NorthStar Moto Tours

NorthStar Moto Tours is a Northern California motorcycle tour guide service created and run by women, for women riders. NorthStar Moto Tours owner (and your guide) Tyler Risk has led tours for years, and her detailed knowledge helps provide an experience that goes well beyond the average motorcycle tour.

NorthStar Moto Tours currently offers several tour packages: the California South Coast tour (described below), the California North Coast tour, the Lake Tahoe tour, and the Yosemite tour.

Book your reservations now for 2008 tours. For more information, please visit the NorthStar Moto Tours web site.

I met Tyler at her booth at the 2007 Cycle World IMS in San Mateo, California. We had a chance to talk about her new touring business, and how she decided to start NorthStar Moto Tours. She has been leading women's group rides for about 5 years, friends and riders suggested that she should make a business of her passion.

During our talk, Tyler and I shared some of our favorite back roads - it's no surprise to me that we have quite a few in common. Northern California has some of the best motorcycling roads, many having stunning views and great destinations.

This is why Tyler started NorthStar Moto Tours: it's a great way for her to continue to pursue her passion while sharing her in-depth knowledge of area roads with fellow women riders.

NorthStar Moto Tours California South Coast Tour

While I have not taken a tour with NorthStar for obvious reasons, I am very familiar with the areas covered in the NorthStar South Coast tour so I'll describe the tour area based on my own experience traveling these roads. For additional details, please refer to the NorthStar site (see link elsewhere in this article.) Some photos below were supplied by NorthStar Moto Tours and others were taken by me during one of my many rides in the area.

Day One - San Jose to Monterey (160 miles)

If you love riding on the Pacific Coast (as I do) - or if you've never experienced this section of the California coast - this tour will be a special treat. You start your day riding from San Jose on the best-loved motorcycle roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Breakfast at the famous Alice's restaurant on Skyline (Highway 35) is an excellent way to begin a three day tour. After breakfast, the ride from the mountains to the coast will give you a taste of the micro climates you will experience during the rest of the tour.

The ride down Highway 1 to Monterey is the perfect 1st day of a three day tour. The ride is not technical and gives you a chance to get used to riding if you have not been able to ride during the winter months. Monterey is a perfect place to end day one. Carmel By the Sea is just a short ride down Highway 1 or you can spend the evening exploring historic Cannery Row including the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you like wine Monterey country wineries produce some excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

Day Two - 130 miles from Monterey to San Simeon

If you enjoyed the first day of your tour, you will be amazed by your second day. I predict that you will catch yourself saying "wow!" under your breath as you ride. Do try to keep your eyes on the road, though!

This is my favorite section of Highway 1 and I ride it as often as possible. If you have not ridden this section of Highway 1 you owe it to yourself to take this tour, if you have been lucky enough to experience this section of the coast you know what I'm talking about.

Day Three - from San Simeon to San Jose (150 miles)

Riders will experience little known local roads for the ride back to San Jose. The final day of this tour will include a visit to historic Hollister, the location that inspired the "Wild Bunch" movie (starring Marlon Brando).