maps
2. Check Weather.com: Dressing appropriately for weather conditions is extremely important while traveling on a motorcycle for long distances. If it’s pouring rain and you didn’t prepare ahead of time, you might find yourself hanging out on the side of the road, waiting for the rain to subside—or even worse, you might end up in a motorcycle accident. If there is a chance of rain, be sure to wear and pack bright-colored clothing so that other drivers can easily spot you on the road. Also, have a helmet that contains a shield to help you keep an eye on the road.
Weather Channel
3. Research gas station locations: Nothing is worse than getting stuck on the side of the road without gas. Be prepared by researching nearby gas stations, just in case you find your motorcycle only has a quarter of a tank left—some stretches of road don’t have gas stations for miles. I suggest using GasBuddy.com. Not only does this website show you where nearby gas stations are, but it also shows you the cheapest stations to purchase gas.
GasBuddy.com
How do you prepare for long motorcycle trips?
