It may already be August, but there's still plenty of time left to salvage the summer for some memorable road trips. At this point in the riding season, you probably don't want to point your wheel at the usual hot spots-they're likely to be packed with tour buses and sightseers. Not to worry-you can still bag some good scenery without having to stomach the crowds if you aim your sights just a little further off the main track. These less-trafficked alternatives will give you just as much riding pleasure as the main show.

The Pismo Beach Motorcycle Classic (PBMC) on September 18 & 19, 2010 will recreate an iconic 1929 photo taken on Pismo Beach. The PBMC will start with scenic motorcycle rides from Northern and Southern California. The rides will conclude in Oceano, CA, for a rally to kick off the festivities from 1p.m to 8 p.m. The PBMC will wrap up on Sunday, where the panoramic photo will capture motorcycle enthusiasts on beautiful Pismo Beach at 8:30 a.m.

Last week, Motorcycle Cruiser was in Alberta for a sweet little jaunt through the Canadian Rockies, courtesy of Best Western hotels and Harley Davidson. The glorious route cut endless sweepers through Jasper and Banff National Parks, with each turn seemingly more scenic than the previous one. Check out our photos here, and look for a full feature story in the upcoming Motorcycle Escape annual.

As far as places to visit in July, Salt Lake City, Utah, is somewhere near the bottom of my list. It's not that I have anything in particular against it; on the contrary, it's refreshingly clean and orderly, and located in one of the prettiest parts of the country. And it's certainly not the people; the locals sure seem friendly enough. But let's be blunt - in the summer, the place is hotter than the gates of hell (and twice as dry), and I don't care what anyone says about dry heat: 100 degrees in the shade is hot, and I was having a tough time dealing with it, especially since it had been in the high sixties when I'd flown out of New York City that morning.

Mention South Carolina to most any rider and you're likely to hear a colorful anecdote about a long weekend at Myrtle Beach Bike Week. But there are far richer sights to experience in this part of the country, if you know where to look. I'm talking about the Low Country. Depending on whom you ask, the Low Country generally encompasses the coastal plains from Charleston to Savannah, from the Atlantic coast 50 miles inland. This part of the southeastern US is referred to as 'low' because the area is mostly near or below sea level; the marshlands and waterways that give it a distinct flavor and natural beauty were once known for agricultural bounty and prestige. Today the region is renowned for its historic communities, and, yes-unique scenery.