Leaving Laona and heading west on U.S. Route 8, the ride passes through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The figure-8 route passes in and out of public forest land.

The WisconsinHighways.org website?s State Trunk Highways section says: ?One of the noticeable idiosyncrasies is the meandering nature of some of Wisconsin?s state highways. Just pick one of the state?s longer routes, and more than likely you will find many extended stretches concurrently designated with other highways and some meandering behavior.? I like highways that meander. My favorite ride includes State Highways 32, 47, 52, and 55. It?s not the Smoky Mountains, but it has some of the best motorcycle roads in Wisconsin.

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This route is a figure-8, and I prefer to start at the top in Laona. The Shell station there has ethanol-free 91-octane gas and Trig?s beef sticks. Fuel for both the bike and me is a good way to begin the ride, and several stops for both are available along the route.

My 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic in my front yard. I?ve owned Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and other brands of touring bikes over the years, but as a Wisconsin guy I always have a Harley in the garage.

I head west on U.S. Route 8 toward Crandon. It?s a sunny, pleasant day, but with haze in the air. The faint smell of smoke rolls over the windshield. News reports say it?s from large wildfires in Ontario. It occurs to me that I have not been to ...