MAPS & ROUTES:      
Criteria and Examples

RIGHT OUTTA CLASS: Choices for this step will be based on where the new rider is and where they can get to. Find a big, empty parking lot with minumal barriers and traffic. Churches work well during the week and schools are good on weekends, but keep an eye out for local traffic. Be wary and be prepared with a backup location or two if other events pop up. When moving to the "round the block" phase, a very quiet rural neighborhood is ideal. Next find and plan local rural routes that mix up signals, stops and turns, making a loop if possible. This will vary person to person...

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RUN AROUND RURAL: For the first part of this stage, find very quiet rural street routes with a mix of traffic controls to experience. Make these into loops if possible. Then find flat, curvy roads with minimal traffic and hills; keeping speeds under 50mph. See HAUSER LAKE LOOP in Post Falls and CDA LAKE DRIVE in CDA below...

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TOWNER: Once again, this varies person to person. Follow the criteria listed in the planning section to build and establish routes in and around the towns nearby; discuss and plan routes to run errands and commuting to work. Finish this step by taking a few short destination rides from nearby towns like the RIVERVIEW DRIVE LOOP and RAMSEY ROAD LOOP...then make an ice cream stop!

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URBAN CHAOS: Take routes into major urban areas. Spend one day getting on and off of the Interstate at multiple locations, taking on heavier traffic times and congestion after familiar and comfortable with higher speed travel. Consider longer rural and urban rides that finish in town afterwards like the COUGAR GULCH LOOP. Complete this stage with a trip to a nearby city to shop or dine...

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RUN MONSTER: Find and arrange short destination group rides, increasing time, group size and complexity with practice and experience. Be sure to coordinate group etiquette, signals and routes before each ride. Check local group sites and organizations for calendars and planning. At this stage, get used to larger and heavier loads. Consider trying out riding with a passenger, beginning with a light one with previous riding experience. The MOTORCYCLE IDAHO map listed in the resource section has a wonderful selection of highlighted runs and rides; these can also be turned into overnighters for the next level....

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ROAD THING: These last two steps are not for everyone; many tailor their riding to limit these steps if they are addressed at all. For this style riding, consider getting backpacking and/or camping experience and take multiple short trips with large, heavy loads as practice if camping from the motorcycle. If hotel/hostel stops are planned, practice planning and securing luggage loads rather than camp gear. Consider getting an atlas or multi-state laminated maps for planning at this stage. See you on the road!