Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining "must read" for the road!
Review: A friend of mine just bought this book from Amazon.com and couldn't stop raving about it. After reading her copy, I had to have it for myself! This is perfect for anyone who loves roadtrips and exploring the highways and back roads of America. The author shares some outstanding moments and cool facts as he guides the reader through places you'll want to visit after reading this book. Very impressive.
Rating:
Summary: cross-country
Review: Did you marvelled at Peter Fonda's "Easy Rider" film or even the old Marlon Brando classic, "The Wild One"? Have you longed to feel the wind blowing around you as you steer your course through America's highways and by-ways on your motorcycle? Here's a guidebook complete with photographs to help you weave your way through that adventure. Complete with hotels, scenic routes documentation, and humorous commentary from the author. Read the book, then take a tip from country- western singer, Willie Nelson, and get "On the Road Again!"
Rating: 
Summary: AN "EASY RIDER'S" GUIDEBOOK
Review: Did you marvelled at Peter Fonda's "Easy Rider" film or even the old Marlon Brando classic, "The Wild One"? Have you longed to feel the wind blowing around you as you steer your course through America's highways and by-ways on your motorcycle? Here's a guidebook complete with photographs to help you weave your way through that adventure. Complete with hotels, scenic routes documentation, and humorous commentary from the author. Read the book, then take a tip from country- western singer, Willie Nelson, and get "On the Road Again!"
Rating: 
Summary: The first national touring guide for motorcyclists.
Review: From September 1998 to July 1999, I rode a succession of bikes more than 20,000 miles across 31 states to ride and describe the best back roads America has to offer. The result is 'Great American Motorcycle Tours', the first national motorcycle touring guide ever written.Each run was selected based on three factors: history, scenery and cultural activities. This journey was not taken to create a "coming of age" story, nor did I want to write a boring travelogue of my adventures. The result is a tight, informative and entertaining book that captures the essence of the nation and what riders will see when they break the confines of the office and see America. Each chapter contains a history of the area, comments on attractions and historic sites, recommended nightlife including saloons, bars, and pubs, local bike shops, lodging recommendations, local rides, "on the road" observations, and suggested indulgences for those with expendable cash. As a writer, I was influenced by the works of Mark Twain, James Thurber, S.J. Perelman, Robert Benchley and Charles Kuralt, and this helped break the mold of an ordinary travel guide to create a book that celebrates the pleasures of motorcycle touring and exploring America in a style that is never dull and consistently fun and intriguing. Check out the tours I've taken, and then buy the book (with a foreword by Peter Fonda). It's easily worth the price and I'm certain it will inspire you to saddle up and see the country. Remember John Lennon 's observation: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..."
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Research Tool for X-country motorcyclists.
Review: Gary's book is crammed with excellent destinations and insights into tour motorcycling. I speak with some authority as the producer of the video series "Motorcycle Tours of America." I find a strong parallel to the research revealed in his book and the planning that goes into the our video productions. In fact, we'll be using GREAT AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE TOURS as a powerful research suppliment for future productions. Well written, humorous and easy to read. A "must" in any motorcyclist's library of books. VIDEOS BY DAVE
Rating:
Summary: No dud--laughs, info, and hogs
Review: I cannot disagree more with the narrow-minded review of Jim Shaver. He obviously doesn't understand the demands the author faced to write a book that covers the entire nation. While Shaver complains about short runs that take several days, McKechnie states in the introduction that we should use his book "as a guide, not the Gospel." In fact, he encourages readers to make their own discoveries. As far as I can tell, his timelines were designed to accommodate several days in one area, and he even suggests sidetrips after each run to offer riders additional time for exploration. With a little creativity, Shaver may have seen he could combine two trips to make one long run. Likewise, his criticism of room rates is also addressed in the introduction: McKechnie says that depending on the tone and tempo of the area, he'd just as soon suggest an ordinary motel or elegant resort. I own a copy of the book and what I've seen is that McKechnie is breaking the links with chains. Whether it's restaurants, hotels, or stores, he never suggests patronizing the businesses that are homogenizing America. I think all riders should take a closer look at this book. For the author to have traveled the entire nation and point out hundreds of great backroads discoveries, complaints about room rates are ridiculous. In fact, if Shaver had checked further, he'd have noticed at the close of each chapter, the author lists contacts for state parks and campground associations as well. Shaver can stay in a chain hotel if he's watching his wallet. As for me, I'm perfectly content to have McKechnie as my tour guide.
Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to quit my job
Review: I just started riding and this book has inspired me to plan a trip to ride through New England. This book is filled with great ideas and good advice sprinkled throughout. I am a fan of any book that recommends a good place for a frappe. Also great intro by Peter Fonda.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a trip!
Review: I purchased this book for my baby boomer dad who's celebrating his birthday by buying a bike and hitting the road. He's thrilled with the route suggestions and the resource information. I read it too, it sounds like so much fun, I might join him on a ride or two.
Rating:
Summary: Good Beginnings
Review: I recently purchased Gary's book in the Spring of '02 for my trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sturgis. It provided an excellent primer for stopping points of interest and quality local eateries. I wasn't hung up on his allowing four days to cover 200 miles, however, I looked at is a buffet in which you can pick and choose the events of interest to you. His advice on packing warmer clothing in the dead of Summer for the elevation changes was dead on. Some may call it 'common sense', but if you see reported temperatures in Asheville at 90 degrees, you may not realize you'll need a jacket and light gloves by the time you hit Mt. Mitchell. I appreciated his advice and considered it money well spent.
Rating:
Summary: Good Beginnings
Review: I recently purchased Gary's book in the Spring of '02 for my trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sturgis. It provided an excellent primer for stopping points of interest and quality local eateries. I wasn't hung up on his allowing four days to cover 200 miles, however, I looked at is a buffet in which you can pick and choose the events of interest to you. His advice on packing warmer clothing in the dead of Summer for the elevation changes was dead on. Some may call it 'common sense', but if you see reported temperatures in Asheville at 90 degrees, you may not realize you'll need a jacket and light gloves by the time you hit Mt. Mitchell. I appreciated his advice and considered it money well spent.
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