Life on Two Wheels: Riding the Pacific Northwest

There is no better way to absorb the scale of the Pacific Northwest than from the seat of a motorcycle. Caged inside a car, you miss too much — the sharp cold of a mountain pass, the smell of pine and rain, the way a canyon road reveals itself one corner at a time.

Why the PNW Is a Rider's Paradise

The Pacific Northwest is legitimately one of the best motorcycling regions in the country. Within a couple of hours of most major cities you can be on:

• High alpine passes with sweeping views and challenging switchbacks
• Coastal highways hugging cliffs above the Pacific
• Desert plateaus east of the Cascades where the road stretches arrow-straight to the horizon
• Dense forest two-laners that feel like riding through a green tunnel

The variety is unmatched. You can ride a totally different kind of road every weekend for a year and never repeat yourself.

Favorite Routes

North Cascades Highway (SR-20)

This is the one I recommend to every rider. The North Cascades Highway is closed by snow most of the winter, which means the moment it opens in late spring, the pavement is pristine and the views are otherworldly. Washington Pass and Rainy Pass are back to back — two of the best corners in the state.

Best time: Late May through October Watch out for: Loose gravel near the shoulder after the snowmelt season

Stevens Pass to Leavenworth

US-2 through Stevens Pass is a classic — tight canyon riding on the west side, then it opens up into the dry ponderosa pine country around Leavenworth. The contrast between wet western Washington and the sunny east side always hits hard.

Best time: Year-round (west side can be wet in winter) Pro tip: Stop in Leavenworth for food before heading back — the return leg at sunset is worth slowing down for

Olympic Peninsula Loop

A full loop of the Olympic Peninsula is a multi-day adventure that touches everything — rain forest, coastal beaches, mountain foothills. US-101 circles the peninsula, but the best riding is on the smaller roads that cut inland.

Best time: Summer — the coast can be foggy and cold even in July Plan for: At least two days; three if you want to stop and actually see things

Gear I Ride With

Riding in the PNW means riding in variable weather. My kit:

• Jacket: Klim Latitude — textile, waterproof, enough ventilation for summer passes
• Helmet: Shoei RF-1400 — loud road noise but worth it for fit and clarity
• Boots: Alpinestars Corozal — tall enough to matter, walkable enough for rest stops
• Gloves: I keep a summer and a winter pair on every long trip

The Honest Part

Motorcycling is one of the most freeing things I do. It demands full presence — you can't scroll your phone or zone out. Every mile is intentional. That is exactly what I want out of a weekend.

Ride your own ride. Start with roads you know before chasing the challenging ones. The mountains will still be there when you are ready for them.