CONNECTIONS

IDAHO
ITD HOME
511 TRAVEL SERVICES
IDAHO DMV
ITD NEWS
HIGHWAY SAFETY
IDAHO STATE POLICE


STATE OF IDAHO
NIATT

NATIONAL
AASHTO
AAMVA
AAA of IDAHO
FEDERAL HIGHWAYS
FEDERAL AVIATION
IDAHO STATE POLICE
NHTSA
NTSB
TRB
U.S. DOT

TRANSPORTER
Archives
Milestones
Comments

Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


Meridian-based magazine for women motorcyclists
features 10 Idaho scenic byways


Shoshone Falls, part of the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway

Ah, the open roads, unmatched scenery and the power of a hog (Harley Davidson motorcycle). The trilogy seems to be a perfect combination in Idaho. Diane Norton, a tourism analyst for the Idaho Department of Commerce, heartily agrees.

Norton also doubles as a writer for Hot Pipes Magazine, a Meridian-based quarterly publication that focuses on women motorcycle riders.

She shares her love of touring Idaho in a two-page spread “Adventures in Living – Motorcycling Idaho.” The magazine article provides a look at “Top Ten reasons you will love to motorcycle in Idaho.” Norton’s choice for the top 10 scenic byways to view from the seat of a Harley is:

  • Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (From Boise on Idaho 21 northeast to the junction of Idaho 75 at Stanley)
  • Sawtooth Scenic Byway (Idaho 75 north to Stanley from Shoshone)
  • Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Hells Canyon Road from Oxbow Bridge near Copperfield, Ore., along the Idaho side of the Snake River to Hells Canyon Dam)
  • Northwest Passage National Scenic Byway (From Lewiston along U.S. 12 northeast to the Idaho-Montana border; also follows Idaho 13 from Kooskia to Grangeville and the junction of U.S. 95)
  • Payette River Scenic Byway (From the junction of U.S. 95 at New Meadows along Idaho 55 south to Idaho 44 west of Boise)
  • Western Heritage Historic Byway (From I-84, Meridian on Idaho 69 southbound to Kuna, south on Swan Falls Road for 21 miles through the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area to Swan Falls Dam)
  • Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway (Along U.S. 95 from Sandpoint through Bonners Ferry to the junction of U.S. 95 and Idaho 1, then north on Idaho 1 to the International border at Porthill)
  • Salmon River Scenic Byway (From the Montana state line south on U.S. 93 to Challis, then west to Stanley on Idaho 75)
  • Thousand Springs Scenic Byway (Interstate 84 near Bliss, following U.S. 30 southeast through Twin Falls to Idaho 50, then north on Idaho 50 to I-84; also U.S. 91 from Twin Falls north to I-84)
  • Sacajawea Historic Scenic Byway (Beginning at Interstate 15 and the Idaho 33 junction, follows Idaho 33 for about 12 miles west to the Idaho 28 junction and then follows Idaho 28 northwest for 120 miles to Salmon)

Norton said she spent about 20 years with an unchanging view of her husband’s back until 2001 when she purchased her own motorcycle, a Honda 450. She traded up to a Kawasaki 750, and after moving from South Dakota to Idaho, she purchased a Harley Davidson.

In the past 18 months she has logged about 7,800 miles on her Harley.

“Idaho is the most incredible riding state…” she writes. “Not a lot of hassles with congestion and traffic. The scenery from the motorcycle is terrific… there isn’t the wind like we had in the plains states.

“The state of Idaho [boasts] 28 scenic and historic byways with only two that are not paved.”

In 2002, Norton and husband Brian, through their company LewisandClarkTrail.com , hosted 550 Harley motorcycles on a ride from St. Louis to Fort Clatsop, Ore. The 16-day event attracted riders from seven countries.

Hot Pipes magazine features women in motorcycle riding and sports in a variety of venues, including: dirt, street, motocross, trail, drag, flat track, stunt, desert, touring, pleasure, family and friend outings, inspirational, motivational … “and whatever else you can fit on two wheels.”

The magazine is available on the Web at: http://hotpipesmag.com/Index.html

For information about Idaho's scenic byways, visit ITD's Scenic Byways on the Web.

Published 5-9-8