There’s no freer feeling than hopping on a motorbike and setting out to explore a beautiful part of this Earth. The experience of a motorbike is infinitely different than driving through a place in a car or on a bus – a good bike allows you to go where other vehicles cannot and let you feel your environment more personally than anything else. With that in mind, here are five of the best places to explore with a motorbike.
1. The Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Road is 150 miles of gorgeous ocean views, natural limestone formations jutting out of the waves, towering redwoods (if you know where to look), and quaint coastal towns. Skirting the southern coast of Australia, the Great Ocean Road travels on in one mostly-straight ride, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the sights. The Great Ocean Road is a crash course in Australian beauty – on one side, you’ll have the crashing waves, and on the other, cliffs, sand, and lush greenery.
2. Dalat, Vietnam
Located in southern Vietnam, Dalat and its iconic waterfalls are a nature lover’s dream. A motorbike is essential to seeing all that Dalat has to offer, as a car has no hope of navigating the hidden paths of Dalat’s forests. Motorbiking through Dalat is a sensory experience like no other – you’ll hear the rush of the waterfalls and feel their cool spray on your skin as your bike splashes through muddy roads. For those looking to hit all of the most beautiful waterfalls Dalat has to offer, consider Tigit Dalat and their guided tours – or just rent one of their bikes and set out on your own journey.
3. The Rif Mountain, Morocco
The Rif in Morocco is for travellers who like the idea of speeding through clouds of fog and over mountains through winding roads that link the little towns and villages of Morocco. The architectural delights of traditional Moroccan towns are a sight to behold when contrasted with the country’s huge array of natural scenery, from dense forests to stark mountainsides. A motorbike lets you connect the Rif in a highly personal way, more so than from within the metal case of a car or train. And when you’re ready to call it a day, stop by in Chefchaouen, the Blue City. Its delicate, hand-painted beauty rivals the wild allure of the surrounding badlands.
4. California State Road 1, USA
There’s a reason why the Pacific Coast Highway is so loved by American filmmakers and writers. The core of PCH is California State Road 1, a piece of Americana as authentic as apple pie. You’ll see the scenery of the country at its finest and most diverse, from tiny lighthouses to vibrant, big cities, all dotted with palm trees.
There’s no wrong time to go, either – the California sun setting over the Pacific will always keep you warm. Just be on the lookout for any signs of detours along the way – there’s usually some sort of construction happening on the PCH at any given time, so you’ll want to keep your journey route flexible.
5. The Florida Keys, USA
On the other side of the States is the Florida Keys, an archipelago connected by long highways that sit close down to the water, an endless expanse of blue that blurs into the sky to surround you with the sights, sounds, and smells of the water. The ride over these highways is a smooth and sunny one – and there are plenty of restaurants and resorts along the way if you’re inclined to stop frequently.
Key West sits at the tip of the island chain, the city itself also well-suited for motorbiking. The Keys are, simply, a tropical dream, and a motorbike is truly the only way to experience them properly. And feel free to visit any time of year – there’s no record of the Keys ever reaching freezing temperatures.
