You’re fortunate if you live and ride in the Peach State because there is an abundance of motorcycle-friendly destinations you can put on your to-do list this summer or all year long.
Get your motorcycle insurance in order and hit the road to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, lively Savannah, or points elsewhere in the Peach State. You can’t go wrong when you choose Destination Peach State. And with Southern Harvest, your bike insurance is a breeze.
Why Georgia Is a Rider’s Paradise
You have your choice of scenic coastal vistas, awe-inspiring mountain trails, Georgia backroads barely on a map, and vibrant cities with new sights around every bend. On top of that, Georgia summers are long and the winters brief and mild. What more could you ask for?
North Georgia’s Mountain Rides
What’s not to love about the vistas that open up while journeying along a local mountain trail? Here are a few that you’ll never forget on your motorcycle rides in Georgia.
Georgia Dragon on State Route 60
Also known as the Suches Loop, this 77-mile stretch of mountain-view road is known for its twists and turns and scenic overviews. Experienced motorcyclists love it.
To get on the Georgia Dragon, which takes you through the Chattahoochee National Forest, find your way to Dahlonega along U.S. 19 to GA-80 and GA-60, sometimes known as Highway 60. It’s a thrill a minute.
Just as twisty and challenging for experienced motorcyclists is the delightfully named Wolf Pen Gap Road, also known as GA-180 in the same part of the state. Head to Suches, Georgia, to accept this challenge.
Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway
This 40-mile loop in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest takes you to Brasstown Bald Mountain, the state’s tallest peak.
Go slow and take in the scenery. This Georgia motorcycle trip is as noteworthy as the destination. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of mountain gaps, miles of forest green, valleys, streams, and waterfalls. Every curve in the road is a new adventure. Along the route, you’ll also find Vogel State Park. Park your bike and hike or climb.
Bonus ride? Go in the autumn months and catch some of the most spectacular foliage the South has to offer.
Central Georgia Backroads
Words tell at least part of the story. “Backroads” sounds romantic, adventurous, and maybe even a bit mysterious. You’ll find and enjoy it all during your Georgia backroads bike journeying. Here are a couple of favorite mid-state rides.
Historic Highway 441
This highway, formerly known as U.S. Route 441, goes north and south through the entire state of Georgia. In the central part of the state, it bypasses or cuts right through such historical cities and small towns as Athens, Milledgeville, Madison, and Commerce.
Each community is a reason for stopping. For instance, the Antebellum historic district in Milledgeville is not to be missed. Between cities and towns, you can scope out miles and miles of pastoral woodlands and farming districts. In all, it’s a serene ride with postcard views you’ll treasure.
Scenic Byway Through the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Don’t bike through the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge — at least not all at once. You’ll want to stop for hiking, camping, hunting, or fishing opportunities here.
The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway is a 21-mile route through rural and historic Jones County. At the side of the mostly gravel road, you might see wild turkey, deer, and a winged population of wildlife that draws birdwatchers from all over the world. If you’re really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, a legendary inhabitant of this wildlife refuge.
Coastal Georgia Adventures
There’s a lot going on here for adventure-seeking motorcyclists. Savannah, Tybee Island, salt marshes, and quaint coastal towns are among the leading attractions along this part of the Peach State. Here are a couple of favorite motorcycle rides in Georgia.
Golden Isles Parkway
Also known as U.S. 341, this is among the most scenic motorcycle routes in the state. And it’s much different from the forests, mountains, plains, and agricultural settings you might ride through in other parts of the state. Here, you’ll see the likes of the historical St. Simons Lighthouse, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and Driftwood Beach at the far north of Jekyll Island.
Day trips along or just off this route might take you to the very popular and festive Tybee Island, or to Savannah, an established community so ready to throw a party that it’s known as the Hostess City of the South. It might remind you of a Peach State version of New Orleans.
Coastal Highway 17 Ride
This bike route will enable you to explore the likes of St. Simon Island, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, and the restored Fort King George, near Darien. Highway 17 provides an exciting mashup of history, nature, and Old South culture. Brunswick and Savannah are major cities on this route, and you’ll find plenty of history and things to do, see, eat, and drink in both locations.
The idea of taking Highway 17 along the Georgia coastline is to take your time, admire the sights, and get off your bike often.
Plan Your Next Georgia Motorcycle Trip
You don’t want your road adventures to end prematurely with a totaled bike and no financial resources to fix or replace it. That’s why Southern Harvest offers a selection of affordable motorcycle insurance policies, whether you ride a few weekends a year or practically live on your bike.