American Motorcyclist Association Ride Guide to America

$24.95

Order Code: AMAG

Editor: Greg Harrison, AMA

For motorcyclists looking to explore the byways and shun the highways of the United States, the American Motorcyclist Association’s book, edited by the AMA’s Greg Harrison, is the ultimate touring handbook.

Written by motorcyclists for motorcyclists, this enriching travel guide is the perfect companion for enthusiasts who understand that the destination is just a good excuse for planning another perfect journey.

The “Ride Guide” features more than 35 special trips spread across the United States, from California’s Big Sur Highway to the awesome Rocky Mountains through the Texas Hill Country and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to Maine’s rocky shoreline. These are favorite rides from popular motojournalists like Clement Salvadori, Greg Frazier, Bill Kresnak, Lance Oliver, Grant Parsons, Marty Berke, Dale Coyner, Neal Davis, and Bruce Hansen, all brought together in one book to be read for inspiration and referred to for trip planning details.

Each recommended route is brought to life with full-color photos of the attractions along the way—scenic vistas, oddities, and must-see places. Topographical maps show the highs and lows of each ride and easy-to-follow point-to-point directions project distances and keep you on track with just a glance. All of the trips are designed to accommodate various riding styles, from sightseeing two-up travelers to sport riders running the curves and polishing their skills.

Also included are some of the best travel articles from American Motorcyclist magazine. Tips on packing, touring, and riding well offer seasoned advice. And, a helpful resource directory of equipment suppliers lets you find quickly what you need to make your next trip complete and enjoyable. Life is short. Buy this book and get on the road to see the best of this wonderful country of ours.

Product Detail

Paperback: 288 pages

Format: 6 by 9 inches, color

Foreword
Loaded for the Road: How to Carry Stuff on Your Motorcycle
Ride Smart: Tips for Street Survival
The Northeast
- To the End of the Road
  - North Country Notches Loop
  - Northern Green Mountains Loop
  - Higher Northern Gaps
  - Lake George Loop
  - Northern Berkshire Loop
  - Bay Loop
The Mid-Atlantic
- Pennsylvania Crude
  - Pennsylvania Heartland
  - In Search of Prospect Peak
  - Skyline Loop
  - Seneca Rocks
  - Search for the Swiss
The South
- Island Hopping in Georgia
  - Roan Mountain Mystery
  - Old as the Hills
  - Jasper to Jefferson
  - Fredericksburg to Austin
  - Galveston to Rockport
The Rocky Mountains
- Into the West
  - Dead Horse Point to La Sal Mts.
  - Grand Canyon to Glen Canyon
  - Continental Divide Loop
  - Top of the Paved Continent
  - Rocky Mountain High Loop
  - Cache la Poudre Trail
  - Gila Cliff Dwellings Loop
  - New Mexico’s Rocky Mountains
The West
- Into the High Sierras
  - Christmas Valley Triangle Ride
  - Hood River Loop
  - Packwood to Cashmere Run
  - Portland to Mt. St. Helens
  - The Big Sur Highway
  - Badwater & Death Valley Junction
  - Over the San Bernardino Mts.
Index
About the Contributors
Photo Credits

Customer & Editorial Reviews:

Reviewer: Adventure Motorcycle, April 2008

Date Added: Tuesday 27 May, 2008

Every author has his own unique way of sharing his experience. I found that reading about each section of the U.S., written from the various viewpoints of five different authors, keeps the book fresh and interesting. Photography is fabulous and well balanced with text, providing the reader with a good feel for each area covered.

The AMA's Ride Guide to America is definitely one of those books that will be left tattered and torn after use.

Reviewer: Srinidhi Lakhanigam

Date Added: Friday 08 February, 2008

One thing I have noticed in America, unlike India where motorcycle is the major mode of transport, here it is a tool of indulgence and entertainment. It is easier to get a license to drive a car than ride a motorcycle. Perils of motorcycle riding are much more on American highways than on Indian roads. Then the extreme weather conditions of this large country make it almost impossible to ride motorcycles throughout the year. Hence motorcycles are largely a mode of entertainment, fun and enjoyment. People ride motorcycles because they LOVE TO RIDE and not because they can't afford a car.

In such a scenario a book like the AMA's Ride Guide to America (RGA) is very vital for motorcycle afficionados of this country. Americans are very much accustomed to travelling with high-tech gadgetry, including maps, GPS receivers, two-way radios, etc. And this book rightly features over 200 pages of information about best motorcycling trails in the the world's largest motorcycling nation. From California to New England, Rocky Mountain High to Texas, RGA informs readers about the most rider-friendly roads and highways in a country whose population has worked hard and put in place what is perhaps the world's best road networks.

One of the best features of this compilation is its detailed maps and point-to-point outlines for each of the 36 excursions recommended. These proposed rides across the US offer bikers challenging trails along scenic shorelines, mountainous terrain and into deep valleys and deserts. All excursions are illustrated with high-quality, full-colour photographs. RGA's 40 detailed, topographic road maps are a great boon to riders as their steeds run across the recommended routes. The riders can plan and anticipate the terrain they'll encounter in the Pacific Northwest, California, Rocky Mountains and the Southwest, Texas, the Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic, and New England.

Admittedly RGA is of limited utility considering its geographical coverage limitation. But perhaps the most exotic roads and rides of America are hidden in these states featured in the RGA. This book is definitely one that entices wannabe road warriors to saddle up and experience America's amazing highways. The chapters titled 'Loaded for the Road: How to carry stuff on your motorcycle' and 'Ride smart: Tips for street survival' are particularly recommended for bikers who should look into safety measures before embarking on a road trip especially on the highways of America. These chapters discuss and differentiate various types of backpacks, tank bags, rear-seat bags, saddle bags and other motorcycle paraphernalia useful for long distance, cross country bikers everywhere. Neatly sub-divided into six sections based on the regions of the US, RGA also contains a compilation of travel articles published in the American Motorcyclist, written by experienced bikers for bikers.

My favourite in the book is the section on a biking excursion on the Big Sur Highway through the rugged Rocky Mountains and down into Texas hill country. The route like all others in the book, is brought to life with attractive colour photographs and evocative descriptions. Currently in Texas I hope to make it to this highway in summer, if not on a bike, at least in our trusty Saturn 4-wheeled elephant.

Reviewer: WomenRidersNow.com, April 2006

Date Added: Wednesday 19 April, 2006

Start your riding season off right with this new guidebook...

Reviewer: Friction Zone, April 2005

Date Added: Thursday 12 May, 2005

The book is packed with lots of great color pictures and maps, suggestions on places to eat and stay overnight, and good advice on the different kinds of roads available, whether you are a luxury tourer, sport-tourer, or dual-sporter. And the maps are even topographical, so you can easily see the elevation changes on your chosen route. Also included are articles on things like how to pack, and even a resource directory of equipment sales.

Reviewer: Road Runner, June 2005

Date Added: Thursday 12 May, 2005

. . . an excllent volume of some quality tours all across America. Having been on many of the roads featured, I can vouch that the tours familiar to me are excellent. Each of the more than 35 trips is well laid out and features top notch color photography. A quality guide for experienced and novice tourers alike. All in all, this is a very nice book for those who like to avoid the freeway and appreciate the journey.

Reviewer: US Ridernews, May 2005

Date Added: Thursday 12 May, 2005

If you’re the kind of person whose dreams include the open road, an open schedule and amazing motorcycle destinations then the AMA’s Ride Guide to America is on your list of required reading.

Reviewer: Cycle World Adventures, Spring 2005

Date Added: Wednesday 13 April, 2005

For any rider planning a trip in the contiguous United States, Ride Guide to America is the perfect first item on his or her preparation list. This visually beautiful edition, subsidized and approved by the American Motorcyclist Association, is written by people who have actually ridden to and can describe with authority the places of which they write.

Reviewer: Backroads, February 2005

Date Added: Tuesday 15 February, 2005

Edited by the AMA’s Greg Harrison, the Ride Guide to America is a sort of ‘Dream Team’ of motorcycle journalist’s favorite destinations around the United States. Inside the 288 page book you’ll discover the very best of today’s motojournalists. . . . features over 30 special trips, many harvested from the Whitehorse Press’ Journey’s Series, that feature great jaunts from all around the USA. I have read many of these before, but here are so many of these excellent trips—all in one volume. Like I said—Dream Team!. . . the AMA and Whitehorse Press have put together a really excellent read.

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