Cycle Trader’s Guide for Thanksgiving Motorcycle Riding
As riders, we’ve got plenty to be thankful for. Having the ability to get out and experience that wonderful two-wheeled freedom when and where we want should fill each of us with gratitude. For many motorcyclists across the country, Thanksgiving also marks the unofficial end to the riding season with colder weather and shorter days, so why not treat your bike to one more ride for the year before going into hibernation. Here is Cycle Trader’s guide for Thanksgiving motorcycle riding this holiday season.
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Natural Vibrancy
For many riders, autumn is the best time of the year to saddle up and hit the road. The stifling summer heat and crowds of tourists have usually subsided at many scenic places. This means some of America’s finest open roads are free to explore. With leaves ablaze in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, riding through much of the upper states is a visual treat this time of year.
More than just the visual delights, the crisp autumn air is rich with the smells of fallen leaves, bonfires, and harvested crops, reminding us once again why being out on a bike is so much better than being stuck in a car. If the chill of that autumn air gets to you, take a break to experience a small-town coffee spot you’ve never tried before, or better yet, a farm market with some hot apple cider.
Where to Ride
To maximize the full autumn experience, the options are almost limitless, but there are a few parts of the country that can really deliver.
- The Pacific Northwest promises beautiful rides any time (well, any time it’s not raining or foggy, at least), and Chuckanut Drive is a 21-mile must-see route in upper Washington state renowned for its winding roads that carve through spectacular coastal scenery.
- Central Pennsylvania is a treasure trove of sensational riding roads. With a handful of serpentine routes carving through both Sproul and Susquehannock State Forests, the twists and turns are plentiful, plus you’ll avoid the traffic. The locals also tend to be very bike-friendly—just watch out for deer.
- New England is practically synonymous with autumn colors, though in fairness, the leaves are usually at their peak before Thanksgiving, and the weather can become challenging at this time of year. Still, if you get really lucky with a few late, warm and sunny days, it’s tough to beat the views from New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway.
- Virginia and North Carolina are also sensational fall riding destinations, but the famed Blue Ridge Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains is typically less busy by Thanksgiving, letting riders breathe a little. Even still, the speed limit is low and heavily enforced, so this is a scenic cruise, not a high-speed corner-carving rip.
Escape the Masses
Thanksgiving, like many holidays, can be stressful due to the pressures of visiting family and friends. While it’s wonderful to have people who want to spend time with you, for some it can all be just a little much, especially if you’re pulled in multiple directions, or if you have to endure the hectic crowds of airports and highways to get to wherever you’re going.
Skipping all that, carving out a day of the holiday weekend for a ride can serve as a mental reset and de-stressor, allowing a perfect opportunity to reflect on the things in life to be thankful for. Riding a motorcycle is proven to be therapeutic for mental health, and enjoying a late season ride is ideal for reflection and enjoying the people who share your journey, or the peace and solitude of a solo ride.
A great Thanksgiving ride doesn’t need to be an epic long weekend trip. Even just getting out for a few hours and revisiting a favorite local ride is time well spent.
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Be Sure to Keep in Mind…
This time of year, particularly where the autumn scenery is at its best, the weather can be unpredictable, swinging from calm sunny days, to cold, dark, and windy ones in the blink of an eye. Before setting out, check those forecasts and layer up your riding gear. That cathartic Thanksgiving ride can turn miserable pretty quick if you’re cold and wet.
Finally, escaping to those perfect getaway roads often means navigating busier stretches first. As always, keep your wits about you. Lots of folks will be traveling and not having the good fortune of enjoying the freedom of two-wheeled travel. Even with bellies stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie, holiday travel on the roads can be more dangerous than usual, so drive defensively!
Be safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!
If you’re on the market for your next new or used motorcycle, be sure to see the nation’s largest inventory of listings on Cycle Trader.
Jeff Wilson
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