Well it’s day 2 of my cross country move to Cali and let me say that when I said yesterday that stuff doesn’t get exciting until you hit Colorado, what I meant was that I-80 Westbound is one of the most boring stretches of road in existence. For example, I just drove through the rest of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and landed in Iowa, and let me tell you… if I see any more roadside corn I’m going to vomit. Yes, there are wonderful automotive attractions in some of these states, but for shear visceral stimulation you might as well be staring at plywood. Tomorrow’s drive should be better, at least the second half anyway as I still have to muscle through more corn in the remainder of Iowa and Nebraska. After that though I hit Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and then finally, California, states where the landscape is a bit more pleasing to the eye.

*More frickin’ corn…

I did however hit a few high notes. First was when I got the International up to 78 mph by popping it in neutral while drafting a large semi downhill (I think I had a tailwind too). Then we passed Tire Rack headquarters in South Bend, IN; a place I’ll be heading back to next May for the running of the 2012 One Lap of America. And lastly, we drove past the worlds largest truck stop in Iowa… talk about exciting. My hope is that tomorrow brings some sort of adventure because as of right now, aside from a sore ass, I’m bored as hell.

*This is Tire Rack HQ… exciting, no?

Ever try to find entertaining roads if you’re new to an area, or just passing through? You could try to hit up locals, but that takes time and research. You could go to Google Maps, but that doesn’t tell you much about road conditions, speed enforcement or even average traffic volume. It certainly doesn’t rate the roads on their entertainment value, which means you’ve got to eat a lot of soggy, tastelessly sweet popcorn before you snag a prize.

Enter The Ultimate Drive, a new app from BMW Financial Services for both iPhone and Android platforms. Give it a location, and it spits back a list of nearby roads with entertainment value. Some are fun to drive, some are scenic and some blend the two to create existential driving bliss. You can upload your own routes, complete with comments and ratings, and you can even export existing routes to a GPS, or share with friends via e-mail or Facebook.

Future enhancements will award points for driving roads on the list, allowing you to compete with friends for utterly-pointless-but-entertaining titles. The app doesn’t limit you to 50 sates, either: it’s got listings for some 50 countries already, which means that you should plan on renting something fun next time you’re in Stuttgart on business.

We’d pay money for an app like this, but you don’t have to. It’s completely free, but that also means the information isn’t vetted. In other words, use it at your own risk: if the app lists a road as lax in speed enforcement, don’t plan on suing BMW when you get written up for 30 over and reckless driving. Likewise, if a route leads you deep into the woods and you wind up being turned into breakfast sausage by a chainsaw-wielding maniac, don’t expect BMW to write a big check for your next of kin. If you can live by those rules, I’d say the app is worth downloading.

Source: Autoblog

“Body by Lamborghini, High Fidelity By Alpine” – those were the words written on the poster of the red Lamborghini Countach that I had on my wall when I was a kid. I stared at that image day after day for years hoping that one day I’d have one of those iconic machines in my garage. It was a lofty goal for sure, but hell, if one doesn’t have aspirations then what’s the point of living right? I also had a poster of a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, a car, that in my opinion, is the most beautiful automobile ever produced. You see for me Lamborghini wasn’t just a car company, it was THE car company. Their body designs were impractically sexy, their power plants were wonderment’s of engineering and their exhaust notes… well, let’s just say that those were conjured up by the Gods above.

As a moto-journalist I am very fortunate to have had the privilege of driving just about every type of automobile out there. I’ve run a $750,000 Gumpert Apollo on the racetrack, flown through the air in off-road trophy trucks and raced a Porsche GT3 RS in a week long endurance race against some of the best drivers in the country. I’ve also dragged my knee through corners on two-wheels at 130 mph, took a swim in an Amphicar, and traversed the country in a 43 year old muscle car. What this all means is that I enjoy my job. It was also about to get better thanks to a phone call I received a few weeks ago from Rob Ferretti, the Chief Operating Officer of Gotham Dream Cars.

Now for those of you that don’t know, Gotham Dream Cars is the premier rental agency for high end exotics on the East coast, with locations that cater to the New York Metro area and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Their rentals range from cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, all the way up to super exotics like the Ferrari 599 GTB and Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster. In short, if you want to drive the best of the best, then Gotham Dream Cars is where you go.

Back to the phone call… Rob explained that he had an open seat for one of Gotham’s Dream Car Tours and asked me if I would like to tag along. Obviously my answer was yes, but little did I know that this tour was going to be one of the highlights of automotive career. You see the standard (if you can call it that) Dream Car Tour consists of an afternoon driving around in some of the most desirable automobiles in existence on some of the best roads that New York State has to offer. There are six cars to choose from that range from a Ferrari F430 to a Bentley Continental GT, which means there is surely something to fit your fancy. Upon arrival to the GDC warehouse however, I was informed that this was not going to be the standard tour, but their uber exclusive Legends Tour.

Gotham’s web site clarifies the Legends Tour as the following: “The Legends Dream Car Tour is Gotham Dream Cars’ new series, built around its award-winning Dream Car Tour events, that puts enthusiasts directly alongside some of the automotive world’s most famous driving legends in a fleet of exotic sports cars.”

What this meant was that I was about to be placed behind the wheel of five of the most beautiful Lamborghini’s in existence along side one of my hero’s, Lamborghini’s Chief Test Driver until 2008, Valentino Balboni. Balboni has worked with Lamborghini since 1968, which means he’s helped in the development of just about every raging bull the world has ever seen. Cool right?

The day started off with me piloting a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera and ended with a wonderful stint behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster. In between I drove three other bulls, sat side seat with Valentino Balboni talking about the in’s and out’s of the original Lamborghini Miura, and all this was done while ripping up some of the best driving roads in upstate New York.

What one needs to understand is that Gotham Dream Cars is not a rental car agency, but a business that specializes in automotive fantasies. Think that’s going out on a limb? Well, let me explain something here. Gotham Dream Cars arranges for you to drive with some of the most famed drivers on the planet Earth, pilot some of the most amazing automobiles ever created, have a wonderful meal, while at the same time mingling with some of the nicest petrol-heads around. They treat their clientele with professionalism, courtesy and respect and make sure that you receive white glove service from the moment you arrive on their premises. Now of course there is a cost associated with this, however when you consider what you get, where you get it and how it’s delivered to you, I can assure you that it’s money well spent and a proverbial bargain.

… just BS’ing with Valentino about all things Lamborghini.

When the tour was over we were all debriefed on the days events, talked a little bit and were then brought into the front of the building where we received a little goodie bag complete with personalized autographed photos of ourselves with Mr. Balboni. The days experience was exhilarating and amazing and now falls into my “Top 5″ list of automotive experiences. As for that picture with Valentino, well… let’s just say that it’s now hanging on my wall of fame right next to the one of the day when I bought my 1968 Dodge Charger.

Who says dreams don’t come true?

A few weeks ago on Road Testament I had the opportunity to haul my 1969 Dodge Daytona replica out of storage, grab a good buddy and a few cameras and head out on an afternoon road trip. We didn’t really have a plan per say, only that at some point we’d need to eat, and at another we’d need to put fuel in the old beast. Other than that it was just grab a map and go. We started off at a central point on Long Island, NY and decided to head due east until we came to New York’s eastern most tip, Montauk Point. In total we ran about 250 miles, not a huge trip by any means, but for a nice sunny afternoon all those miles seemed to work out just fine. Click through for the video and enjoy.

Muscle cars have been the bane of my existence since 2003. They’ve taken my money, left me stranded on the side of the road and have given me more sleepless nights then I care to remember. For some reason though I still love them and gravitate to them more then any other type of automobile out there. Maybe it’s because they’re simple machines, or maybe it’s their styling or raw power. Whatever the reason though I have a feeling that there will always be one in my garage. Unlike so many other owners out there I actually drive my cars… a lot. In fact I’ve driven them across the country no less than six times in the last 8 years. Some of my trips go off without a hitch, while others have pushed both myself and my cars to the limit. Hot Rod Magazines David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan recently took a little 1,000 mile road trip from Los Angeles to Arizona and back in a blown 650 hp big block 1967 Camaro. Saying they had a couple of problems would be an understatement, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a great time. Click through for the 17 minute video and enjoy!

Hat Tip: Chromjuwelen.com

Some people love the beach, others love to travel abroad, for me though a great vacation consists of thousands of miles of open road, a good radar detector and road side dives that serve greasy food. You see I feel the most at home cruising down America’s super-slabs and over the past 5 years have logged more than 35,000 road-trippin’ miles. Some people would call this a sickness, I however see it as pure nirvana. At this point in my life I can safely say that I am a professional in the art of the road trip as I’ve pretty much been there and done that. From breaking down on the Blackfoot Indian reservation in Montana, to running over an 8-foot gator in Georgia, to blasting down the open roads of Nevada at over 130 mph. Road trips are a way of life for me and over the years I’ve amassed a pretty good list of what to bring along for the ride. The following is a list of 10 road trip items that are in my cars at all times. Over the years these babies have not only gotten me out of trouble, but have helped me avoid it as well. Click through for the full list and then get ready to hit the open road.

• Valentine One

Bar-none, the best radar detector on the market. This little puppy has literally saved me THOUSANDS of dollars in fines and possible jail time. I have Valentine One’s hard wired into every car I own and don’t leave the house without them!

• Smart Phone

Today’s smart phones are simply wonderful. From their built-in GPS navigation, to their ability to find an open Waffle House at 2 am, to the fact that they can sometimes be your only form of communication if your ride goes south, these little babies are a must. Make sure to get one that’s on the Verzion network though, because AT&T sucks…

• GPS

Ahh… the GPS. These little buggers burst onto the scene over 10 years ago and have been getting people to their destinations ever since. Simply type in your destination address, hit the go button and WHALLA – you’re on your way. Good ones start around $150.00.

• Road Atlas

They may seem old, they may seem antiquated, but a good road atlas is a must have for any serious road tripper. They’re reliable, never break down and have been getting weary travelers to their destinations for over 300 years. Rand McNally produces the best in the business so make sure to check them out.

• Portable CB Radio

Believe it or not but speaking with truckers on the open road is one of the best ways to find out information. From pinpointing police speed traps, to road construction, to finding the best greasy spoon, these guys are an amazing resource. Tune into channel 19 and let the fun begin.

• Beef Jerky / 5 Hour Energy / Red Bull

Travelers have been carrying beef jerky with them for a baa-billion years. Sure it’s like eating shoe leather, but it does provide some nourishment and actually tastes ok. Energy drinks, although relatively new to the market place, are crack for tired motorists. They’ll give you a little boost in energy an will help you out, just remember though that their no substitute for a good nights sleep. Use cautiously.

• Satellite Radio / iPod

Tunes are an important part to any road trip and now with the advent of satellite radio motorists can have their choice of over 1,000 channels. Country, classical, hard rock, acid, religious and even talk radio are all present and accounted for. Price for service may vary, but I’d expect to pay about $19.95 per month.

• First Aid Kit

It’s all fun and games until someone loses and eye, or better yet, gets their finger lopped off by a fan blade. Seriously, just go buy one at any pharmacy and stuff it in the trunk, you’ll be glad you did.

• Money

Fuel, food, repairs and bribes all cost money. Make sure to bring a nice little stack of it with you as I’ve found that something always comes up where you’ll find yourself needing a little extra coin.

• Power Inverter

This is a quick and easy way to keep that cell phone, computer and or portable coffee maker operational. Simply plug it into the cigarette lighter, then plug in your device to the inverter for instant power. Another must have!

Travelling in style on the PCH. Image: Dayvroy

If you live on the left coast, chances are good you have your own list of favorite driving roads. The West has some of the best roads in the country, but it also has massive overpopulation (Los Angeles), earthquakes, wild fires and more annual rainfall (Seattle) than any place outside of Borneo. Maybe it all balances out, because on those rare occasions when you can run your ride of choice down your road of choice, the experience can be epic. I’m absolutely certain this list of best-west-coast-roads (as logged by AMA members) just scratches the surface, so feel free to send me your own personal favorites.

The Pacific Coast Highway, (almost) anywhere in CA

U.S. 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, stretches all the way from Dana Point (just north of San Clemente) to Leggett, which is directly in the middle of nowhere, a few hours north of San Francisco. I had a day to kill in San Francisco a few years back, so I opted to drive US 1 until I got bored. In a rented Toyota Avalon, it didn’t take more than about an hour; in the right car (a Boxster S, perhaps), you’d have zero chance of getting bored. If you head north of San Francisco like I did, don’t plan on finding much in the way of civilization, and resist the urge to go exploring on back roads. The area is, um, agriculture rich, and the local “farmers” don’t exactly welcome tourists.

Route 36, from Fortuna, CA to Susanville, CA

If you like winding roads that run through mile after mile of unspoiled wilderness, this is for you. There’s not a lot of civilization between Fortuna and Red Bluff, and there’s about as much between Red Bluff and Susanville. Gas up when you can and eat where you can, but in between enjoy the views of Lassen Peak and Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Route 12, from Lewiston, ID to Missoula, MT

More unspoiled wilderness and more twisting ribbons of asphalt. Technically, Route 12 doesn’t take you into Missoula, MT, but it does get you to Route 93, which does if you head north. If you’re a fan of history, the road is roughly the same as the path travelled by Lewis and Clark, but you won’t have to worry quite as much about hostile Indians and grizzly bears. Getting to either Lewiston, ID or Missoula, MT can be a task, but driving Route 12 almost makes it seem worth any effort.

Route 58, McKittrick, CA to Santa Margarita, CA

If all you know about the state of California is restricted to what lies on the coast, Route 58 will open your eyes about the bulk of the state’s geography. Route 58 crosses mountains, winds through agricultural valleys and traverses lush, green hills. It’s a lot less remote than most of the roads on this list, and you could easily drive it in a long day trip from Santa Barbara.

Route 129, Clarkston, WA to Enterprise, OR

Sometimes, you just know that a road designer is also a gear head, and that’s certainly the case with Washington’s Route 129 (which becomes Route 3 in Oregon), The road offers up anything a car or bike guy could want, ranging from mountain switchbacks to arrow straight (but remote) segments for, um, top speed verification. It’s got plenty of elevation changes, too, as well as minimal traffic and mountain views. What more do you need to define a great road?

Route 212 near Beartooth Pass, MT. Image: Phil Armitage

The Midwest is best known for things like corn and tornados, neither of which are often associated with good roads or enjoyable driving. In fact, anyone who’s ever driven across Nebraska back when the speed limit was 55 knows that hell isn’t filled with lakes of fire, it’s filled with a single asphalt ribbon bisecting acre after acre of cornfields. The good news is that the Midwest also has truly entertaining roads, some spectacular scenery and some of the best local food you’ll find anywhere in the country. If you never thought of the Midwest as a road trip destination, here’s hoping the roads below will change your mind.

Calcutta, OH to Poland, OH

AMA members chose this as their 14th favorite road, and looking at it on a map it’s easy to see why. There are quite a few sweepers and even a switchback or two as you head north out of Calcutta. Locals advise that you actually pay attention to speed advisory signs; in other words “15 MPH” means “No faster than 20”, not “Let’s see how my car / bike does at 45”. The road straightens out as you approach Poland, but you’re still just west of the Pennsylvania border and deep in the rolling hills of farm country, so enjoy the scenery.

Harrisonburg, VA to Seneca Rocks, WV

I struggled with whether to include this road in the East or the Midwest, but ultimately opted for the latter. I haven’t driven this road, but looking at the map I’m asking myself “why the hell not?” Start in Harrisonburg, VA, then head northwest on Route 33. That’s it, just stay on 33, which makes this route ideal for the directionally challenged. The road has a few curves on the VA side, but it doesn’t look like anything epic until you approach the WV border. From there until Seneca Rocks, the road looks like a longer, less traveled version of The Tail of the Dragon. It’s now number one on my own personal “must drive” list.

Natchez Trace Parkway, from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN

Like the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Natchez trace is more about enjoying the scenery on a limited access road. Don’t expect the same roller coaster thrill ride as the ride to Seneca Rocks above, but sometimes a scenic cruise is just what the doctor ordered.

Durango, CO to Ouray, CO

Here was another dilemma: is Colorado in the West, or in the Midwest? I opted for Midwest, since you can’t see the Pacific Ocean even from the top of the Rocky Mountains. Let me start by saying that there are few bad roads in Colorado, and I could name a dozen favorites just near Boulder. As good as they are, they pale in comparison to the “Million Dollar Highway”, Route 550, which stretches north from Durango to the old mining town of Ouray. If scenery is your thing, this ride won’t disappoint. If it’s technical driving that you’re after, it won’t disappoint, either. Ouray is one of my favorite places on the entire planet, so I’ll just warn you in advance: visit it once, and you’ll have a hard time finding reasons to go back home again.

Red Lodge, MT to Cook City, MT

Here’s another route that easy to follow: head south out of Red Lodge on Route 212. Stay on Route 212 (easy to do since there aren’t many other options) as it winds up and down mountain passes, crosses into Wyoming and eventually reenters near-civilization in Cook City, MT. The road is closed in winter, and there isn’t a lot in between these two towns; if you’re uncomfortable being out where the busses don’t run, this trip may not be for you. On the other hand, if you want switchbacks that rival Italy’s Stelvio Pass and scenery that will blow your mind, this is your kind of road.

Next up is roads on the west coast, so let me know if I missed any in the Midwest.

The Tail of the Dragon, Deal's Gap, NC. Image: William Klos

A while back, the American Motorcyclist Association asked members to list the best roads in the country. From hundreds of submissions, their staff distilled the list down to fifteen roads, stretching from the Northwest to the Southeast. Geographically, six of the roads are in the West, six are in the Midwest and only three are from the East; having lived in the East for the past nineteen years, I can tell you that we have a whole lot more than three good roads, especially in the Northeast.

Below are the top five roads in the Eastern U.S., as chosen by both AMA members and yours truly. All are scenic, so their best enjoyed on a bike or in a ragtop; if a coupe or sedan is what you’ve got, just pick a nice day and roll with the windows wide open for the best experience. If I missed a personal favorite of yours, just let me know: I’d be happy to keep growing the list over the coming months. Also, keep in mind that these roads aren’t listed in any particular order, since even the “worst” road on the list is exponentially better than driving the interstate superslab.

Hanover, NH to Mt. Conway, NH

Start your trip in Hanover, New Hampshire. Head north on Route 10, and keep going until it joins with Route 302. Follow Route 10/302 until 302 splits off, heading southeast. Enjoy the scenery as the road wind through the White Mountain National Forest. Consider an overnight stop in North Conway, then take the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) west, back through the White Mountains. If you’re returning to Hanover, take Route 116 back to Route 10, then head south. If you’re heading north or south and want easy interstate miles, you’ll bisect Interstate 93 on the way.

New Milford, CT to Lime Rock

If you’ve never been to a race at Lime Rock Park, put it on your bucket list immediately. One of the nicest ways to get to Lime Rock is via Route 7 in Connecticut, which only gets better as you head north out of New Milford. When you get close to Lime Rock, look for Route 112 heading west to get to the track. There are plenty of entertaining side roads off of Route 7, so don’t be afraid to explore if you’ve got a GPS or map with you. Watch your fuel gauge, since there fairly significant stretches of road with no gas stations.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, NC is a good starting point for driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head south out of Asheville on Route 25, aka Hendersonville Road. Look for the signs marking the Blue Ridge Parkway, then head west when the roads join. Expect slow traffic and limited amenities (bring your own food and start with a full tank of gas), but here’s one road that’s all about the Scenery. You won’t be strafing apexes regularly, but the view more than makes up for it. If you’re planning on driving the whole road (which also goes east outside of Asheville), it’s about 469 miles. Unless you’ve got the time, even a few segments of the Blue Ridge Parkway are entertainment enough.

Deal’s Gap, NC: The Tail Of The Dragon

I’ve got mixed feelings about putting The Tail of the Dragon in this list, since it’s about the most over-hyped road in the country. Locals love the tourist revenue, but regional law enforcement regularly cracks down on speeders, lane violators and anything else they feel like. In fact, if you hit the Dragon during one of their sweeps and happen to have out-of-state plates, plan on getting a ticket for something. The best time to drive Route 129 is mid-week, outside of peak season. Think Wednesdays in April or October, and you get the picture. Don’t forget to hit up some of the lesser known but equally spectacular roads in the area, like the Cherohala Skyway, and remember to drive or ride within your limits. People die on the Dragon nearly every year, so keep that in mind as run from apex to apex.

New Hope, PA to Stroudsburg, PA

If you like to drive roads that chase rivers, this is one of the best in the Northeast. Start in the Delaware River town of New Hope, then head north on Route 32 (aka River Road). Stay on 32 as it parallels the Delaware, winding past crumbling cliffs and farmland. Stay on River Road as it switches to Route 611 south of Riegelsville, then keep heading north into the old mill town of Easton, PA. If you’re ready for civilization, you can pick up Interstate 78 here or keep heading north as the road winds through Pennsylvania farm land. At Martins Creek, Route 611 splits away from the Delaware River and heads inland for a while before rejoining the river near Portland. Route 610 will eventually take you to Stroudsburg, PA, where you can pick up Interstate 80.

If you live in the West or the Midwest, don’t worry. I’m not forgetting about you, I’m just publishing the best roads in those segments of the country separately, so look for those articles next week.

Owning a classic car means you fall into one of two categories; those who use a trailer or those that don’t. When I first bought my Charger way back when, I made a vow to myself that I would never, ever trailer it as I feel that cars were meant to be driven and enjoyed, not rubbed with diapers. Some owners however feel that the road is not a place for these machines. This generally happens after they’ve sunk thousands upon thousands of dollars into them. Back in the day I would’ve made a stink about trailering a car, but the older I get, the more I can relate to their thought process. If you’ve ever restored a car then you’re well aware that a paint job alone can cost upwards of $20,000. Combine that with a redone engine bay, suspension components and a new interior and it’s not hard to see how a good restoration can run well upwards of $100,000 depending on the car.

Spend that kind of money in one shot and it’s easy to see why you’d want to keep it off the road. However, at the end of the day, regardless of the dollar value attached to it, these are only cars and they were meant to be driven. I agree that sometimes it would be nice to throw them in a trailer and tow them behind a nice comfy pick-up truck. Then I think about all the adventures I’ve had, the miles I’ve traveled, and the people I’ve met and realize that if my car were in a box, none of that would have ever happened.