Summer is well on its way, so we’ve put together an overview of some of the most beautiful North American routes that you can explore this summer! Legendary motorcycle route of Big Sur, State Route 1, The Kananaskis Trail, Route 138, Côte-Nord / Lower Saint Lawrence, Overseas Highway, Beartooth Pass, visiting California, Florida, Wyoming, Alberta and Quebec across Canada and the USA. Pull on your helmet, grab your jacket, get on your ride, and head out on a little adventure; the road is open to you!
Big Sur, State Route 1, California, USA
Discover a scenic road that stretches on for nearly 120 miles, right along the Pacific coast. This long and winding road provides you with a simply breathtaking view of the ocean.
Route description
SR 1 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System, and through the Los Angeles metro area, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco metro area, and Leggett is part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country’s economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. SR 1 is eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System; however, only a few stretches between Los Angeles and San Francisco have officially been designated as a scenic highway, meaning that they are substantial sections of highway passing through a “memorable landscape” with no “visual intrusions”, where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community. The Big Sur section from San Luis Obispo to Carmel is an official National Scenic Byway.
The entire route is designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway to recognize those in the United States armed forces. In Southern California, the California State Legislature has designated the segment between Interstate 5 (I-5) in Dana Point and US 101 near Oxnard as the Pacific Coast Highway (commonly referred to as “PCH”). Between US 101 at the Las Cruces junction (8 miles south of Buellton) and US 101 in Pismo Beach, and between US 101 in San Luis Obispo and Interstate 280 in San Francisco, the legislature has designated SR 1 as the Cabrillo Highway, after the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. The legislature has also designated the route as the Shoreline Highway between the Manzanita Junction near Marin City and Leggett. Smaller segments of the highway have been assigned several other names by the state and municipal governments. The legislature has also relinquished state control of segments within Dana Point, Newport Beach, Santa Monica, and Oxnard; those segments are now maintained by those respective municipalities.
In addition to connecting the coastal cities and communities along its path, SR 1 provides access to beaches, parks, and other attractions along the coast, making it a popular route for tourists. The route annually helps bring several billion dollars to the state’s tourism industry. The route runs right besides the coastline, or close to it, for the most part, and it turns several miles inland to avoid several federally controlled or protected areas such as Vandenberg Air Force Base, Diablo Canyon Power Plant and Point Reyes National Seashore. (Wikipedia)
The Kananaskis Trail, Alberta, Canada
This part of Alberta’s Highway 40 offers breathtaking views: a mix of snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and a road that zigzags among awe-inspiring cliffs. You can pack everything you need and take full advantage of this magnificent spectacle of nature. You’re sure to want to come back for more!
Route description
Kananaskis Country is a park system situated to the west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Kananaskis Country can be accessed by three highways that run into or through the area: Highway 40, a 66 km (41 mi) segment of the Bighorn Highway and also known as Kananaskis Trail; Highway 66, a 28 km (17 mi) highway originating near Bragg Creek known as Elbow Falls Trail; and Highway 68, a 42 km (26 mi) gravel highway originating from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) known as Sibbald Creek Trail.
An ecological and environmental research station of the University of Calgary is located nearby, at Barrier Lake. A “Tim Horton Children’s Foundation” summer camp is also located in the area. Easter Seals Camp Horizon is also located within Kananaskis along Highway 66.
The area is named for the Kananaskis River, which was named by John Palliser in 1858 after a Cree acquaintance. (Wikipedia)
Route 138, Côte-Nord / Lower Saint Lawrence, Canada
In the Lower Saint Lawrence region, the Saint Lawrence River already looks almost like the ocean, and magnificent country roads run right alongside it. The Côte-Nord’s northern shore offers views of gorgeous landscapes, and roads that seem never to end. Just enjoy the ride!
Route description
Route 138 is a major highway in the Canadian province of Quebec, following the entire north shore of the Saint Lawrence River past Montreal to the temporary eastern terminus in Kegashka on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The western terminus is in Elgin, at the border with New York State south-west of Montreal (connecting with New York State Route 30 at the Trout River Border Crossing). Part of this highway is known as the Chemin du Roy, or King’s Highway, which is one of the oldest highways in Canada.
It passes through the Montérégie, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale and Côte-Nord regions of Quebec. In Montreal, Highway 138 runs via Sherbrooke Street, crosses the Pierre Le Gardeur Bridge to Charlemagne and remains a four-lane road until exiting Repentigny.
This highway takes a more scenic route than the more direct Autoroute 40 between Montreal and Quebec City. It crosses the Saguenay River via a ferry which travels between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac.
Until the mid-1990s, the highway’s eastern terminus was Havre-Saint-Pierre, but in 1996 the extension to Natashquan was completed. A 40 km section between Natashquan and Kegashka opened on September 26, 2013, with the inauguration of a bridge across the Natashquan River.
A second segment of about 17 km extends from Tete-a-la-Baleine’s airport, east through Tête-à-la-Baleine, Quebec, to the ferry terminal southeast of Tete-a-la-Baleine. There is also a 10.7 km roadway, la route Mecatina, from Mutton Bay to a ferry terminal in La Tabatiere and continuing beyond.
A third segment of Route 138 extends from Old Fort to Blanc-Sablon on the eastern end of the Côte-Nord.
A gap remains between Kegashka and Old Fort, through isolated communities accessible only by coastal ferry. On August 25, 2006, the Quebec government announced a 10-year project to connect the two segments by building 425 km of highway along the Lower North Shore. (Wikipedia)
Overseas Highway, Florida, United States
Explore an idyllic area under the warm Florida sun, aboard your Can-Am Spyder! As you ride this road that leads to Key West, prepare to be captivated by the turquoise waters that surround you, and soak in the incredible panoramic views.
Route description
The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile (181.9 km) highway carrying U.S. Route 1 (US 1) through the Florida Keys. Large parts of it were built on the former right-of-way of the Overseas Railroad, the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Completed in 1912, the Overseas Railroad was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The Florida East Coast Railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, so the roadbed and remaining bridges were sold to the state of Florida for $640,000.
Since the 1950s the Overseas Highway has been refurbished into a main coastal highway between the cities of Miami and Key West, offering travelers an exotic roadway through a tropical savanna environment and access to the largest area of coral reefs on the U.S. mainland. Many exotic animals such as the American Crocodile and Key Deer inhabit the tropical islands of the Florida Keys. (Wikipedia)
Beartooth Pass, Wyoming, United States
Up for some adventure? Beartooth Pass in Wyoming is the place for you. With steep slopes, a minimum of railings, and absolutely breathtaking views, you’re sure to love every second. Vast and diverse landscapes will unfold before your eyes: dizzying mountains, dense forests, powerful rapids – you might even see some snow and the tundra!
Route description
The Beartooth Highway is the section of U.S. Route 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. It traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks, along the Montana-Wyoming border to the 10,947 ft (3,337 m) high Beartooth Pass. The approximate elevation rise is from 5,200 ft (1,600 m) to 8,000 ft (2,400 m) in 12 mi (19 km) in the most daring landscapes.
When driving east to west the highest parts of the Beartooth Highway level off into a wide plateau near the top of the pass, then descend to the junction with Wyoming Highway 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) near Cooke City, the northeast gateway to Yellowstone National Park. On the way one passes numerous lakes typical of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area which borders the highway along much of its route.
The highway officially opened June 14, 1936.
Snowstorms can occur even in the middle of the summer at this altitude and the pass is also kno22wn for strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Drivers should plan on a driving time of at least two hours for the 69-mile (111 km) trip from Red Lodge to Cooke City. It is a good idea to check with the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce or the Beartooth Ranger District beforehand in case of road closures. Montana Traveler Information and Wyoming Travel Information Service both provide online information on Beartooth Highway travel conditions for their respective portions of the highway.
The Beartooth Highway passes through portions of Custer National Forest, and Shoshone National Forest and near the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. (Wikipedia)
What are you waiting for? Go for a ride; see where the wind takes you!
This week’s Rider Inspiration story inspired by (and special thanks to) Can-Am. Can-Am Spyder, Wikipedia and the great countries of The United States of America and Canada.
Get out there and Ride!
