// Field Notes

From the road, and the workshop.

Build updates, the thinking behind the routing engine, and rider-built guides to the roads in the atlas. Written by people who actually ride.

HC// STATE SPOTLIGHTHells Canyon Scenic Byway218 miles circling the Wallowas, rimming the continent's deepest gorge SWITCHBACK MOTO

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: Northeast Oregon's 218-Mile Loop

A rider's guide to Oregon's Hells Canyon Scenic Byway — 218 miles circling the Wallowa Mountains beside the deepest river gorge in North America.

Switchback·August 18, 2026
TAL// STATE SPOTLIGHTTalimena Scenic Drive54 miles of open ridgeline through the Ouachita National Forest SWITCHBACK MOTO

Talimena Scenic Drive: Arkansas & Oklahoma's Ridgetop Two-Lane

54 miles of open ridgeline across the Ouachita Mountains. No commercial traffic, 22 overlooks, and sustained views across five states on a clear day.

August 14, 2026Talimena Scenic Drive
FP// STATE SPOTLIGHTFoothills Parkway33 miles of NPS ridge road above the Smoky Mountain foothills SWITCHBACK MOTO

Foothills Parkway: Tennessee's Ridge-Top NPS Drive Through the Smoky Mountain Foothills

A rider's guide to the Foothills Parkway — 33-mi western segment, no commercial traffic, ridge views of the Great Smokies, and a natural link from the Dragon to Pigeon Forge.

August 7, 2026Foothills Parkway
NTP// STATE SPOTLIGHTNatchez Trace Parkway444 miles of NPS two-lane — no trucks, no lights, no shoulder. SWITCHBACK MOTO

Natchez Trace Parkway: A Rider's Guide to 444 Miles of NPS Road

444 miles of smooth, no-commercial-traffic NPS parkway from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN — history, hazards, fuel stops, and how to ride it.

August 4, 2026Natchez Trace Parkway
108// STATE SPOTLIGHTSonora Pass (CA-108)9,624-ft summit, 26% grades, and real Sierra Nevada solitude SWITCHBACK MOTO

Sonora Pass (CA-108): The Sierra's Steepest Paved Crossing

A deep-dive guide to riding CA-108 over Sonora Pass — 9,624-ft summit, 26% grades, switchbacks, light traffic, and a short summer window.

July 31, 2026Sonora Pass
34// STATE SPOTLIGHTTrail Ridge Road (US-34)48 miles across the tundra — 11 of them above 11,500 ft SWITCHBACK MOTO

Trail Ridge Road (US-34): Riding the Highest Continuous Paved Road in North America

A rider's guide to Trail Ridge Road — 48 miles across Rocky Mountain National Park, topping out at 12,183 ft above treeline.

July 28, 2026Trail Ridge Road
CA-2// STATE SPOTLIGHTAngeles Crest Highway (CA-2)66 miles from LA suburb to 7,903-ft summit — no gas in between SWITCHBACK MOTO

Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2): A Rider's Guide to LA's Mountain Road

66 miles through the San Gabriel Mountains, from La Cañada Flintridge to Wrightwood. What to know before you ride CA-2.

July 24, 2026Angeles Crest Highway
SKY// STATE SPOTLIGHTSkyline Drive105 miles on the Blue Ridge crest — pace yourself, the views earn it SWITCHBACK MOTO

Skyline Drive: Shenandoah's 105-Mile Ridge Road

A rider's guide to Skyline Drive — 105 miles, 75 overlooks, and a 35 mph limit through Shenandoah National Park.

July 21, 2026Skyline Drive
337// STATE SPOTLIGHTThe Three Twisted Sisters (RR 335/336/337)100 miles of Hill Country canyon roads that ask for your full attention SWITCHBACK MOTO

The Three Twisted Sisters (RR 335 / 336 / 337): A Rider's Guide to Texas Hill Country's Most Famous Loop

A deep-dive guide to riding Ranch Roads 335, 336 & 337 — the ~100-mile Twisted Sisters loop through the Texas Hill Country.

July 17, 2026Three Twisted Sisters
550// STATE SPOTLIGHTMillion Dollar Highway (US-550)25 miles, three passes, no guardrails — ride it on your terms SWITCHBACK MOTO

Million Dollar Highway (US-550): Ouray to Silverton Deep-Dive

25 miles, three 10,000-ft passes, no guardrails. A complete rider's guide to the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado's San Juan Mountains.

July 14, 2026Million Dollar Highway
GTS// STATE SPOTLIGHTGoing-to-the-Sun Road50 miles across the Continental Divide — patience required SWITCHBACK MOTO

Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier National Park's 50-Mile Transmountain Crossing

A rider's guide to Going-to-the-Sun Road — 50 miles across Glacier NP, Logan Pass at 6,646 ft, season window, bike fit, and 2026 rules.

July 10, 2026Going To The Sun Road
SD// STATE SPOTLIGHTSturgis & the Black HillsThe legendary roads and stops around the Sturgis rally SWITCHBACK MOTO

Riding Sturgis: Beyond the Rally

A Black Hills ride guide for Sturgis week — the legendary roads, landmarks, and stops around the rally, from Iron Mountain Road to Devils Tower.

July 9, 2026Sturgis
CHE// STATE SPOTLIGHTCherohala Skyway43 miles of ridge-top sweepers between two national forests SWITCHBACK MOTO

Cherohala Skyway: Tennessee and North Carolina's High-Ridge Run

43 miles of sweeping high-elevation road connecting Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC through Cherokee and Nantahala national forests.

July 7, 2026Cherohala Skyway