Many riders are soul searchers, a description that perfectly describes Gina who’s on a journey to find her “own two feet again.” Gina and her late husband began their motorcycle adventures around 15 years ago. Their goal was to travel off the beaten path and retreat from the hustle and bustle of normal life.

About six years ago, after years of riding pillion, Gina decided it was time to get her own motorcycle. The couple had big dreams of traveling North America together; little did they know that something was about to happen that would rob them of perusing that dream—at least together.

Just over a year ago, her husband was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer with only a short time to live. He set her down and said, “Life is too short. Don’t wait. When I’m gone, sell our house and follow our dreams.”

Since his passing, Gina’s been closing their estate, learning how to maintain her own motorcycle, and traveling on a trip of a lifetime on the backroads of North America and Baja. She rides a Yamaha TW200 and below are the routes that have inspired her:

Pacific Coast Highway (also known as Highway 1)—she’s done some of this road in the past but no part north of San Francisco. She particularly wants to visit the Lost Coast region in Northern California.

Border to Border (also known as Highway 93)—it runs from the Canadian border at Jasper National Park to just south of the border of Mexico.

The Road to Nowhere (also known as US-83)—once the only entirely paved route from Canada to Mexico.

The Great River Road—a series of roads created in 1938, designed to showcase the 10 states bordering the Mississippi river.

Appalachian Trail—there’s actually a parkway that parallels the pedestrian route of the Appalachian Trail. It winds from the north woods of Maine all the way south to Georgia.

Atlantic Coast—about 2,000 miles of two-lane country roads alongside of the Atlantic Ocean, almost the entire way.

The Great Northern (also known as US-2)—dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route. It’s the longest east-west U.S. highway (2,571 miles) across the northern continental United States.

The Oregon Trail (also known US-20)—another east-west U.S highway. It starts in Oregon and runs most of the way to Massachusetts. There is a break at the entrance of Yellowstone Park since this road was not a planned coast to coast route, and extended in 1940.

Loneliest Road (also known as US-50)—another east-west highway that runs through the heart of America. It has been dubbed the “Loneliest Road” since it passes through desolate, remote areas with few inhabitants and few communities with minimal services.

Southern Pacific—follows the old US-80 on the southern part of the U.S. from California to Georgia. It was once known as the Dixie Overland Highway.

Route 66—the most famous route of all time. Route 66 runs from California to Illinois. Gina has done half of this route and wants to complete it. They did it on their honeymoon but when it hailed, snowed and rained most of the way, they had to abandon the route in Albuquerque.

These roads have been Gina’s inspiration but, as she says, “Ultimately it will be my heart and the bike that will be the compass in this journey.” TwoWheelsTwoFeet.com