For sometime when Trans-Atlantic BikeShare first started I couldn’t imagine why another motorcyclist would come to the midwest to go riding. What is so special about this place between the east coast and the west coast that someone would devote a motorcycling vacation to seeing it? Then I thought about some of the places I went on my BikeShares. They weren’t always an ancient ruin or a world famous landmark. Sometimes it was as simple as sitting on a dike, eating some cheese and looking at a panorama of entirely new sights. For some members who have come to the states, it is as simple as less traffic, open spaces and a different lifestyle. 18" of snow and a back tired from shoveling the driveway three times gave me the opportunity to sit down and scribble a list of things a person could do in the "Heartland."

Just looking at day trips from my house I came up with a list of items. If you like museums, you could ride north to Columbus, Ohio to the American Motorcyclist Association’s Motorcycle Heritage Museum. There you will find an excellent display of motorcycles. It is not always the same motorcycles, as it is changed from time to time to feature different brands, eras or sports. Depending on the time of year, you can venture west to see where Hondas are made. Just a short hop from Columbus you will find Honda of America Manufacturing. At this location Honda manufactures, cars, motorcycles and ATVs for worldwide distribution. August of each year they hold the Honda homecoming which features demonstration rides, tours and other events. If your tastes are more along the lines of two wings instead of two wheels then you could take a short hop to Dayton, Ohio to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum. I feel quite confident when I say,"you would be lucky to find a better, more comprehensive display of military aircraft in the world." The aircraft or not just U.S. Air Force models, but models from all around the world. Just to give you an example of the size of the museum, at one end of the main display room you will find a complete B-52 strategic bomber and a SST Valkyrie. I don’t know of another SST in existence. You will also see many W.W.II aircraft such as ME109s, Spitfires and P51s. The museum takes a look at aviation from the earliest days before flight to the space program. You could also run over to Indianapolis, IN for the day to see the home of the Indianapolis 500, the U.S. Formula-1 GP and the museum there which chronicles a history of motorsports at the world famous track. Maybe you are into entertainment of the four legged variety. A short hop to the southwest of Cincinnati will put you in the grandstands of Churchhill Downs home of the Kentucky Derby. Each May, the eyes of Kentucky look to the Downs for a day saturated with history, tradition and a lot of torn up betting stubs. On the way back you can take the long way home through the Bluegrass and horse farm region of Kentucky. In this area you will also find the Red River Gorge State Park. Call me for a personally guided tour so that you will not miss the best roads.

If you wish to start your BikeShare in this part of the country, there are many great destinations to start your BikeShare within a day’s ride. You could ride northeast toward Cleveland’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame taking in the Amish country along the way. If you venture through in July you could also take in the vintage motorcycle days at the Mid-Ohio sports car course. If you decided you wanted to ride north you would find yourself in the Great Lakes region which is a trip in itself. Michigan is two states in one. The lower peninsula and the upper peninsula offer great variety and a lot of roads with very little traffic. When crossing over to the upper peninsula you will cross the Mackinac Bridge, known also as the "Big Mack." It is an impressive span worth seeing. Don’t let the bridge grab your attention as you will miss one of my favorite features of the area, Mackinac Island (pronounced, Mack-in-naw). This area is rich with history and the island offers up a very relaxing pace (READ: no cars allowed) and fudge, fudge and more fudge. I think you will find the front porch of the Grand Hotel also worth seeing.

If you venture east from Ohio you will find yourself in the beautiful mountains and rolling hills of Pennsylvania where many German and Dutch settlers made their first homes in America. From this point you can head off in several directions to suit your tastes. An easy day’s ride south from Cincinnati will put you in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains with some of the best riding you’ll find anywhere. While passing through Asheville, North Carolina you can stop and see my summer home, The Biltmore Mansion. Just tell the servants I sent you and they’ll let you right in.

By now I think you’ve gotten the general idea that there is a lot out there to see that the map doesn’t always tell you. Remember to ask your BikeShare/TourShare member to toss some ideas your way. Even if you already know what you want to see, having a few back up ideas is always handy. For those BikeShare/TourShare members getting ready to loan your bike, take minute and make a few notes and revisit in your mind the places you’ve been to so you can pass this along to your BikeShare partner.