So Many American Roads, but Norway Keeps Calling
- Jerry James
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
There are still countless roads in America left to explore, but Norway may be the one place tempting me to cross the ocean.
Over the years, I have been invited to join several riding trips across the ocean, mostly to Europe. We are talking about places like England, Scotland, Germany, the Swiss Alps, and the Dolomites in Italy. Basically, if Europe has winding roads and mountain views, someone has probably tried to talk me into riding there. So far, I have turned down every invitation. Cost certainly plays a part, but the bigger reason is simple. There are still far too many incredible places right here in the United States that I have yet to explore on two wheels.
For me, riding in the United States still feels like a book with far too many chapters left unread. I have ridden through some amazing places, but every time I mark one destination off the list, three more seem to appear. There are mountain passes out West, quiet roads winding through Appalachia, desert highways that stretch toward the horizon, and small towns where the local café serves breakfast with enough grease to qualify as motorcycle lubricant. With so much still waiting to be explored, it has always been difficult for me to justify putting the bike, and myself, on a plane bound for Europe.
So why does Norway keep calling to me? I honestly cannot point to one specific reason. I have simply always believed that riding there would be the trip of a lifetime. Of course, YouTube has not helped matters. There is no shortage of videos showing Norway as some magical land created specifically for motorcycles. Yes, the weather can be unpredictable, and I have heard the bugs can be downright obnoxious. Still, it is difficult to ignore scenery that looks like it belongs on another planet. The small villages, towering mountains, deep fjords, and endless twisty roads all seem to be calling my name. So far, I have managed not to answer, but Norway is making a pretty convincing argument.
So now I have a few questions for all of you. Have you ridden in Norway? If so, what was the experience like, and did it live up to those incredible videos? I would love to hear what you enjoyed, what surprised you, and what you wish you had known before the trip.
If Norway is not calling your name, what place is? We all seem to have that one destination quietly tempting us to start checking airfare and explaining another motorcycle trip to our spouse.
Let me know in the comments. I am also linking a few videos below that helped put Norway on my riding wish list. Watch them at your own risk. I accept no responsibility if you suddenly find yourself shopping for plane tickets.
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