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MO NT HLY C O L U M NS
Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure
FREE WHEELIN’ ..................................................3 WHATCHATHINKIN’ ...........................................4
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Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil
POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE.......................5
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Dan Bisbee, Mark Byers, John Ciribassi, Pamela Collins, Bill Heald, Dr. Seymour O’Life
ON THE MARK ....................................................6 BACKLASH..........................................................8 INDUSTRY INFOBITES .....................................10
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BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. BACKROADS™ may not be reproduced in any manner without specific written consent from the publisher. BACKROADS™ welcomes and encourages submissions (text and photos) and suggestions. Include phone number with submissions. BACKROADS™ will only return material with enclosed sufficient postage. The written articles and opinions printed in BACKROADS™ are not necessarily those of the publisher and should not be considered an endorsement. The Rip & Rides® published are ridden on the sole responsibilty of the rider. BACKROADS™ is not responsible for the conditions of the public roadways traversed. Please respect the environment, read your owner’s manual and wear proper protective gear and helmet. Ride within your limits, not over them.
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020
FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJeN
Zoom! The China Flu has changed our world. A few weeks ago Shira asked if I wanted to Zoom with her. Sure, always! And, I trotted out to the barn to roll the bikes out. She watched me from the porch and asked what I was doing. “You said you wanted to go for a ride,” I yelled back. She shook her head and told me to put the bikes away and follow her down to the office. Head hanging I followed her. (mumble, mumble, mumble…) “What’s that you say?” “Nothing dear…” Being on the ever-dull edge of technology I have since found, like many others, that programs like Zoom, Facetime and the like have quickly become the new norm and allowed us to communicate with many other riders, friends, and family at the same time. I know many of you have been hip to this for a long while but I have done my Luddite best to avoid these. But, right now, it has been a mind saver. We humans, well most of us, crave, need and must have interaction with others and the fact this, to me, is Starfleet technology lets me deal with it with a slight bit of gusto. Since the SHTF I have found myself discussing business and strategy with a great group from the Mid-Atlantic (Thank you, Alan). An eclectic bunch, they run the gamut from big building design and con-
Page 3 struction to promotional apparel to hairdresser. Surprisingly, at least at the time, one of the best suggestions I got was from her. I have found with this group if I really listen, I just might learn something valuable. Saturdays have found me chatting about motorcycles and riding skills with riding coach Ken Condon and friends. With Ken, Jay Duchin and others from Tony’s Track Days, they have created a forum that allows for a give and take with those logged on. Here we have a very interesting bunch as well. Like the daily business talks, everybody here had different things they were looking for from riding. There were some fast folk, beginners and all that in between. If you have never read any of Ken Condon’s books than do yourself a favor… jump on the web and log on to: www.ridinginthezone.com. I sincerely hope by the time these words are in front of you this will all be behind us. But, regardless, books have just made a great comeback and reading instructional books such as Ken’s Riding in the Zone books and Reg Pridmore’s superb Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way will only make you smoother, more confident and bring you more enjoyment while riding your machine this summer. But, back on the internet during this sequestering period, we found our socializing mostly taking place on Zoom. The daily business meetings were informative. The weekly motorcycle chats made me feel I was still part of a vibrant, exciting and wonderful industry. But there were the other chats… Continued on Page 7
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
WHATCHATHINKIN’ SHIRA KAMIL Don’t Let the music stop Trapped. That is how I feel about this entire situation. I’m tired of writing about what has happened, what is happening and opining on what will happen, when it does happen. I miss the open road. I miss pulling into a little mom and pop eatery, found by chance, and wondering if it will be a good find or bad. I miss lugging my saddlebag liners to the hotel room and seeing if the shower will be a 2 or 10 rating on my scale. I miss parking my motorcycle at the end of a great day’s ride and sharing an adult beverage and some stories, face to face, with my riding friends. Yes, I feel trapped. What was once the happiest time of the year has turned into a wasteland of tears and anger. When we should all be on the road to the four corners of the world we are forced to limit our rides to a few hours a day so we can get back home and disinfect. And that is if you are willing to venture out on the motorcycle. I have seen more and more bikes passing Backroads Central and I can only hope that they are up to snuff on their skills, being sensible about their riding and paying particular attention to the horrendous drivers who have populated the fairly free roads. It is coming on Mother’s Day – we should be arguing with siblings about who is going to host this festive day and not who can start the Zoom meeting. I was poking around some of our advertisers websites and social media spots and came upon, what I thought, was a perfect caption for what is going on in my head right now: ‘Dream about your escape.’ While dreaming and planning and hoping that day comes very soon, I have been watching and listening to some amazing musical talent. What is not lacking in this pandemic-riddled world is great music to help pass the time. From every corner of the world, artists have been sharing their talents. Wildly
famous and established folks are opening up their homes and studios to perform for the captive masses yearning to be entertained. I have been tuning in to a friend from my Cliffside Park days – Mike Sinatra The Songman (www.facebook.com/mikesinatrathesongman) – who has been putting out tuneage almost every single day or night. His reasoning, perhaps, is practice makes perfect or at least much, much better. He has a tremendous following and it’s been a great way to reconnect with hometown people. All across the digital wires, people are sharing their finds, favorites and just fantastic music and videos, new and old. I admit, and am a bit ashamed, that I am not up on most music newer than the 1980s. When the stereo is on and not playing our own collections, we tune in to what was once Centenary College, our local college radio station (WXPN) and I am enlightened to some very good, and some pretty bad, new music. The disc spinners have been fabulous and very creative in their playlists – coming up with great themes for their weekly Throwback Thursday, Funky Friday, Land of the Lost, Sleepy Hollow and many others. Should you want to check them out, wherever you may be, you can find then online at xpn.org. For the few rides that I have taken in the past couple of months, I have forgone my usual Zumo setlist and paid particular attention to my surroundings, soaking in the becoming of spring and wishing that the ride would never end. But I have kept track of those particular songs heard during these times that have made a mark. Brian has taken back up with his Song of the Week as part of our Backroads Report which comes out on Saturday mornings. If you aren’t hip to this bit of Backroads’ entertainment, you can sign yourself up on our website: www.backroadsusa.com (lower right corner). Continued on Page 7
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020
POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE BILL HeALD RoLLing Down the ViRaL highway
Page 5 they tend to ramp up the really stupid things they already do including pulling out in front of you, turning left Kamikaze style, and a current favorite, texting plus going too fast and plowing up some of the verge as they leave their lane and nearly auger into some ditch. For some reason I’ve seen that a lot in these parts, and while the onset of Smart Phones introduced the now-common drifting behavior, now speed is being added to the equation, which is worrisome. Don’t we have enough to keep track of without yet another element of hazardous driving behavior? True, we have the ultimate viral avoidance transport with our bikes, our experience and associated riding gear, but we still have to modify our behavior once we get to our destination. But before we park at the grocery store and don our PPE, we have to tackle a different form of “impaired” driving in the form of frustrated operators, who long to stretch their legs through their rides. Can’t these people chill out a bit, and take driving seriously? Humans are creatures of habit, and if you mess with routine some people take change and modification in stride while others freak out and make a problem worse through behavior that effects their fellow travelers. It’s up to the rest of us to incorporate their stupid behavior into the mental catalog of what we have to deal with when we go out in public, and prepare accordingly. We may “all be in this together” but when you’re on your machine and on the road, you have to realize you can’t depend on others to behave intelligently. Don’t trust, and always verify when in traffic, and while I wish it were otherwise these are words to live by “in these difficult times.” Expect the Stupid, and stay well, stay safe, and stay the course.
If nothing else, life is certainly unpredictable. We find ourselves in an unusual situation these days, and of course I’m referring to facing a near future with no more episodes of Game of Thrones to look forward to. Oh yes, and then there’s this whole virus thing that has given mankind just a peek at what’s in store if we continue to take nature for granted and neglect our public health infrastructure. We really do think we run this planet, and unlike any other living things we think we can bend the biota we share the planet with to fit our desires and ultimately do whatever we want with impunity. In the eyes of many, the virus that is killing so many is someone else’s problem and we’ll ultimately get some pill or injection and move on. Perhaps that is exactly what will happen. But in the meantime, it has had an effect on not just day-to-day living for most people, but it has messed with behavior in ways that have been hard to predict. It has come to my attention that drivers of the enclosed vehicle variety have been altering their normal dangerously unpredictable behavior and added a new wrinkle: high velocity. At first I thought there was something wrong with the bike. It had been a while since I had been on the highway and maybe I had not yet renewed the speed sense you get that makes the speedometer irrelevant, and you just go along at a clip that gives you good separation in traffic. You still know within 5 MPH or so how fast you’re going, and given the RPMs I could feel the engine turning at I thought I was well over the speed limit in top gear. But then they came. Before I knew it I was getting passed like I was on a scooter towing an Airstream by a bewildering variety of punters, from a young lad in a tuned Civic to the classic soccer mom in an Explorer to an essential construction contractor in a lifted pickup. As one does, I assumed this demonstration of NASCAR longing was just a fluke, and the bike (and myself) were putting along at a normal clip. The latter was true, but the more I traveled the more it became ap199 Main St. • Ste. 901 • White Plains, NY 10601 parent that there were a lot of bats on the road delighted to have fled the belfry. As if the scourge of electronic distraction infecting the modern automotive experience If you’ve been involved wasn’t enough, the forced captivity that the virus hath in a motorcycle accident, wrought has spawned a moto-madness in the form of excessive happiness on the accelerator. Oh fine. Now get the knowledgeable, we have this to contend with. When it comes to sharing y b d sympathetic and forceful ente the road with cars and other metallic beasts I am more repres ho has e B than content with some social distancing, and when legal representation ne w someo ng for over dweebs get all meteoric in their driving technique it i id you are entitled to. makes this all the more complicated. Anecdotal inforbeen r mation from places like Texas, Colorado and Los AnNo fee unless a recovery is made. geles confirmed the fact that this wasn’t a localized Testimonials available. phenomenon. When it comes to unexpected side effects from the latest viral assault on the world, this was one I never saw coming. As for dealing with this new problem, there’s not much you can do other than use the tools you already Call the Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. have when dealing with any kind of traffic menace. In for a free consult and evaluation of your case. the midst of your continual vigilance, you have to add some more attention to what’s behind you, lest you get popped from behind during a lane change by a shrieking eel in an SUV. Additionally, when people get this bug up their butt to express their expulsion from captivity,
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
ON THE MARK MARK ByeRS pLanning foR catastRophic success It hasn’t been that long since life became an eternity of Saturdays. The New Year had promise: lodging was set for the Backroads Grand Tour. The lawn was fertilized and primped in hopes spring would bring a lush, green covering to the place Emma likes to play. Emma’s days were full of riding the bus to kindergarten and back, with many adventures between. There were new bags on the Vstrom in anticipation of camping trips with my friend Doug, along with a new set of 50/50 tires I was crazy to test. A new Christmas tent and a happy-birthday-to-me sleeping bag completed the ensemble. I was hoarding leave to make sure I had plenty for the Grand Tour. I spent February on the road, recruiting and shaking hands in the crowded confines of booths from West Virginia to Virginia to Florida. It was great. Little did I suspect that there was this…thing…out there. It burst out of the chest of someone in China like the Xenomorph in the Alien movies. At
first, it was just another one-liner in the news; after all, we’d been through the swine, bird, pig and other influenzas. Heck, this year I finally got my first flu shot. I figured with all the handshaking, it might come in handy. Meanwhile, the motos waited patiently. A few needed care: a battery here and new turn signals there, plus general preventive maintenance like oil changes and washing. I figured there was plenty of time. I even acquired a pretty tasty XR-250R dirt machine. It needed some minor work, but the internet provides (and The Dude Abides). Then the news got bigger: something was definitely happening in Asia. A lens I ordered for a camera was suddenly delayed by supply chain problems. It’ll never be a problem here, I told myself: once it hits the Pacific, it’ll burn itself out. Except, it didn’t. It landed on my doorstep in the form of a guy at work who came back from a trip abroad, exposing two of my employees. Then, another one was exposed by his roommate. Thankfully, none of them got…it: the virus that ate the world. A co-worker’s wife got it, but after three weeks, she’s tired but OK. It’s been six weeks since my group went to telework, but I’m glad we’re working. So many people are struggling. The commute is easy: I make a bagel with cream cheese in the kitchen, along with some hot tea and then retire to the dining room table, where my computer lives. I have a nice view of the back yard and a little of the front. I don’t like telework: I like to visit my employees, but I’m getting by with emails and calls, but it just isn’t the same as the face-to-face contact.
The other problem with telework is that I notice the stuff that needs doing around here. Some days, either before or after an interminable conference call, I just go mow the yard. Time is meaningless and I might as well get some sunshine: I can always review that report after dark. That diseased tree is down, split, and neatly stacked, ready for next winter. It’s actually been a great primer for retirement: I realize that there are no end of things to keep me busy. I think of my Backroads friends often, and of the moments lost because we can’t be together as much as we’d like. I participated in my first Backroads Zoom happy hour Sunday and it was a hoot, although I realized that not everyone can talk, so it’s better to keep it kind of small. I think I’ll let some other kids play next time, either by staying off or by muting myself. We’ve changed all our reservations for the fractured Grand Tour, hoping to preserve a bit of that vital fellowship with our magazine family. Betsy is quietly quilting enough to cover the earth, doing a ten-million-piece jigsaw puzzle, and taking photos of the two rabbit families living around the house. I’m still making dreams come true, hiring young people who are thankful for a first job in these times. All-inall, we’re very lucky. We’re trying to help some of our local food businesses with takeout orders, so my spring fitness plan is more like “I’m tryin’ to fitness whole cheesesteak in my mouth.” We can only hope that our Backroads family stays safe and healthy in these times and that we’ll see you soon at some great destination.
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 fRee wheeLin’
Page 7 Continued from Page 3
Suddenly I had Shira telling me we’d be part of a Cocktail or, as she called them “Mocktail Parties” at 6 o’clock. We did this with our local friends, which was fun. Shira did a trivia night a few times too. But a gathering of the Backroads faithful, all riders that we have met and been blessed to call friends, showed up at 6 pm on a Saturday evening. The word went out that having bikes in the picture would be fun. Some did a virtual garage, while Tony and Gena (Tony, thanks for putting this together) broadcasted from their heated garage, as did a few others. Our barn is not heated… In fact, it is a Twilight Zone of weather. It sucks in cold during the winter and pours in heat in the summer. There are threeday windows in late May and September that it is very comfortable. After that, it is one way or the other. That being the case I went for Plan B (we all know Backroads lives for Plan B) and I rode the KLR into the office to add a bit more feel to our end of the Zoom! After a couple of hours catching up with riding buddies, we closed down the Zoom connection, looked at each other, smiled and hugged…. For a few minutes, it almost felt normal. If you have not reached out to the people you care about with programs like Zoom you might want to consider it. It has made life a tad more bearable and strengthened the ties that bind - even if we are all apart.
When this is over, Zoom will not stop. The world has been Etch-aSketched. Get used to it. Embrace it. What we once thought would keep us apart for a long time has opened up a new way for us to stay closer and it only makes a handshake, hug and skin on skin that much more precious. Let us continue to ride smart and ride safe. Avante…..!
whatchathinkin’
Continued from Page 4
Back on March 14, with the coming of the warm weather and before the shit entirely hit the fan, he featured ELO’s Mr. Blue Skies. This song will NEVER be skipped no matter where it may pop up – Zumo, iPhone, CD – as it brings out a true happiness in me. I’m sure there must be a scientific or mathematical equation behind why some songs hit the brain in a certain way – I know there is one for facial structure and why some are more beautiful than others. Moving ahead a few weeks, he was still trying to keep things upbeat and humorous with Chris Mann’s My Corona, a parody of My Sharona. Very witty but moving into the darker weeks of April we agreed that there was just one song, originally written and performed by Jimmy Cliff, that had to be played. The version we used was by The Boss himself, and, as I started this article, was the true feeling of so many of us, riders or not. Trapped. Let the music keep playing, let the roads keep bringing us to fantastic destinations and on incredible adventures and let’s hope that we can keep our spirits up, our hearts strong and our wheels pointed in the right direction – while our dreams are planning our escape.
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BACKLASH TBR April 4 I knew there was a reason why I liked you, besides motorcycling. We’re both Parottheads and Chicagonistas! Great lyric choices. Fins up! Tony
TBR April 11 Brian & Shira, The MSF Challenge Rider Perception Challenge in this week’s Report is a fantastic addition. This is something all riders (and drivers) need to be aware of. I’m sure Paul D agrees too. I have been a long time subscriber to Backroads and thank you for the wonderful job you do promoting safety as well as providing informative and interesting articles. Hope the both of you are safe and healthy. Don Daves • RiderCoach 130744
TBR April 18 After reading yet another great Backroads Report this morning it got me thinking of what other riders are doing at this time. Letting their tires go low on air! Letting their batteries drain! Letting their gas go stale!! I think not. For those riders that own vintage bikes, you’re never really done maintaining them. I had a running list and a 3 bike backup of things I always wanted to do. I can tell you I have 3 of them almost done now, I’ve been working every night after work and full days on weekends. I’m waiting on a set of custom cables to be made. We found out Motion Pro had been shut down with no open time in site in CA so we get our parts back and found Barnett up and running so the custom cables for our 1965 Honda 305cc scramblers can be made. Last of the vintage projects and almost done. On the modern bike, I was about 2-3 thousand miles away before I needed new tires so I had Martin Moto pick up the bike and do a full service and new tires, gave them business and now I’m ready when the state opens, I’ll be ready. Please support your favorite shops so they can continue to service
JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
Letters to the Editor you in the future. It’s tough on most riders now that the trees are budding and the flowers are popping up.. not to get out and ride. One of my favorite times of the year is now! Riding through Princeton; I don’t know why but Princeton tends to bloom beautifully before anywhere else in NJ. (Shira, best ice cream, best chocolate I’ve ever had in Princeton is Halo Pub made by Halo Farms, unbelievable prices too) https://www.palmersquare.com/directory/halo-pub/ The Taboo; Most of us need to ride as part of our lives and get withdrawals if we don’t. Most riders like me work all week, study weather forecast all week, study GPX files for the next best ride and need to ride on weekends. Local hops around—alone is doable. Don’t ride in packs at this time, or any kind of meetups, you will ruin it for everyone who try and get a local ride in. It’s a good thing we have motorcycles at this time in history to keep us busy and keep our lives normal. While many events have been canceled you still get to work on them, clean them and improve them. Stay Strong, Harvey Mushman Saturday am e-blasts??? Where have I been? How do I sign up? Brian - Re your plug for Sta-bil: Little known company called Kroll makes 2 kinds of rust preventer. One is good and easily removed with solvent and the second a real heavy duty leave it outside all winter wax/grease coating. Both spray on. Stuff works great - check it out. Charlie Brian and Shira, Just want to say - keep ‘em coming! When Backroads arrives in my mailbox I feel like a schoolboy waiting for the next issue of Boys Life (giving away my vintage). It’s one of the few things keeping me sane at this absolute insane moment in history. With each issue I re-live in my imagination past tours, delectable roads and the great friendships forged in this wonderful sport of ours. Keep ‘em coming! – Tony
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 Hi Brian and Shira, Always enjoy seeing you write about New England (especially as we are all have these stay-at-home directives), and I was surprised to see that you were parked on the Petersham Common at the Daniel Shays Rebellion Memorial (April 2020 issue)… only about 2 miles from my home. You probably passed through New Salem and by Rick’s store as well, and had we known you were that close, lunch would have been on us! It’s funny that you mentioned the Yale forestry program in the sentence above Petersham, because just a few miles further up from the Shays Memorial is the Harvard University School of Forestry, “Harvard Forest’ and their museum. A must stop next time you pass through the North Quabbin Region. Bob Laford • Petersham, MA Greetings Shira and Brian, I hope that you guys are well. Fine, but bored, here. I spent the last 3 days cleaning out my garage. I got rid of a few hundred pounds of things that have not been used in years. I was surprised not to see the Aerostich hanger that comes with their suits. It’s the best type I have ever owned. Right now, I have five suits, one in Oregon and one in Germany with those bikes, and two at home, one piece Roadcrafter for track days and two piece Darien. Carol has one too, so we have a few hangers. Greg
FW-The scent of a.... Dear Mr. Good-Looking, Insightful, and Brilliant Editor Guy, I’ve just finished the smelly (kidding!) April edition and enjoyed it quite thoroughly. That tang before the rainstorm has a name. It’s called petrichor. And it makes me nuts that most spellcheckers don’t recognize it. Regardless, I love that smell. It takes me back to summer Boy Scout camp. The Massachusetts woods in 1968 right before a summer downpour. Another favorite smell is indeed Klotz 2-stroke synthetic racing oil. Nothin’ in the world smells like that. Although I’ve been riding on the street
Page 9 since your triple 2-stroke Kawasaki was brand-new, and I’ve owned quite a few 3-cylinder ring-dingner streetbikes, my introduction to Klotz is much more recent. A few years ago I was lucky to come by a pristine KDX 200. My offroad mentor insisted I use only the mighty Klotz for the pre-mix lube so I took his advice to heart. That’s a unique smell alright. So special that Klotz now makes scented candles! No foolin’. Best regards, good health and good riding to all, Jeff Adams • Rochester NH Hi Brian, I really enjoyed this article. Last spring I ran into a guy who had an old dirt/trail bike and we got talking about the two strokes. Well, as Dr. John can readily attest to, I couldn’t resist and I had to go out and buy myself a two stroke. I picked up a 1974 RD350, not a show bike but it’s very presentable and does the job admirably. Most of the times when I start it up I stand behind it for a long few moments just listening to it. You can’t beat that pop-pop sound....or the smell. It brings me back to when I was a kid in the late 60s riding my 1969 Kawasaki 500 H1 Mach lll three cylinder two-stroke. Great times. Best to Shira. Greg McLaughlin
Mail: BACKROADS PO Box 620 Augusta NJ 07822
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Got something to say? We’d love to hear it. Letters may be edited, never censored, to fit.
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
IN DU STRY INFOBITES
News from the Inside
IMTBIKETOURS NEW 2020 DATES FOR TWO TOURS MOROCCO & SOUTHERN SPAIN TOUR AND CASTLES & MOUNTAINS TOUR-CENTRAL SPAIN IMTBIKE Tours, the 23 year veteran moto-tourism company based in Spain, announces NEW 2020 dates for their Morocco & Southern Spain Tour: October 16 to November 1, 2020 – and their Castles & Mountains Tour - Don Quixote Country in Central Spain: October 26th to November 4th, 2020. The Morocco & Southern Spain tour starts in Málaga, where you’ll enjoy 6 riding days in Andalucia to take in the vestiges of “Al Andalus” left by the Moors such as the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba. In Morocco, you’ll enjoy 9 riding days traversing diverse landscapes from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert. The tour also overnights in Imperial Cities like Fez and Marrakesh. As on all IMTBIKE Tours, you will ride new model BMW motorcycles and sleep in first class hotels and charming boutique Riads. The Castles & Mountains tour/Don Quixote Country, starts in Madrid, and visits six UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Ávila, Ciudad Rodrigo, Toledo and Cuenca. IMTBIKE uses charming historical palaces, castles and fortresses, all converted into motorcycle-friendly hotels on all its tours in Spain. You will also enjoy delicious Mediterranean gastronomy and local Spanish wines in the evenings. IMTBIKE has a fleet of 200 new model BMW motorcycles to choose from. For more information about IMTBIKE Tours
& Rentals visit their webpage: www.imtBike.com or contact them at tours@imtbike.com or by phone at USA:+1 (412) 468-2453.
97TH LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 22ND-30, 2020 The June dates for Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week have been rescheduled to August 22nd-30th, 2020 due to COVID-19. Currently, all events are being moved to the same day of the week originally scheduled but aligned with the August dates. Events that are modified or cancelled will be posted on LaconiaMCWeek.com and through our #LaconiaMCWeek social media channels. Our #1 priority is the safety of all visitors and residents alike. August will be a whole new experience for riders to see the beauty of New Hampshire in full bloom during the warmth of summer. Stay tuned for event updates over the next several weeks as the rescheduled 97th Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week takes shape. Any/all updates will be posted to Laconiamcweek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all Laconia MC Week social media channels.
AMERICADE WILL RETURN TO LAKE GEORGE IN 2020 Americade, one of motorcycling’s most popular touring rallies and a signature vacation season event for the Lake George region for nearly 40 years, will be held in 2020. Americade organizer Christian Dutcher announced that the events, traditionally held the first full week of June, will be pushed back until the week of July 21-25, 2020. “The health of our community and our guests is paramount, but it is our sincere hope that by late July, it will be possible to bring Americade back to Lake George as long as there are no federal, state or local regulations that would preclude it,” Dutcher said. “We will be very sensitive to public health concerns. We will conduct Americade 2020 in a manner that is respectful of the terrible ordeal this pandemic has caused.’’ The 2020 “touchless’’ Americade will emphasize current public safety protocols including social distancing and hand washing and scenic tours rather
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BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 than large group gatherings. Organizers will comply scrupulously with health and safety guidance and work closely with Warren County Public Health Services. Specifically: • The number of people attending the Americade Expo will be restricted to ensure plenty of space between attendees. • Some events that have historically attracted shoulder-to-shoulder crowds will not be held. • Attendees will be encouraged to register electronically (instead of in person) and pay remotely. • Americade 2020 will de-emphasize guided, large-group rides and instead facilitate unguided rides. • For lunches during rides, participants will be encouraged to choose from a broad selection of restaurants to reduce crowding in any one establishment. “Americade gives many people the opportunity to get out on the open road, see some of the most scenic and remote places and breathe the fresh air of the Adirondacks,’’ said Dutcher. “So many people have reached out to us and asked us to try to find a way to keep the tradition alive this year.’’ “My Dad founded this event, and my Mom gave it its patriotic name. As a family, we’ve seen it as a celebration of the American spirit of freedom and independence. This year we will pay tribute to the heroic work of our local first responders and frontline hospital workers and, in their honor, organize a special fund-raising effort among our visitors, vendors and participants. Dutcher noted that July is a busy time in Lake George, so Americade is reaching out to its local hospitality partners to ensure adequate accommodations will be available. Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson said, “We all need a little good news right now, and this is very good news for Lake George. So many of our small businesses depend on Americade and so many Americaders love coming back to Lake George. Maintaining the continuity of this event is important to everyone.’’ Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, “This is a community of many small, family-owned businesses, and we are so appreciative of Americade’s continued support. Americaders can count on the warm welcome they’ve come to expect and Lake George’s trademark hospitality – delivered gratefully, cheerfully and at a safe distance.” Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Bittel said holding Americade 2020 in July will be a “testament to our resilience as a community and an expression of confidence that better days are ahead. Hos-
Page 11 pitality is what we do here. People are counting on us. We will do this safely and we will do this well.’’ Americade began in Lake George in 1983 as Aspencade East, an off-shoot of a rally originally held in New Mexico. Three years later Bill Dutcher changed the name to Americade, as suggested by his wife Gini. Dutcher said he hopes a “full-throttle” Americade will be possible again in the Summer of 2021. Visit www.americade.com for updates.
AIMEXPO BUILDING THE FUTURE OF POWERSPORTS The MIC’s American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) is moving to January 21-23, 2021 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Previously scheduled for this October, North America’s largest powersports show is changing more than timing; the show will become a trade-only event and emerge as an integral part of the buying season. “Timing is everything,” said Cinnamon Kernes, vice president and general manager, MIC Events. “Transitioning to the first quarter has been part of a long-term strategic plan for AIMExpo, along with providing more focus on our core audience - dealers. These changes not only align the show with the ideal buying time for dealers and retailers, but also provide the perfect opportunity for brands to reconnect with dealers, kicking off what will be a pivotal year for the industry, additionally, this move to January opens the door to partner with a major distributor in a much more strategic and meaningful way.” A trade-only show allows AIMExpo to concentrate on industry needs and education at a time when powersports needs it most. Quality over quantity is necessary in the new trade show landscape. With this new focus on retailers, the show will now take place over three days instead of four, saving exhibitors and attendees time and money. COVID has forced retailers and manufacturers to change the way they do business – at warp speed. AIMExpo’s education, developed in partnership with PSB will focus on these ideas and innovations to help retailers improve efficiency, stay competitive and improve bottom lines. AIMExpo will provide tools and solutions for retailers as we start the new year. “With all that’s happened recently, transitioning to Q1 makes sense now more than ever,” said Andre Albert, director of sales and marketing. “The show will align with the order-writing time of year; it will help alleviate financial burdens in 2020, and allows us to focus on the industry and its needs. This change in timing and focus allows brands to connect with the most engaged buyers looking for growth and success in 2021. We’re excited and looking forward to the evolution of AIMExpo - Together We Rise.” aimexpousa.com If you have scheduling updates for your events, please send press release and high-res image to editor@backroadsusa.com. We will get it online and in the next print issue as soon as possible.
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Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MYSTER IOU S A MERICA BLoBfest phoenixViLLe, pa • JuLy 10-12, 2020 There are many festivals to be had during the year - mostly fun and family-oriented, some historic and including reenactments, some in remembrance of days gone by. But, along the backroads of Mysterious America, there is one festival that stands out. Or, does it slither? Welcome to BlobFest, held each year in historic Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Located just about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia you will find this little burg at the junction of French Creek and the Schuylkill River. For years Phoenixville was a booming mill town, but times change and for a long bit Phoenixville had seen better days. Today the town is very hip and happening and a recent downtown revitalization plan that lead to 10 craft breweries and a distillery. Downtown Phoenixville has more breweries per square foot than anywhere else in America. Now that is something of which to be proud. But, as nice as that is, that is not why we will travel to this town this month. It is because a film was made here that has become one of the most-watched and talked about sci-fi/horror movies ever created - The 1958 production of The Blob. The film was Jack Harris’ first production and was originally titled The Molten Meteor until producers overheard screenwriter Kay Linaker, a successful actress in her own right, refer to the film’s monster as “the blob”. It stuck. Though the budget was set at $120,000 it ended up costing only $110,000.
Now for the King of Cool part – a then 28-year-old Steve McQueen was given a choice of $3,000 upfront or a 10% share of profits. Thinking that the film would never make money and being in financial straits at the time, he opted for the former. However, The Blob ended up a hit, grossing $1.5 million at the box office in its first month and a total of $12 million – and a legend was born. Back in those days, movie-goers were treated to double-features and The Blob was an actual ‘B-Movie’ second billing to I Married a Monster from Outer Space (many say Shira loves this movie. Her reasons are unknown – But I have a theory). The film was made in and around Valley Forge Studios and the infamous basement of the diner scene was shot at what is now the Downington Diner. One of the most iconic scenes from The Blob was the movie theatre. The Blob makes its way into the Colonial Theatre play-
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Page 13 ing Midnight Spook Show Daughter of Horror with Bella Lugosi - Healthfully AIR CONDITIONED. But, not cold enough to stop The Blob, I guess. The Blob kills the film and comes in through the projection slots – fun and frolic ensue. Okay, they had a hundred townies, all part of the film, running for their lives as Steve and the sheriff and the local fire department try to figure it all out. Of course, right about then, Lil’ Danny, running around in PJs and with a six-shooter cap gun, appears and tries to shoot The Blob. Running out of caps he does the good old throw the gun at your enemy. You go kid. They did this on The Adventures of Superman all the time and I never understood how Supe could take all the bullets to the puffed-out chest, but feel the need to duck when they threw the pistol at his head. The kid runs to the diner and, undaunted, so do our heroes. The same diner, although redone and modern, is still there
in downtown Downington. But, you probably have seen all this, right. But, now – let’s be part of it. This July 10-12, 2020 take a ride down to Phoenixville and partake in a weekend full of 50s film nostalgia, sci-fi, and kitsch! The 21st Annual Blobfest! There will be a Friday Night ‘Run Out’ of the Colonial Theatre and a street fair on Saturday. The theatre will be running double features all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon (Forbidden Planet and Teenagers from Outer Space) and Marta Kristen, “Judy” from TV’s Lost in Space!, will be on hand hosting a Q&A Sunday before the double feature. I loved her when I was… err – 12. I am so there. Back by popular demand, you can buy a VIP weekend passes. These allow you to purchase one ticket to attend all events for the weekend for just one price. Stay. Enjoy. Have fun. Maybe you’ll die laughing or just die. It’s all part of Mysterious America. Log onto the Colonial Theatre’s website for more information and tickets. thecolonialtheatre.com/programs-categories/blobfest/ The Mainstay Inn, 184 east Bridge St, Phoenixville • 610-933-7998 • The French Creek Inn, 2 Ridge Rd, Phoenixville • 610-935-3838
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G REAT A LL AMERICA N DINE R RUN the histoRic ViLLage DineR 7550 n BRoaDway, ReD hook, ny 12571 845-758-6232 • www.histoRic-ViLLage-DineR.com RememBeR: cash onLy At the time of this printing, the Historic Village Diner is open from 6am8pm for take-out and curbside pick-up. Full menu online. Facebook/Instragram for daily specials. Check website/Social Media for updates. Well, it is called the Great All American Diner Run, and maybe it is a good thing to get back to your roots every now and again. Silk City Diners. They are becoming more and more rare. Anyone can build a compact restaurant. But to have the real deal – a Silk City Diner. Well, now that has become very special. Or when it’s getting late and rainy out in New york State you hang a louie off the thru-way And you go and grab yourself a cheeseburger At the little gem diner off the six niner Martin Sexton So, it was raining. Big time. We are used to it, but there is a point when food makes more sense than miles. Cutting through Red Hook, New York we spotted the Historic Village Diner. I have to admit ANYTHING that says historic will grab my attention. The growling tummy just added to the urgency. Although the signage looked like it was put up the week before the diner itself looked… well, historic. It had all the markings and flavor of the classic, the best, the only real diner… a Silk City! Silk City Diners was a division of the Paterson Wagon Company, later known at Paterson Vehicle Company, established by Everett Abbott Cooper and based in Paterson, New Jersey which produced about 1,500 diners from 1926 until 1966. Forty years… Damn! Each was tagged with the year and order in which it was built; for example, 5607 would be the seventh diner manufactured in 1956. Several have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Eateries like these have become harder and harder to find. This diner was originally called the Half-Way Diner – back in 1927. To put it in a historical perspective this diner was the first to make it onto the Historical Registry and the fourth in the nation. The Historic Village Diner is special indeed. We were heading down from one of the many rallies Backroads holds each year and lunch was an hour or two behind us so rolling into The Historic Village Diner was much needed. We parked the bikes, shook off the wet, and scrambled inside. Yes….the typical Silk City feel. Blue pastel counter with those fine, revolving stools.
tasty places to take your bike
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 This particular diner is coming up on its centennial birthday and still packing in the patrons, as there was a small line for a table. Over the years we have become counter-kids. Usually, a crowded diner will still have a few stools at the counter open. It’s a better “Diner Experience” we think. And, faster. Being a stop on the Great All American Diner Run the Historic Diner had everything you’d expect. Five different omelets – one for us cheese lovers called the M.A.C. – Monterey Jack, American and Cheddar Cheese. Roll in the defibrillator. Of course, you can add or subtract from all these. Goat cheese always sounds right. They offer pancakes and French Toast with all sorts of goodies added in. Later on in the day, you will find lunch can be a bit different here at the Historic Village Diner. Burgers…. Now there are burgers and then there are BURGERS! Half-pound monsters made from Angus beef and with whatever you feel must be added to this. They also serve up black bean and veggie burgers for those who prefer to stay away from the meat. I am a “Club” guy… you really can not go wrong with a well-made club and The Historic Village offers this… but, here we are not just talkin’ turkey. How about roast beef, hamburger, BLT, shrimp, egg or tuna salad, and the very best (so can’t wait to get back here)… liverwurst club! I die a happy man. This time ‘round I went old school with a bacon cheese burger and fries well done. All were perfectly executed served with an abundance of lettuce, tomato and onion. Shira’s litmus test for a great diner is either their tuna melt or chicken salad and when she finds one with some creativity she jumps on it. She opted for their overstuffed chicken salad, which turned out to be seasoned just right and came with a super crisp deli pickle spear – not always the case. They have a salad bar and entrees for dinner, but most of us know that we are usually breakfast and lunch kids. But, if you find yourself overnighting in the Red Hook, New York area, the Historic Village Diner could be your best bet dinner-wise. We love places like this and cherish our visits whenever we can find them.
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Frontline Eurosports Presents
B IG CITY GETAWAY
daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind
a RiDe to yesteRDay • BeDfoRD spRings, pennsyLVania By Pamela Collins Sometimes motorcycling transports you over more than simple space and distance. Our two-wheel escorts also whisk us to the past, backward in time, delivering us to places that stubbornly and lovingly cling and preserve bygone eras. The scenic, sinuous byways bridging that travel just add more sugar to the sweet enchantment of the adventure. Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania serves up the ideal confection of a location for just such a journey. Located in South Central Pennsylvania, numerous winding roads from any direction in the state lead you enticingly over the rocky, green forestland of the Appalachian Mountains, into postcard-worthy pastureland and sylvan, peaceful landscapes. Some of my favorites include Routes 26, 655, 829, and 994, though there isn’t an unscenic spot in the area. Pass through the smallish city of Bedford Springs, founded in 1796, appreciating its streetscape lined with colonial-era buildings, and you’ll arrive in a deep valley worthy of a watercolor painting at a truly lost-in-time location…the Omni Bedford Springs Hotel, a National Historic Landmark and resort that, though offering the most modern of conveniences, doesn’t allow them to overshadow its historic glory. Motorcycle riding in the area is outstanding, but once on site but you might not want to leave. A doctor bought the property in 1796, built lodging, and promoted the healing properties of the eight mineral springs found there (a guided hike leads you to the springs, though their use medicinally is discouraged). It grew from several plain cabins into the Stone Hotel in 1806 and continued to grow with various additions throughout the next 200-hundred years, even being named the most popular resort in America at one time. It offered one of the first golf courses in America and one of the first indoor swimming pools—gorgeous and still in use—fed by the property’s own spring water.
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It has hosted numerous celebrities, 13 U.S. presidents, and even served as Pennsylvania-born President James Buchanan’s summer White House. The property survived challenges, weathering flooding, a closure, and a within-minutes closecall with a wrecking ball. After a $120 million renovation in reopened as a jewel among Pennsylvania resorts. The Omni Hotel chain operates the property, but modern names and amenities don’t distract from the rooted-in-past experience here. For example, instead of facelifting the façade to a particular whitewashed “look,” the renovation retained the disparate personas of each period’s additions, so you see different exteriors, walk on varying levels of floors, just like it’s always been. The original stone hotel rooms now serve as a restaurant. The décor hearkens to the early 1900s and portraits of former guests (dressed very formally for hiking jaunts!) add to the historic ambiance. The balconies and porches invite some old-fashioned rocking and relaxing, and you can enjoy tea in the huge main hall every afternoon. Motorcycles are very welcome, and the resort offers myriad activities from golf, swimming and spa services to hiking, Segway-ing, and fishing amidst its 2,200 acres. It’s historic patina washes
over one so, as, in the past, you feel perfectly happy just ambling the grounds and slowing down, avoiding today’s modern interruptions and foolhardy rushing. Just a couple of miles from the Omni you will find a great example of Roadside America with Bedford’s Giant Coffee Pot. However, should the handlebars beckon, you could consider heading north for about an hour to another showcase of history…the Swigart Antique Automobile Museum, billed as America’s oldest antique auto museum. What began as a personal interest in 1925 for Emmert Swigart grew to an obsession for his insurance salesman son William over the following decades. Located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, the car collection includes about 150 models, some dating to 1896, with about thirty to thirty-five continually displayed. Favorites include a Tucker #1013 and the movie star Herbie the
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Love Bug. Toys and other automobile artifacts line the walls and will no doubt recall memories of your childhood. Though motorcycling practically defines the essence of living in the present, our machines also transport us to the past. Point the handlebars toward southcentral Pennsylvania and enjoy a trip backward in time. For more information visit these websites: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bedford-springs www.swigartmuseum.com
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WE’RE OUTTA HER E
a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads
mcgRath’s eDgewooD faLLs 1848 Route145, east DuRham, ny 12423 518-634-2236 • mcgRathsmoteLny.com Red Will Danaher: ‘So, the I.R.A. is in this too, is it?’ Hugh Forbes: ‘If it were, Red Will Danaher, not a scorched stone of your fine house would still be standing.’ Michaleen Flynn: ‘A beautiful sentiment!’ For those of you who have seen John Ford’s classic film ‘The Quiet Man’, you may know that quote. It has been a Saint Patrick’s Day tradition in the New York City region since I was a lad. This July we were attending a road tour that had its end spot just a short ride from our features ‘We’re Outta Here’ this month and we found that McGrath’s Edgewater Falls had just about everything you might need in an overnight, here in the part of the Catskills known as the Irish Alps. Clean, comfortable rooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner – and a kickin’ Irish Pub as well. Situated on 30-acres, it’s a beautiful location to park your bike after exploring the extensive Irish Catskills area – and don’t miss the short walk to the falls. Kathleen and Martin McGrath purchased the Edgewood Falls Farm in 1975 and established their own resort – McGrath’s Edgewood Falls. Today is it still family-
owned and operated by Colleen McGrath-Fenlon, her husband Dermot and their three daughters. McGrath’s is open from May through Columbus Day Weekend and the rooms come with both breakfast and dinner. This makes it perfect as a base-camp for Catskill exploration. We found the room very comfortable, with great beds and superior towels (always a plus!) and, even though the bar was the happening place the weekend we were there, the noise never carried over to the rooms. When we were parked for the night we strolled into the pub. This Saturday they were celebrating Irish music and particularly Irish rebel music. All the musicians were superb and when an Irish singer starts talking politics, well, you just have to listen.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT We hope to see you soon!
During this time, we are OPEN FOR TAKEOUT ONLY. Visit our webpage for menu and see daily specials on Facebook. Curbside Delivery Available. Wed-Sat 11am-10pm • Sun 9am-9pm
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BACKROADS • JUNe 2020
They have no love for Maggie Thatcher either. When I walked in I spied something I was not expecting, but now am not surprised. There was an authentic Irish road sign for the town Cong. I smiled at that and asked Dermot about it. He lit up and asked why I was so keen on it. “Well, I have been to Cong, not once, but twice,” I replied. And, indeed I had talked Shira into an all-day, in the pouring Irish rain, ride from Belfast, Northern Ireland to the western side of Ireland. We were stopped and had to identify ourselves to British soldiers along the way to this quaint little town in County Mayo.
It was here that Ford made ‘The Quiet Man’, with John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Victor McLaglen (a huge motorcyclist, BTW) For those who don’t know it… After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton (John Wayne) leaves America and returns to his native Ireland, hoping to buy his family’s homestead and live in peace. In doing so, he runs afoul of Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), who long coveted the property. Spitefully, Will objects when his fiery sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O’Hara), begins a romance with Sean, and refuses to hand over her dowry. Mary Kate refuses to consummate the marriage until Sean retrieves the money. This all leads up to one of the most enjoyable fights ever filmed! Hey, it’s about the Irish, someone is drinking and somebody is gonna get punched in the head. Dermot brought me to a wall dedicated to the film and pointed out his wife’s Uncle and family who stood in as extras when ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed back in 1952. We were already liking McGrath’s but now we were really enjoying it. The bands played late into the night and Mrs. Thatcher was the only causality that evening – her effigy got a good whacking. The restaurant was very good as well – here they
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serve typical American fare, with a bit of the Irish thrown into the mix. Burgers, wings, salads and an awesome grilled cheese with thin slices of bread, Irish bacon, and tomato. For breakfast, and we are going to go back just for this, try the Original Irish Breakfast – eggs as you like, fresh Irish sausage and rashers, traditional white and black pudding, fried tomato, beans, freshly baked Irish soda and brown bread. If that be too much for ye… try the Wee Irish – a downscaled version of the big breakfast. We highly recommend McGrath’s Edgewood Falls – it has everything you will need and then some as well. Enjoy!
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words and images: Dan Bisbee
I
’ll use any excuse to go for a motorcycle ride. even riding to work. A couple of years ago I decided to keep track of how many times I could ride to work. My commute ranged from 32 to 37 miles each way depending on which way I went. either way, took about 45 minutes and traffic was very light. My decision to ride or not was dependent on my own made up criteria which I called the 40-40 rule. First, the
temperature must be above 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the morning. I really don’t enjoy riding when it’s colder than that. And second, the chance of rain had to be less than a 40%. Now, if a band of showers was supposed to blow through mid-day, but clear out by quitting time and 5:00, I would still ride but the 40-40 rule was my guideline. My morning commute consisted of 2 miles of dirt, 5 miles of secondary road, 7 miles of interstate followed by another 20 miles or so of secondary roads. The evening commute was usually en-
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Page 21 was much appreciated this morning and I was comfortable arriving at work. The next day it was 41 degrees and I didn’t use the bib. Arriving at work, I found myself clutching my coffee tightly to warm my hands. While perusing Google Maps, I saw a back road up over the mountain and dropping down on a road closer to home. It may not be any quicker but it sure looked shorter and I headed out to find it after work. I found myself on a lightly traveled road for a mile before passing a sign designating this as a “Class 6” road. Since my bike is considered a dual sport, I continued. I made it around the first mud hole and paddled through the second one. Then I came to a washout. There was a flat ledge about a foot-wide skirting a fourfoot deep rock-strewn gully. The bike was up to the task but me? Not so much. If I fell here, no one would even start looking for me until tomorrow. I retreated and rode a paved road home.
hanced by a side trip up four miles of wonderful twisty blacktop followed by 3 miles of well packed gravel before connecting back with my normal commute. Day 1: April 27th. Living in northern Vermont means that winter stays way too long. Living on a dirt road means mud season. Warm days in early spring turn the road surface into a sloppy mess while just below, the ground remains frozen. Even my all-wheel drive car is challenged by these conditions. As the season warms, the ruts get deeper. But finally, the morning temperature was a pleasant 52 degrees. The afternoon ride home was wonderful as I turned down that side road with 4 miles of freshly paved smile-inducing twisties. It was good to be on two wheels. Day 2: May 11th. The weather finally cleared after a week of rain but thermometer indicated 39.6 degrees. I rounded it up to 40 degrees and I headed to work. The Aerostich heated bib
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS see that the road was clear and I zipped around him. His window was down and, as I passed, I heard him yell “It’s 40 dum-ass.” My speedometer indicated 60 mph as I passed a Speed Limit 40 sign. Dum-ass. Another afternoon I was riding around a righthand curve, already focused up the road, when there was a thud in the bike and some white fluff blew up in front of me. The bike was still running fine but I had obviously hit something. I turned around and there, in the middle of the road, was a huge pile of feathers and the lump of a dead chicken. I never saw it and it apparently attempted to take flight right in front of me and slammed into my bike just to the left of the radiator. I eased around the corner and saw a sign in front of a
I found out later Class 6 means “not maintained.” This day, the weather called for a “0% chance of rain” and I eagerly rode off to work. At 4:45, the weather app on my phone still showed “0% chance of rain” and there was an absolute downpour outside. It quit raining by 5:00 but I passed up my favorite section of twisties for the straighter, dryer pavement. It was a fine August ride home. The weather was spectacular, work had been good I was in the zone. Not far from home I caught up to a car that seemed to be moving awfully slow. There was a double yellow but I could
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Page 23 tober 23rd. It was 44 degrees when I left but it dropped to 33 at one point – too close to the freezing point for my comfort. When I arrived home around 6:00, the sun had already set, taking the heat with it. For the season I rode to work a total of 61 days. That came to an estimated 2074 miles out of 11,000 I rode for the whole season. I used 41 gallons of gas just commuting on the bike but saved an additional 28 gallons that I would have burned driving my car. The pleasure I got from riding those 61 day was immeasurable. I wonder if I can beat 61 days this year?
house advertising fresh free-range eggs. Now I felt bad and slunk off like a coward. August was ending and I felt a change: cooler air, slanted sunlight and kids waiting for the school bus. Riding season was dwindling. September was an amazingly warm month and I rode to work 11 times. On October 2nd the thermometer read 35 degrees: riding season was closing fast. The next day I rode at 41 degrees but the reading on my bikes thermometer dropped to 36 just two miles down the road. It recovered to a “balmy” 42 by the time I got to work. You never know when that final ride-to-work day will be and, for the remainder of October, I tried to enjoy every ride. My last ride-to-work was Oc-
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There haven’t been a lot of ice cream runs these past months so I am a little short on places to point your wheels for some sweet treats. I’ve been occupying some of my time creating my own ice cream. As mentioned, I was fortunate to have been gifted a wonderful weekend at Penn State to immerse myself in their short course of frozen desserts. I came away raring to hit the churner; little did I know that I would have SO much time to experiment. I’ve flip-flopped between the Philadelphia-style sans egg yolk and the creamy custard-style with, and I am honestly torn as to which I prefer. I haven’t really experimented with any sorbets but, if cooped up for any more time, I’m sure that will come about. To date, here is the list of my concoctions: Banana Cinnamon Toast Crunch (made for Ice Cream for Breakfast Day), Chocolate Chunk Cherry Chaos, Crazy Coconut, Crazy Coconut Cookies n’ Cream, Crazy Coconut Cherry Blitz (get the feeling we like coconut at Backroads Central?), Cool Coffee, Cookies & Coffee Cream, Forgetful Fig (named accordingly – figs were not an easy ingredient with which to work), Ginger Grant, Guinness Milk Chocolate, Maahvelous Maple Walnut, ‘Oh, My Gawd’ Orange Creamsicle (tasted just like it did when you were a kid), Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl, Petulant Pistachio, Rootin’ Tootin’ Root Beer Butterscotch Chip (a thank you to Beth and Scott for the wonderful root beer syrup), Summery Sweet Corn, Sugar-Free Strawberry (an experiment for my mom who is diabetic and about as close as I have come to a sorbet), Titanic Teaberry (this is a very Pennsylvania flavor – think Teaberry chewing gum), Not Your Everyday Vanilla (I used the best Madagascar vanilla beans and cream from our local dairy), Roasted Pumpkin Cranberry Jam with pecans (after the fig disappointment, I wasn’t surprised that pumpkin didn’t really swirl too well either), Holy Hot Chocolate (probably my absolute favorite – you get the sweet and then – BOOM – on comes the heat), Take Me to the Islands (toasted coconut banana with mango swirl) and Chirip, It’s Ice Cream Time (Gnome Hollow maple syrup and spicy toasted walnut – our friends Jenny and Andy are true pioneers of the land – Andy has his maple syrup and Jenny has her clover honey). Wow, Baskin-Robbins look out… I did make a stop at the subject of my very first Inside Scoop column – OwOwCow – in Ottsville, PA. I had decided to treat myself to a birthday tattoo back in March. When I turned 40 I had decided it was time for me to get my first, and what I thought would be my only, tattoo. It did much research as to artists, asking those in the industry with multiple skin art who would be their choice. I was pointed to Stroudsburg, PA and, with idea in mind, sat with the artist (so long ago I’ve forgotten his name). What I thought would be an elegant, small depiction of Asian cranes morphed into an amazing spread of the wings. Since it is on my lower back, I very rarely notice that it is there but when I do, it makes me happy. On the 20th anniversary of that tattoo, I went for another. This idea had been sitting at the side of my desk for years, taken from the label of a wine bottle and, for whatever reason, holding a spot in my heart. I have always been fond of turtles and frogs, and this little beauty, leaping onto a lily pad, was just the thing. Jamie Sawyer of Sacred Space Tattoo Studio in Ottsville, PA, was highly recommended by our friend Ami, who has been acquiring skin art for many years. Jamie’s style and friendly manner made the birthday visit extremely enjoyable, not to mention the time I got to spend with Ami in the car (remember when we could do that with friends?) Tattoo on ankle and ready to enjoy the ride home, we stopped for a coffee and then I realized that OwOwCow Creamery was right around the corner. Ami had never been and I was excited to share one of my favorite ice cream spots with her.
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They are one of the only ice cream companies in the US licensed by the dept. of Ag to make their own ice cream base. After taking my course, I realize how very important and special that is. They house 20 flavors in their case daily – 12 signature flavors and 8 seasonal and monthly specials. Their Sweet Honey Cream, Honey Lavender and Espresso are possibly the finest ice creams I have ever eaten, but you really can’t go wrong with anything they produce. I think Ami liked it too. Since my finding all those years ago, OwOwCow Creamery has opened more locations and you can find all their fantastic treats in any one of these spots: 4105 Durham Rd, Ottsville, PA 591 Durham Rd, Wrightstown, PA 237 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 1262 Simon Blvd (Simon Silk Mill), easton, PA 101 N Main St, Chalfont, PA Next month, seeing as it is National Ice Cream Month, I promise I will have some new spots to tempt your sweet tooth. Until then, stay calm, carry on and remember ice cream makes every day better.
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words and images: John Ciribassi The popular dual sport YouTube channel, EveRide ADV, asked the question, “What makes an Adventure?” Many of the answers included exotic trips such as through South America or riding the Dalton Highway in Alaska. There was also discussion centered around what type of bike you had to have in order for the trip to be called an adventure. The myth of needing a large displacement machine was busted recently by an article I read about someone riding a Vespa across Africa. But in the end, the consensus was that what really constitutes an Adventure is when you step a bit out of your own personal comfort zone to acquire skills not yet developed. To push the proverbial envelope by engaging in an activity previously not explored.
It was with this in mind that a group of friends made our way to Bald Eagle State Forest in central Pennsylvania, just east of State College, PA and home to Penn State University. Bald Eagle is well known to riders in the Eastern part of the United States and a section of the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR) goes through the forest. It is characterized by a maze of gravel roads connecting a large network of trails from tight single track to Drivable Trails (essentially non-maintained jeep trails). On most weekends during the season you can see many small displacement dual sport bikes tackling the rock-strewn paths of Bald Eagle. But most of our group had different ideas. While two riders in the group (Jon and Jeff from Allentown, PA and Traverse City, MI respectively) tackled
Bald Eagle on small bikes (Husky TE 250 and a DRZ 400) the remaining members had opted to take on the varied terrain with the beasts of the moto world. Chris made his way from Bethesda, MS on his BMW F800GS by riding the southern PA portions of the MABDR. Eli from Scarsdale, NY (KTM 790 Adventure R) and Marcus from Brooklyn (KTM 1190 Adventure R) arrived carrying their bikes in Sprinter type vans, while I left the Chicago suburbs on my KTM 1090 Adventure R racking up miles along Interstate 80 through Indiana, Ohio and PA. Though exploring backroads would have been ideal, time crunch forced me to do some high-speed slab miles to arrive in time. We had all taken on varied terrain before on the bigger bikes, but this mostly included the wider routes typically seen on adventure rides; gravel roads, some rockier two track and varying levels of sand, water and mud. None of us really had experienced enduro-type single track where a smaller displacement dual sport bike would be better suited, but we were determined to see just how far we could push the bigger machines. Adventure bikes have been described as the Swiss Army Knives of the motorcycling world, and my experience with my 1090 has born this out. While it is true that often people buy ADV bikes and restrict their use to the
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 pavement only, others take advantage of their off-road capabilities and ride them more like big dual sport bikes. KTM’s Quinn Cody actually rode a 1090 in the Iron Class of the 2017 Romaniacs Extreme Enduro. And it was a YouTube video of a guy riding his 1090 on some tight single track that sealed the deal for me when deciding which bike to buy. Not that I am anything near a Quinn Cody, but I figured that if the bike could handle the Romaniacs then it certainly could take anything I could throw at it.
After camping Thursday night in the forest, we began the weekend on Friday with Jon (who had ridden Bald Eagle many times) leading Eli and I through some open roads and more technical trails. Paths with names such as Decker, Tower, Bull Hollow, County Line, Cold Springs and Sand Mountain got our attention. I was thankful that I elected to mount a new set of MotoZ Rallz tires before leaving Chicago since the extra traction made the difference between getting through a section and just spinning in place. The trails featured mixtures of loose gravel, scattered rock sections and progressed to the larger “baby head” variety of stone. Judicious clutch use and constant changes in body position were essential to managing these trails. Elevation changes in both directions were the norm as we struggled to maintain momentum.
We finished up Friday’s ride and headed back to our weekend rental home near Spring Mills, PA and met up with the rest of our group. Saturday and Sunday featured more of the same terrain as we brought Jeff, Chris and Marcus along for the ride. One of the joys of the weekend was watching riders on small displacement bikes looking at us in amazement as we crossed paths with them wondering what was wrong with us that we would want to ride these monsters when it would be much easier to be on a 500cc bike or smaller. Jeff on the DRZ posed the same question to me earlier and my response to him was something like “ANYONE can ride this stuff on a small bike. The big bikes offer more of a challenge”.
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS And that was what this ride was mostly about. Yes, we COULD have done this on smaller bikes (I have a KTM EXC 350F at home as well) but then we would never have known just how far we could push the big bikes and how far we could push ourselves. We learned that we did not have to shy away from a small rock garden. Just stand up, pick a path and maintain momentum. I had been through a training class with Pine Barrens Adventures where we learned to get over logs by using a kicker log. I struggled with the technique
in class. But, on this trip, we encountered that exact situation on a trail called Cold Springs. And this time I didn’t hesitate; popped right over that sucker as did the rest of the group. Don’t get me wrong, there were trails that Jon described to us that we knew we had no business going on with our ADV bikes…and we avoided them. The goal was to push A LITTLE beyond our comfort zone, not try to blast through it. That, I think, is the real message. We don’t suddenly become great riders overnight. We become better riders one ride at a time. Not by riding over our heads and getting into trouble, but by trying that skill that we had not tried before. Seeing what it is like to hit a deeper stretch of sand, what about ex-
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The Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route is one of ten, mostly off road, routes that are designed with ADV bikes in mind and offering an opportunity to see areas of a state that would not be as accessible on other forms of transportation. There are BDRs in 8 western states (CA, WA, AZ, CO, NM, UT, NV, and ID) and they stretch from border to border within those states. The MABDR is currently the only eastern BDR, though as of January 2020, the Northeastern BDR will be up and running. It will run from New york State, through New england and finish at the Maine-Canada border. BDRs allow for overnight accommodations via camping or hotels. If “Point to Point” Adventure is your ticket, riding a BDR is just what the doctor ordered. Visit RideBDR.com for more info.
ploring a water crossing (after first checking it out ahead of time…trust me), or tackling a hill that is a bit steeper or longer than you had in the past. Or maybe it is traveling 700 miles on the interstate, bouncing up and down rocky single track for the weekend then doing the tollbooth route again, finally arriving safely back home. Ain’t Adventure grand?!!
John lives in Carol Stream, IL with his bride, Elise and owns Motoride Tours. An Adventure Tour company (motoridetours.com). He has been riding since 6th grade, starting out on a Rupp. He has graduated to a variety of motocross, dual sport and adventure bikes. But his biggest enjoyment is bringing people together to experience the exhilaration of the ride and the pleasure of making new friends.
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D A Y T R I P P I N ’ Whether or not we are ‘open for business’ in June, there are still plenty of options for getting out on the road. In this issue we’ll bring you a few suggestions for traveling around the Keystone State as well as one of our favorite ‘Clear the Mind’ loops in the Backroads Central area. Brush off your cobwebs, take a deep breath and let’s get to riding.
SUSSEX COUNTY MEANDERINGS This route took shape a few years ago for a morning breakfast ride on Father’s Day. For whatever reason, we never took the ride and it ended up in the pile of such .gpx rides that are sometimes made and never ridden. During lockup in the past few weeks, I went back into the database, looking for a nice few hour loop on a spectacular early spring day. Voile, this little gem
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popped up and off we went. Unfortunately, it was before the Gov’na reopened the parks and we were re-routed a few times due to closures at High Point and Tillmans’ Ravine. The alternate roads we took were just as satisfying, so we’ll offer up both, just in case. Starting in the little burg of Branchville, NJ, you can gas up and get any necessary supplies at the 7-11 on the corner of Routes 206 and 519. Make your way through the confusing 5-point intersection in the middle of bustling Branchville (kidding). Keep an eye out on your left for the Pumpkin House on Upper North Shore Road and in just a few short miles you’ll make your turn onto the road bringing you to Sunrise Mountain (hopefully). The breathtaking and panoramic view from Sunrise Mountain along the Appalachian Trail is one of the most visited spots in New Jersey. If open, you can drive up to the parking area and take in the view overlooking pastoral farmland and undeveloped forests, and even hike a bit on the AT. This seven-mile stretch, a one-way narrow roadway, has a few places to pull over to enjoy
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 the wild life and flora or do a little hiking. If you have planned ahead, this is a beautiful spot for a picnic. Popping out on Deckertown Road for just a short spit, you’ll make a left into High Point State Park via Sawmill Road. This is another narrow road with some pretty twists and turns on its 5-mile stretch. There are a few bodies of water where you might encounter some local fisherfolk. At the apex, you’ll come onto Sawmill Lake, one of the prettiest spots on this route, with its little bridge and waterfall. There is parking available here for a stretch of the legs and to take in the scenery. Coming out on Route 23, you’ll pass the entrance to High Point Monument and State Park. While the route doesn’t go in, it is a loop and can very well be a sidetrip to the highest point in New Jersey at 1,803 feet – don’t forget your altitude-sickness meds. If you’ve packed your picnic and still haven’t eaten, this is a great place for a scenic meal. If the picnic tables are unavailable, you can do as we did and pull up a boulder. When we were there we ran into Jody, Frank and their friends who were doing the same as us – enjoying the beautiful day and getting a good stretch of the cables. Jody, whose Ducati
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Monster was featured in these pages when it was the Sharpie Bike, has given it a new paint job and it is spectacular. Not to be second fiddle, she also took a brush to Frank’s Multistrada – quite the bomber, isn’t it? Heading south on Route 23, and if things are indeed open, you’ll be passing The Elias Cole, one of our favorite stopping points for either a good meal or just the best cup of Joe and perfect piece of pie you’ll find in NJ. Nancy and crew super friendly and will be happy to see your helmeted heads. From here on, just sit back and take in some of the prettiest roads in this area. There will be some tiny, out-of-the-way paths mixed in with more traveled roads, giving you plenty of opportunity to gas or other needed stops. In Ogdensburg, you will travel up and over Edison Road, a bit twisty and slightly bumpy road with the reward of a pretty little waterfall and the lovely Heaters Pond Memorial Park, dating back to the American Revolution. On Feb. 24, 1779, Robert Ogden acquired two 10-acre lots, which would make up Heater’s Pond, in order to exploit the bog iron in the swamp land. Enjoy the next many miles as you make your way towards a little more
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built up area, heading into the Sparta and Lake Hopatcong region. Should your riding day be on the warm side, you might decide to make a stop and take a dip in the pools and slides of Tomahawk Lake Water Park, normally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you enjoyed the spiral slides of Tomahawk Lake, you’ll be just as happy with the tarmac of Andover Mohawk Road, leading you away from the bustle and back to the more quiet roads. If you’ve held out for sustenance, here you will find one of the best Italian joints in the area. A stop at Cesco’s for some pizza or any one of their fine dishes will keep your engines running for the balance of this loop, taking you along Swartswood State Park and returning you to your starting point on Route 206. If you have not ridden in this part of New Jersey, we hope you enjoyed this introduction and that it will entice you to keep exploring this quiet corner of the Garden State.~ Shira Kamil Route without sp roads: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/jjhd3m Route with sp roads: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/bf1se6
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Page 33 The Bucks County website (www.visitbuckscounty.com) offers detailed directions for this loop ride that covers about 120 miles on mainly rural, country roads. Though the ride itself might only require a day’s time, why hurry? Allow yourself the enjoyment of lolling over these meandering motorcycle-friendly roads, drink in the scenery, and get off the bikes to not just look, but feel these bridges and their stories. Imagine your two wheels becoming four legs as you roll over their planks, feel their shady coolness so welcome in warm summertime, but be aware these bridges only handle oneway traffic. Stop before crossing to make sure the coast is clear. The county’s three oldest bridges share a birthday of 1832, only 188 years old, babes compared to many of the Colonial-era buildings in this area. But despite their relative youth, their red and white-washed faces, latticed interiors and time-worn timbers tell tales of been there, seen that. Their geriatric age doesn’t grant them time off though… most of them still undergo the daily grind of carrying travelers to and fro, keeping them integral, important links
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SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ROAD TRIP By Pamela Collins Think of a famous bridge and what comes to mind? Frisco’s Golden Gate? Brooklyn’s namesake span? Michigan’s mighty Mackinac? Though these certainly deserve top spots in the history book of bridge building, some similar structures more quietly capture our imagination. Covered bridges— weathered and worn, shoulders hunching from the burden of time—do much more than join one side of a river or creek bank to another. They join us to our past. Covered bridges touch our mind’s yesterdays. Their simple wooden solidness endears us to them. Though engineering wonders in their own right (especially for their era), they resonate with simplicity, not difficulty. Our mind’s eye easily sees horses trotting through them, children skipping over them, couples in wagons sneaking kisses under their timbered shadows. We easily imagine lives lived with and on these bridges. Those famous modern spans with traffic whizzing across don’t offer that same romance.
Though often associated with New England, more covered bridges actually reside in Pennsylvania than any other state. Bucks County, in PA’s most southeastern corner, hosts a dozen of these spans, and publishes a covered bridge driving tour perfect for motorcyclists seeking a weekend jaunt through a time gone by. The first American covered bridge dates to 1800 and spanned the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Necessity mothered an invention here… wooden bridges were more budget-friendly to build than stone or iron bridges, especially for small communities. The technique of using interlocking triangles of timber—trusses—enabled building longer, larger bridges. Roofs then entered the building process as a way to weatherproof the trusses. Pennsylvania once had about 1,500 covered bridges but only 200 remain. Don’t discount their significance. These are three-dimensional historical artifacts as important and telling as anything found glass-encased in a museum.
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Page 34 in the chains of their communities. Recent updating and repairs maintain their travel-worthiness despite their old age. I’ll forgo turn-by-turn directions (easily accessed via the website and easy to follow) and instead focus on the bridges themselves. Though similar in character they differ in detail and execution. All provide passage, a connection, a way to get from point A to point B. Most of these bridges span creeks, enabling an ebb and flow of movement above the water that mirrors the current underneath them.
The Uhlerstown Bridge, however, is the only Bucks County bridge crossing the historic Delaware Canal, a one-time major means of transportation. This is one of the oldest bridges, built in 1832 and rehabilitated most recently in 2008. Built from oak, it lies at a sharp turn in Uhlerstown Road, and uncharacteristically (for this area) features windows. Looking through them, directly over the canal, you can easily envision mules braying and clomping along as they tugged and lugged canal boats. One bridge doesn’t cross water at all…anymore. Built in 1832, the South Perkasie Bridge once spanned Pleasant Spring Creek. Condemned, moved
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and restored in 1959, it safely sits in Lenape Park in Perkasie. This famous sign on the end of the bridge reads “$5.00 fine for any person riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk or smoking a segar on.” Their sizes run from the shortest bridge, the Erwinna Bridge, circa 1832, at a quick 56-feet long to the county’s longest 150-foot long Schofield Ford Bridge located within Tyler State Park. Fire destroyed the original 1873 bridge in the mid 90’s; a local fundraising and rebuilding effort sponsored the replica here today. A variety of wood was used in bridge building—on the tour you’ll find examples of oak, pine and once plentiful hemlock. These structures amaze, considering they come from pre-power tool, pre-CAD computer-era days. Their latticed interiors look lacy and delicate, disguising the brawn and muscle of the beams doing the real loadbearing work. Overhead the trusses meet, match and crisscross, patterned like modern art sculpted in wood. One-hundred fifty years of travelers have worn the once-splintered log floors smooth. Sunshine peeks playfully through cracks in the sidewall paneling, splicing the bridges’ interiors with rays of soft light. Few nails make their way into these bridges; instead simple wooden pegs hammered into bored holes secure the massive weight of the beams and trusses. More than mere bridges, they stand as wooden works of art and not-so-modern marvels of engineering.
But these bridges don’t hold the only allure for touring here. The meandering Delaware River forms the county’s (and state’s) eastern border. The river has given much to the area in terms of natural beauty, commerce (the famed Delaware Canal) and history (this is where General George Washington’s troops infamously crossed the Delaware). The river has taken away as well, exacting its toll through centuries of countless floods. But from a motorcyclist’s standpoint the Delaware has bestowed the area with a rider’s dream road aptly named River Road (or Route 32) that vertically parallels the river’s snakelike curves, winding through lush and cooling shaded stretches, wildflower gardens, colonial-era towns, meadows, cliffsides—a
Page 35 tandem traveling partner to the ever-present riverbed and former Delaware Canal. Turn westward away from the river, and green hillsides, old stone and brick farmhouses, and explosions of colorful flora paint your view. Well cared-for eighteenth century-era homes tuck among the knolls and curves and even new homes are dressed in antique garb. Settlement in this area dates to the late 1600’s and—aside from modern society necessitating things like streetlights and gas stations—you might believe you had time traveled. Lovers of the quaint will appreciate the lodging here, for it’s very old, and filled with historic charm. About midpoint through the bridge tour, where River Road and Route 263 intersects, lies the Centre Bridge Inn, circa 1705. This 315-year-old inn initially served travelers using the former ferry service to cross the river to New Jersey. It now sits peacefully alongside the 60-mile recreation trail that was once the canal towpath. The Inn offers a dozen rooms as well as a lounge and inside/outside dining on premises, and lazy, languid breakfasts on a patio overlooking the lazy, languid river. Motorcyclists will feel right at home in New Hope, PA, (intersection of River Road and Route 202). This colonial era river town
Page 36 has attracted all sorts of non-mainstream types for years, including artists and bikers. This welcome banner isn’t recent either…locals tell me riders began frequenting this picturesque place in the sixties. Today, weekends see the streets parked full with hundreds of two-wheelers escaping city life. For dinner or a drink, the renowned Logan Inn on Ferry Street in New Hope is a must. Don’t wonder why it’s gained a reputation for excellent food— it’s had since 1727 to get it right. The Logan is the oldest continually operating inn in Bucks county and the fifth oldest in the country. It offers a dozen rooms, and feel reassured knowing you’re never truly alone here…because at least four ghosts “live” here as well. The Logan’s outdoor patio offers the perfect place to people-, motorcycle- and automobile-watch. Everything from Harleys to hybrids to Maseratis will roll past as you dine. About one hour’s ride away lies an important chunk of colonial American history worth investigating — Valley Forge National Historical Park. Washington’s troops camped here during the winter of 1777 and 1778. Many know some of the story, that 2,000 troops died here. But most don’t realize they didn’t die from cold and starvation during that warm and wet winter. Disease was the great murderer. Valley Forge offered Washington several advantages—the chance to observe the British who had recently overtaken Philadelphia, while simultane-
JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS ously providing enough distance to avoid a surprise Redcoat attack. Imagine a suburban housing development sprawled across the great fields here…but comprised of little log cabins… and you can picture Valley Forge then. Over 2,000 huts laid out in parallel lines along planned military avenues covered this one-time farmland. While here, under the guidance of former Prussian army officer Baron Friedrich Von Steuben, the Continental Army underwent marching and military drills and morphed into a professional fighting force…becoming the first true unified army. Valley Forge is the birthplace of America’s army. That fact, along with the lessons in perseverance, courage and determination taught by the troop’s example here, form Valley Forge’s legacy. Today the park offers period-era dressed guides, some original (including Washington’s headquarters) and reproduction building tours, a movie, and an excellent visitor’s center to help explain the location’s significance. Riders can tour the park’s roadways on their motorcycles, walk, rent a bicycle, use the free shuttle or take a guided trolley tour. The serenity exhibited by this beautiful location today hides the suffering that occurred here so long ago. Riders traveling Bucks County & Valley Forge roads will experience much more than a scenic ride. They’ll explore our country’s history in its many variations, from the simplicity and ingenuity of a wooden covered bridge to the courageousness and spirit of our first fighting men. Though so different in nature, they share a common legacy of strength and endurance that resonate still today.
The Bridges of Bucks County Valley Forge Tour The Centre Bridge Inn 2998 River Road • New Hope, PA 18938 215 862-9139 • www.centrebridgeinn.com Dolce Valley Forge Hotel & Conference Center 301 West DeKalb Pike • King of Prussia, PA 610 337-1200 www.dolce-valley-forge-hotel.com The Logan Inn 10 West Ferry Street • New Hope, PA 18938 215 862-2300 • www.loganinn.com Valley Forge National Historical Park 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of Prussia, PA 19406 610 783-1077 • www.nps.gov/vafo Bucks County Convention & Visitors Bureau 3207 Street Road • Bensalem, PA 19020 ww.visitbuckscounty.com Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau 1000 First Avenue, Suite 101 King of Prussia, PA 19406 610 834-1550 • www.valleyforge.org
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PRODUCT REVIEW
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MOSKO MOTO RECKLESS 40 LUGGAGE
My 2005 Honda 919 has been a sparkle in my eye since I got it. Falling for the Uranium Green and painting it to resemble a Brazilian Tree Frog, it has been a terrific traveling companion. Over the years, I have experimented with several styles of luggage, never wanting to mount brackets to alter the lines of the bike. Since my longer distance ride is my Suzuki V-Strom, I never really thought about luggage more than a tank bag and the Givi top case, which I switch off the V-Strom when needed. At the last BMW rally in Tennessee, I was scoping out what was available and started looking at the Mosko Moto bags. Sure, these are developed more for dirt, dual sport or adventure riding, but hey, I’ve been known to take the 919 off road when necessary. Yes, I should have looked at the bracket pannier systems but, again, I didn’t want to alter the bike. So, I decided to give the Reckless 40L System a go. The Reckless system is a rackless pannier/duffle system designed for day trips on larger bikes or a bit more on smaller bikes. It is 100% waterproof, with three separate removable welded-seam drybags that slide/strap into an outer harness, which stays attached to the bike. The harness has a more aggressive front lean, which I felt might be better suited for the 919. The harness is constructed of 1680D Ballistic nylon with hypalon armour (used on rigid hull inflatable boat, so you know it’s tough), internal PE stiffener, which prevents flopping and aluminum stiffeners supports built into each leg to add lateral rigidity. Also included is a heat shield with hose clamp to keep the bags off the exhaust and two cleat kits for mounting if needed. There are three drybags – two sides with 14L capacity each and an 8L Stinger tailbag – constructed of durable 800D polyurethane coated (PVC free) with radio frequency welded seams for 100% waterproofness and a clear window so you can see what you’ve put in them and roll-top closures. The combination of the hypalon armour on the harness designed for abrasion resistance and the weldedseam inner liner keep your gear, clothing or whatever you are carrying perfectly dry. There are two external pockets on the sidebags for extra fuel, water, etc. After unpacking and making sure all was there and ready to go, I watched Mosko Moto’s excellent YouTube video on mounting the system. They use a KTM 300 2-stroke that is much narrower than my Honda but the mounting was pretty much the same – find mounting points, use the cleats for the rear is necessary and Bob’s your uncle. Be sure to use the heat shield if you are mounting on a dirt or dual sport as they will protect the bike’s plastic and bags from any damage should the bike go down and push the bags against the exhaust. The bags should fall better on a narrower bike so the inner liners can hold more but on the 919 they are a little compromised due to the wider seat thus the liners could not be as stuffed. But as they are, I fit: (2) pair socks, (2) pair panties, (2) t-shirts, (1) long sleeve shirt, (1) pair pants, heated gloves and controller in one bag and (1) pair shoes, small toiletry bag, heated liner in the other side bag. I had plenty of room for more if needed. The liners have web handles on the bottom to more easily pull them into the harness. The beavertail that holds the Slinger 8 top bag can hold easily accessible items and can get pretty fat while still very securely attached to the harness; If you bring a lighter jacket, that can be stuffed in there as well. The inside has a mesh pocket for additional storage of maps or other flat stuff. The top soft-lined pocket can hold goggles, glasses, cell phone or snack. The Stinger 8 can also be used as a stand-alone tail bag with the straps attaching to a top rack or an emergency backpack with straps stowed on the inside. If you would like more luggage capacity consider getting the Stinger 22, which will seamlessly integrate with the Reckless 40 beavertail closure. Get BACKROADS delivered to your home EVERY MONTH! All the webbing has strap keepers to be rolled and stored Backroads, PO Box 620, Augusta, NJ 07822 with very strong Velcro. There are MOLLE panels that can hold a myriad of extra stuff as well as a point to attach extra First Class Postage $40/12 issues • Delivered in a sealed, protective envelope fuel bottles if heading off to the unknown. Removable, not We accept checks via mail and credit cards on our website sewn-on, connection straps are included for field repair in www.backroadsusa.com/subscription.html case of a crash or other tie-down needs. The harness is solid as a rock and can stay on the bike with- NAME ________________________________________________________________________________ out fear of loosening, to be used whenever an overnight or few days trip in on the horizon. While the Reckless 40 has ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ not been tested on the road yet, I look forward its maiden voyage. MSRP $490. CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________________________________________________________ Mosko Moto’s home is in White Salmon, WA and they sell Don’t Miss An Issue! Mail Your Subscription in TODAY! directly to riders – no dealers, no distributors – which cuts distribution costs enabling them to use premium materials If you have moved, please use this form to inform us of your change of address while keeping prices reasonable. Visit them online for their o Lapsed/New Subscription o Renewal o Address Change full line of luggage and apparel: www.moskomoto.com
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIP-
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo Presents
Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival potentiaLs Years ago… many years ago I was an MSF ‘instructor’ and the word task or tasks was used quite a bit. The definition is fairly simple - A piece of work to be done or undertaken. Most were to look through the turn and be aware of what is going on around you. The phrase SIPDE has been around for some time: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute. Recently these phrases were tumbling around in my head, as many thoughts do when we ride motorcycles. Shira and I had just come into an odd intersection in central Pennsylvania. As I approached I saw the semi-truck coming in from one side, a tractor, cresting a hill and heading
down the road in the opposite lane from me, a young gal talking on her cell, with her blinker signaling left and a loose cow on the wrong side of the fence, just chomping away at the grass. “Wow… busy, busy,” Shira said over the Bluetooth. After riding along for miles without anything entering our field of vision we suddenly had a lot on the plate. We had the right of way, but we all know what that is sometimes worth, right? So, we both throttled down a bit to make sure exactly what all these potential problems were going to do. That got me thinking about the phrase ‘tasks’ and Shira and I began to talk about everything we must take in, process and react upon. A well-developed situational awareness is one of the most important skills you ride with on a motorcycle and you need to be aware of what is around you and part of the scenery as you ride. We decided to simply call all of these people, cars, trucks, animals, and variable – simply Potentials – as they all have ‘the potential’ to ruin a perfectly fine day of riding.
The definition fits: Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped: a potential problem. You can say that. How many ‘potentials’ do you think you deal with, on average, each hour we ride? Hundreds? Probably more. Sometimes, as experienced riders, we all begin to almost have a little sixth sense on Potentials - our motorcycle version of Spidey-Sense. Spidey-Sense is one of Spider-Man’s unique powers. The power itself originates as a tingling feeling in the back of his skull and it allows Spidey to detect danger before it happens and warns him of it in an instant. The greater the danger or how close the danger, the greater the tingling sensation. We all have our own versions of this. Learn to trust your instincts. Other times there are ‘tells’ that get your attention, like bad poker players. Obvious Potentials about to come your way.
BACKROADS • JUNe 2020 Here are a few that came to mind… Old man with a hat. Young girls texting. Driverless cars. (Yes, there is a driver, but Great Grandma is so tiny at this point it looks like the car is driving itself.) Dog sprinting across the lawn. Deer sprinting across the road. Dummy sprinting across the road. Although Potentials can spring up at any time, there are some parts of the day, and certain places, that being ever-vigilant takes on a new meaning.
On a limited-access highway keep your eyes peeled and be aware every time you approach entrance or exit ramps – especially the exit ramp! We all know that somewhere along the ride there will be a Bozo, flying along in the left lane, who suddenly realizes that this is their exit and will bonsai across all the lanes to get to it. Another Potential is temperature-related. I was just reminded of this while writing this very article. I had to run an errand and, making a right turn along the way, I rode over a heavy thick tar snake. This day was well into the 90s and the tar snake was very soft and pliable - causing the rear tire to step out a bit before hooking up on the real pavement. Slight puckering moment. Where was my Spidey-Sense when I needed it? The last Potential is the driver on a Friday evening, right around the end of Happy Hour USA. Drunk drivers are amazingly stupid, overconfident and deadly. Huge Potential. Ride Often. Ride Far. Ride ever vigilant. Potentials are all around us.
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JUNe 2020 • BACKROADS
UP C OM I N G E VE NT S CAL END AR
What’s Happening
Is this uncertain and ever-changing time, please check on your scheduled event for postponement or cancellation. We look forward to a full season and seeing everyone on the road again. Be well, stay safe and we’ll ride this out together. EVERY MONTH - WEATHER PERMITTING every Tuesday • Two Wheeled Tuesday at Spiegel Restaurant • 26 1st Avenue, NyC. An eclectic gathering of motorcycles served with multi-cuisine meals. Kick some tires, have some couscous, enjoy the crowd • 212-228-2894 every Wednesday • Bike Night at Rutt's Hut, 417 River Rd, Clifton, NJ every Thursday - Bike Night at Jumboland. 3-9pm weather permitting. Great Food and Large Parking lot to show off your ride. ALL WeLCOMe! Nightly trophy awarded. 438 Route 206, Branchville, NJ • 973-948-6802 every Saturday thru October • Bergen County Harley Davidson Saddle Up Saturday. 9am for coffee and bagels. Ride departs at 10am. Return to the dealership for FRee food and music. Proper attire MUST be worn! No shorts or sneakers. BCHD, 124 essex St, Rochelle Park, NJ • 201-843-6930
presentation by the incomparable elspeth Beard. Don’t wait! Register now www.mortonsbmw.com. For questions call 540-891-9844. 13 • 32nd Annual Harvey C. Irons Make-A-Wish New Jersey Ride hosted by the Blue Knights NJIX. Sign in: Vasa Park, Budd Lake, NJ • 9am / KSU 11am. Coffee/Donuts at sign-in. Scenic ride through Morris/Sussex Counties, vendors, lunch upon return, live band. $20/person • www.bknjix.org/ 13 • 37 Annual Italian Motorcycle Owners Club Rally, Hamilton Rod & Gun Club, Sturbridge, MA. America's biggest and longest running Italian motorcycle event. Featured machine: Tonti-framed Moto Guzzi LeMans (1976-1991). $10 admission to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation • www.imoc.website.
JUNE 2020
16-20 • Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Festival, The Blackthorne Resort, east Durham, Ny.A great weekend of motorcycle fun with rodeo games, wall of death, stunt jumpers, large vendor expo, bike show and builders, live music and more. • catskillmountainthunder.com.
13-16 • MotoVermont presents the MotoVermont 400, a four-day, 400 mile dual sport excursion around central Vermont. For full detail visit www.motovermont.com
21-22 • CLASS returns to Virginia International Raceway. Complete details and registration classrides.com.
15 • Ride to Work Day • ridetowork.org
20-23 • MotoVermont presents the MotoVermont 400, a four-day, 400 mile dual sport excursion around central Vermont. For full detail visit www.motovermont.com
24-27 • CANCELLED • Johnstown PA 23rd Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally. 26-27 • Antique Motorcycle Club of America Colonial Chapter National Meet. Warren County Farmers Fairgrounds, Route 519, Harmony, NJ. Two days full of vintage motorcycles, Vendor reserve space online $20 fee. Judging - $10 fee. For general info visit colonialchapter.com or email UncleBruce347@gmail.com • 862-268-5589
JULY 2020 15 • CANCELLED • 23rd Anniversary Kids for Cancer Motorcycle Benefit Run. Raffle tickets are still available for the ‘Harley of Hope’. you can find more information on their website kidsandcancerbenefitrun.com or FaceBook page. 17-19 • Black Diamond Rally by the Black Diamond Beemers. Chet's Place,885 Tizrah Rd, Uniondale, PA. $60 includes 2 nights camping, Fri/Sat dinner, coffee + campfires. PRe-ReG ONLy. send fee to BD Rally, 135 Pierce Rd, Carbondale, PA 18407 by July 3rd. More info: 240-523-3637 20 • Tony's Track Days sponsored by Riding in the Zone Motorcyclist Training NonSportbike Day, Palmer, MA. Includes classroom sessions with Ken Condon and track time. This is not about 'how to ride' but 'how to ride better.' For full details and registration visit www.tonystrackdays.com 21-25 • RESCHEDULED • Americade, Lake George, Ny. Largest touring rally in the USA - scenic rides, vendor expo, seminars and so much more. www.americade.com 24-26 • Backroads Weekend Escape to State College PA. Full information and booking details on website @ www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html 24-26 • Soggy Bottom MotoFest 2020. 3-day Adventure and Dual Sport Rally at the Godspeed event + Lodging, Port Matilda, PA. Included in registration: 5 catered meals, 4 rides with GPS files, beer, live music, bon fire and t-shirt. Tent and other bunking available at add’l cost. Details: www.kissellmotorsports.com/Adventure-Motofest--SoggyBottomMotoFest
AUGUST 2020
2 • Ride for Kids Hudson Valley. Sign in: 8-9:30am / KSU 10am • $40 online registration / $45/day of event • Motorcyclepedia Musem, 250 Lake St, Newburgh, Ny • rideforkids.org 9-12 • MotoVermont presents the MotoVermont 400, a four-day, 400 mile dual sport excursion around central Vermont. For full detail visit www.motovermont.com 13-17 • Backroads Summer Squeeze 1 • Travel the northeast’s prettiest byways, from West Dover, VT to Stowe to the shores of Lake Ontario with your friends from Backroads. Details here: backroadsusa.com/rallies.html 20-23 • Touratech DirtDaze Adventure Rally. For schedule, registration and more visit them on the web @ dirtdazerally.com #TTDD2020 21-23 • RESCHEDULED • Babes Ride Out east, Narrowsburg Ny. Tickets available at babesrideout.com 22-30 • RESCHEDULED • 97th Annual Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, NH. World's Oldest Motorcycle Rally. Visit their extensive website for full details: www.laconiamcweek.com 27-30 • RESCHEDULED • Horizons Unlimited Virginia, Appomattox, VA. For everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled. Join hundreds of like-minded adventurers and discover the thrills and joy of overland travel. Informative technical workshops on everything from tires to GPS to border crossings, exhibitors and comaraderie. www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/virginia-2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 11-13 • Backroads Summer Squeeze Part Deux • Make your way to the quaint hamlet of Boothbay Harbor, Me for a weekend of relaxation, riding and really good lobster rolls. Details here: backroadsusa.com/rallies.html 11-13 • RESCHEDULED • Morton’s BMW 10th and FINAL Spring Fling. A weekend of great roads, good food, awesome riding and terrific company, all at the historic and scenic Natural Bridge Hotel. Rally fee includes vendors, door prizes, route sheets, scavenger hunt poker run, Friday brats & brews dinner, Saturday catered dinner and guest
OCTOBER 2020 9-12 • Backroads Run to the Chincoteague Oyster Festival. 5 hours of everything oyster, hot dogs, adult beverages and more. The music of Island Boy will have you dancing. We’ll be at the Waterside Inn for 3 nights. ROOMS AND TICKeTS ARe AVAILABLe NOW but will certainly sell out so call now (there is no block of rooms for Backroads - first come, first served). Get your tickets online. Full information available on our Rally page.
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