Coastal Cruises (sponsored post)

Five coastal cruises that will leave you breathless

Some can say there’s no better feeling than rumbling down the road on a motorcycle, wind in your hair, sun on your face, with miles of road stretching out in front of you. Actually there is one thing that could top all of that: discovering the country’s ocean-side views while tearing down the road, wind in your hair and sun on your face. But with thousands of miles of coastline it can be hard to make an actual decision. The five routes below are some of the top coastal cruises the States have to offer and are sure to provide the eager motorcyclist with an exhilarating and picturesque ride.

img1Coastal Highway 1: This meandering stretch from Kittery to Bucksport, Maine is the oldest highway on the east coast. In addition to being in the heart of lobster-country, the route is populated with quaint towns, antique shops, seafood and lobster shanties, more than 50 lighthouses, and crosses nearly 50 peninsulas. Coastal Highway 1 is by no means a one-way road; it connects to a plethora of nearby scenic routes as well as a ferry that travels to Nova Scotia. For more information on local sights and activities, including current gas prices for trip planning, be sure to visit ExploreRoute1.com.

Overseas Highway 1: Get on island time in no time! This 100-mile stretch in Florida between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico takes you on top of a living reef in the Straits of Florida. The narrow trail is spider webbed with bridges and tourists and pina coladas are plentiful. Stop by one of the local seafood restaurants or simply soak in the biker-friendly atmosphere but whatever you do, make sure you take your time on this one.

Pacific Coast Highway 1): Another Highway 1, this time traveling a whopping 1700 miles along the Pacific Coast from Astoria, Oregon to San Juan Capistrano, California. The granddaddy of all road trips, this one really does have it all: plentiful turnouts and seaside towns, white beaches, jagged cliffs, majestic redwood forests, tucked-away bed-and-breakfasts with all the modern amenities, even five star restaurants. Rambling enough to enjoy a casual cruise but long enough to satisfy your more competitive side this route really does have it all. Some of the (many) notable stops along the way include Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Olympic Peninsula, San Francisco, San Diego, and biker-haven Seattle.

img2The Great River Road: While not an ocean-side drive, the Great River Road still provides beautiful coastal views. The sights along this road are plentiful; from meadows and cypress swamps to forests thick with Spanish moss, limestone cliffs, and numerous wildlife refuges. Also known as Highway 61, this 2,552-mile stretch from Itasca State Park, Minnesota to Jackson, Louisiana was built in 1938 with the purpose of showcasing the 10 states bordering the Mississippi River from its start in Minnesota to its end in Louisiana’s Cajun country. Locals from the 10 states tend to gather and socialize at ‘their’ section of road and it’s easy to avoid unpleasant areas like industrial parks.

The Gulf Coast –This next route isn’t just one road, but it parallels USR10 and travels from Louisiana to Alabama or even further to Gulf Shores, Florida. Beginning with lush coastal forests and ending with a view of the Gulf Coast replete with bays, inlets, beaches, lakes and marshes. The best thing about this trip next to the scenery has got to be the attractions. Visit one of the many casinos in Biloxi or Gulf Port and Bay St. Louis or perhaps cut straight to the chase and pick from one of the hundreds of amazing restaurants. It’s common to see most seafood restaurants in this area standing on poles, perched above the water, providing spectacular sunset views and the freshest seafood cuisine the south has to offer.

Author Bio: Ben is a writer and blogger for Competition Accessories, a company that specializes in high quality motorcycle apparel, accessories and gear. His favorite time of the year is when he takes his yearly ride to New Orleans or anytime he’s riding along the water.

Ben Shaver and Competition Accessories assume all responsibility for the content of this post.