Central USA
Omaha to Broken Bow, Neb.
This Great Plains odyssey dips into Kansas, lingers in small, friendly towns and sails through the vast empty spaces in between. "You're in the middle of the nation and in the middle of the road in the middle of nowhere, and it's just you and your motorcycle," he says. "People don't vacation there, but that's why it's so stunning." 877-632-7275; visitnebraska.organd 800-252-6727; travelks.com
Muskegon to Mackinaw City, Mich.
McKechnie says this trip made him realize that Michigan has much more than Detroit. The route follows the shore of Lake Michigan, visiting resort communities and providing riders endless lake vistas. "When you roll into towns, there are little marinas with boats glistening in the water, and sidewalk cafes. It's magnificent." 888-784-7328; michigan.org