April 2016

APRIL

2016

Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure Volume 22 No. 4

WELCOME TO SPRING

TRAVEL ON THE MOHAWK TRAIL NORTHERN EXPOSURE - ICELANDIC SAGA LOOKING AT SOME CLASSIC RIDES MODERN CLASSICS AND RETRO TOURS

W H A T ’ S MO NT HLY C O L U M NS

I N S I D E 22 Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

FREE WHEELIN’ ..................................................4 WHATCHATHINKIN’ ...........................................6

Publishers

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil

Contributors

Mark Byers, Pamela Collins, Bill Heald, Jake Herzog, Robert Laford, Peter Miller, John Newman, Dr. Seymour O’Life

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE.......................7 ON THE MARK ....................................................8 INDUSTRY INFOBITES .....................................10 MYSTERIOUS AMERICA..................................12

30

BIG CITY GETAWAY .........................................14 GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN ..............16

Editorial Office BACKROADS, POB 317 Branchville NJ 07826

WE’RE OUTTA HERE ........................................18

phone

973.948.4176

SHIRA’S ICE CREAM RUN ...............................36

fax

973.948.0823

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE ............................46

email

editor@backroadsusa.com

online

www.backroadsusa.com

Advertising

973-948-4176

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR ...................48

38

FE AT U RE S

BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2016. 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.

I KNOW THIS PLACE ........................................21 NORTHERN EXPOSURE..................................22 A TRIP OVER THE MOHAWK TRAIL ................30 RETRO TOURS..................................................38 MODERN CLASSICS MC SHOW.....................42 TIMONIUM MOTORCYCLE SHOW .................44

PR O DU C T R E V IE W S BRIDGESTONE BATTLAX ST TIRES ...............28 DENALI DR LED LIGHTS..................................29

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Page 4

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJeN A Journey of A Lifetime How About A Lifetime of Journeys?

I had gotten into a deep conversation with a friend of mine who has spent a good part of his adult life journeying around the globe on motorcycles.

Unencumbered by hearth, and with a home that stays put and unbothered while he is traveling, he will spend months, sometimes years, traveling to parts of the planet he has not yet seen or to places that – for whatever reason, catches his fancy.

If you do this for a while and have a hankering to share your adventures then a plethora of books and accolades will most likely follow.

During one of our correspondence – letters that would have taken months by ship a couple of hundred years ago take just seconds these days - the gist of the conversation was about organized tours and, in particular, the way some are advertised and portrayed.

Being a professional nomad by trade he has sometimes come across as feeling a bit superior in his wandering ways compared to the rider who takes his journeys where and when they can.

More than once I have attempted to explain that most of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Publics are not all that venturesome and so many of the people in the US believe that Disney World or an all-inclusive in the Caribbean are the end all in escapes. My thinking and written views on this have gotten me in trouble in the past – especially within my own family.

Not everyone’s idea of fun and frolic is the same.

Still, a little bit of research shows that more than half of Americans do not have a valid passport and just 46% of us do. That means that fewer than half of us can even travel up to our neighbors in Canada, much less Thailand.

Statistics show that New Jersey (yeah, our home state) has the most valid

passports per population with 62%, followed by the rest of the northeast and California. Mississippi was the lowest, with just 18%, followed by West Virginia (19%), Alabama (22%) – the deep south follows the rest of this tendency. There is a strong political and monetary trend here too but, as a Libertarian, I believe in “Live and Let Live.”

My repeated tune to this friend was that instead of looking down on those who travel when and where they can, usually by motorcycle, he should embrace them. Better two weeks in the Alps or Ecuador than a weekend in Vegas. Am I right?

Deeper into this back and forth thread came the conclusion that it was not so much the travelers and riders that go on organized tours, as it was some of the verbage and tag lines that are used to describe some pre-planned treks.

The one that particularly got our friend’s eyes a rollin’ was “Journey of a Lifetime.” I could not have agreed more.

As the great bard William Shatner sang in his classic ‘I Can’t Get Behind That,’ “Who’s lifetime? Not mine. I haven’t that much time left, let’s make it yours. Everybody’s got a longer life than me.”

To me ANYTHING that ends with “of a lifetime” is self-defeating and problematic. It assumes that this one thing, in this case a motorcycle journey, will be the culmination of everything you have ever done on two wheels and nothing will ever top it. How sad.

Personally I would rather have a Lifetime of Journeys than one Journey of a Lifetime.

I would put forth that we all strive to live and to ride a Lifetime of Journeys - each one with its own flair, taste, excitement, wonder and memories.

Like putting money away in a bank, a little at a time – a little ride here and bigger ride there, a motorcycle journey to this destination or that, all add up.

And, when you are done and look back at your life you will see it is one that is very rich indeed.

Our road warrior buddy might be of a certain extreme when it comes to his nomadic lifestyle, but I don’t think he would ever discourage, belittle, or frown upon the journey of another.

Continued on Page 6

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

… and only you hold the map.

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Page 6

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

WHATCHATHINKIN’ SHIRA KAMIL firsts There’s nothing like the first time. You look up and see a vision, what you think is the most perfectly built creature. Your eyes caress every curve. You tentatively place a hand on cool smoothness and wrap it around hard rubber. Throwing a leg over, you straddle the contoured saddle and at once feel at home. You’ve been dreaming about this moment, and you want to take your time, drink it in, savor the newness because there’s nothing like the first time… you ride your first motorcycle.

In our lives we have millions of firsts: breath, word, steps, bicycle ride, date, kiss and so on and so on. Hopefully, most are pleasurable and memorable. Some firsts we hope are not followed by seconds.

I know that I look forward to many of my firsts every year. When the calendar dwindles down to a single page, and I’m pretty sure that the riding days will be dwindling down as well, I anticipate the new year and its first ride. Sometimes it doesn’t come for a few months, other times it’s right on the heals of singing Auld Lang Syne. Such was the case as we entered 2016. Unlike the past few win-

ters, Mother Nature saw fit to give us (at least those in northern NJ) a rest from feets of snow and ice and a present of quite mild temps for the season.

When I wake up and see the temperature in early February is going to hit somewhere in the 50 degree range, there is nothing better to do than have a stretch of the tires. Not necessarily a road trip, just a jaunt for lunch to shake body and bike out a bit.

It so happened that I also was breaking in a new helmet. My Nolan N104 had taken a tumble late last year, so I took the opportunity to replace it with the same model but in hi-viz yellow (you can never be too conspicuous on a motorcycle). Slipping it on for the first time, it felt completely right – snug yet comfortable, no slippage or drooping. Now here’s a first that cannot be ignored; looking through a brand new face shield. No bug splatter, no scratches, and no smudges – a completely clean slate. And the smell, or lack of, that a new helmet brings is special. After a few months it will take on the miles of sun, sweat and grime from trip after trip. But the first time you place your noggin in that protective bubble, it is truly sublime.

I remember the smells of the day. The crispness of the cold air sneaking in through the helmet vents, bringing the reminder that it was still winter and we were stealing a day of enjoyment on two wheels and the smoke coming from the passed homes with their fireplaces stoked.

Then there’s the knowledge that the Road Gods have yet to take on their duties of clearing the salt and grit that has built up over the winter. Even though the sun may feel warm and there is no visible snow, the roads are far from clean. Heading into the shady side of the mountains, what may look like water runoff is most likely black ice. I go tiptoeing around such surfaces as I’ve been bitten by that once or twice before. But the elation of being out on such a day overshadows those worries.

There were quite a few others who took advantage of this gift of a day as well. Passing the first bike is almost like being part of a special club. We wave and know that we share a commonality; that right now, at this moment, there is no place better to be in the whole world. Watching the birds darting about in anticipation of the coming spring, seeing the overly-anxious greens popping from the ground and passing other riders who are enjoying the same sensations make the coming of the warmer days seem like they are right around the next corner.

Heading up to the Carriage House in Barryville for lunch with mom, the route took us along some less travelled tarmac which had us picking our way around potholes and upheavals left from the winter’s frost. But when I see the temperature heading to the middle 60s, I forget about the patches of snow on the sides of the roads and I think forward to long days in the saddle and the first gathering with friends who have been absent during the dark days of winter. Here’s to spring and the adventures to come – the first of which will be the best.

Oh yeah, and another first that I adore - first pitch.

LET’S GO METS! free wheelin’

(Continued from Page 4)

Likewise the rider entrepreneur who puts together these journeys, whether they be short hops or expeditions of a grander scale, should be commended. Most owners of these motorcycle tour companies put all they have on the line to do these tours and most are very proud of where they call home and what they wish to show other riders. For sure there will always be the few who are not on the up & up – but they are a rare and shunned breed.

The time we have on the planet is short in the grand scheme of things and better to have a life made up of many, varied and interesting journeys than an existence defined by just one.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE BILL HeALD 3-D (witHout GLAsses) Parts. Ain’t they great? You know, if you think about it, most of the material items in our lives couldn’t exist without them. When assembled, parts can combine to form miraculous things like a wheelbarrow, a really nice expresso machine or even a GP bike. But if you’re working on a motorcycle that is no longer manufactured (at least in the form you own) and you need some of these “parts” to make it go, it can get tricky. In fact, it can get frustrating, although to be fair the heaven and hell known as the Interwebs has made finding parts much easier than before. This means if the part is out there, sitting in a dusty box on a dusty shelf (that’s just past the old 55-gallon oil drum that, if full, would only be worth about $33), your chances of finding it are substantially better than they were before the Magic Box with Pictures took over. But what if the semi-runed constabulator you need for your vintage Hercules Rotary is no longer around, even on the dustiest of dusty shelves?

“1500 years ago everybody knew the earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago everybody knew the earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago you knew that people were alone on this planet.

Imagine what you will know…tomorrow.”

This immortal bit of dialog came from Agent K (courtesy of Tommy Lee Jones) in the film Men in Black. I love it. I try to use it every other column or so, in fact. Usually there’s no real reason to use it, but there is one in this

Page 7 case as it relates to the Brave New World we are now entering where difficulty finding parts (to almost anything) will be a thing of the past. You’ve no doubt heard of 3-D printing, which is part of a process to that has been steadily evolving as computer science advances to produce 3-dimensional objects directly from a computer model. The first experiments with this technology were pretty limited, but as computer aided fabrication has advanced so has the ability to do it easier and cheaper, and soon it will be as easy to 3D scan a desired part and have a fabrication machine “print” it out of the material of choice. I am greatly simplifying the process (just call me the Great Simplifier, or just the Great Simpleton), but you get the gist.

As this amazing technology advances, OEM manufacturers will be able to fabricate parts at will, should the desire arise. But looking a bit further down the road smaller parts and accessory concerns will be able to make very high-quality replacement parts, and then just think of the possibilities. Not only could you replace what breaks, but you could actually keep truly vintage stuff running as some parts could be improved to correct various problems the original units possessed. Gaskets that where prone to leak could be made to fit better thanks to scanning the surfaces in question, and then made of better materials. Rare bodywork could be restored to new condition, in colors and materials far more durable than before. The scope of what this could mean to keeping our machines, (or any machines, for that matter) ticking over and on the road, is truly enormous. Think of all the older Detroit iron that continued to be built in the Southern Hemisphere when the tooling was sold to countries where the value of continuing to build older models was high. Multiply that countless times over and you can see what a literally endless supply of spare parts might mean for the future of the past.

But what other effects will this have on the resurrection of classic motorcycles? There’s a reason why a lot of old technology was left behind as better Continued on Page 15

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APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

ON THE MARK MARK ByeRS Loss When Dangerous Dan calls, I listen because there’s usually a good motorcycle or ride in the offing. This time, as Henley said, “I got a call today that I didn’t wanna hear.” In the wee hours, thieves made off with four of DDs motorcycles, three pure dirt bikes and one dual sport. I wish his words weren’t familiar, but they were. “It’s not so much the loss of the bikes,” he said, “it’s the loss of the security and the fact that my wife and daughter were asleep not far away.”

Anyone who’s been robbed knows the violation he felt and the way it affects a man’s outlook.

You look at people with a jaundiced eye afterwards: the guy who stopped to admire your machines and talk shop suddenly might be a “suspect,” because your trust was chucked in the back of a truck in the middle of the night along with your bike. The tweens who walk up the street and beg you to do wheelies don’t seem so innocuous, because innocence got pushed down the driveway in the darkness. The guy to whom you sold a bike on Craigslist is now potentially sinister. For a while, it goes on, ad infinitum.

There’s fear: someone who brazenly takes your property from a shed twenty feet from where you, your wife, and kindergarten-age daughter are sleeping might do worse. You fear they saw things they liked and will come back. It happened in my neighborhood. There’s the “close the barn door after the horse is gone” syndrome, chaining and cabling things together and installing more locks and security devices, even though the damage has been done and it’s damned inconvenient. Your safe, rural neighborhood just got molested.

There’s a flurry of activity: police and insurance paperwork and searches for titles and photos. Everyone sympathizes, making suggestions that range from useful to sublimely bad. There are flyers and web sites, posting in hopes someone will see one of the wayward machines. Deep down, you know it’s

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probably fruitless, but trying burns off the adrenaline. You have to do SOMETHING. At some point, saturation sets in and you don’t want to talk about it any more: when you should be bragging about your daughter’s latest accomplishment or planning a ride, you’re inundated with the dialog of misfortune. I saw DD hit that wall.

For the past couple days, I’ve watched DD go through it. I posted stuff on line and made flyers. Someone would be crazy to ride or sell one of them in this county, because we carpetbombed it with flyers. We are surfing Craigslist deep into the night, hoping someone is dumb enough to post one for sale, but that probably will not happen. If the criminals are local, we may find one abandoned on a trail or power line, engine blown and parts rusted. If it was one of the outlaw riding gangs of DC or Baltimore, we’ll never see the bikes again – not in a form in which DD would want them back.

That’s not insignificant: DD’s a fine mechanic and those machines were meticulously maintained by a man with a passion for things mechanical. Knowing they’ll be abused is gut-wrenchingly painful. Each one has mods and markings, even blemishes, that makes it unique. Wiseco pistons and Kibblewhite valves live in some of those hearts, but I doubt the thieves care – they need goods for quick exchange in the marketplace of drugs and cash and guns in the big cities to our North.

They don’t care about the hard-won, honest money tied up in them by a fine craftsman, tradesman, husband, and father. It’s the ultimate contempt.

And there’s anger, lots of anger. Few who decry vigilantism understand the raging tide of adrenalin spawned by having your property taken. I didn’t say I condone it, but I understand it. DD is dealing with it by saying “I have to keep remembering that I’m my daughter’s father when I think about what I’d like to do to them.” There’s also a sense of hopelessness and resignation.

Occasionally, there’s a surge of optimism at the rumor the cops have a suspect, but the sad fact is that not many property crimes get solved – LEOs have bigger fish to fry. Fortunately, he said, “I’ve got a couple XR’s worth of parts – we’ll put one together.” And there is no doubt we will, in a couple months, be sitting around the IHOP celebrating the rise of another twowheeled Lazarus. Let the healing begin.

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APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

IN DU STRY INFOBITES 50 YEARS OF KAWASAKI Surprisingly, the birthplace of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. was not the Golden State but old-town Chicago.

Some 50 years ago, on March 1, 1966, American Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. opened for business in Chicago, with a modest sales office at 208 South La Salle Street and a two-story parts warehouse at 2860 North Lincoln Avenue. Formerly the site of a meat-packing plant, the warehouse needed seri-

News from the Inside Today KMC has nearly 1,100 dealers in all 50 states and offers a wide range of products in five categories, including streetbikes, off-road motorcycles, ATVs, MULE utility vehicles, and JET SKI personal watercraft.

Many of the 4-wheel product and personal watercraft are assembled at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. in Lincoln, Nebraska.

ZERO DSR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE TO BE AWARDED IN AMA CLUB 1924 SWEEPSTAKES

ous renovation, but the price was right for a company trying to gain a toehold in a vast new country. Welcomed by Tony Watanabe with Ted Tazaki, who led the charge to establish the Chicago office, just 50 people attended the grand opening, held at the nearby Continental Hotel. But it was the right crowd, including the banks, trading companies and distributors that would support the company’s early efforts in America.

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One lucky winner will ride away on a 2016 Zero DSR electric motorcycle just for entering the 2016 AMA Club 1924 Motorcycle Sweepstakes at one of the nation’s major motorcycle rallies.

“The Zero DSR is a great motorcycle that will provide years of enjoyment for the winner, both on the road and on the trail,” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “We are glad to be able to partner with Zero Motorcycles on this sweepstakes.”

The Zero DSR is an amped-up version of the Zero DS, delivering 56 percent more torque and 25 percent more power. A 660-amp controller is paired with a ZForce® motor with higher temperature magnets to ensure better performance during extended durations at higher speeds.

AMA Club 1924, named in honor of the AMA’s founding year, is the association’s presence at these events, celebrating the fun of motorcycling, connecting with riders and looking back on the history of motorcycling in America.

KICKING OFF THE 2016 RIDING SEASON Set your sights on Toronto Canada for the weekend of April 9 & 10 when the Toronto Motorcycle SpringShow, takes place at the International Centre. This 26th Annual Edition, sponsored by Riders Plus Insurance, has grown to over a quarter million square feet and has become the traditional Season Opener to kick off the riding season. And for good reason.

Featured at this year’s show are the new 2016 model motorcycles including touring and cruising bikes, street bikes, offroad bikes, scooters, and production customs, as well as the giant Used Bike Clearance Sale. Also available is the expanded Used Parts ‘Pickers Markets, vendors offering used and NOS (new old stock) parts for every type of motorcycle as well as used riding gear, rare literature and even motorcycle memorabilia.

Celebrity Guest, Kim Coates, known as ‘Tig’ from Sons of Anarchy will be at the Show both days. Leather Fashion Shows, racer autograph sessions, the EDDY awards and the Motorcyclist of the Year announcement round out the stage entertainment.

The Vintage ‘Bikes of the Century’ Display will feature significant bikes from invited clubs & private owners as well as Vincent Motorcycles from the Bar Hodgson Collection including the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow “Sandbagger” and unveiling a 1953 Cooper Race Car with a Vincent Twin Engine.

Visit www.motorcyclespringshow.com for hours, address or to download a discount coupon or purchase online tickets..

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

WOMEN RIDERS TAKE TO THE HILLS FOR MOUNTAIN MOXIE The Blue Ridge Mountains Provide the Backdrop for the East Coast’s Largest Women’s Motorcycling Conference North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains will lend their twisting roads and scenic vistas to the east coast’s largest women’s motorcycling conference as Moto Girl Café presents Mountain Moxie, May 6-8 in Little Switzerland, NC. Mountain Moxie is a three-day event dedicated to women who love motorcycling and the men who ride with them.

Mountain Moxie will feature presentations by the motorcycle industry’s leading women, and will include topics such as international travel, long distance riding, Iron Butt adventures, racing and track days, bike building and motorcycle-related careers. All presentations will be held at the Switzerland Inn and are scheduled during breakfast and dinner hours, leaving plenty of time each day open for small-group rides and area exploration. Maps are included and will guide riders through local mountain twisties and the Blue Ridge Parkway- featuring the famous Diamondback route!

Mountain Moxie offers a unique opportunity for riders and motorcycle enthusiasts to learn from women motorcycling experts and enthusiasts and to create and build new friendships and networking relationships with others who share a love of motorcycling. Mountain Moxie is a female-focused event; however, men are welcome as paid guests of registered attendees.

The cost to attend is $135 per person and includes three breakfasts, two dinners, two unlimited wine/beer/cheese receptions, all presentations during the event, local route maps, event T-shirt and goodie bag. www.motogirlcafemountainmoxie.com

TEXTING TEENS! Motorcycle riders have a lot to watch for when cruising through an urban environment such as a city or town. While the first focus may be other vehicles, a new study shows bikers should watch for teens crossing the road while

Page 11 distracted by their smartphone.

According to research released by Safe Kids Worldwide, with support from FedEx, distraction plays a role as 50% of teens admit they cross streets while using a mobile device, and an alarming 40% admit to actually being hit or nearly hit by a car, bike or motorcycle while walking.

Of the teens who have been hit or nearly hit report crossing the streetwhile: 47% listening to music, 20% talking on the phone, and 18% were texting.

“Every hour of every day, a teen is hit or killed while walking,” said Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “Texting and walking or driving can be fatal. That’s why we’re asking everyone to put phones down when crossing the street.”

BMW K1600 GTL CONCEPT BIKE WITH LASER LIGHT See and be seen has always been one of the central axioms of safe motorcycling, for which reason BMW Motorrad has continued development and optimization of motorcycle lighting units.

The new BMW Motorrad laser light is derived from a design from the automobile division of the BMW Group. The innovative laser technology is already available in the new BMW 7 Series automobiles as well as in the BMW i8. BMW Motorrad has now adapted this technology – which is as established as it is forward-looking – for motorcycling applications. Not only do laser light headlamps generate a particularly bright and pure-white light, but they also deliver a high-beam range of up to 600 meters, which is double that of conventional headlights.

BMW Motorrad is testing the use of this headlamp technology in series vehicles in the course of its preliminary development. At the moment, the technology is too cost-intensive for use in motorcycles. We hope that changes as time and development move forward.

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APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MY STERI OUS AM ERI CA JoHn brown’s GrAve What does a 1980’s Fin named Jouko Törmänen and a skirmish at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 have in common? And what do both of these have to do with one small area in upstate New York? Well, my friends, they are all pieces of the puzzle that fit into this Mysterious America.

Our story starts on the evening of October 16, 1859.

John Brown, a staunch abolitionist, and a group of his supporters moved on Harpers Ferry (then part of Virginia as there was no West Virginia).

Descending upon the town in the early hours of October 17th, Brown and his men captured prominent citizens and seized the federal armory and arsenal. Brown had hopes that the local slave population would join the raid and through the raid’s success weapons would be supplied to slaves and freedom fighters throughout the country, but this was not to be.

First held down by the local militia in the late morning of the 17th, Brown took refuge in the arsenal’s engine house. However, this sanctuary from the firestorm did not last long, when in the late afternoon US Marines under Colonel Robert E. Lee (yes, that Robert E. Lee) arrived and stormed the engine house, killing many of the raiders and capturing Brown. Brown was quickly placed on trial and charged with treason against the state of Virginia, murder, and slave insurrection. Brown was sentenced to death for his crimes and hanged on December 2, 1859.

Jouko Törmänen’s story began on April 10, 1954 when he was born in Rovaniemi, Finland to Mr. and Mrs. Törmänen. He was a strong fish-slapping

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Finnish lad who loved to ski and to jump. This brought him, eventually, to the Adirondacks of New York and the 1980 Winter Olympic Games where he, as everyone in the world was watching some American college kids humiliate the Soviet Army’s hockey team, went on to jump 117 meters and take the Gold for Finland in the ski jump competition.

Just a ¼ mile away I would like to think that John Brown smiled in his grave at the Miracle on Ice and the jump. Yes, the great man and abolitionist John Brown is buried just outside Lake Placid, New York.

How does this happen? Well, John Brown had moved to North Elba, New York, right outside what is now Lake Placid in 1849 to help freed slaves begin a farm. His farm almost lay in the shadow of the massive ski jump towers that would be built 130 years in the future. His body was brought back and buried on December 8, 1859 in front of his home.

Brown’s upbringing taught him that slavery was an affront to God and he tirelessly fought against slavery and to free his fellow men and women.

He even moved to Kansas to support his son’s effort to keep this state free for all men, leaving his wife and several of his children behind. Brown returned to visit his family at Lake Placid several times and his family and roots remained in upstate New York.

We have read about his attempt to start a liberation movement among enslaved African Americans by the raid in Harper’s Ferry.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 13

Historians agree John Brown played a major role in the start of the Civil War, with this raid causing more public outcry than the Lincoln /Douglas debates and that his raid revealed a deep division between North and South.

And he has been hailed the man who “killed slavery, sparked the civil war, and seeded civil rights” and Richard Owen Boyer emphasized that Brown was “an American who gave his life that millions of other Americans might be free.” Brown’s actions prior to the Civil War as an abolitionist, and the tactics he chose, still make him a controversial figure today. Historians debate whether he was “America’s first domestic terrorist”; many historians believe the term “terrorist” is an inappropriate label to describe Brown.

John Brown’s family moved to California at the onset of the Civil War, and in 1870 the John Brown Association was organized and purchased the site of the farm and grave. The property was transferred to the State of New York in 1896, but the John Brown Association still organized pilgrimages to the site. With money collected from private donations, the Association erected a statue of John Brown and a young African American boy in 1935 that stands near the gravesite. This historic property commemorates the man who took on the forces of slave interests in an armed struggle that created one of the most enduring legends in the Nation’s history.

The farm still remains and was named a National Landmark in 1998 a small, but honored, part of Mysterious America. You can visit the John Brown Farm State Historic Site May through October from 10am-5pm (except Tuesdays) at 115 John Brown Road, Lake Placid NY, just off Route 73. O’Life out!

Page 14

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

Hanover Powersports Presents

BIG CITY GETAWAY oLD bArrAcks museum 101 BARRACK STREET, TRENTON, NJ 08608 609- 396-1776 • WWW.BARRACKS.ORG I remember the first time I went to visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Walking down East Houston Street I was stunned to see the Alamo surrounded by a modern city, as if it had been shoehorned into place by the Texas Historical Society. In truth we all really know that the Alamo was there first, and San Antonio sprouted around it. Still the juxtaposition of modern architecture to old mission is striking.

But, as famous as the Texas Mecca is, I have something a good deal closer to the Backroads area and, dare I say it – yes I do Texas, easily as important and also very old yet, nestled in the middle of a modern state capital.

Built around the same decade that the Texas mission was constructed by the Spanish, the British Barracks, in what is now the city of Trenton, New Jersey, was easily the largest building for miles.

The stone and wood structure was built to hold 300 British and Irish troops during the French and Indian War, a seven year fracas between the British and French Colonies in North America.

A few decades later these barracks were used by Washington and the Continental Army for their troops and to hold prisoners of war. Early in December Washington’s men were forced to flee as the British, with Hessian soldier, took back the town along the Delaware River. Now refortified the barracks also took in local families still loyal to the Crown of England.

As Washington and his men made a slow and demoralizing retreat across the water to Pennsylvania, things did not look good for the future of the Continental Army. As we have said a few months back - Washington needed a win and needed it soon.

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind That move happened on Christmas Day. Once across the river the Continental Army made its way south to Trenton and along what is now the streets of the New Jersey capital, then raged until the Hessian Commander, Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall, was mortally wounded.

Washington got his much needed win and the tide began to turn for our nation.

Yes, the Alamo means so much for Texas, but today, literally in the shadow of the New Jersey State House, across from the Masonic Temple, down the street from Edison College, cattycorner to the Taxation Building, and alongside the newly re-done Route 29 – you will find the Old Barracks.

Inside there are a number of rooms featuring different artifacts and items from the past, as well as a stellar video, Ten Crucial Days, about the Battle of Trenton and its importance on both American and World history.

Indeed, as we have been saying for the last three months – what happened in this part of New Jersey and Pennsylvania indeed transformed the world.

It helped end wars that would engulf Europe, it put men on the moon, it helped mankind move forward in ways that General Washington could never have imagined.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 15

When you hear some comedian joke about our Garden State let it wash off your back like water off a duck.

If you have been with us in Big City Getaway for the last three months then you know the real story… and that the United States really began right here.

PostcArDs from tHe HeDGe

(Continued from Page 7)

engineering solutions came along, which begs the question how much safety, efficiency, etc. are we willing to sacrifice in the name of authenticity? And once this ability to fabricate lands in the hands of individuals who may not be the last word on engineering or even mechanical knowledge, could parts that are defective infiltrate into important areas like, well, the drivetrain/brakes/etc.? And then we have the aesthetic question of what makes a machine a true vintage example, or even an authentic machine from a given manufacturer. In the wrist watch world, these type of questions have plagued

collectors for years and its only getting worse. This is but a shadow of all the things that will be affected by the ability to fabricate at will, and who knows where it might lead. Richard Bach wrote, “There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.” I would argue the reverse can also be true as well. But then, I have been branded skeptical. If I was a new Marvel Action Hero, I would be Skepticor, the Unbeliever. 3-D printing and associated miracles will no doubt be a force for good, and make many forgotten motorcycles whole again. But something will be lost in the process, for so is the price of progress.

Page 16

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

G REAT A LL AMERICA N DINE R RUN

tasty places to take your bike

Jimmy’s Quick LuncH 123 E BROAD ST, HAZLETON, PA • 570-454-3281 CLOSED TUESDAYS • 7A-10P ALL OTHER DAYS Hot dogs. Almost as controversial as pizza. Boiled, steamed or deep-fried? Toasted or steamed bun? Mustard or ketchup? And sauerkraut is always the game-changing question.

The hot dog pedigree is quite old. It’s mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey as far back as the 9th century B.C. In more recent years, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany is credited with originating the frankfurter, while Mr. Johann Georghehner may take issue with this, as he is claimed with creating the ‘dachshund’ or ‘little dog’ sausage in the late 1600’s in Coburg, Germany and bringing it to Frankfurt to promote. Vienna (Wein) Austria stakes its claim to 1487, pointing to the term ‘wiener’ to prove their birthplace of the hot dog.

Moving closer to home, New York City’s Bowery was the first to see the European sausage sold by butchers from pushcarts, nestled in milk rolls and topped with sauerkraut.

Charles Feltman, a German butcher, opened the first Coney Island hot dog stand and sold 3,684 during his first year in business.

Have you ever gone to a baseball game and not had a hot dog? This all started in 1893, when St. Louis Browns baseball team owner Chris Von de Ahe served them at his stadium.

Traveling around the country, you will have to learn your lingo if you want to order your hot dog correctly. When ordering a Chicago Dog, you’ll be handed a steamed wiener in a poppy seed-encrusted bun and then it’s ‘dragged through the garden’ meaning topped with tomato slices, celery salt, dill pickle spears, chopped white onions, green onion relish, sport peppers

and yellow mustard. Better get some extra napkins for that one. When traveling to the Southwest, you’ll be getting a Sonoran Dog in Arizona. This grilled frankfurt is bacon-wrapped and placed in a steamed bolillo roll, covered with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo and jalapenos. Heading north, in Seattle, WA you’ll enjoy your Polish sausage or frank that is first grilled, then split in half, placed in a toasted bun and slathered with cream cheese. The toppings vary greatly, from grilled onions, jalapenos and grilled cabbage to sriracha, barbeque sauce or pico de gallo. Hitting the road to the Northeast, instead of a Lobster roll, perhaps you’ll order a Main Red Snapper. These puppies are grilled or griddled and nestled in a buttered, toasted or steamed roll. The name comes from their distinct red colored cas-

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016 ing (the work of food coloring) and the snap is achieved by use of natural lamb casings. For those from the Garden state (specifically northeastern), the Newarkstyle Italian Dog is quite familiar. This meal of a hot dog consists of a skinny allbeef, deep-fried weiner, stuffed into halfrounds of pizza bread with plenty of fried or sautéed onions, red peppers and potato rounds. Top it with ketchup and/or mustard and enjoy.

Now that you have the history, let’s get to the reason we are here - Jimmy’s Quick Lunch. For almost 80 years, Jimmy’s Quick Lunch has been serving up their loaded hot dogs in a diner atmosphere, which hasn’t changed in almost 45 years.

Owner James Grohol, grandson of originator James George, has been ordering his special dogs from Dietz & Watson for more than 30 years, using a special recipe he’s developed. Apparently they have little salt or sugar and no phosphates or baking soda, which make them plump naturally. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right, as they sell a ton of their dogs every day.

We stopped by this little gem on a road trip, taking us through Hazleton, PA. Located on a large main street, there is plenty of parking and more around back. The classic retro storefront has neon and block glass, which is most inviting. During the warmer months, there are outdoor table to enjoy your tubers. So let’s get to the basics – what makes Jimmy’s Dogs so good. As mentioned, they start with their special Dietz & Watson dogs, which are laid flat on a griddle, then plopped into a steamed bun and topped with a chili sauce and mustard mix, along with a scoop or two of hand cut onion cubes. The onions have been made milder by soaking in water overnight. Order up a couple, as they are addictive. Perhaps an order of fries with gravy and a chocolate milkshake would round out the meal.

If you’re not a hot dog fan, they have a full menu and, I’ve heard, serve up a very good breakfast. The roads in this area are worth the trip and we’ll serve up some of them in our Rip & Ride, which you can find on page 41 • www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/8cs54z

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Page 17

Page 18

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

Bergen County Harley-Davidson Presents

WE’RE OUTTA HER E

a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads

PennsyLvAniAn escAPe EXPLORING COLUMBIA & MONTOUR COUNTIES Last year we did a three-month feature on the bigger rivers that run through what we like to consider Backroads home region.

The Hudson, Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers.

For this month’s We’re Outta Here! we would like to zero in on an interesting region along the shore furthest west of these - the picturesque Susquehanna.

From its humble beginnings at Cooperstown, New York all the way to the stunning Chesapeake Bay the Susquehanna is an American jewel.

In the next few pages we’d like to bring you out due west of the Water Gap and onto the scenic backroads of Columbia & Montour Counties in Pennsylvania, and to a few interesting places on our ride before we bed down for the night at the lovely Inn at Turkey Hill.

Wooden Roller Coasters Rock Sure there are a number of great, mighty and terrifying steel coasters found all over the planet, but there is a special one at Knoebels Amusement Park, just north of Bloomsburg, PA. We like this place as not only does Knoebels have a number of great rides and attractions they don’t have a cover. You can

ride up, park your bike and ride what you want and pay as you go, for no more than $3 a ride.

But, this day we’ll be coming to ride a true American Classic – The Flying Turns. The Flying Turns is a ride, largely of wooden construction, first built in 1929 by legendary coaster builder John Miller and visionary Norman Bartlett. Seven of the world’s first modern flying turns coasters were built by the developers of The Philadelphia Toboggan Company between 1929 and 1939 at various amusements parks on the east coast. Because of the enthusiasm surrounding aviation in the twenties and thirties, coaster builders strived to create a ride mimicking the thrill of flying.

These ride are all but gone in these days of monstrous metal monsters.

The Flying Turns at Knoebels is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania and the first ride like this built in nearly half a century. We guarantee you will think you are flying!

The Covered Bridges of Columbia & Montour Counties…

For a more sedate ride, or maybe to calm down after a few runs on the Flying Turns, we might want to go in search of the Columbia and Montour Counties’ 25 covered bridges. We’re talking more old wood construction here, as all but one is from the nineteenth century.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016 The roads in this region are very pleasant, and the large number of covered bridges, including a set of only two “Twin Bridges” to be seen in the United States, make it even more so. Riding through this region can be a throw back to an earlier time – especially when you read that a bridge like the fine one near Stillwater cost just $1,124 dollars in 1849.

How much did your motorcycle cost?

Old Bike Barns & a guy named Bill Well since we’re talking bikes and old classics it would be a crime to come to this part of Pennsylvania and not make time for one of the most enjoyable motorcycle venues in the northeast - Bill’s Old Bike Barn.

For years now Bill Morris’ Old Bike Barn has brought smiles to two-wheel enthusiasts with over 100 classic machines

Page 19 on display. Bill’s Barn is huge, with nearly 50,000 square feet of the most extraordinary and unique antiques from all around the world, and its not just motorcycles.

Everything from military displays, vintage riding clothing, thousands upon thousands of posters and memorabilia, from John Wayne to John Deere and everything in between. There is something for any enthusiast at Bill’s Old Bike Barn. We have been there a number of times and always ride away a bit more than impressed.

Oh deer – Red Deer On this trip we went from old and wooden to old and impressive.

Now we’d like to take it from even more remarkable to down right striking.

At a small farm in Catawissa, Lloyd & Dolly George have over 400 Red Deer. One of the largest deer on the planet these beasts originally came from western Asia and the Caucasus Mountains and are closely related to the American elk or wapiti. Raised for the venison, which is high in protein and iron but low in fat and cholesterol as well as high in vitamins B6 and B12.

Although they sell venison and will ship it home for you – we have come to see the deer and the hour tour of the farm will get you up close - way up close to these magnificent animals.

Bring a camera!

Page 20 Time to call it a day If we have done all we have talked about here we should be ready to call it a night and we have the perfect place to call home for this trip – The Inn at Turkey Hill.

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS The Inn, Farmhouse & Brewing Company at Turkey Hill offers great rooms and dinner right in the middle of historic and beautiful Columbia County.

They have the Main House, as well as the Stable Rooms, that offer twentythree rooms in total.

Although fine dining can be found, you might be just a bit more comfortable taking dinner at the Brewpub, as it is just a tad more casual. You’ll find this to be as decent as any Great All American Diner Run and, that being the case, will not implode your wallet.

They have eight burgers, ten sandwiches and some superb entrees including steak, chicken and stew that will take care of any hunger pangs, and it is a brewery. Yea, you!

The Inn at Turkey Hill makes an excellent base camp. Taking a room for a few nights will allow for an easier time exploring this part of the Susquehanna River, the valley and all that is to be discovered along the backroads of Columbia & Montour Counties in the Keystone State of Pennsylvania.

Sources: Knoebels Amusement Park 391 Knoebels Blvd., Rt. 487, elysburg, PA 17824 • www.knoebels.com Columbia & Montour Visitors Bureau 570-784-8279 • www.itourcolumbiamontour.com Bill’s Old Bike Barn 7145 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg, PA 570-759-7030 • www.billsbikebarn.com/ Rolling Hills Red Deer Farm 63 Pinnacle Dr., Catawissa, PA 17820 570- 356-7482 • www.reddeeratrollinghillsfarm.com Inn at Turkey Hill 991 Central Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 570-387-8422 • www.innatturkeyhill.com

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

I KNOW THIS PLACE…

Page 21 last time we were there we brought back two dozen monster Blue Crabs that were quickly and deliciously dispatched upon arrival at Backroads Central that evening.

We know how to do crabs!

But, so do Wiso’s (a bit better we’re sure), and they also serve up lunch and dinner with all sorts of seafood offerings. They even have a picnic table along the water’s edge to enjoy your vittles al fresco.

While there, take a look at some of the “oddities” that they have on display – the good Doctor O’Life would love this place.

wiso’s crAbs & seAfooD 101 5TH STREET, DELAWARE CITY, DE 19706 302-836-0224 • WWW.WISOCRABS.COM Here in northwestern NJ, if we want the great crabs of the Chesapeake Bay fresh for dinner we have to catch the local fish monger at the right time and then we still only end up with small crabs that lack any grandeur and meat.

But, I know this place that always seems to come through and whenever we are scooting through the area of Delaware City and know we will be home that evening…we vector towards Wiso’s Crabs & Seafood.

Lying on a smaller canal that cuts from the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal through the town, down a small dirt drive that you’ll find along a deserted stretch of Route 9 just south of the town, you will find Wiso’s Crab & Seafood.

For nearly 50 years Wiso’s has been selling the very freshest crabs and other seafood delectables from their shop along the creek.

Captain Wiso and wife Joanne have developed a huge following and the

An Angler Fish? Really?

Wiso’s is open 7 days a week from mid April to mid October and if you do plan to stop by later in the day it is a good idea to call, as when they are sold out they close for the day.

If you’re riding through the region and have a hankerin’ for some great seafood drop by Wiso’s and see what the catch of the day is.

85-mile one-way route from Montgomeryville Cycle Center in Hatfield PA. Download here: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/dszqec

Page 22

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

he miles passing under my wheels were confirmed by a series of provider messages to my cell phone: welcome to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark. I was heading for the northern Danish port of Hirtshals, where the ferry ship ‘Norrona’ would deliver me and about twelve hundred other passengers, vehicles and freight to the Faroe Islands and Iceland. I’d been contemplating a motorcycle journey to Iceland for some time. But it lies on the latitude 65 degrees north, nudging the Arctic Circle, so the window of opportunity for riding is confined to three or four summer months – many roads are closed outside this time.

T

To take a motorcycle from england is not easy. There are no longer passenger ferries operating across the North Sea - I tried to hop a freighter from the eastern port of Hull, but they would not take me.

So a 790-mile road journey from the French port of Calais had to be endured across the truck congested roads of northern europe.

Adventure motorcycling is in vogue at the moment. It always has been for many riders, but the manufacturers have in recent years turned their design and sales attention to this style of motorcycle, with the consequent marketing publicity. Honda had loaned me one of their ‘adventure’ bikes; the NC750X (in the US they sell a similar

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2016 model; the NC700X).

This model has an uprated engine with an additonal balancer shaft for smoother running, but it has no gear or clutch lever. I’ll explain...

The bike has three running modes: fully automatic, where the gear box and dual clutch selects the gear for you, and keeps the engine in a maximum fuel saver pattern returning 70/80 miles per gallon. You can switch to sport mode: still automatic but it runs up through the gears faster, and keeps the revs higher. The third option is a manual gear change through a finger and thumb operated lever on the handlebar.

This is an unusual set up to get used to, of which more later.

At the ferry check-in queue at Hirtshals there are around fifteen bikes. The majority are from Germany; BMW’s generously equiped with Touratech and Wunderlich travel goodies. A rider from Switzerland spots my UK number plate and strikes up a conversation. He’s riding a Yamaha Xmax 400cc scooter that he’s chosen as a comfort preference over his F650 BMW. An Italian rider uses his camping stove to brew coffee, and stereotypically offers a cup to the most attractive woman rider among us. The most interesting machine is a BMW Wasp sidecar set up, with all the camping gear stowed neatly in the ‘chair’.

When we are ushered on board the aroma of fish pervades the car deck.

Hardly surprising as the truck trailers going back and forth probably contain the main exports from the Faroes and Iceland. The crew lash the bikes down firmly. Is this an indicator of the seas we may expect in the exposed part of the north Atlantic?

There are 853 nautical miles to cover, and we’ll be on board for three

Page 23 nights, including a brief stopover at Torshavn, the Faroes capital. I’ve opted for the cheapest cabin, that I have to share with four other (unknown) men. If I am ever incarcerated within the prison system I now know what to expect.

Except I’ve had to pay for this ‘privilege’; about $830. In Torshavn I find a bookshop with an English section. I’m going through novels at a rate, as ship life is not very stimulating. Six Faroese riders join the ship, they have limited road space to stretch out on, and have to head for Iceland or Denmark to enjoy more mileage.

The Captain of the ‘Noronna’ announces our arrival into the mouth of Seydisfjordur; on this day sparkling blue, and white capped by a strong wind funnelling down between glowering snow-topped black mountains running with waterfalls. It’s a dramatic arrival, but the wind is so strong it’s difficult to stand on deck without anchoring yourself to a rail.

The fjord gives the name to the town on the east coast of Iceland, and there is soon anticipatory activity on the car deck as us two wheelers re-pack and re-strap luggage. We’re off down the unloading ramp into the small attractive town where I find a coffee house for breakfast and let the ferry traffic clear.

My first stop will be Akureyri, the tourist hub in the north, 186 miles along the N1: the 870-mile single carriageway road that circles Iceland and known as ‘The Ring’. I’ve planned to stay in the north during my ten-day stay, and intend to explore some of the gravel roads and tracks on the peninsulars that stick up into the Greenland Sea like stubby fingers.

If I thought the journey along the fjord was dramatic I was to be in awe of

Page 24 the snow-covered landscape that unfolded as the road out of Seydisfjordur wound up and up to the snowfields. One of my cabin companions from the former East Germany and riding a very tidy and well set up 2001 Honda Transalp, had pulled on thermal layers as we prepared to depart...he’d been here before. The road was steep, bendy and cold; and three brave cyclists were battling the wind by pushing their cycles towards the summit, which must have been 12 miles distant.

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS The population of Iceland is only about 330,000, and most people are clustered around Reyjavik, the capital. Towns are small, there’s no urban sprawl, and once outside you experience a wild, mountainous, austere but majestic landscape, and virtual isolation: just a handful of vehicles even on the main highway. Iceland is a ‘new’ country, exploding out of the ocean around 1618 million years ago: the blinking of an eye in geological terms.

I was enthralled by the stark and brutal scenery, as the miles passed under the wheels, but the wind was roaring in my helmet and pushing the bike where I didn’t want it to be, and all the while lowering my body temperature.

At one point, crossing what was in effect a desert of lava, I saw a cloud of dust in the distance. It was steam. I was watching volcanic activity leaking up through the earth’s surface.

There was only one place to stop on the road, a small tourist halt named Reykjahlid. A helpful Icelander helped me operate the self-service fuel pump, and with some relief I parked up outside a cafe/bar attached to the small hotel.

Warmth. I disrobed, sank into a chair, stretched the legs to relieve the knees and before long I was sipping tea and tasting a fillet of salmon with trimmings, so fresh it must have leapt from the river to the grill.

The Honda and I had lived together for about a thousand miles at this stage: I was finding the bike comfortable and easy to manage. It’s lithe and weighs out at just 482 lbs. At 32.6 inches, my shortish legs can cope with the seat height, which will be important when I take to the gravel roads/tracks. As will the performance of the Pirelli Scorpion tires, part of the ‘family’ of deep cut tread tires the various companies have developed to be fitted to adventure style bikes.

Cruising at 80mph in sixth the additional balancer shaft helps deliver smooth power: it hums along at four thousand revs. The under seat tank is small at a fraction over 3.7 gallons, but it is good for around 200 miles before a refill is needed. I found myself stopping for a stretch before I ran close to empty, and having to unstrap my single bag luggage from the pillion seat soon became routine. On smaller roads running up the east coast of Denmark I’d switched to manual gear change.

I have to admit it felt strange and not easy to judge bends initially (more practice needed). But I did find myself using the handlebar control to drop down a gear or two when overtaking or needing more uphill power.

The town of Akureyri sits on the southeast corner of the Trollaskagi Peninsular. The small road running around its perimeter promised a panorama of mountainous coastline and fjord inlets, and the northernmost town, Siglufjordur, would be the nearest point to the Arctic Circle I would reach. But the weather portents were not good, the town’s digital thermometer showed 5°C (41°F)). These temperature guides regularly feature on the roads, and often show the difference between the valleys and high plateau/mountain passes. They became an important feature of my brief Icelandic life.

I rode forth under greying skies that were leaking droplets. My intention was to follow an unmade road across the tip of the peninsular, bypassing two spectacular tunnels punched through the mountains to link previously isolated villages. But poor visibility and wet persuaded me that I didn’t want this to be the first off road test for the bike, tires and me. So the tunnel it was,

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 25

and at Siglufjordur I used the town bakery to restore body and spirits and visit the Herring museum. Yes, you read that right. This isolated place and several others in Iceland used to be teaming with people involved with the tons of fish pulled from the waters, gutted and processed. The shoals are gone. Fished out. Denuded.

On the road along the western coastal edge the only signs of life are the sheep and sturdy ponies grazing the narrow pastures between mountain and sea, and it was not hard to imagine how this cloud shrouded unyielding rugged land had the ancient Vikings weaving sagas of mystery and magic.

To complete a circular route and return to Akureyri I had to traverse the Oxnadalur Valley, a fearsome looking pass between pinnacles of rock and snow. My tired and cold mind and body cannot help but notice that a digital temperature sign is reading 5°C (41°F) valley and 3° (37.4°F) mountain. The average temperature in June is stated as 12°C (53.6°F). Something has clearly gone wrong!

The weather is just as unfriendly the following day, and as I ride out I can’t

help but think of those motorcycle compatriots who intended to camp. They must be sleeping in their riding gear to stay warm; if they haven’t re-considered and found cozier shelter.

I’m heading for Lake Myvatn, a volcanic basin and unique area for bird life, and for seeing the power of Icleand’s geo thermal energy bubbling to the surface – ‘wake up and smell the sulphur’. This is tapped to provide cheap (publicly owned) electricity and heat, and at one point I watched in amazement as 100°C (212°F) steam burst out from rocks and formed an inviting but highly toxic blue lake.

I’d resigned myself to the weather, but as I return and drop down to fjord level, the clouds lift and brighter light covers the land. I’m relieved, tomorrow I move on to my next stopover, which involves a return through the wondrous but daunting Oxnadalur Valley.

Page 26 Siggy and Lillyana run a bed and breakfast in the small western community of Hvammstangi. It’s used mainly by tourists overnighting on their way to the Western Fjords, but I’m staying for three nights to explore a couple of gravel routes. The weather has cleared; 11°C (51.8°F) in town though the way through the mountains is still just 3°C (37.4°F). But it’s amazing how a little sunshine brightens the mood and soul.

I wake to a flawless blue sky, and the wind is worrying another part of the planet. At breakfast I tell the other houseguests from Finland, France and Germany: ‘I must have woken in another country’. Siggy smiles and informs us that the weather will stay fine for the next few days.

I’d stopped to take photographs when the first motorcyclist I’d come across went past in a cloud of dust and a wave. It was the BMW/Wasp from the ferry. We were riding a gravel road alongside the sublime and calm blue mirror that was the Hritafjordur, heading for the town of Holmavik. This was great riding. The Honda felt good, and I let it select the gears while I concentrated on the track ahead. Across the rougher sections and through the loose dirt it responded well to being steered while standing on the footrests.

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS On sunshine day two I followed the unsurfaced road around the Vatnsnes Peninsular, spotting seals, and watching acrobatic sea birds skim the water and rocks – road signs warn of low flying birds: not a problem for cars, but on take off from the water they are often at helmet height.

The Vatnsnes is not one of the places the travel guides steer you to, but it is serene, majestic and hardly populated. I diverted from the main coast, hugging track on a couple of occasions, as I was now confident in the bike’s and my ability to ride into these out of the way places.

To return to the east coast, where in a few days I would board the ‘Norrona’ for my return journey, I had a journey of 290 miles to the tiny hamlet of Brekkuborp (35 people). Getting there involved leaving the surfaced road and tackling a 22 kilometer (13+ miles) route marked as an F road on the map: the lowest grading, a track by any other interpretation, and this one is closed for a good part of the year, with the only route in and out of ‘Brekka’ being by sea.

But hey; me and the Honda are by now ‘adventure compatible’. How difficult can it be? The track delivers me to the snow line. I’m concentrating

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 27 but trying to relax the shoulders too. The landscape makes me gasp as we dive down through a series of steep turns back to sea level. Everywhere waterfalls plunge and splash down mountainsides into the Mjoifjordur. To slide off here would not be good.

There was no one at the other end to congratulate me on this feat. There was just me and a French travel journalist staying in the hiker’s hostel that was once the school. It was hard to believe that in the early part of the century the world’s largest whaling station was located here; operated by the Norwegians (Iceland became independent in 1944).

Rain hammered against the hostel roof the following day. Anxiety crept in: what condition would the track be in? The weather cleared, and I hiked the fjord and hill paths, and immersed myself in reading in the warm hostel. And when it was time to leave, astride the bike I revelled in a new found off-road confidence, and wanted to turn round and ride this section again; but the ferry and a long journey home was ahead.

Page 28

PRODUCT REVIEW

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

BRIDGESTONE BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T30EVO TIRES

Now Rainy Days on Your Motorcycle Don’t Have to Get You Down Rain, rain go away, little (insert name here) wants to—RIDE THEIR MOTORCYCLE. You know the feeling— when a lousy weather forecast butts heads with your travel plans. Wet roads and puddles don’t play well with motorcycles.

Well, Bridgestone has just engineered a new motorcycle sport touring tire that makes riding in the rain a stickier situation…and that’s a good thing, in our sport.

The Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T30 EVO updates the not-long-ago-introduced Sport Touring T30. The non-EVO version touted a list of modern technologies such as a new rubber compound called RC Polymer/NanoProTech (developed using Moto GP analysis) that maximizes tire stiffness and grip. A new tread pattern improved the tire’s responsiveness. The addition of the tires to my Yamaha FZ6R gave me a more comfortable ride with much better handling.

Since Bridgestone focused much attention on the “sport” portion of the sport touring equation with the T30’s development, they turned their attention this time to the “touring” part with the T30 EVO. And since every touring rider has experienced a deluge or two while on the road, Bridgestone worked to improve the T30 EVO during those more challenging rides.

Bridgestone says it focused on several subtle improvements, retaining the T30’s light handling but improving even more the tire’s straight line stability and wet grip through using an even newer developed tread compound and slightly different tread pattern on the rear tire.

Extending the sub-grooves increased drainage performance and also increased tread rigidity, which added up to an improved contact patch for the tire.

According to Bridgestone, the new compound on this radial tire works in tandem with the new tread design, bettering wet weather performance while even increasing overall handling. This newest compound, called Silica Rich EX, uses even more grip grabbing silica, good not only during wet conditions, but also when the tires aren’t warm, such as during cold temperatures or when just beginning your day’s ride. Bridgestone combines the Silica Rich EX with polymer for long wear (the NanoProTech),and Bridgestone’s 3LC (three layer compound), which gives the tires’ shoulders more grip for cornering but a different compound in the center for better linear handling.

While I haven’t had the opportunity to ride through any deluges since installing them on my 2006 Honda 919 (a dry autumn for us Pennsylvania riders), I can report my bike seems better-than-new with the addition of the T30 EVO’s. I always felt it handled great, but now turn in requires even less effort though it tracks remarkably well in straight-line riding. The ride quality is superior as the annoying bumps and jolts seem to have vanished. While improving the “touring” they absolutely remembered the “sport” part, too.

And while I may not actually look forward to my next ride in the rain, I won’t be as apprehensive about hitting the road then, either.

Bridgestone makes the Battlax T30 EVO tires in one front tire size (120/70ZR17) and two sizes for the rear (160/60ZR17 and 180/55ZR17). For more information on these new sport touring tires visit the Bridgestone website at: www.Bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires. ~ Pamela Collins

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

DENALI DR1 SINGLE INTENSITY LED AUXILIARY LIGHTING FROM TWISTED THROTTLE Hey, see that deer?

What deer?

My point exactly!

Looking for both added conspicuity and night time riding illumination? Then consider the Denali DR1 Single Intensity LED Auxiliary Lighting from Twisted Throttle.

When Twisted Throttle released their first generation Denali LED Lights we had a set mounted immediately and have since gone about trying to break them, ruin them or in some way make them stop working on two separate machines.

One set has been following us along like a little puppy for three different rides and the other has been smashed, pinned and abused many times over yet neither set have yet to fail.

These are very tough LEDs. Now a new generation has been released and they came to us on a Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT, pre-installed by TT. The new DR1 Single Intensity LED Lights are a bit larger than our previous set, but not so large as they look anything but comfortable and stock on the Kawasaki. In fact we think they look better than the Kawasaki lights available as an option.

These LED lights use a large 10° optic that maximizes the distance you can see down the road by concentrating a spot beam pattern at the center of the road. We have found that you can see this beam in the middle of the day – which is very impressive.

These DR1 lights are ideal for night riding, especially in rural conditions where maximum beam distance is desired and ambient light is almost non-existent.

The bright beams are also highly visible to oncoming traffic and make for a far safer ride.

The DR1 LED Lights are easy on the charging system as they only use 10 watts of power per lamp while still tossing a beam of light some 700 feet down the road.

That’s over 4 times further than your typical motorcycle high beam!

Want more from your Denali DR1 Lights? Grab a set of Snap-On Beam Filters to change the beam pattern and prolong the lifespan of the lights.

These lights will mount easily on most machines, although mounting points and correct fitment will vary with models, but is usually very straightforward and easy to do. If you feel it is over your head they can easily be installed at your local shop or dealer.

But, you’re smart – so go figure it out - or Twisted Throttle will be more than happy to assist on specific model advice.

A set of Denali DR1 Single Intensity LED Auxiliary Lighting from Twisted Throttle, complete with full wiring Harness & M8 Mount, lists for $349.99 complete and can be the difference between riding in a way that you can “see and be seen” or struggling along the way with stock lighting.

Call Twisted Throttle at 855-255-5550, or log onto their website at www.twistedthrottle.com.

Page 29

Page 30

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

words: Robert F. Laford Winter is winding down and the days are getting longer and warmer. The buds are soon to pop on the trees, and there is no doubt that spring is in the air. The promise of a warm day in late winter is calling and a perfect time to jump on the bike for a day of solitude through western Massachusetts along the Mohawk Trail.

Massachusetts Route 2, a two-lane picturesque rural highway, crosses the Connecticut River in Franklin County and the road’s markings tell us we are on the “Mohawk Trail.” The trail and this river served as a mediation point between Native American councils of past generations; this is where today’s ride begins. Built in 1932, the steel deck arch bridge that spans the river is named after the “French King Rock” in the river below. The rock was given its name by a military scout during the French and Indian War. The French

King Bridge was an important undertaking linking the communities along the highway. The bridge, just as the river and the valley below, have always held importance for those living in the region throughout the centuries.

The Mohawk Trail is an east-west route from Massachusetts to New York that passes through the Connecticut, Deerfield, and Housatonic River Valleys. Similar to our modern-day interstate highway system, it has served as a post-ice age trading and communications link and as an historic passageway for Native Americans and Colonial Troops throughout our country’s past.

Prior to our European ancestors coming to America, the native population had agreements for shared hunting and fishing concerns throughout the area.

The Pocumtucks, from the Massachusetts area around the Connecticut River Valley, shared salmon fishing spots on the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers with the Mohawks of New York.

In peace time, the trail was a major trade route between peoples of the region; during war time, it was the route traveled by warriors and troops, guides and spies.

Before leaving the Connecticut River Valley, Route 2 skirts around the

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

small city of Greenfield. Because of its proximity to the Connecticut River, Greenfield served as a trade center along the Mohawk Trail for both Native tribes and colonial settlers. Along with the north-south corridor supported by the Connecticut River, Greenfield is also home to the confluence of the Green and Deerfield Rivers.

Heading west from Greenfield, Route 2 climbs Shelburne Mountain out of the river valley. A few miles down the road, we follow the signs for one of the villages and pull off the main highway onto a local road.

The road curves through a residential neighborhood then turns onto a traditional hometown USA Main Street. This is Shelburne Falls, and the Main Street is called Bridge Street hugging the Deerfield River. Prior to European settlers arriving here in the 1700’s, the falls were a favorite fishing spot for the Native Americans.

Page 31 Explorers still visit Shelburne Falls today. They come as tourists to visit the Glacial Potholes at the base of the Salmon Falls or to take in the Bridge of Flowers along an old trolley bridge. They may stroll through the shops and visit the local crafters. From farther out west, they come as filmmakers transforming the village into real-life sets for modern day movies such as “Labor Day” and “The Judge.”

Exiting the village and getting back on Route 2, the Mohawk Trail continues west along river’s edge. It is easy to contemplate past generations of Native Americans and early settlers taking advantage of the river’s resources for fishing, transportation, and hunting.

Similarly, the present day resources of the river impress visitors with its natural beauty—sightseeing, tubing and whitewater rafting, along with modern day fishermen who appreciate the magic that earlier inhabitants found in the river. While the weather hasn’t warmed enough to partake, signs along the Mohawk Trail entice passersby to stop and take advantage of nearby “Tube and Kayak Rentals” and the Canopy “Zip-lines,” testifying to the fact that present-day residents still rely on the region’s natural resources for their livelihood.

The transformations appearing in nearby fields and pastures are precursors to the change of season that is almost upon us. The bare trees have shaken the winter snows and are nearing their time to bloom. Some hardwoods along the marshy bogs already hint at greens soon to be. A flock of Canada geese rests in the roadside field before beginning their day’s journey, discussing whether they truly wish to head north at this time, while a great blue heron

Page 32

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

is seen on the river’s bank where the current bends near the road. He sits patiently on the mud’s edge enjoying the sun and trying his luck at fishing.

A few miles further on, we pass through Charlemont, another New England town complete general store and a wave from its exiting patrons.

Shortly after passing through town, we roll to a stop at the “Hail to the Sunrise” Memorial Park, an early morning place of solitude dedicated to the area’s Native American forefathers. The monument depicts a Mohawk Indian looking to the east with arms uplifted to the Great Spirit; it is a memorial to the Five Indian Nations of the Mohawk Trail and serves as a reminder of the area’s Native American heritage.

Journeying further westward, the Mohawk Trail and Route 2 ascends into the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. The route is sparsely populated, but during the peak foliage of a New England autumn the road becomes very busy with leaf peepers searching for that spectacular view of the colors that paint the majestic hills and quiet valleys.

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From the Deerfield River in the lowlands, the ascent into the Berkshire Mountains begins with its companion, the Cold River.

Out of the river valley, this wonderfully winding route climbs through the mountain pass. This section of the Mohawk Trail was all but destroyed by Hurricane Irene in 2011. In the months that followed, the road was completely rebuilt offering today’s rider fresh, smooth tarmac through the mountains. However, here and there the roadside river banks and mountainsides still have visual clues and scars of the destruction caused by Irene’s short stay in Massachusetts.

Our ride passes through parts of Savoy and into the town of Florida, Massachusetts, as we crest the top of Florida Mountain to view the open valley to the west. Our descent is quick and steep passing on a hairpin switchback as Route 2 winds its way back down the mountain and into North Adams, some 1,500 feet below the summit.

Early growth of North Adams was around its water resources, the mills and the factories that sprang up along the banks of the Hoosic River. Its industrial fate, similar to countless communities in New England, has diminished over the past four decades. The town’s industrial past is still evident

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016 in the re-use of the classic factory architecture. The city has become a center for tourism, culture and recreation and is home to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, or MASS MoCA. Just past the city’s center, we turn up Notch Road into Mount Greylock State Reservation. A variety of hiking opportunities are available for those who wish to trek up the mountain on foot. But today’s objective is to ride the recently resurfaced mountain road to the summit of Mount Greylock, the

Page 33 highest point in Massachusetts. The Appalachian Trail passes over the mountain’s 3,491 foot summit, with breathtaking views of Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.

Legend has it that author Herman Melville set up a special observation deck at his western Massachusetts home to view nearby Mount Greylock. It is believed that the mountain’s saddleback profile was the inspiration for the great white whale in Melville’s novel Moby Dick.

Crowning the highest point in Massachusetts is the Massachusetts Veterans

War Memorial Tower. The memorial was dedicated in June 1933 as a tribute to the “courage, endurance, loyalty and self-sacrifice, wherever these qualities have been shown, by the state’s men and women in the uniform of the state or the nation.”

Henry David Thoreau visited Mount Greylock on foot in 1844 and penned his appreciation of the mountain’s solitude and peace. His sentiments, carved into a stone at the mountain’s summit, are left there for us to ponder.

Our visit to the mountain was not accompanied by an “ocean of mist,” as Thoreau experienced, but with bright blue skies and perfect views in every direction. Like Thoreau over 150 years ago, the Native Americans who passed over this land for thousands of years, the hikers, bicyclists, and the other visitors with whom we shared a smile and a wave, we all appreciate the solitude and beauty that surrounds us.

The Mohawk Trail continues westward into Williamstown and across the Taconic Trail into New York. Options for today’s ride, however, are limited and it is time for us to turn towards home. The decent down the mountain points us back to the obligations that await us, and for the next ride that awaits its planning.

Where are you headed this year? Now’s the time to pull out the maps and put some destinations together.

Page 34

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

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The all-new 2017 Victory Octane is the two-wheeled expression of that concept, with a modern twist.

This is raw adrenaline that rules the streets. A 1200cc, liquid-cooled V-twin—Victory’s first-ever liquidcooled engine—utilizes dual overhead cams and four-valve heads to rev beyond 8000 rpm and put down an authoritative 104 horsepower. That’s more horsepower than any Victory motorcycle ever built. And weighing just 528 pounds, it’s the lightest Victory motorcycle ever built, too. No surprise, then, that Octane is also the quickest Victory down the quarter-mile, and the fastest from 0-60 mph, too. And with a price starting at just $10,499, Octane runs in a class of its own.

For more information please visit www.victorymotorcycles.com or your local Victory dealer.

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The Z125 PRO is a visually striking motorcycle with styling that’s a little on the dark side. It not only has edgy looks, but it’s also a blast to ride. It fits into that perfect package for those desiring a small, pressure-free motorcycle with plenty of capabilities, low price (MSRP $2,999) and great gas mileage. Ideal for someone looking for a real motorcycle, but without the high pressure and costs associated with a larger bike. Thanks to the performance-oriented suspension, easy maneuverability and high fun level, it’s also a motorcycle you won’t soon outgrow. The Z125 PRO was built for the pureness of the riding experience.

The Z125 PRO, the newest member of the Kawasaki Z family, is unique in that it was designed for two seemingly opposing targets in the motorcycling market: both beginner riders and veterans alike. The Z125 PRO is great for beginner riders who want a real motorcycle without the intimidation, high seat heights or expense. The Z125 PRO is also great for those experienced, fun-loving, thrill-seeking riders who want a second bike to ride around town or through the pits at the local racetrack. It’s the dark side of fun.

With a user-friendly seat height of 30.7 inches and a low weight of 224.8 pounds, the Z125 PRO is one of the lightest and nimblest road bikes you’ll ever own. Its light weight and low seat height also makes it easy for almost any rider to maneuver. The Z125 PRO’s chassis is designed to accommodate two-up riding and with the large 2-gallon fuel tank, it’ll keep you on the road longer between fuel stops. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer for more information or www.kawasaki.com

Page 36

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

four boys ice creAm 3 TENNENT AVE, ENGLISHTOWN, NJ • 732-446-3452 • FOURBOYSICECREAM.COM MON-THURS: NOON-9:30PM • FRI-SUN: 11AM-9:30PM This month’s stop on Shira’s ice cream run came by way of necessity. Over the years and miles, my trusty F650GS (it’s an 800, dammit!) began to sag a bit – don’t we all. Feeling the need to give it a bit of a lift, we ordered up a new shock and headed to our friends at EPM Performance in Tennent, NJ. Klaus Huenecke, renowned for his expertise in all types of suspension technology, did his usual excellent job with installation of the Hyperpro, and I was set for many more happy miles on the road.

Being ever vigilant on my quest to bring you some great ice cream stops, I spied a stand when turning onto the road leading to EPM. Making note, on our return, I requested an investigating venture to Four Boys Ice Cream and Luncheonette. I was not disappointed with the stopover.

The whole operation is a family affair. There’s Pete and JoAnn, the Becker parents, along with Danny (the eldest), Dave, Luke and Jake (youngest). Back in 1999, Danny suggested they get an ice cream truck, which they did, and began their neighborhood ice cream routes. One truck turned into five, working neighborhoods in Freehold, Manalapan (their hometown) and Marlboro. They graduated to brick and mortar shops in 2005 with the flagship Four Boys Ice Cream in Englishtown, then adding their other spot in Jamesburg in 2012. They supplemented these with concessions and trailers ‘down the shore’ during the summer months.

Pete and Danny work the business full time, with the rest of the family chipping in when available. Danny, the reason for this whole shebang, makes all the homemade ice cream from his recipes. As JoAnn says, “We make every drop of ice cream. Not many places can say that.”

While it was sort of off season when we made our stop, the young ladies behind the sliding glass windows were more than happy to see us and, with big smiles, took our order and handed us our selections, made from quite an assortment. There was chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, of course, followed by coffee, mint chocolate chip and butter pecan. Bringing up the out-of-the-ordinary were double fudge brownie, cherry vanilla, vanilla peanut butter and coconut. Not to be left out, there was cotton candy, banana, maple walnut, chocolate nut surprise and red velvet. With a plethora of recipes under his belt, Danny keeps the traditional and rotates in the others.

You can have your ice cream in a cup or sugar cone or opt up to a waffle cone or bowl or specialty cone, such as chocolate dipped or with sprinkles. If you need a little more than just ice cream, there are sundaes, splits and brownie barges as well as slushes, egg creams, shakes and floats. Should you prefer your 5 Spacious Rooms dairy in swirly form, they make their own soft serve also. starting at $100.00

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 37

We sat at on of their outdoor tables, in the afternoon sun, to enjoy our treats, which were creamy, full-bodied flavored and just the thing to sate our sweet tooth for the ride home.

Sharing space with Four Boys is a luncheonette.

When we were there, it looked like the place was in transition. If you stop in now, and you happen to need some sustenance before dessert, take a seat at Burger Town Bistro for, what sounds like, a very tasty burger and some crispy, crunchy potato chips or fries. I’m sure the rest of their menu is worth the calories, but as we haven’t had the opportunity, we cannot verify.

You’ll have to take our word that the ice cream you’ll have afterwards will be worth the stop.

Four Boys Ice Cream’s other location can be found in Jameburg, NJ at 215 Forsgate Drive with operation hours of Mon-Thurs from 1:30-9:30 and Fri-Sun from noon to 9:30pm. Should you require more information, you can drop Danny and crew an email at fourboyssent@aol.com.

Enjoy your treats and we’ll see you at our next ice cream stop. Happy riding…

Here comes the spring!

Page 38

Here’s a little recap of a Retro Tour I took with Joel Samick and others to Chincoteague Island. When traveling I try to use as many places recommended in Backroads Magazine. I have the usual old guy’s stable of motorcycles, preferring to use an ’07 R1200 GS for longer trips. I routed a ride that took me from home, near Albany, NY, to Millheim, PA, and on to Kennett Square, PA., where I would pick up the Retro Tour.

The ride to Millheim consisted of some nice PA twisties, and plenty of unpaved roads. The Triple Creek Inn was quite a treat – as quirky as it gets, and the Brew Pub across the street was excellent.

More miles of unpaved forest roads took me down to US 22, where I headed east for breakfast at Top’s Diner on 22, at the north end of PA 829. From there it was south and southwest to the exceptional Six Mile Run, and finally PA 26. I’ve been staying at the Inn & Spa in Berkeley Springs since my uncle Ed, a local resident, passed away. The food isn’t bad, and the service is friendly.

Pennsylvania back roads took me to Kennett Square, where the route sheet I made six years ago got me to Joel and Lynn’s place.

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

You may have heard of Retro Tours.

Joel is a collector of vintage two-cylinder motorcycles, some of which have been reviewed by Clement Salvadori on the back pages of Rider magazine. This collection is maintained in good order, and the bikes are used for the tours that Joel organizes during the riding season.

The two-day tour I’d signed up for would be approximately 500 miles on 500cc machines. Larger machines, including a Harley XLCR, are available for longer tours.

For a small extra fee, participants can stay at Joel and Lynn’s before and after the tour. Lynn is an excellent cook, as well as an accomplished motorcycle rider. It should also be noted that they keep kosher.

Our group consisted of four participants; me: a farmer/retired welder, Jim: an artist/printer/retired teacher, Dave: who is in law enforcement, and Richard: a teacher and expert chain saw sculptor. Some of Richard’s work is on display at Joel’s. We are all experienced riders, which is a good thing, as some of the bikes are kick start, and some have right hand shift, and tricky or absent turn signals.

Each machine is equipped with a tank bag and a luggage rack with bungee cords. There is no chase vehicle, so it’s a must to pack light and waterproof.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 39

I had selected a late 60’s 500cc Triumph twin. The other bikes included a CB 500 Honda, a Moto Guzzi, a Moto Morini, and a RD 400 Yamaha two stroke. A unique part of a Retro Tour is that you get to ride every bike around 100 miles. At each gas stop, riders switch bikes, checking with their new mount’s previous rider about the various idiosyncrasies of the machine. A short ride around the lot, and we’re back on the road.

Joel, of course leads the pack on a preplanned route. He sets a brisk pace advising that we ride our own ride, and disregard any testosterone influence. This proved difficult, as there were a surprising number of 20 mph curves on the flatlands of the peninsula. Each

rider is responsible for the one following. No one got lost, there were no crashes, and only a few “pucker” moments.

Stops on Saturday included the museum at Dover AFB, and an “almost” tour of the Wallops Island NASA center.

Joel’s friend Keith works at the center, and on a previous tour had managed to gain access for a small group of 3 or so.

This day the guards were not so kind, denying entrance for our group of 6.

We stayed at a motel on Chincoteague Island, and dined at a decent restaurant a half-mile walk away. So far, no wild horses.

Sunday we wandered up to Assateague in search of the elusive critters.

Again no horse sightings, but plenty of evidence mounded up on the road.

I guess no trip in this area would be complete without the congestion of Ocean City. A personal thrill here was trying to find reserve on the RD 400 while surrounded by 40 mph traffic. Someone told me later that the petcock was “sticky” – an understatement.

A word about the bikes: Everyone had a favorite. Mine happened to be the RD 400. Even though it got the worst gas mileage, always on reserve at 75 miles, it was still the most fun to ride. The Guzzi was my second choice.

Good power, handling brakes, and ergonomics. The Honda was sort of a “vanilla” machine – electric start, good ergonomics, etc., but not much soul.

Sort of like the ’14 CB 500 X that I used for daily transportation. The Moto Morini, to me, was the bike from hell. It handled, powered, and stopped OK,

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MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS DAYTONA, BIKETOBERFEST, STURGIS AND BEYOND

but it sure didn’t fit me and my size 13 boots. Also, the seat was about like an oaken 2 x 6. When Dave stalled the Triumph and couldn’t restart it, I offered to get it going if he’d take back the Morini. He agreed, and the old, tired British twin fired on my first kick. I rode enduros on one of these in the late 60’s/early 70’s, so there’s a certain mojo involved.

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Each machine is equipped with an SAE type male/female connector for devices and heated gear. Unfortunately on old bikes such as these the electrics seldom keep up with the heated gear, and the headlamp will suffer. The cooler weather on Sunday caused a little discomfort, but it was all part of the adventure.

Upon arriving back in Kennett Square we were treated to another one of Lynn’s masterpiece dinners by a warm fireplace. Richard and his wife Lauraine left for Long Island, Dave took off on his ST 1300 for eastern PA, and Jim and I stayed overnight.

There was frost on the meadow Monday morning, but the sun was out, the Gordon’s jacket was turned on, and I was off to Thisilldous in Belviedere for a late breakfast and the run up 519/521 to Port Jervis and familiar roads home through the western Catskills.

If you want to try a Retro Tour, contact Joel Samick @ 610-608-7430 and check out their website @ www.retrotours.com. ~ Jake Herzog

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Page 42

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

Early March can always be a crapshoot when it comes to what Mother Nature can and will throw at you weatherwise.

But, regardless of the temps, precip and snowpack the dates don’t lie and you know we are on the downslope from winter.

This time of year all the good signs are present - the crocus are beginning to push out, there is the sound of balls coming off bats in the south and the Modern Classics Motorcycle Show will roll into the beautiful and spacious Martin Moto in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Now in its 6th year the Modern Classics features 100+ motorcycles, all from the early 60s through the end of the century.

This year’s theme revolved around the very competitive machines that ran Motocross, Trials and Enduro tracks of the time.

In addition, this day, you would find a huge dance card of other machines that, I am sure, made up a big part of many of our own personal riding histories.

Although I have always appreciated the machines from the start of motorcycling’s previous century through the 1950s – the machines that are featured at the Modern Classic are bikes that I know and machines that guys my age grew up with, cut our teeth on and still lust after - sometimes with more emotion than sense. But, more on that a bit later.

We had heard such great things each year about this event (featuring an article on the show last year in Backroads) and it has well become the event that heralds the coming riding season and draws well over 1,300 enthusiasts over the day and a half it is open to the public (Friday night & all day Saturday). We were not going to miss it this time around the sun.

A few of us gathered early on Saturday, March 5th and piled into the Durango (make mine a Hemi, please), making the short 90 mile run from Backroads Central to Boyertown, PA and Martin Moto.

Although brisk, it was sunny and pleasant and there were a good deal of classic machines parked outside – all ridden in by riders coming to the show.

We thought of it as added value.

Admission to the event, which is held throughout Martin Moto, now transformed from multi-marque dealership (all the Japanese makes plus Triumph and Motus) into eclectic moto museum, was just $10 – well worth every cent.

Although the lots were fairly full and there were plenty of folks taking in the event it was very easy to get up close to each and every machine featured in this year’s Modern Classic. Looking around I could see so many attendees pointing out little facts or telling little anecdotes of when they had this very same bike - or at least something close.

Each machine had a small card telling you about the machine, its background and some with humorous stories to go along with the bike.

We all know every machine has a story and Martin Moto brought each bike to life in this way.

In the center of it all famed artist Mokoto Endo was creating a painting of the equally famous Britton V1000 – his works are always stunning to see as well as being a bit unusual and different, as are his methods. The artist, originally from Niigata, Japan, creates his painting using chopsticks.

Most of us make a struggle of it with sushi.

Strolling around the shop, following the little roadway that dominates the

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 43 showroom floor and walks you around the building, I did a quick lap and then began to explore the individual motorcycles one by one.

There were so many really remarkable machines. Some famed for the looks or their (at the time) cutting edge technology; others just machines that struck a chord in my memory.

I remember pestering my parents for some of the small enduro machines and mini bikes. Historic bikes that made their mark on the moto world in some fashion or another.

I constantly ran into friends that I have made over my 40 plus years, both riding and in the industry, each seeming to want to point out a different machine that got their adrenaline running just by seeing it.

My friend David asked if I had seen the Greeves on the other side of the showroom. I had indeed – taking mental note that I sing of this British brand every time I play Richard Thompson’s 52 Vincent on guitar.

“Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves’ won’t do Ahh, they don’t have a soul like a Vincent 52.”

In truth I had never really seen a Greeves and neither had he; claiming he’d only seen them in out of focus race images from back in the day. This bike is like the Bigfoot of motorcycles – legendary, hardly seen and naturally out of focus. But, here was one crystal clear.

Other bikes stood out and try as I would I could not pick a favorite, nor vote for one over the other for the trophies that were to be awarded later in the day. People’s Choice First Place was awarded to Justin Reid’s ‘72 Triumph 650 Custom.

One bike that did stand out – not only for being on a platform, but also being a very modern machine from the current Kawasaki lineup was the H2 – part fighter jet, part superbike - it almost looked out of place among the more middle age machines; except that it was nosed up against a classic Kawasaki H2 three cylinder two-stroke.

The juxtaposition between the two was striking, cool, sexy and very savvy placement-wise by the Martin’s crew.

I had a soft spot for the Honda 350 Four – as the color scheme, fit and finish was outstanding. Other machines like the Honda Hawk reminded me of the great following this bike created while other motorcycles, like the Yamaha Vision, struck me as bikes that never raised any bars or eyebrows but were still a staple of the riding community for a long, long time years back.

We all know “what comes around goes around” and it was amusing to see the light green 1972 Honda CB350 Scrambler whose styling cues are being copied for the youngish Hipster crowd by almost every manufacturer these days as the newest styling on the planet and latest “cool look” design. Page 45

Page 44

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

For many years now we have heard of the midwinter motorcycle show held just north of Baltimore, Maryland at the state fair grounds in Timonium.

With a free Valentine weekend upon us, as well as crazy cold temperatures dropping in from the top of the planet, we thought it would be a fun excursion to go and take in the show so many talk about.

If you live in the northeast you will remember this was the weekend that brutal cold came sweeping in and reached far south into the nation.

Was that really a minus 25 wind chill?

Still, single digit temps did not keep back the crowds as the Timonium Motorcycle Show drew hardy (really hardy, as there were folks who rode in) crowds all weekend long.

Unlike the more polished, badly scheduled and antiseptic IMS that has been held in New York in mid December, the promoters of this show in Maryland clearly understand that timing is everything. Regardless of the plummeting mercury everyone that attended the Timonium Show knew that March and spring were right around the corner and not more than a few months away.

We found the show to be very down to Earth and a bit more aimed at the biker than the motorcyclists crowd. Many great customs were on display as well as the opportunity to see just about every new machine and model currently available.

No, the manufacturers were not there in person but rather individual shops were represented, like our friends from Bob’s BMW who had a huge space with almost the entire BMW line on hand. Most of the other brands were equally represented as well.

Even though the show did have a world’s worth of machines to be seen it still had a distinctly American rider feel to it. Maybe a bit more Daytona and less Hoot if you get my drift, but there was something that sealed the deal for us to travel down to Maryland this weekend and that was that the Timonium Motorcycle Show, always looking to expand and improve the reach of the show, had a section dedicated to world motorcycle travel and tourism.

Along with this substantial bit of real estate given to these adventurers they had a number of seminars given by a strong list of the “Who’s Who” on this side of the motorcycle universe.

It was impressive to see and hear the likes of Simon & Lisa Thomas (Lessons from the Road), Rene Cormier (Around the World for $25/Day), the Bordens of the Adventure Trio - Sandy, Terry & son Jack (1 Family, 2 Motorcycles, 15 Months, 15 Countries-Share the Adventure), who took a long ride with their young son and rode from California down through South America. Now that is a REAL education for any child! Adventuress Steph Jeavons also had talks and a booth as well as the famed Edelweiss Bike Travel, Ayres Adventures John Jesson and Rob & Gretchen Beach.

Rob runs Beach’s Motorcycle Adventure and has more single-handed experience running great motorcycle tours than anyone else I have ever met.

To see all of them on the same stage talking world travel on two-wheels was quite special.

If you have a hankerin’ to get going this was a good place to start getting your mind wrapped around this idea.

As you might think, we found ourselves coming back to this section again and again.

Strolling around the large fair grounds there were plenty of vendors selling motorcycle and some non-motorcycle related wares and a great selection of classic machines as well. It was all good and made for a great day south of the Mason-Dixon line for us and, even with the snowstorm that was coming in just a few days, the Timonium Motorcycle Show could not have come at a more perfect time.

Look for the Timonium Motorcycle Show to return February 10-12, 2017 and visit their web site at cycleshow.net for more information.

A MIDWINTER OASIS

Thursday, June 9th Lake George, NY $ 20 donation per person Meet: 10am • KSU 10:30 sharp Sun Castle Resort/Inn at Erlowest 3178 Lake Shore Dr - Route 9N Upper Lot - 1.5 miles north of village RSVP • Due to the limited group size we ask that you let us know you’re attending email: brian@backroadsusa.com This will be an all-day event, returning back toward Lake George mid-afternoon

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 45

I wondered how many of us have that little left leg tattoo from this bike’s high exhaust and how many new riders will learn about this ‘rite of fire’ as well.

I think, at the end of my few hours at the Modern Classics Show at Martin Moto, was the happy realization of a motolife well spent.

The people who came to Martin Moto and the Modern Classics on this chilly March day were there to see a multi-faceted treasure.

The machines to be seen here represented, not only the great engineering, styling and industry of the fairly recent past - but also the collective memories and lives of the folks that came to see, appreciate and remember these wonderful motorcycles.

The Modern Classics is not just a motorcycle show… but a ride though the living memories that have made us the riders that we are today.

On the way home we stopped at a nearby diner for lunch. Walking out we spied a pickup with a 1974 Kawasaki Z1 in the bed.

For sale. Picture taken and sent to the boss; all I got in reply was “Ruh-ohh ?$?” Ahh – if it was a ‘73!

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Page 46

APRIL 2016 • BACKROADS

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival Peter Miller What causes motorcycle crashes? A look behind the numbers.

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re at a party, picnic or some family gathering. The subject of motorcycles comes up and naturally (you are reading this magazine, right?) you announce that you ride. The non-riders in the conversation immediately want to tell you about their cousin, brother, neighbor, whoever, who met a tragic end or suffered some horrible injury on a motorcycle. When I am subjected to these stories I want to ask the person, was your cousin, brother, neighbor, whoever, drinking? A new rider? Speeding?

Not wearing a helmet and appropriate protective gear? Unlicensed to ride a motorcycle? Chances are the answer may be “yes” to one or several of those questions.

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. Numbers from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can easily make that point. National statistics and statistics from individual states demonstrate that although motorcycles account for approximately 3 percent of all vehicles registered on our highways, they account for 15 percent of motor vehicle fatalities. More damning is the fact that motorcycles account for about 0.7 percent of vehicle miles traveled1. My purpose for this article is not to alarm you with these statistics but instead demonstrate that by adhering to some common sense rules motorcycling can be a very safe activity. Many motorcyclists ride many thousands of miles every year without incident and have done so for many, many years. Probably many of you reading this article fit that description. To understand the difference between riders who have been all over the country, the world, safely on two wheels as opposed to the riders who help comprise the above statistics it is necessary to look beyond those figures.

In a report “Countermeasures That Work, Highway Safety Countermeasures Guide for State Highway Offices, Seventh Edition, 2013 NHTSA” the Governors Traffic Safety Council identified key causative factors for motorcycle crashes as well as ways to minimize injuries in the event of a crash.

RIDE LIKE A PRO NJ Jerry ‘Motorman’ Palladino’s Training Classes Being Held in New Jersey ‘NEVER FEAR making a U-turn or dropping your 800lb. motorcycle again’ • Male-Female-Big-Small: It doesn’t matter • You can learn the 3 simple techniques that motor cops have been using for years • Our instructors - all active or retired motor officers - will show you how to use the motor cop riding techniques to better control and handle your motorcycle

Check our website for available dates

www.RideLikeAProNJ.com Pre-registration is recommended as classes fill quickly.

Gift certificates available • Course Fee is $175.00

Impaired operation, unlicensed/inexperience operation, speeding, lack of DOT compliant helmets and motorists unawareness top the list. These topics will be addressed individually in a series of articles. This article will focus on the first of those topics, Impaired Operation.

Impaired operation of a motor vehicle means just that; your ability to operate your vehicle (motorcycle) is impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. The legal threshold for intoxication while operating a motor vehicle (motorcycles are motor vehicles) is .08 BAC. That means that there is .08 grams of alcohol per 100 grams of blood in your body. Factors such as size, gender, physical condition, food consumed, sleep, medications and the amount of alcohol in your chosen drink all help impact the BAC level. But .08 is the legal limit.

Many studies have demonstrated that at .04 percent your ability to operate a vehicle (read car) is “significantly affected”. What about a motorcycle? Alcohol slows reflexes, creates problems with your vision, causes a loss of self control, slows hand eye coordination, decreases reaction time, impairs muscle coordination and causes drowsiness. If you think these effects impact your ability to operate a car imagine the impact they have on riding a motorcycle.

According to NHTSA2 motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2013 had higher intoxication rates than any other type of driver: more than 27 percent. Car operators came in at 24 percent. Another 8 percent of motorcyclists reportedly had .01 - .07 percent BAC. 42 percent of motorcyclists involved in single vehicle fatal crashes were legally intoxicated! On weekend nights between 9 pm and 3 am more than 65% of fatality injured motorcyclists were intoxicated!3 With this information in mind perhaps it’s time the community rethinks its philosophy on consuming alcohol while riding. Is it responsible to provide attendees of motorcycle rallies and poker runs with beer during or at the end of such events? Is it smart for motorcyclists to attend “Bike Nights” at their favorite bars? There is just too much at stake to the motorcyclists, passenger and family for him/her to consume alcohol while riding. Fortunately there are many groups and organizations who share this thought. They love to ride

BACKROADS • APRIL 2016

Page 47

and enjoy adult libations, but at the end of the ride.

Remember my stated purpose for this article, demonstrating how motorcycling can be a much safer activity? If no one rode their motorcycle under the influence of alcohol could we eliminate 65 percent of fatal crashes on weekend nights? Maybe. Could forty one percent of fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes be eliminated? It’s possible. Are some riders their own worst enemy? Yes. If we want to make motorcycling safer there are many things we can do. The first step would be to not drink and ride and to encourage all your riding friends to do the same.

1. NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Data Motorcycles. June 2014 DOT HS 812 035 2. NHTSA 2013 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview December 2012 DOT HS 812 101 3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic safety facts, 2012 data, motorcycles. DOT HS 81035 June 2014

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UP C OM I N G E VE NT S CAL END AR EVERY MONTH - WEATHER PERMITTING Every Thursday • Bike Night at the Chatterbox Drive-In, Rtes. 15/206, Augusta, NJ. Tire kicking, good food and friends • www.chatterboxdrivein.com Every Saturday • 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 • www.bergenharleydavidson.com

APRIL 2016

What’s Happening 11-19 • Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, NH. America’s Original Riding Rally. One of the Big 3 • www.laconiamcweek.com • 603-366-2000 15 • Blue Knights NJ IX 29th Gooch’s Garlic Run to benefit three local families with children having catastrophic illness. Start @ 4pm: Rockaway TownSquare Mall, exit 35A, Rte. 80 West/exit 35, Rte. 80 east, Rockaway, NJ. escorted ride leaves 6:30pm SHARP. $20 registration. end: Newark Ironbound section with vendors and live music.

More info: www.BKNJIX.org 23-26 • Johnstown PA Thunder in the Valley • www.JohnstownThunder.com

9-10 • Toronto International Motorcycle SpringShow. International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd, Toronto, Canada. Sat: 9a-9p; Sun. 10a-5p. $18 adults; $5 under 12. Free parking.

Details: www.motorcyclespringshow.com

18 • 11AM • Riding Cuba presented by Bob’s BMW Motorcycles & MotoDiscovery @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles,10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. Bob Henig, owner of Bob’s BMW, and Skip Mascarro, founder of MotoDiscovery, will be sharing exciting stories and amazing photographs from their epic adventure, followed by Q&A. Guests will also be provided details for a SeCOND Cuba adventure, scheduled for November 2016! you won’t want to miss this great opportunity! Visit bobsbmw.com for event details

16 • Spring Open House, Morton's BMW Motorcycles, 5099A Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Day of demo rides, door prizes, barbecue, vendors, music, and much more! Details at www.mortonsbmw.com or call 540-891-9844.

25-26 • 7th Annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges @ Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ featuring Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Blues Traveler, Pure Prairie League and more.

Barbecue fans will enjoy the juried rib cook-off • www.rocksribsandridges.com

3 • MeetUp & Ride with Bob’s Road Crew @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. exciting group ride led by Bob! Details visit bobsbmw.com

23 • Spring Open House @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. Bob’s BIGGeST event of the year!enjoy food, vendors, door prizes, and more! Visit bobsbwm.com for more details 28-May 1 • Horizons Unlimited Virginia Travellers Meeting, Appomattox, VA. Near historic Appomattox, hundreds of world-traveling motorcyclists will gather for a weekend dedicated to overland travel. Travel presentations, seminars. workshops, vendors, offroad training, ride-outs and great food in a comfortable and scenic lakeside setting.

Details at www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/virginia-2016

MAY 2016 1 • 18th Annual Metro Collectors Show, 15 Perrin Ave, Pompton Lakes, NJ • 8am-1pm rain or shine. Free parking and admission. Detail www.metropetro.weebly.com 6-8 • Mountain Moxie presented by Moto Girl Cafe. The Switzerland Inn, 86 High Ridge Rd, Little Switzerland, NC. Three-day event dedicated to women who love motorcycling and the men who ride with them. Presentations by the motorcycle industry's leading women, scheduled during breakfast and dinner hours so there's plenty of time to enjoy the great roads in the area. Details: www.motogirlcafemountainmoxie.com 6-8 • BUZZARD BOTTOM 9 by Poverty Riders International and Buzzard Brent, High Country Motorcycle Camp, Ferguson, NC, just 20 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Camping fee of $12 per night with meals available by donation and volunteers. Directions and map download: www.highcountrymotorcyclecamp.com. Contact Brent @ 336 973-3911 or email brent.hcmc@gmail.com.

14-15 • NeW SWeDeN 450. Start: Cycle Gear, 2070 Rte. 70 east, Cherry Hill, N. end: PJ Whelihans Pub, 1854 Rte 70 east, Cherry Hill, NJ. Sign in: 8:30-10am. 450 miles of amazing roads through the Delaware Valley area, one night of camping, hearty dinner and breakfast with 100 of your fellow riders, all for under $60. Finishing patches this year. Details: 450.nsbmwr.com • email: ns450@newswedenbmwriders.com 13-15 • Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park hosts Historic Oval Invitation for vintage racecars and the Thompson Vintage Motorcycle Classic featuring on-track activities, massive Swap Meet Marketplace, Manufacturer’s Midway Vendor, Antique Motorcycle Show and much more • www.thompsonspeedway.com

JULY 2016 9-10 • 40th Annual Running of the Ramapo 500™. Sign in: Ramapo MC Clubhouse, Veterans Memorial Assoc. Bldg, 66 Lake Rd, Congers, Ny • endsite: Rhodes North Tavern, 40 Orange Tpke (Rte. 17) Sloatsburg, Ny @ 7am. $45 advanced reistration/$60 day of event. Two-day 500-mile gorgeous ride with free camping with pool, Sat. dinner, Sun. breakfast, awards and prizes, starter pins and finisher patches. GPS route upload service for add’l fee. ramapomc.org 17 • Ride for Kids UTICA. Deerfield Volunteer Fire Dept, 5476 Trenton Rd, Deerfield, Ny • Registration: 8-9:30am • Kickstands Up: 10am. Details: rideforkids.org 25 • Sharpen your skills and build confidence at the track. The Street Skills Riding Academy is conducting a Cornering Skills Instructional Track Day just for street riders at the New york Safety Track in Oneonta, Ny. Pre-registration required. Info: 585-8029859 • jon@streetskills.net • streetskills.net 31 • MeetUp & Ride with Bob’s Road Crew @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. exciting group ride led by Bob! Details visit bobsbmw.com

AUGUST 2016 7 • Ride for Kids Hudson Valley. Central Valley elementary School, 45 Route 32, Central Valley, Ny. Registration: 8-9:30am • Kickstands Up: 10am. Details: rideforkids.org.

7 • Ride for Kids Western PA. Seneca Valley High School, 128 Seneca School Rd, Harmony, PA. Registration: 8:30-9:30am • Kickstands Up: 10:30am. Details: rideforkids.org.

18-21 • Touratech Rally east, Huntingdon, PA. Details: touratechrally.com.

28 • Ride for Kids New england. Bose Corporation, 100 The Mountain Rd, Framingham, MA • Registration: 8-9:30am • Kickstands Up: 10am. Details: rideforkids.org.

SEPTEMBER 2016 9-11 • Vermont BMW MC present the 34th Green Mountain Rally, Goshen, VT. In the midst of the Green Mountains, enjoy the best home cooking (Fri/Sat dinners, Sat/Sun breakfasts), great Vermont self-guided tours, Gap and GS rides, live bluegrass music Friday night, door prizes and awards ceremony Sat. night, hot showers, camping, bonfires and an hour of New england storytelling. Details: vtbmwmov.org/rally

15 • Ramapo Motorcycle Club Spring Fun Run. Sign in/endsite: Rhodes North Tavern, 40 Orange Tpke (Rte 17) Sloatsburg, Ny • 9am til mid-afternoon. To benefit Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital. A designated route along some of the Hudson Valley’s most interesting roads, with stops for poker/dice/scrabble or other games, with a chance to win prizes, while supporting a worthy cause. ramapomc.org

18 • 33rd Annual Italian Motorcycle Meet by IMOC. 10am-3pm; judging at Noon. Featured Marque: Aprilia. Admission: $10/single, $15/2-up. Hamilton Rod & Gun Club, 24 Hamilton Rd, Sturbridge, MA. For full details visit www.imocusa.com or call 248-4705788 • 401-397-4253

19-20 • COG Spring Fling Regional Rally, Williamsport, PA. For details, registration or contacts visit tinyurl.com/COGSpringFling2016

18 • Ride for Kids Philadelphia. The event Center by Cornerstone, 46 N.Sugan Rd, New Hope, PA. Registration: 8:30-9:30am • Kickstands up: 10:30am. Details: rideforkids.org

21 • Grand Re-Opening of Bob’s BMW Vintage Museum @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. NOW BIGGeR THAN eVeR! Showcasing over 65 vintage and classic BMW motorcycles under one roof along with thousands of unique parts, accessories, and other collectibles dating back to 1923. Details: bobsbmw.com

24 • Bob’s BMW Fall Open House Oktoberfest & Swap Meet. 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. Details: bobsbmw.com

20-22 •Morton’s BMW Motorcycle Spring Fling Rally. For full details check their website: www.mortonsbmw.com 20-22 • 2nd Annual Red Knights Motorcycle Club yankee Rally. Open to any Red Knight members. Bolero Resort, Wildwood, NJ. Details: www.redknightsmc.com 29 • MeetUp & Ride with Bob’s Road Crew @ Bob’s BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. exciting group ride led by Bob! Details: bobsbmw.com 26-30 • BACKROADS SPRING BReAK. Four days of incredible riding and fun, with overnights in historic hotels in Pennsylvania and New york state. For complete information see page 14 or visit our rally page @ www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html

JUNE 2016 5 • Roar to the Shore and Avery's Ride. Sign in: Westbrook elks Lodge, 142 Seaside Ave, Westbrook, CT. Details: www.TeamAveryCDKL5.com or call 860-964-0716 9 • Backroads Mystery Ride Lake George. Full details on page 44 or visit www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html 7-11 • Americade Motorcycle Rally. The Best Roads. The Most Motorcycle Companies.

The Most Welcoming Rally. Lake George, Ny. Special Pre-Registrant events Monday, June 6. 518-798-7888 • www.americade.com 6-11 • Dirt Daze Rally for Adventure Bike enthusiasts • www.dirtdazerally.com 10-12 • AltRider Conserve the Ride Rally, Woodward, PA. 2 nights camping, 5 meals including pig roast + local craft beers, presentations and seminars, prizes and an awesome time. More info altrider.com/conserve-the-ride-2016/pid/1525

24 • Forever Friends Motorcycle Awareness 5th Annual Charity Bike Run and event, Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Rd, Augusta, NJ. Rain date: Sept. 25th. Details: foreverfriendsmotorcycleawareness.org 22-25 • BACKROADS FALL FIeSTA Four days of incredible riding and fun. For full details visit www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html

OCTOBER 2016 6 • Blue Knights NJ IX 28th Annual Harvey C. Irons Make-A-Wish Ride to benefit MakeA-Wish Foundation of NJ. Start and end: Skylands Stadium, CR 565, Augusta, NJ. $20/pp, under 12 free. Sign in: 9am - Ride: 11am. Coffee and donuts at start; entertainment, vendors and lunch at finish • www.BKNJIX.org • nj9@blueknights.org 16 • Ramapo MC Fall Foliage Tour. Sign in/endsite: Rhodes north Tavern, 40 Orange Tpke (Rte. 17) Sloatsburg, Ny @ 9am-mid-afternoon. Guided/self-guided tour featuring the best autumn pallet Mother Nature can provide along some of the Hudson Valley’s most interesting roads. Benefits Valerie Fund. ramapomc.org

NOVEMBER 2016 25 • 2nd Annual Black Friday Ride @ Bob's BMW Motorcycles, 10720 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. After a great success in 2015, Bob’s will be hosting a 2nd annual Black Friday Ride! Avoid shopping pandemonium and #optoutsideon2wheels Visit bobsbmw.com for details.

Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information Visit our online Calendar for more details backroadsusa.com/events.html

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THE ALL-NEW 2016 CRF1000L Africa Twin

NC700X CB500X 210 Route 10 West • East Hanover, NJ • 973-428-1735

www.Powersports.Honda.com Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9am-6pm • Thur: 9am-8pm Sat: 9am-5pm • SUNDAY: CLOSED honda.com ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, AND NEVER USE THE STREET AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. For rider training information or to locate a rider training course near you, call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 800-446-9227. NC700X, CB500X, VFR1200X and CRF1000L Africa Twin are registered trademarsk of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (08/15)