**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?
I found this poem on the Internet last week and thought I would post it on my blog. You can find additional biker poetry on this website.
My Harley to the End
“You wont ask me for much
Just a little of my time
To fix your aching joints
And fill your tanks with wine
To polish those rough edges
Keeping them looking new
Tighten up your spokes
Maybe a new paint job too.
Replace all your plugs,
Wire all your circuits
Bring out those fantastic colors
Painted without smudges
Take off those old rusty nuts
Shine up all those screws and such.
Replace your worn down tires
Works out to be quite a few hours
Of mental meditation
Decisions, contemplations
And some aggravations.
But all in all, I love you so
You take me places people don’t go.
You spend your time just hanging out
Waiting to take me all about
I could not ask for a better friend,
Me and my Harley to the end.”
-Kimberley A. Manning
And below is my motorcycle until the end!