Photographers: It’s Time for a Great American Motorcycle Tour

In my world, it’s always a good time for a long road trip.

It’s a cleansing of the mind, an opening to the spirit of creativity, and a way to get deep inside my own head. Important and, occasionally, dangerous.

As we enter the middle of summer, I am getting a little itchy to hit the road, stay in tiny motels, eat tacos for every meal, and see places I haven’t seen before.

I simply love the open road, the people I meet, and the places I get to experience.

Give me two wheels, two lanes, small towns, mom-n-pop diners, and motels without TV, I’m gone.

Now, to be sure, I don’t do a lot of traveling in the middle of summer, preferring to go in August, and after Labor Day.

The view from the top is spectacular. But be prepared for weather. This picture was taken on August 8, 2021, and it was 50 degrees with wind.

Much of my road tripping is by motorcycle, in the American West, and the desert temps can be quite oppressive in the southwestern deserts.

Add to that discomfort is my loathing for crowds, my aversion to overpriced motel rooms, and the desire to stay out of the crosshairs of tourists too busy gawking at the beautiful sights they forget they are flying down the road at 80 MPH in three tons of ‘Midnight Blue’ SUV.

These days, most of my longer trips are by motorcycle.

A big motorcycle.

The forest fire smoke, fog, and the natural haze of the lake combined to give me a truly unique view of my constant road companion.

Life on the open road can be more than just a taste of freedom.

I’m talking wind in your face, the growl of a motorcycle sportin’ a great set of Cobras between your legs, and those two lanes of asphalt stretching out as far as your eyes can see.

But we’re not just riding between here and there , we’re photographers, right?

No better way to discover unique shots than from the seat of a motorcycle.

On a bike you feel the environment. You smell it, taste it, notice everything about it. It opens the senses to more than a comfort controlled cabin can offer.

One of the most spectacular features of Yellowstone is this huge alpine lake. It even has waves.

I once rode from Baker, Nevada to the top of the mountain at Great Basin National Park. A trip of 17 miles.

In that span I went from high desert (approx. 5300 ft) to Wheeler Peak Campground (approx. 10,000 ft), and it was sheer delight.

Each mile was like a whole new ecosystem. The trees changed as did the smell of the forest. The terrain went from flat to mountainous, to extreme canyons. The air temp dropped about 15 degrees.

All things you notice on a bike.

On a little road in Utah, I found a coffee shop on the side of a cliff. In the middle of nowhere. I spent an hour chatting about great motorcycle roads with a couple of riders from Switzerland who had come to enjoy the American West. They were also photographers and we agreed that there are few places on this earth that can compare to the Escalante.

A view of the Escalante and Grand Staircase from atop a mountain near Boulder UT.

I stopped on the side of the road to get a photo and didn’t notice the turnout was sand instead of gray asphalt. Gravity won the battle and the bike – and me – went down. A couple in an Escalade, and a guy in a ’94 F150 stopped, helped me right the bike, and followed me down the hill where I could check the damage on the bike.

And on my shoulder.

Both were fine – or would be. We talked for almost an hour.

Just north of Logan, UT, I was blindsided by a thunderstorm. It came up behind me and when the rushing gust of wind hit the bike it almost pushed me into the oncoming lane. I was then pelted with marble sized hail for the next twenty minutes. It stopped as fast as it started, and all of us stopped on the road began to tentatively rejoin our travels.

In five minutes, the pavement was dry and we were all once again going 60.

Some of us more wet and lightly bruised than others, but still happy to be out of the storm.

Motorcycling and road-tripping are ways to experience the world without the walls of a cabin with air conditioning. We who ride call them ‘cages.’ Not to be derogatory, only to state a fact.

Here are five of my favorite western roads for motorcycling.

Highway 12: from Panguitch, UT to Torrey, UT.

This narrow ribbon of asphalt runs across a ridge between two deep canyons. No margin for error, but worth the risk.

This road will take you through the slick rock environment of the Escalante, through Aspen-covered mountains in Boulder, UT, and into the fascinating world of Bryce Canyon. And you will also experience “The Hogback” – a narrow piece of road that traverses two deep canyons on both sides. It is a most fascinating place to be. Either way you go, it will be a memorable drive.

Highway 12: from Lolo, MT to Kooskia, ID.

Between Lolo Montana and Kooskie, Idaho you will find this homage to old Chevy trucks. I don’t know why they are here, but they are a blast to explore.

I discovered this one by accident. Going from east to west, you pick up a little stream to the southside of the road. By the time you get to the bottom of the mountain it is a roaring river. Watching it grow is as fun as the long, sweeping twisties that flow under the bike. Go East from Lolo for the best experience.

Going to the Sun Highway: Glacier National Park

The day I went through Glacier there were massive forest fires in the area. The smoke added a layer of haze, but I made photographs anyway. Perfect is not as important as real for me.

What can one say about this road? Astounding? Breathtaking? Occasionally scary? Clinging to the side of the mountains, the road offers no switchbacks, just a slow and steady climb from West Glacier Montana, to St. Mary on the East. On the way you will encounter views that are difficult to express in words. Just go see it. Soon. Go from West Glacier for best experience.

Beartooth Highway: Red Lodge, MT to Cody, WY (via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway)

This road will bring you down to Cody from the top of Beartooth. It is a stunning road through an indescribable landscape.

Beartooth Highway is one of the highest roads in the USA, as well as one of the roads that is continuously over 10,000 feet for miles. Topping out at 10,964 ft, it can – literally – take your breath away. With 10,000 mountain lakes, 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation, and 12 national forest campgrounds, it is a must ride. Enter from Red Lodge for best experience.

Yellowstone National Park: Highway 20/191 from Cody, WY to Jackson, WY.

Scenes like this are around every curve in Yellowstone.

While it is not known for a lot of twisties as is the Beartooth, Yellowstone offers unmatched beauty, incredible vistas, and a ride with more reasons to pull over than a gallon of coffee. Enter from Cody for the best experience.

So come on down, grab your bike, rent one if you need, and visit the American West for an unforgettable road trip through a remarkable section of our planet.