New England on a motorcycle

[carlosenrique99]

I have lived in Central Upstate New York for the last 20 years and I have never been to New England, this summer I decided it would be a good time to take two weeks and explore those six States on my motorcycle.
I have a 2007 Vstrom 650 and would like to ride at least 20% dirt 80% paved.

I am interested in historic and famous places, like twisty roads and natural scenery, from mountains to beaches; like museums and old buildings, but since I want to see as much as I can of New England will spend most of my time riding.
I definitely want to see Plymouth Rock, Boston Harbor and anything related to the birth of this country, also want to see Salem and meet some witches.

Last August I rode "The Skyline Drive" in Virginia and "The Blue Ridge Parkway" from Virginia to southern North Carolina where I attended the HU meeting at the Ironhorse resort; while staying there had the opportunity to ride US-129 "The Tail of the Dragon", a NC-28 "The Moonshiner" and the "Cherohala Skyway"; also visited Cherokee NC and the Ocanaluftee Indian Village to learn about the Cherokee culture.

Any suggestions on places of Interest and routes will be appreciated.

Thank you,
Carlos

[parker36]

Should definitely try to the Acadia National Park area up in Maine.

[carlosenrique99]

I will start collecting maps of New England from AAA and planning my route.
Thank you

[bkm_br]

The Kancamagus Highway is a great scenic drive.
New Hampshire Route 112 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[maja]

Try Motorcycle Roads | Motorcycle Roads and Rides | MotorcycleRoads.com That's what I always use, covers all the states and gives you a choice of type of ride. If you don't like that one just google something involving motorcycles, roads and the states of that large country that supports the GWN. FWIW, I went looking for the "Tail of the Dragon", after a magic autumn ride down the parkway, I'd stopped at a cafe/bar that had lots of bikers loitering about it to inquire as to the locality, imagine my suprise when I was told that I had just ridden it. Still, you have to make the best out of what you have. Ride safe.

[carlosenrique99]

that is an awesome tool to find and share the good rides, thank you.

Carlos

[Wuwei]

It's hard to go wrong in Vermont, NH, and the backroads of Maine. Along the coast you get into the bigger cities, heavy traffic, and superhighways, so even though Boston has a lot to see it isn't the best motorcycle riding. Inland Connecticut has some surprisingly beautiful roads, and so does the western part of Massachusetts. I often just head out and start following whatever road looks interesting and see where I end up, and it is all good. Don't miss one of the little shack-like places along the Maine coast where you can get a lobster boil that you eat outside at a picnic table or on the rocks. Even though it's not New England, have you done the Adirondacks yet?

[Fabini]

Carlos,

I live in Northern New England and have traveled it extensively over the last 40 years on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle. You can cover a great deal of territory here in two weeks.

Here's how I would map out a general route around primarily Northern New England from Elmira:
Head east to the Hudson River Valley and go north.
Turn east again into the Massachusetts Berkshires around Pittsfield.
Head east-south east to Cape Cod.
Travel out to Provincetown on Route 6 and back to Plymoth Rock on 6A.
Hug the coast through the metro Boston area out to Salem and Glouster.
Continuing hugging the coast through New Hampshire (17 miles!) and on into Maine.
Follow the coast all the way to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. You can't beat the Maine coast.
Choices to be made:
Continue along the coast to Quoddy Stae Park and Lighthouse. You will then have the bragging rights to being at the eastern-most point in the United
States.
Swing north and then west into the Maine interior. It is filled with pine trees, lakes, and small towns. Head for the Rangley Lakes area.
Enter New Hampshire in the north and take a road south to Conway.
Take the Kancanamagus Highway (Rte 112) over the White Mountains down to the Connecticut River Valley (the border with Vermont).
Head south and if time allows turn back east into the New Hampshire Lakes Region.
Turn your bike west and head into Vermont. Drive until you run into Route 100 and go north. Follow it to the Jay Peak area (near Canada) turn west to Swanton and Lake Champlain.
Follow Route 2 south throught the islands to Burlington (Vermont's big city).
Pick your way south (avoid Route 7) to the Ticonderoga, New York area.
Cross back into New York.
Ride through the Adirondack to Lake Placid then pick your way home to Elmira.

I've painted this route with a broad brush, so you can discover the scenery and roads you like best. It's ll gorgeous. Have a great trip.

- Fabini

[carlosenrique99]

Thank you very much for your suggestion, that is exactly what I'm looking for, a basic route I could take to see the most and go from there; I may have to do more that one trip, depending on what grabs my attention, the weather and time schedule.

Thank you again,
Carlos