Best Motorcycle Road Trip Book

Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash

 Motorcycle Books

I have enjoyed reading some of the best motorcycle books available, although I do not seem to have as much time as I wish for reading.  I have read books about the motorcycle club life, about the therapeutic qualities of riding, about trips taken on motorcycles and how to properly ride a motorcycle.  I have read books written by motorcycle club members, law enforcement personnel, daily riders, long distance riders and a musician who rode.

However, when I find a book about motorcycling, written by a motorcyclist and includes great photos I have found a book worth the time and expense.  Bikers seem to have the ability to relate the information in terms another biker understands. 

When I consider all the motorcycle related books I have read, one stands out as the best.  This book was written by motorcyclist, Gary France about his 21,000 mile trip through the United States of America and includes life details leading up to his adventure and including his adventure.  His trip "over the pond" from England and the ride through the USA is titled "France in America."  I find it funny we have France from England writing about America.

It All Started With a Blog

Gary started blogging about his upcoming motorcycle trip in September 2009, although he had began his initial planning around Christmas 2007.  He soon began posting updates on his plan and his research and acquisition of items he wanted for his trip of the USA.  Many bloggers were able to give him opinions, reviews and insights into gear, accessories, attractions, roads and more which helped Gary with his planning.

Gary's route for his amazing trip  Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

In January 2008 Gary commented on my blog's post concerning Spearfish Canyon, SD.  Through some comments back and forth I was able to help him post hyperlinks in his blog posts.  From there I started following his preparations and his trip.  I was able to suggest some roads, restaurants and sights.  We have not met face to face, but hopefully  we will in the future.

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Gary continued to post periodically as the trip neared.  By the time he arrived to the United States several bloggers had arranged to meet him at various times and locations on route.  I was unable to work it out, especially since I was in Texas.  I visited Yellowstone Natinal Park for my summer motorcycle trip, but I was there in June/July and Gary arrived in Yellowstone National  Park in August.  We just could not meet up.

Gary experiences a "Bison Jam" in Yellowstone National Park.  Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

Yellowstone Canyon.  Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

Sharing The Trip

Gary's photographic talents were evident.  The photos he posted were beautiful and he wrote just as well.  It was not long until he had a large following.  If you go to his blog (although he stopped posting on his "Flies in your Teeth" in October 2016) you can see his original photos on the blog.

Gary visited Bishops Castle in Colorado.  Photo of Gary's book

Gary visited so many great places that most Americans haven't seen.  He rode along the northern states and down through the Rocky Mountains.  Gary would stop every time his motorcycle's odometer rolled over another 1,000 miles and capture the moment.

Big Horn Canyon   Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

One of Gary's 1,000 miles photos.  Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

 Miles and Miles to Pages and Pages

As his trip was nearing an end readers started encouraging him to publish a book.  After he recovered back in England he mulled over the idea of a book.  After some time he decided to publish a book of his trip.

He includes his personal story that brought him to the point of retirement, trip planning, the sights and people on his trip and later the book itself.

Pikes Peak Highway  - Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

The book is a great resource for anyone wanting to plan a trip.  He includes details and information that is not always covered in traditional travel books.  His personal story and his approach to the photographs make the book come alive.  The book is full of high quality photographs that will pull at your adventurous heart.

Million Dollar Highway in Colorado.    Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

Virginia City, California - Old West feel.  Photo by Gary.  Used with his permission.

Not Just for Bikers

I highly recommend France in America for anyone interested in traveling American.  It is more than just a "motorcycle" book.  It is a book about the desire for adventure, the enjoyment of new horizons and the appeal and uniqueness of these United States.  All of this from the view point of an Englishman from England.

Gary's Generous Offer

Gary offered to send his book to everyone who made a comment on his blog during the actual trip.  I took him up on that offer.  When I received the book in 2013 I was so impressed the quality and quantity of the book.  This is a high quality book with vivid photographs and impelling writing.  I have referred to it often and spent time just looking at the photos.  I have shared the book with close friends and I have recommended it frequently.  Do yourself a favor and get the best motorcycle book out there.

Helpful with my trip plans

When I was I planning my week of riding in the Alps in 2017 Gary provided me with great information and suggestions of roads, laws, etiquette in Europe and other helpful tips.  His knowledge of riding in Europe is extensive. 

Gary Keeps Rollin'

Gary now owns and runs TOUR1 a motorcycle tour company in England.  TOUR1 provides many tour options, including a WWII D-Day Landing Tour.  I have it on my list to go on one or more of the tours in the years to come.  If you have desire to tour Europe on a motorcycle you should visit Gary's TOUR1.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Awesome Cave in the Black Hills - Worth the Stop

Over the years my son and I have visited several caves/caverns in five different states.  I already posted about Blanchard Springs Cavern which is one of my favorites and is located in Arkansas.  Another cave we enjoyed is just off of US 385 in scenic Custer State Park north of Hot Springs, South Dakota: Wind Cave National Park.

In 1903 Wind Cave became the first cave worldwide to be designated a national park.  Wind Cave is also the 4th longest cave in the world and is contains 95% of the known "boxwork" formations, a unique honeycomb type formation.

Boxwork is found in the middle and lower levels of Wind Cave.

The park offers five different tours, including a candlelight tour.  We decided to take the 1.25 mile Natural Entrance Cave Tour.  The tour began with a walk to the natural entrance where we could feel the wind either leaving or entering the cave (depending on barometric pressure). The "wind hole" is where the cavern got its name.  We then proceeded to the man-made entrance of the cave.  

There are a lot of steps on the tour, but most are headed down.

Shortly the trail descended a long stairway.  There are a total of 300 steps on the tour with very few going up.  We walked though some really narrow places and several times the top of the cave was low enough we had to duck to get through.  One larger guy in our party had some close encounters with the cave walls.

This is NOT the larger guy in our party - just a happy biker enjoying the cave.

We saw a lot of the unique boxwork formations throughout the tour.  The formations are more unique but less colorful than the formations in many of the caverns we have toured.

Boxwork 

Another unique area of the cave was Snowball Alley.   This area's ceiling was covered with small formations that looked similar to snow.   

Ceiling in Snowball Alley

The tour took us deep into the cave.  We viewed big open rooms as well as the tight walkways.  The guide led us the innermost area for that particular tour and had us sit down.  After providing us with some history and geological information he turned off the lights (after warning us not to move and told us what he was doing - don't want any surprises when you are hundreds of feet below the surface.).  The darkness is amazing!  It is difficult to explain that something can be darker than night - darker than when I close my eyes.  It was a very eerie sensation.

An old exploratory hole from above

The tour was moderate to strenuous.  There was a lot of up and down on the trail.  It was a good think that at the end of the tour we rode an elevator back up to the visitor center.  It was an educational and fun tour.  I am glad we took the time to visit Wind Cave National Park.  

If you are heading up to South Dakota make plans to tour Wind Cave.  You will be glad you did.

 

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

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Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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BEAR OH MY!

Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, and Sturgis all come to mind when one thinks of South Dakota.  Those are great places to visit and should be on every bikers list, but another place that is worthy of a visit when you are out riding in southwest South Dakota is Bear Country.

Bear Country is a drive through animal (primarily bear) park with 20 species of North American mammals.  While planning the trip I called and found out that Bear Country would provide a loaner car for those of us showing up on motorcycles.  Bear Country is about 8 miles south of Rapid City, SD on US 16.

 10 of us rode up on seven bikes to the front gate of Bear County at approximately 1:00 pm.  We were warmly greeted, but told that they were down to one car and it was out.  I explained that there were 10 of us and we all wanted to go at the same time.  The young lady made a phone call and reported back to us that the  owner would prepare the bus they have and use during the Sturgis Rally and he would take us at one time.  We would need to visit the walking portion of Bear Country first for about 45 minutes while he got the bus ready.  Normally one would drive through the park and then visit the gift shop and Babyland (zoo like exhibit with various animals, most young, but some adults.

We purchased our tickets and then rode up to the gift shop and Babyland.  There were two adult grizzly bears in one exhibit.  They were huge!  Very impressive,

There were exhibits with bobcats, raccoons, porcupine, baby bears, and other critters.  Babyland is not very big, but the exhibits are nice and it was enjoyable watching the baby bears chase each other and play.  The gift shop was big and had a large selection of items.

While in the gift shop we received a call informing us the owner was ready with the bus.  The bus was similar to ones at an airport, however; the glass in the side windows had been removed which made viewing the animals a lot better.  The owner was a wealth of information and he gave us an awesome tour.  He told us many stories about individual animals and how the animals are cared for.  Having him drive us made the experience exceptional.

The areas for the wildlife were separated by tall fences and cattle guards.  We saw reindeer, elk, artic wolf, Big Horn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, buffalo, and of course bear along with other animals.  Here is a complete list of animals at Bear Country.

Elk were the first critters in the tour.

The owner actually stopped the bus and went over the small hill 

to herd the Bighorn sheep where we could see him.

Reindeer just like Santa uses!

The owner told us that the bear are feed 6 times a day near the road so that visitors can see them up close.  He explained the various personalities of some of the bears and how they handle any bears that become overly aggressive.

Feeding time.

Big boy!

There was even a rare young white buffalo in the herd.  The owner gave my son a small tuft of hair from the white buffalo.

American Bison with rare white buffalo.

You can't ride you bike in Bear Country, but it is worth ride to Bear Country.  We had a great time and my son really loved it.  It is worth the time to stop and visit.  I give Bear Country an A+

Epic Road in South Dakota

Everyone knows about Sturgis and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and for good reason.  A world renown monument and the town synonymous with motorcycles, but there is a lot more to see and a lot of great roads in the  southwest region on South Dakota. (All photos taken July, 2007 except when noted)

23 miles west of Sturgis on US 14A/85 is a small community called Cheyenne Crossing and US 14A turns north through Spearfish Canyon 22 miles to the town of Spearfish.  If you ride from Sturgis you will go through Deadwood and Lead both historical, interesting, and fun towns.

The Cheyenne Crossing Store sits on the northwest corner of the intersection.  The store consist of  gas station, a general store, an upstairs lodge, and a restaurant.  The food is great!  Especially the breakfast.  During our five day stay in Lead we ate breakfast three times and lunch once at the Crossing.

The restaurant's decor is country and cozy.  The servers were always friendly and helpful.  The food arrived hot and tasty.  The sourdough pancakes are big, the bacon thick, and the Indian Tacos satisfying.  I highly recommend the pancakes for breakfast and the Buffalo burger for lunch.  No one in our group of six ever complained about the food they ordered.  (photo on right from www.cheyennecrossing.org/cafe.html)

After each meal we enjoyed looking around the general store.  They have snacks, drinks, camping supplies, small groceries, and some tourist like items including Cheyenne Crossing shirts/sweaters, etc.

Stop by the Cheyenne Crossing store - you will enjoy a great meal and a good ole country atmosphere.

After our breakfast we rode the 22 mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.  This is one of the best roads in the country.  It has plenty of curves, great scenery, and historic significance.  Like the name suggest the road is in a canyon and runs along side Spearfish Creek most of the way.  The byway has 13 designated "Points of Interest" including a "Dances With Wolves" film site.  The film site is about 4 miles off of the byway and about 3.7 of it is on gravel/dirt.  Once at the site you don't see much.  Members of the group went and were greatly disappointed.  (photo on the left for film site)

One point of interest site that is worth stopping can be seen from the byway, Bridal Veil Falls.  Bridal Veil Falls is located int he northern 1/3 of the byway.  There is a unpaved pullout that we used.  Be careful, it is really close to a curve.  The fall is about 50 feet and is one of three falls in the canyon, but it is the most accessible.  (photo from pullout off of the Byway)

The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is one of those roads that you will want to ride to one end, turn around and ride it again, and probably want to ride yet again.  Besides the twists and turns and the scenery the road is also well maintained.

If you are up in the area of the Black Hills in South Dakota you will want to ride Spearfish Canyon and grab a bite to eat at the Cheyenne Crossing Store.  You will enjoy both and you will want to go back for more.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

 Top Five Oz Videos

  

Connect and follow Biker Oz on the following:

        

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

Christian Motorcyclists Association

Come Ride With Us 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

 

Awesome gear for every rider!
 

 

Viking Bags - Quality saddlebags and luggage for your motorcycle travels

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited these businesses and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with the businesses, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

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