August 2018 Backroads

Deep New England

TRIUMPH ATLAK HONDA’S NEW LITTLE BIKES UNADILLA PRO MOTOCROSS

W H A T ’ S

I N S I D E

MO NT HLY C O L U M NS Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

FREE WHEELIN’ ..................................................3 WHATCHATHINKIN’ ...........................................4

Publishers

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE.......................5

Contributors

Mark Byers, Don Gomo, Bill Heald, Tony Lisanti Dr. Seymour O’Life

ON THE MARK ....................................................6 BACKLASH..........................................................8 INDUSTRY INFOBITES .....................................10 MYSTERIOUS AMERICA..................................12 BIG CITY GETAWAY .........................................14

26

Editorial Office BACKROADS, POB 620 Augusta, NJ 07822

43

GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN ..............17 WE’RE OUTTA HERE ........................................20 INSIDE SCOOP .................................................23 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE ............................24 UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR ...................48

FE AT U RE S I KNOW THIS PLACE.........................................19 INTERNATIONAL MEALS ON WHEELS .........25 DEEP NEW ENGLAND .....................................26 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS UNADILLA ...43 TRIUMPH ATLAK .............................................47

PR O DU C T R E V IE W S PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS AND REVIEWS........38 THE HORNET....................................................41

47

phone

973.948.4176

fax

973.948.0823

email

editor@backroadsusa.com

online

www.backroadsusa.com

Advertising

973-948-4176

Follow Us

Backroads-Motorcycle-Touring-Magazine

Tweet Us

@BackroadsGal

See Us

backroadsmagazine

BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. BACKROADS™ may not be reproduced in any manner without specific written consent from the publisher. BACKROADS™ welcomes and encourages submissions (text and photos) and suggestions. Include phone number with submissions. BACKROADS™ will only return material with enclosed sufficient postage. The written articles and opinions printed in BACKROADS™ are not necessarily those of the publisher and should not be considered an endorsement. The Rip & Rides® published are ridden on the sole responsibilty of the rider. BACKROADS™ is not responsible for the conditions of the public roadways traversed. Please respect the environment, read your owner’s manual and wear proper protective gear and helmet. Ride within your limits, not over them.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJeN

The Jacobson effecT We all have something. That is what my friend Dee Dee told me. It’s true. So, in a very Fred Rau-esque way I need to vent. Here is my issue.

Over the last winter we have been told what we, Backroads, are. Or, what we are not.

We’re not enough biker, too ADV, not ADV enough, too cruiser, not Harley enough… See what I mean?

Some readers sniff through the pages, like circling puppies, and if what they are specifically into is not as well represented to them – well, we are not their cup of tea.

We are too much Jersey.

We are not Jersey enough (really?)

We are too much north.

We are too much south.

And, the standard - we are not “biker” enough.

And, of course, according to many, we are a BMW rag…

(Sorry, I own one and it gets into a lot of images - I am trying to wean myself from this habit) The fact of the matter is that Backroads is a riding publication. Places to go, things to see, restaurants, inns, and the occasional ice cream stop.

With all that being said – I really want to talk about a habit that, as an owner of a BMW GS, I have noticed and commented on for years.

See, Brian – here you go saying GS again! Yeah, well… for you see – we do all have something.

I have Jacobson Effect. Let me explain.

I got to thinking about this the other day when Shira and I were heading north along the Delaware River on the PA-side. Riding through Portland I spied another R1200GS, parked in front of a number of shops. Immediately

Page 3 I began to look around – where was he? Was there a restaurant I am not seeing, maybe a shop? Where’d the other GS come from? Where is he going?

My head zipped from left to right and back again.

“Are you looking for the GS rider?” Shira asked over the communicators.

“Yep,” I replied as I continued my search.

I realized I was reacting like one dog barking at another while driving by in the back of a pick-up truck.

Even though we are really not a BMW magazine (regardless of what some have recently said) and I am sure what I am talking about here can apply to many owners who ride machines similar to other riders - but GS owners seem to take this habit to extreme.

When GS owners, and Adventure Riders in general, run into each other there is usually a circle around each others bikes – like butt sniffing dogs.

What ya got? What it this? What tires are you riding?

Unless they are factory stock machines, almost all GS machines evolve with personal taste and flair, probably more than any other machine; and the owners almost always act much like dogs sniffing each other’s butts.

Running around each others’ bikes to see who has what and why.

I now call it the Jacobson Effect.

Dogs have a second olfactory system that’s known as the Jacobson’s organ.

Its nerves direct the chemical information it detects directly to the brain so there’s no interference from other odors.

Dogs smell butts – we walk around other rider’s machines and examine, compare and learn, for many of us are “bling” aficionados.

If there is room for it and a need – we’ll mount it.

Radar detectors, Spot GPS trackers, heated gear, passive deer alerts and usually more auxiliary lights than a Hollywood film set. And, that is just the Continued on Page 7

Page 4

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

WHATCHATHINKIN’ SHIRA KAMIL

MoTorcycle IndusTry Talk This past Americade I was involved in two separate group discussions - one part of Diane Ortiz’ Women’s Coffee Club early Thursday morning and the other a new offering called ‘Knights of the Round Table’. Both involved a question and answer format, one more serious than the other but equally centered around the health of the motorcycle industry and what we, as riders, can do to improve and better it.

Diane has been holding her Coffee Club for a few years, inviting women motorcyclists (whether riders or passengers) to come meet, schmooze and talk about whatever might be on their minds regarding their riding, their concerns on treatment of women in motorcycling, motorcycles themselves, etc. The first time I joined the group, I was impressed with the variety of women attending - industry folk, wrenchers, new and veteran riders.

Diane starts off by having everyone introduce themselves with a short bio of who they are, riding history and such. This year’s group included many long-time riders, some Motor Maid members, a few newbies, as well as some co-pilots. I was a bit dismayed that the industry women attending Americade did not stop by, but I know how draining a trade show is and how precious those few extra minutes of sleep can be.

Discussion revolved around treatment of women in dealerships, availability of motorcycles and gear that fit women and how to get the manufacturers to address these issues. I remember the same discussion taking place several years ago, and I have to say that things have definitely changed, for the better, and while women are still not the majority of the motorcycling population, we are growing by leaps and bounds. According to statistics, our numbers have grown from 8% in 1998 to more than 25% in 2015 and going strong in

2018. The increase in female riders translates to more dollars spent on motorcycles, gear and accessories and, as most of us know, most women like to shop and have become a bigger part of the decision-making population in the motorcycle industry.

So, I was a bit bewildered when the hour-long back and forth kind of got stuck on ‘WHAHHHH, I can’t find a Bike/Jacket/Pants/Boots that fit me.’ I would have been much happier if the talk focused more on how to use this great vehicle underneath us and where it can take us than the complaints on things that are not so much an issue any longer; ‘Now that I know how to ride a motorcycle, where can I take it? What might be my concerns, as a woman, of traveling alone and how can I meet like-minded women who might want to travel with me?’ I hope that at next year’s Women’s Coffee Club there will be more of that.

I knew about the ‘Knights of the Round Table’ as Brian had been asked to join it several months prior to me. I think that the powers that be realized it might be a good idea to have a woman present - not that I necessarily was the right woman, being as I am more a ponderer than a speaker - but I was happy to join the panel of talented motorcycle industry folk. From what I understood, it was to be a fun, tongue-in-cheek session of tall tales and anecdotes from our riding careers. Having Alonzo Bodden, passionate rider and stand up comedian extraordinaire, sitting next to me gave me the duck blind I needed.

We were asked what our favorite motorcycle was and, much to everyone’s surprise, Alonzo said that he was much enamored with his Honda Grom and rode it frequently. If you are not familiar with Mr. Bodden, he stands 6’ 4” tall - you put the image of him on a Grom in your head and tell me that doesn’t make you giggle.

Topics went from sarcastic to serious - there was even a deer head in the audience. Ken Condon, top-notch safety instructor and journalist, gave some great insight and advice and Fred Rau, crackerjack emcee, kept the flow moving at a great pace. From the size of the audience, I think that Americade made a good decision to include this in their nightly offerings and I hope they continue with it next year.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE BILL HeALD

MessIn’ WITh MIlWaukee A Tweet from a Trump, as posted

by USA Today’s Journal Sentinel: Harley-Davidson should stay 100% in America, with the people that got you your success. I’ve done so much for you, and then this. Other companies are coming back where they belong! We won’t forget, and neither will your customers or your now very HAPPY competitors!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018 There’s a popular adage that was made famous

by Tip O’Neill: “All politics is local.” As a person who likes to mangle things (you should see the carburetors on my ’83 Magna), I shall mangle this famous saying by stating, “All politics is loco.” My change is defensible. If only the consequences weren’t so grave, it would be an amusing thing, too. But here we are, and the politics has left loco at the first turn and gone straight to bad chaos. The Donald’s statement was motivated by Harley’s announcement that, thanks to tariffs imposed on the EU by the US, they (the European Union) were launching some tariffs of their own that would target companies like Harley-Davidson and their exports from their Milwaukee homeland. To counter this, Harley announced they’ll move some production overseas where the 30+% tax could be avoided, hence insuring profitability in the European market. Harley-Davidson has had some plants outside the US for years, something Mr. Trump seems unaware of. As far as I can tell, the plan appears to be just to move additional production to these facilities.

The cause of this whole debacle is about as clear and conspicuous as the roaring of a straight-pipe Big Twin in a small bathroom (I have witnessed

Page 5 this. Long story), but that’s not the point of this piece. Instead, I have a question that has always vexed me: why is it when it comes to tariffs motorcycles always rise from their normal place of complete obscurity in mainstream political discourse and become incredibly symbolic? As America’s premier motorcycle manufacturer (and a true American Icon, especially among conservative politicians) Harley has found itself in the middle of international trade dilemmas before. In April of 1983, Ronald Reagan increased tariffs of imported bikes over 700cc tenfold, to try to keep a struggling Harley-Davidson from going under as they only sold bikes over 700cc. So what happened?

Well, the Japanese OEMs turned 750s into 700cc bikes, and in fact the tariff was a completely dubious action. Harley survived and later thrived primarily because they dramatically improved every aspect of their business with better bikes, better production techniques and even better marketing, and they even got some technical help from the likes of Honda who saw the importance of the company’s survival to the marketplace as a whole. This all came about when the likes of Willie G. Davidson changed the direction of the company to focus on heritage, and they looked overseas for a few components to improve quality because some items (like carburetors) were better than US-made counterparts. Since that period, the Motor Company has thrived and come through the odd depressions in the industry well, thanks to periods of sales success where they literally couldn’t keep up with demand.

Apparel and accessory sales have also been a huge source of revenue, and the company has really been a true, and well-earned, American success story.

But the last few years haven’t been kind to the motorcycle industry, and Harley has had their share of troubles. Naturally, politicians that have never ridden a bike in their life have still used the bikes and riders as All-American props, and Donald Trump and his Administration has praised the company (and even waived EPA fines of 3 million dollars for violations levied on parts they were selling.) All was well between the White House and the Orange and Black until this whole tariff business, and now it’s become ugly. ApparContinued on Page 7

Page 6

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

ON THE MARK MARK ByeRS

When The lIghT coMes on Beth is a photon, defined as “a bundle of pure energy:” she’s a Monster Energy Drink with a side of triple espresso and a Snickers. It also fits because she’s a self-described “dumpster” when it comes to food. I call her my “CEO” or “Chief Enthusiasm Officer” and make a point of having her conduct tours for prospective employees because her enthusiasm spreads like a disease in a Stephen King novel. She’s a brand new Mechanical Engineer of seven months and is a trifle impetuous, so I wasn’t the least bit surprised when she said, “I want to buy a motorcycle.”

I’ve been there before. Everyone knows I’m a “motorcycle guy” and I frequently am asked for advice. I’ve had that go badly, when a young woman asked for advice on a first bike and instead of taking it, bought a way-toopowerful sportbike and gear more suited to fashion and promptly hurt herself semi-seriously. That ended her riding career and began my reluctance to give advice. I’ve spent way too much time trying to help those who either didn’t want it, or who rejected it in favor of a foolhardy path, vis-à-vis the sailor who wrecked his CBR-600 and decided the solution was a CBR-900.

Consequently, I approached Beth’s request with caution. One element was parents who were dead-set against her getting a bike. There’s nothing like

bucking the ‘rents; however, the rock and a hard place is that when Beth makes up her mind to do something, she’s going to do it whether you are onboard or not, so you might as well get onboard. As a test, I suggested she take the MSF class at the local community college and within days, she told me she was enrolled. Then, she asked if I would help her shop, which was encouraging.

I met her at the local shop after her Saturday range session. I’d already told the saleswoman that we would be really annoying and sitting on a lot of bikes, but she was indulgent. Refreshingly, even though sportbikes caught her eye, she was realistic about their comfort (she’s tall) and capabilities and gravitated toward some more standard motorcycles like the SV-650 and Versys.

She really liked a new-old-stock Versys with ABS in classic Kawasaki green, but once you added tax, title, and all the damn fees, even it was outside her price range. It was a bit of a disappointment, but I came away with a positive impression of her thought process.

Unsurprisingly, Beth passed her test on the second day of range time and the hunt was on in earnest for a reasonably-priced bike in good condition. In my memory was a friend with an ’09 Versys in blue with not a lot of mileage and just a few beginner scuffs. The friend put a fresh battery in it, and after I siphoned off the old gas and replaced it with fresh octanes, it fired on the first button push.

After I gave it a quick test ride and Beth had a chance to both ogle and sit on it, a deal was struck and it followed us home. The seller even sprung for a new set of rubber when we found some cracks in the tires at inspection. After all the license and insurance folderol, and ATGATT clad in all my spare riding gear (I told you she was tall), she rode it to work solo. I wasn’t thrilled, but I did like that she chose her timing to miss the morning rush.

After riding with her, I was impressed with her confidence and attitude, but not necessarily her skill: the MSF class is clearly a “parking lot wonder” and barely, if that, prepares someone for real-road, real-world situations. On our first country-road jaunt, she did well enough not to have my heart in my throat. On a subsequent ride, she did drop the bike in an intersection, but to her credit, she picked it up herself using the “butt to the bike” technique and wheeled it out of harm’s way.

She did bang her knee a little and decided to have it checked, but there was no serious damage thanks to the padding in the Klim pants. She has been riding on her own a little in addition to some rides with me and I believe that, with some coaching, she is on her way to becoming a good rider. In this case, I think my time is well spent and I love being there when the light comes on.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 7

free WheelIn’ Continued from Page 3 electric crap.

Moving onto hardware there will always be crash bars, tire selection, handlebar risers, peg lowerers, additional fairings and some things and product that simply are eluding me right now.

But, I know they are out there, and I probably will want it as well…

It doesn’t seem to end. Such is the life of a GS and ADV rider.

As I said this sort of thing is not just unique to the owners of large German adventure machines.

Get owners of any particular Harley-Davidson together and the conversa-

tion rides into the same place.

I guess it is a motorcyclist thing in the end.

I just can’t fathom Toyota Camry owners bonding this way. Could you imagine? What scent do they use at the car wash? What shade of beige do they call that?

Ugg – I’ll stick with the dogs of riding, thank you.

Have you ever found yourself circling others machines just to see what they have and you might need?

It’s okay, friend, it is just the Jacobson Effect in full swing.

Think of it as the call of the wild!

Continued from Page 5 PosTcards froM The hedge ently Mr. Trump was upset that Harley’s overseas plans might make his tariff scheme look like bad business, and lashed out at the American Icon in no uncertain terms (you know, the way he does) for daring to move some production out of the country. He claims everyone’s going to build everything here because he says so, and there have been mixed results and he hates that. In response, the Harley CEO shot back on Twitter, or did he? It turns out that his no uncertain terms response was the work of trolls, or so the company is saying. Trolls? Bots? Orcs? The Internet is loaded with ‘em. We live in hightech Amazing Times. I can’t think the Milwaukee boardroom was silent, though, when they were attacked by a politician, even if some of them probably voted for the guy.

So what will be the effect of all this tariffing, moving and no uncertain

termsing? At the time I write this, all the information I have passed on to you will quite likely be obsolete by the time you read it. Things change day-byday in this administration, and who knows if the tariffs will all still be there when the sun rises tomorrow. It’s kind of like following that old dude on the TourGlide, who’s trying to fold up a road map and weaving all over the road.

Wait, that was me. I still say GPS is the devil.

Anyway, what Harley (and everybody else) needs is to just sell more bikes, and things will ultimately be OK, I think. But how do we get that to happen?

That’s the real question, and trade wars are just another pothole in what has become a very challenging road. Hopefully we can all ride it out, and popularity of two-wheeled transportation will increase enough to makes sales Great Again. As for me, I wonder what this Brexit business will mean for Triumph parts…

DON’T SUFFER FROM FOMO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND FOLLOW US FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS • IMPROMPTU RIDES www.facebook.com/pages/Backroads-Motorcycle-Touring-Magazine

SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY E-BLAST AND GET THE NEWS AT YOUR INBOX AS IT HAPPENS www.backroadsusa.com

Page 8

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

BACKLASH

Letters to the Editor Shira, I thought this would make you smile don’t know where he came from, but he found me in Bologna during our Motogiro d’Italia! Hope all is well with both of you! burt richmond

Brian and Shira: Greetings again from Wolfeboro, NH. I immediately recognized the location of the cover photo of your most recent issue (Return to Middle Earth) as where we parked the motorcycles on the equator at Cayambe during our previous trip to Ecuador in 2015. I have some great photos and wonderful memories of that place. I really greatly enjoyed reading about your most recent travels in Ecuador, as they reminded me of many of the places (Cuenca, Macas, Banos, Rio Bamba, and the town on the river that was overrun with monkeys) and some of the people (Court and Sylvan) that we got to know on the previous trip. It sounds like you also got to visit some new territory too, especially along the earthquake zone along the coast. But I didn’t see anything in the account of your recent trip about eating cuy at local restaurants. Maybe eating rodents has gone out of style in Ecuador?

I actually thought seriously about signing up for the return trip to Ecuador, but as I was getting ready to retire and I couldn’t justify the expenditure to revisit a place that I had already been to on motorcycle. Now that I have actually retired, I have lots more time to think about and plan other trips that I would like to do. I think I still have at least a couple of adventure motorcycle trips left in me at this point, but they will likely be to new places that are still on my bucket list.

Abrazos, dave owen

David, We know. We asked for and tried to get them to stop for Cuy whenever we spotted it - but it never worked out. Taste just like rabbit! It was great to return to Ecuador - especially with friends.

Brian Just got your July issue. Excellent as always. Liked the ad on page 11, as Sue and I just spent the better part of a week at Canaan Valley along with her motorcycle gang, Los Guajolotes, a couple of dozen safety nerds from her days at MSF Hq. We had a great time. And I picked up a Wee Strom from Bob Higdon, who delivered it to Canaan Valley, after he had to abort his South American trip when his eyes went wonky up at 13,000 feet in Bolivia. clem Brian, I really enjoyed the two-part history of the Catskills reservoir system. The Skylands BMW Riders do an annual ride to the Pepacton Reservoir and knowing the history will make it that much more interesting.

Our ride begins with breakfast at the Hummingbird House in Newton and we eventually make our way to the Riverside Café in Roscoe NY for lunch, with a stop at Prohibition Distillery to restock my bar along the way. All 3, of course, were Backroads recommendations a few years ago - thank you!

Shira may like to know that Valley Cone Ice Cream is along the way, too, near the corner of 17B and Kitz Rd. in Mongaup Valley, NY. This year’s ride is coming up (date TBD), and will be posted to our FaceBook page. If anyone is interested in joining us on this ride (or any others) they can follow us at www.facebook.com/skylandsBMWclub. eric suhr • President - skylands bMW riders Eric, Glad you enjoyed it. We sometimes get carried away with topics – especially when they are WTF interesting!

Did not know of the pipeline… so will have to go and check that out. Not too hard to twist an arm to ride up that way.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 9

Please tell the restaurant you read Backroads (shameless plugs keep the advertisers happy!).

We have a Riding Distilled (see page 14) with Prohibition and others part of another two-part story.

Hope to see you on the road!

Emma, We have been to Nova Scotia a few times. Very beautiful. July is a fine time - you should be past the ‘black flies’ by then. (They are really pesky) We have a few editions with NS feature stories - September 2017... and one from 2008. Both can be found on our online editions website.

Hello Brian and Shira, Just getting around to reading July Backroads - congratulations Brian, 60,000 miles and age 60. You never looked better. I agree, save the turtles.

I’ve picked up a few snapping turtles this year and help them out a little bit, hate to see them get squished.

Cordially, Wolfgang Von smythsmythe

And Another ‘Motorcycle I Live With’ Response

Dear Brian and Shira, It was great seeing you guys at Americade. The round table talk with the you two, Dave and Ken from MCN, Alonzo and Fred was unquestionably the highpoint of Americade for me.

A distant second was the demo of the KTM 1290 Adventure S. Especially since a guy on a KTM 350 was right with me the entire ride, except when I was able to use that high horsepower motor to move away from him on the highway. But that didn’t last long when we got to the twisty roads, he was right back with me, the lead rider kept the pace lively but not stupid.

All the best, charlie green Hello!

I started riding last year and bought my first motorcycle. I also just discovered your magazine. Excited to begin reading it. My bike shop also told me you had ridden to Nova Scotia. Do you have a route or GPS log for this route?

I ride solo and would greatly appreciate any direction and advice for this trip. Is end of July a good time to do it?

Kindly, emma

Hi Shira, finally remembered to write about my bike that I absolutely loved. Ron and I went to the motorcycle show in New York in 2001. I found and fell in love with a Yamaha V-Star, it was purple and silver with all the bags. I was riding a 650 Savage at the time and wanted a bigger and more powerful bike. After the show the hunt was on! I looked everywhere, not one local dealer had one. I was totally bummed. A year later we were on vacation in the Finger Lakes. We lost a piece to our trailer and stopped at a motorcycle and trailer dealer in Watkins Glen. We walk inside and there’s THE BIKE! We left the dealer, had lunch, turned around and talked to the owner to see if he would be interested in trading the Savage for the V-Star.

A deal was made and I was riding out of the lot with my bike! I was so excited! I owned that bike until last month. I thought I’d keep it to ride after I purchased my current bike but that didn’t happen, it was sitting in the garage. The young guy that purchased my bike (55,000 miles) had the same look as me so I knew it was going to a good home. gina d.

Mail: BACKROADS PO Box 620 Augusta NJ 07822

Email: editor@backroadsusa.com Fax: (973) 948-0823

Got something to say? We’d love to hear it.

Letters may be edited, never censored, to fit.

Page 10

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

IN DU STRY INFOBITES TRUMP vS HARLEY President Donald Trump accused Harley-Davidson of using new tariffs on trade as cover for an existing plan to shift some production abroad and threatened the motorcycle manufacturer with a “big tax” on bikes imported to the U.S. if it relocates some plants overseas.

The company said in a government filing Monday that it may locate some production outside the U.S. in response to European retaliation for the president’s tariffs on imported metals.

But Trump took issue with that on Tuesday.

“Early this year HarleyDavidson said they would move much of their plant operations in Kansas City to Thailand. That was long before Tariffs were announced. Hence, they were just using Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse. Shows how unbalanced & unfair trade is, but we will fix it,” Trump said on Twitter.

News from the Inside However, the company said it decided to build the Thailand plant after Trump pulled out from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would have lowered import tariffs on its bikes in some of the fastest-growing motorcycle markets in Asia.

The president warned the company that goods produced overseas and imported back into the U.S. could be taxed. “Harley must know that they won’t be able to sell back into U.S. without paying a big tax!” Trump tweeted, adding, “A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country – never! Their employees and customers are already very angry at them. If they move, watch, it will be the beginning of the end – they surrendered, they quit! The Aura will be gone and they will be taxed like never before.”

PROGRESSIvE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW ANNOUNCES 2018- 2019 DATES The Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS), an industry leader on connecting powersports’ leading brands with enthusiasts and buyers, announced dates for its upcoming 2018-2019 tour. The IMS Tour will stop in seven leading motorcycling markets to provide consumers and enthusiasts with an inside look at what the leading companies are bringing to the market in the coming year, and showcasing all that the motorcycling lifestyle has to offer. Tickets for the 2018-2019 IMS tour will go on sale Thursday, September 6, 2018. To learn more please visit: motorcycleshows.com Dates for New York, NY: November 30 - December 2, 2018, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Washington D.C.: February 8-10, 2019, Walter E. Washington Convention Center

KTM ADAPTIvE CRUISE CONTROL AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEMS KTM has demonstrated its commitment to improving safety for motorcyclists and reducing accidents as the first motorcycle manufacturer to demonstrate Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection systems.

Still in the development process, both of these features use sensor-based technology to help detect and prevent a collision from the front or rear.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is not designed as an emergency brake system but works when the machine is in cruise control above a designated speed. The system can detect a vehicle in front, ranging from the size of a motorcycle and above, and then locks on to maintain a distance of two seconds by automatic throttle control and – if needed – gentle application of the front brake.

These game-changing features will be part of new electronics packages offered on certain KTM models, beginning from Model Year 2021.

Full details of the entire range of technical features on the current KTM Street models can be found in the digital KTM Tech Guide: www.ktm.com/techguide2018

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

AMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE MIKE BALDWIN JOINS THE WOODSTOCK HARLEY-DAvIDSON SALES TEAM Woodstock Harley-Davidson is pleased to announce the addition of a new sales manager to its team. Mike Baldwin brings more than 30 years of motorcycle experience to the position, with a strong focus on riding and professional racing.

“Mike’s experience as a professional rider is an asset for both our employees and for the customers we proudly serve,” said Bill Nugent, owner of Woodstock Harley-Davidson.

Mike Baldwin was record-setting fivetime AMA Road Racing Champion and the all-time wins leader in AMA Formula 1/Formula 750 history. In all, Baldwin won 27 AMA national races – 17 in AMA F1/750 and 10 in AMA Superbike – and he is considered one of the top road racers America has ever produced.

RIDER FATALITIES DROP Nationwide motorcycle traffic fatalities dropped by 5.6% from 2016 to 2017, a new report shows. The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report in May showcasing preliminary data on last year’s motorcycle fatalities by state. Per the report, U.S. motorcycle fatalities dropped by 296 deaths — from 5,286 in 2016 to a projected 4,990 last year. That’s coming off a 5.1% increase in such road fatalities from 2015 to 2016, the report states.

The figures reported are projections based on preliminary data provided for 2017 from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Compared with 2016, motorcyclist fatalities are estimated to have decreased in 30 states, remained the same in two states, and increased in 18 states.

MOTORCYCLE RACING ENDANGERED IN EU AND ENGLAND Motorcycle racing is in danger in the U.K. and across Europe as new insurance rules loom, and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MIA) has called on EU member governments to reject the latest European Commission proposals, which have the potential to end all competitive motorsports across England…”Even if this means defying Brussels.”

The EU directive amends aspects of the Motor Insurance Directive, responding to the so-called ‘Vnuk’ judgment from 2014 which ruled that all mechanically propelled vehicles must have third-party insurance, even if they are only used on private land.

The insurance industry has already made it clear that it would be difficult to provide such insurance given the risks involved with racing and that doing so could be incredibly expensive and lead to “catastrophic damage inflicted on motorsports across the board if this ruling becomes law,” according to the MIA. In other EU countries where this has already been applied, premiums have risen dramatically making many events unsustainable.

NEW HAMPSHIRE BANS MOTORCYCLE-ONLY ROADSIDE CHECKPOINTS Motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints first appeared in New York in 2009; functioning like sobriety checkpoints, motorcycle-only checkpoints (MOC) allow law enforcement to pull over motorcyclists without cause, for an on-the-spot safety, license, and helmet inspection. Since then, these so-called safety checkpoints

Page 11 have popped up across the country and have spiked controversy as opponents claim invasion of privacy and discrimination against motorcyclists over the operators of other motor vehicles.

Nineteen states now bar such roadblocks either through legislation or judicial proceedings and in 2015 Congress banned the use of federal funds for MOCs as part of the FAST Act highway bill. Yet they continue to be a problem for bikers in some states.

Although in 2011 New Hampshire became the first state to prohibit the use of federal funds to conduct discriminatory motorcycle-only stops by police, the “Live Free Or Die” state recently enacted Senate Bill 516 to prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints outright.

Signed by Governor Chris Sununu on May 30, 2018, effective immediately; “No law enforcement officer or agency shall establish or conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.”

Page 12

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MYSTERI OU S AMERIC A WIlhelM reIch MuseuM 19 dodge Pond road, rangeley, Me 04970 207-864-3443 • www.wilhelmreichtrust.org Up in the northwoods of Maine there is a town called Rangeley. Just to the west of the town, up a gravel road shrouded in pines, you will find an impressive building.

Down a clearcut and marked path you will come upon a tomb with a bust atop it. Next to the grave you will find something quite remarkable.

It looks to be a weapon, but was actually something far more interesting and something definitely part of Mysterious America.

Let us talk about Doctor Wilhelm Reich, shall we?

When some mention the name Wilhelm Reich there will be those who might say they never heard of the man – yet there are many, many more who have and knew of the Romanian doctor’s theories, claims, trials and tribulations throughout his career.

Trained at the Medical School at the University of Vienna, as an undergraduate, his recognition of the importance of sexuality had drawn him to the work of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis was a new discipline, which had emerged from Freud’s startling insights into the causes of mental illness. Reich soon became one of the most active younger members of Freud’s inner circle, and was considered one of Freud’s most promising students.

It was his study of the needs and wants of human sexuality that led him to his supposed finding of a new energy that he called Orgone.

This energy did not act like anything previously discovered and part of its make up Reich called Bions, after the Greek word for life.

NEW YORK

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo, P.C. 199 Main St. • Ste. 901 • White Plains, NY 10601

ed by resent has Be rep o ne wh someo g for over in id been r s.

ar 25 ye

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, get the knowledgeable, sympathetic and forceful legal representation you are entitled to.

No fee unless a recovery is made.

Testimonials available.

The One to Call in New York State Call the Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. for a free consult and evaluation of your case.

(914) 421-0905 www.whiteplainsaccidentlawyer.com

According to Reich’s research, Bions exhibited a strong radiation phenomena, and that these Bions could kill bacteria and cancer cells.

This radiation confirmed the existence of an energy that did not obey any known laws of electricity or magnetism.

Eventually Reich came to the U.S. and soon after moved to the mountains of Maine and Rangeley where he built his laboratory he called Orgonon.

It was here that Reich also began to create Orgone Collectors, which also could do many things – one of which was to control the weather.

He called these devices ‘cloudbusters.’

Reich used the cloudbuster to conduct dozens of experiments involving what he called “Cosmic Orgone Engineering (C.O.R.E.).” One of the most notable occurred in 1953. During a long drought that threatened the Maine blueberry crop, several farmers offered to pay Reich if he could bring rain to the parched region. The weather bureau had forecast no rain for several days when Reich began his cloudbusting operations. Ten hours later, a light rain began to fall. Over the next

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018 few days, close to two inches fell. The blueberry crop was saved, and in local newspaper articles the farmers credited Reich.

It was not long after, and not unexpectedly to me, that the U.S. Government came calling.

In February 1954, the FDA filed a Complaint for Injunction against Reich in the Federal Court in Portland, Maine.

After the initial shock, Reich continued his research, traveling to Arizona to experiment with the cloudbuster in the dry desert environment. While he was there, and without his knowledge, one of Reich’s students - Dr. Michael Silvert - moved a truckload of accumulators and books from Rangeley, Maine to New York City, a direct violation of the Injunction.

As a result, the FDA charged Reich and Silvert with criminal contempt of court. Following a jury trial, both men were found guilty on May 7, 1956. Reich was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

While Reich appealed his sentence, the government carried out the destruction of orgone accumulators and literature. In Maine, several boxes of literature were burned, and accumulators and accumulator materials either destroyed or dismantled. In New York City, on August 23, 1956, the FDA supervised the burning of several tons of Reich’s publications in one of the city’s garbage incinerators, including titles that were only to have been banned.

All appeals denied, on March 12, 1957 - two weeks shy of his 60th birthday - Wilhelm Reich was incarcerated. On March 22, he was taken to the Federal Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania where he died of heart failure (?) on November 3, 1957, and was buried at Orgonon. Healthy one day – dead the next.

Page 13

Was Reich simply misguided, a charlatan, or the real deal. I will leave you to decide this for yourselves.

But, it seems vaguely familiar to me when I hear of the government taking and destroying a scientist’s works. Did the government not do the very same thing when Nikola Tesla died – and was he not working along similar fields of energy research?

Nope, no connection here… keep moving. Right.

Today you can visit the museum at Orgonon and take a stroll to Reich’s Tomb where you will also find a Cloudbuster. Reich’s legacy is well documented here at the museum and is surely worth the stop when you go in search of the real Msyterious America.

O’Life out!

Page 14

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

Hanover Powersports Presents

BIG CITY GETAWAY rIdIng dIsTIlled • ParT 1 a TWo-day JaunT To soMe local dIsTIllerIes of flaVor When you think about the Spirit of America you might go for the patriotic tone – one of freedom, entrepreneurship and expansion.

Although all these came into play with the gist we are talking about here – we are actually heading toward other spirits this time around.

The distilled kind.

From the very beginning this nation had the art of distillation as part of its foundation and, as we will see, the reason for much of its expansion.

George Washington was a distiller and whiskey helped muster troops during the American Revolution. It traveled with settlers making their way out West for the first time. It’s partially responsible for spurring Prohibition, and in 1964, bourbon was officially recognized by congress as “a distinctive product of the U.S.A.” Why such a rich history? Besides the fact that many early Americans had roots in whiskey-producing countries like the British Isles, perhaps it was the sheer simplicity of the whiskey-making process, which only requires water, fire, and grains and a distillery to house them, of course.

In January 1791, President George Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed a seemingly innocuous excise tax “upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same.” What Congress failed to predict was the vehement rejection of this tax by Americans living on the frontier of Western Pennsylvania. By 1794, the Whiskey

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind Rebellion threatened the stability of the nascent United States and forced President Washington to personally lead the United States militia westward to stop the rebels.

The Whiskey Rebellion caused many distillers to move to the more taxfriendly Kentucky and Tennessee. Despite the protests and violence, the tax remained until 1802 when Republican President Thomas Jefferson finally repealed it—a maneuver most voters thought was simply a ploy to placate the rich. (Distillers were the 1%ers of their era.)

These days many states have eased the restrictions on distilling spirits leading to a growth in smaller craft-distilleries – many in some of the best motorcycle riding roads in the northeast.

As we can see whiskey and sprits are part of the American fabric and we know of some that are well worth the journey.

Visiting these small, family-owned distilleries can be fun and educational and we have four that we thought we would share with you.

Now before we go off riding the backroads to the these distilleries our legal department and attorneys Happy, Pepe & Danger insist we add this… so let’s read and agree with the following: Weunderstandthatitisabadideatodrinkalcoholandridemotorcyclesandweagreethattastingisnotdrinkingandwewillbeadultsaboutthissohelpmegod!

Okay, legal, moral and ethical issues now done …let’s go riding.

MIlk sTreeT dIsTIllery branchVIlle, neW Jersey Our first distillery is just a bit close to home, in Branchville, New Jersey -The Milk Street Distillery.

A few years back we noticed that some work had begun on an old 125-year old building on Milk Street leading into the sleepy New Jersey town.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 15

ProhIbITIon dIsTIllery • roscoe, neW york

Two brothers, Mike and Gordon Geerhart, spent months refurbishing the old place and have opened the Milk Street Distillery, a much welcomed addition to the local flavor and flair.

Here in northwest New Jersey they create some seriously wonderful booze … we mean spirits.

Milk Street offers tours and tastings but, more important, it has become the “go to” spot for those looking for something hip, fresh and fun in what can be a boring county. Okay – Monkey With a Gun still rocks!

They currently offer Black Vulture Vodka (named for the uncanny number of vultures that roost in the trees around the town), Wooden Leg Rum (great for mojitos) and Dam Break Rye. The Tour and Tasting package is $8 per patron, and includes a comprehensive tour, three half-ounce tastings of otheir products and a Milk Street shot glass for your continued enjoyment of their spirits.

They are now welcoming walk-ins, but recommend that parties larger than 6 make a reservation.

Should you return with a designated driver (more lawyer speak), they have a wonderful menu of craft cocktails and you are welcome to bring your own nibbles or meals to enjoy with your beverages. You can check out their calendar of events on their website or Facebook page.

From Branchville we will head north, first out of town on County Road 519 and then up and over High Point State Park and into New York State along and around Route 97. Our meanderings will swing us along the Delaware River all the way to Roscoe, New York and our second stop - Prohibition Distillery.

For years the town was known for being the fly fishing capital of the world, having the great diner with the same name and also being known to some as the “Paper Town” called Agloe - but they are now about something else as well. As distiller Brian Facquet and the folks at Prohibition like to say, ‘think of Roscoe as a “Distilling town with a fishing problem’.

Prohibition Distillery has been around for a bit and we had visited up here a few years back. When we began to put this Riding Distilled article together we knew a return trip was warranted.

The name of the place, which is housed in the old Roscoe Firehouse and former VFW Hall, was inspired by an act of Congress on January 16th 1920, when the 18th Amendment was enacted and outlawed the sale of liquor in the United States. As the folks at Prohibition Distillery say… that is when the heyday of American spirits was born!

Within a few short weeks, underground networks were fully operational, supplying booze to every corner of the United States. Those suppliers, known as Bootleggers, risked everything to whet the appetite of a nation suddenly gone “dry”. Their customers were everywhere, they were the politicians, parents, teachers, and local businessmen who, when told by their government

Page 16

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

they could no longer have a drink, decided to take matters into their own hands and source liquor from those crafty suppliers. Even the five U.S. Presidents who served our nation during Prohibition kept an ample supply on hand at the White House.

Today this fine distillery has gotten the crafting of fine spirits down to an art. Their Bootlegger 21 Vodka is very, very good, as is their gin.

They also offer an excellent bourbon whiskey, a bottle of which somehow made it into Shira’s Shad case for the ride home and to MWAG for further investigation.

As we visit these small, yet excellent distilleries, we can see a new part of

Americana being reborn.

During summer months, Prohibition Distilllery Bootlegger’s Alley Bar is open for a light bite and cocktails. They have musical and other events, so check their Facebook page for updates.

We will begin to swing up through the Catskills now heading east through the mountains along some truly stellar roads.

When we made the trip on an early April day the weather-people had bragged all week of a couple of summer-like warm days. They obviously did not take the peeks of the Catslkills in to mind as we still dealt with low 40s and rain along mud-covered roads and the shores of the Beaverkill were still packed feet deep with chunks of thick ice from the winter’s ice dams. A battle was going on above us, as the promised warmth would push in past the cold laying about for a few miles and raised fog along the snowline, droppng visibilty and giving the mountains an eerie end of the world feel. It made for an interesting ride that morning.

We took lunch along one of Shira’s Inside Scoop Ice Cream emporiums and came back out to brilliant sunshine and temperatures 20 degrees warmer.

Hallelujah – spring had sprung!

RIDERS WELCOME Breakfast served on weekends sample our home cookin’ at the World Famous Cedar Rapids

The Bar is Open ‘drink responsibly’

Take a ride on one of the Northeast’s Scenic Byways - Route 97 - 20 miles north of Port Jervis. Dine with your fellow riders on the Delaware River

Let us host your group motorcycle event any day

Enjoy our Expanded Canopied Decks Member of

www.cedarrapidsny.com Follow us on

There is a lot to love about this part of New York State and we would be making an overnight stop in the heart of the mountains along Route 28 at the Starlight Hotel, near Big Indian. Michelle has been running this outstanding roadside hotel for years and it is perfect for riders traveling through the region and heading on or for a riding group looking for a base-camp for a few days exploration in and around The Cats!

Next month we continue looking for some strong local flavors along the backroads of Riding Distilled.

Sources: Milk Street Distillery 1 Milk Street, Branchville, NJ 07826 973-948-0178 • www.milkstreetdistillery.com

Prohibition Distillery 10 Union Street, Roscoe, New york 12776 917-685-8989 • www.prohibitiondistillery.com

Starlight Motel 8722 Rte. 2, Big Indian, Ny 12410 845-254-4449 • starlite-motel.com

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 17

G REAT A LL AMERICA N DINE R RUN

tasty places to take your bike

hIsTorIc grounds 142 MaIn sTreeT, WhITehall, ny 12887 518-499-5017 • historicgrounds.net Sometimes we get the question…

“Where do you guys find all these cool places?”

Well, sometimes they seem to find us.

Case in point this month’s stop on the Great All American Diner Run - Historic Grounds – located in Whitehall, New York.

We were running east after the Americade rally and thought we’d avoid the crowds in Lake George and find something on the road towards Vermont.

Along the way we passed by Whitehall and, knowing the U.S. Navy history with the town I thought we’d ride on through.

Along the canal that runs through Whitehall you will find an Historical Sign and monument.

Birthplace of the United States Navy.

It was here, in a landlocked town in New York, that General Benedict Arnold first began to gather a fleet that would become the greatest Naval force on the planet. Just down the street is the hull of the USS Ticonderoga - raised from the lake and the first U.S. Navy vessel to bear this moniker.

It is amazing to ponder.

But, it was way after lunchtime and we were pondering something else as well. Luckily we did not have to think for long as right across from this historic ground of the U.S. Navy you will find a place that has taken the name to heart.

Historic Grounds.

Located in a building built back in 1906 and once holding the First National Bank of Whitehall, Historic Grounds celebrates both history and great food.

What started out as a coffee house has evolved into much more and although it still looks much like an old-style bank from the outside, inside we

found Historic Grounds to be warm and inviting in the extreme.

The restaurant features exposed brick walls and a large skylight which let the light pour in on this sunny day and that just added to the cheery ambiance.

On the walls hung historic photos of Whitehall and bits and pieces of Navy history. The place had the aroma of fine coffee and the customers were as wide and varied as the menu. We took a seat and, after ordering some seriously good Joe, perused the ample menu.

Historic Grounds is a breakfast and lunch place and they serve breakfast till 12 and all day on Sunday, like every restaurant should.

Page 18

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

Pancakes and French toast in single, short and tall sizes – for which you can easily add eggs, meats or berries.

As you would think they have a wide variety of omelets or you can simply create your own.

The lunch menu is even more wide-ranging with 17 different sandwiches from which to choose.

There are locally named sandwiches: the Skene, the Armory and even the Bigfoot, as seen in our June 2018 Mysterious America – they have a Big Foot in Whitehall too!

Some of these might seem familiar, but others were new to us.

Shira went for the Wood Creek – corned beef, turkey, lettuce and tomato with 1000 Island dressing and homemade chips.

I, thinking healthy, slim and maybe attractive to a very far-sighted college gal, ordered a large Chef’s salad that was really large and really delicious. I would have taken it with me, but salad never travels well in a top case.

So I ate it instead.

Other interesting works that caught our eye were the Lock 12 – named after the canal lock down the road – which consisted of ham, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce – different.

They have a grilled peanut butter and jelly – try it, you’ll like it.

All the sandwiches are created with house roasted meats, the soups are homemade and the salads made with farm fresh and locally source ingredients and they use Battenkill Creamery Milk and Scribner’s Maple Syrups.

If you have saved room for dessert, or are just dropping in for a sugar and caffeine pick-me-up, they have you covered with some of the best home baked cakes, pies and sweets you can imagine.

Historic Grounds also has a strong sense of community and, speaking with the owner Nate, who dropped by our table to chat, it was obvious that Historic Grounds was never just about being a restaurant, but a place where people could gather and enjoy themselves and their community.

Travelers and motorcyclists are welcome too.

Next Americade, or when touring the region around Lake George and the Champlain Canal, seek out Historic Grounds. You will find a bit of Navy history and some seriously great food as well.

That being said we thought we’d give you a smokin’ romp to the restaurant from the rally…. Enoy! (Rip & Ride on Page 47)

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 19

I Know This Place Fran’s Farmhouse Kitchen Route 206 North at Morris Ave. Branchville, NJ 07826 973-948-9950 www.georgeswinegallery.com We thought we’d let you in on a little secret that we have not far from Backroads Central – it’s called Fran’s Farmhouse Kitchen. Fran, who shares the large space, right on Route 206 in Branchville, New Jersey, with husband George’s Wine Gallery, has been “wowing” this area for years with her good eats – she has even catered a party or two here at Backroads.

Now she is offering up some great lunch items to all.

Her Farmhouse Sandwiches include rare roast beef & provolone with grilled onions, horseradish mayo and arugula, a scrumptious Granny apple chicken salad, grilled chicken & fresh mozzarella with oven roasted tomatos and pesto mayo and Black Forest ham & brie.

Her quiches have created a local following and you will find broccoli & cheddar, spinach & sweet onion, ham & cheddar and the classic quiche Lorraine. Fran offers side salads of redskin potato & egg, penne, pesto and sundried tomatoes and wild grains & cous cous veggie.

It is hard to go wrong.

Although you can find a seat right outside the building on the grassy slope or patio – we recommend you take lunch to go and head north just a few miles and follow the signs to the top of Sunrise Mountain. At 1,650 feet it is not super tall compared to some of the larger mountains along the Appalachian, but it does offer some picnic tables and a super view where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Garden State.

Picking up lunch at Fran’s and then riding up to the top of Sunrise cannot be beat. It’s one of those spots that you can tell your friend…you know? I know this place…Enjoy!

Page 20

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

WE’RE OUTTA HER E Inn aT bIrch WIlds 3236 W lIzard creek road, lehIghTon, Pa 18235 570-818-4433 • www.innatbirchwilds.com • 40.76211n • 75.76559W Along the long valley that settles into the ridges just outside Lehighton, Pennsylvania you will find superb escape. A place that has you covered in so many ways. Far enough away to almost be a sanctuary from the modern world, but close enough to some great and interesting attractions.

Welcome to the Inn at Birch Wilds.

Owned and operated by sisters Cheryl and Ronda, the property’s first building, the log cabin, was built back in 1750 and the name Penn (yes, those Penns) was on one of the original deeds.

The sisters bought what would become the Inn at Birch Wilds and spent a long time refurbishing the various rooms and working the gardens and trails into what is now a truly magnificent inn.

We rolled up mid-week on the first day of summer. A great way to start the season, we thought.

While Cheryl was already busy in the kitchen, Rhonda gave us a quick tour of the inn.

There’s a long dining area that works its way back to the original 1750s log cabin and a small library with book of all kinds to be from which to choose. One large book caught my eye immediately – Amazing and Unusual USA, written by our friend Jeff Bahr.

Jeff brought us to so many wonderful and interesting places in Pennsylvania – so we took this as the best of omens.

In addition to books, there are tons of games and even more videos, should

a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads your stay be during the rainy season or you just need a restful day of nonmotorcycle leisure.

Walking back towards the kitchen we passed the large red felt pool table at the entrance (here comes the ‘Best of Three’ game tourney this night), into the large kitchen, stopping to talk with Cheryl, and then Rhonda showed us the large indoor pool, warmed to a perfectly happy 90 degrees. There was also a hot tub, great to soak after a long and hard day’s ride.

Outside there are a number of seating areas and even more spread through the woods, up the ridge along the inn’s great trail system.

We were invited to take a hike and explore the property, the view from the top and the new round hammock to be found along the way.

She then brought us to the rooms.

The inn has four rooms available - the Blue Me Away, The Mountain View, The Woodland and their largest offering – Into the Wilds.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

They all were beautifully created and appointed but we were fortunate to have a chance to spend the night in Into the Wilds with its smaller entry way and large and spacious room – holding a three-sided fireplace, a very comfy King bed, a large bathroom with a monster walk-in stone-tiled shower with rainforest shower head.

But the show-stealer for this room was the exquisite and extremely large 72” copper hammered spa tub. We had never seen anything quite like it and we knew that it would get use sometime that night.

Shira looked at the large comfy bed and hopped onto it. Taking off her riding boots, she looked up at me and brought up a four-letter word that would involve strenuous activity, perhaps some panting and a bit of exertion, asking me with a hopeful smile if I’d be interested in a little.

No… not that four-letter one. The word she said was ‘hike’.

Hike? Like in walking up a mountain trail… with my feet?

“Yes, dear. I’d love to.”

I lied. I have a strong aversion to the thought of hiking. But, off we went.

In truth it was more enjoyable than I thought, as the trail was very easy and well groomed with plenty of chairs and benches spread out along the way.

Atop the ridge we found the large round hammock and getting in we lay back and watched the clouds rolls across the bright blue sky, an early quarter moon making a cameo on this late afternoon and listening to the hundreds of birds chiming in with a natural concerto.

Page 21

We realized right then how much we needed this and how “on” we both are – all the time. Many of us are.

The Inn at Birch Wilds, the hike to the ridge and the cloud-watching brought us both back to the moment and the moment was head clearing and welcomed.

It was very, very hard to leave the hammock.

Strolling back down to the inn we took a dip in the pool and soak in the tub, before getting ready for dinner, which we had ordered earlier with Cheryl.

The inn offers a nice selection of wine and beers so, while waiting for our appointed dining time, we shared a glass of New Zealand white on the porch and talked a bit with some of the other guests.

Page 22

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

The inn’s menu is small and varied with daily specials, and the food was outstanding – Cheryl proving herself just as admirable a chef as she is host. We both had soups; Shira having the corn chowder and I ordering the Italian sausage ravioli with wilted spinach to start and then we shared our Cajun chicken lasagna and a superb meatloaf sandwich – all were delicious.

A previously mentioned ‘Best of Three’ pool game was on and we once again showed each other how really sorrowful we are at billiards. Unless it was for cash – which it was – coincidentally the exact amount as the round hammock on the ridge. Shira is buying.

Returning to the room we surprisingly found someone had lit a bunch of faux-candles and placed them around the copper tub, which was warm and waiting…

For you lovers of coffee – and who is not - The Inn at Birch Wilds has 24-hour availability of several different brews. They are serious about coffee and we like that.

Breakfast was served for us around 8:30, our menu filled out and left on the doorknob the night before.

Shira chose potatoes, diced pancetta, cheese and eggs and I took a British-style eggs, pancetta, tomato and baked beans, done in a small cast iron pan. Juice and coffee were on order as well.

We spent another hour just relaxing here at the inn, really making excuses not to pack the bikes and suit up to leave.

We really like this place.

It is certainly not inexpensive (rooms run from $283 to $332 a night), but it is most certainly undeniably distinct, unusual and exceptional.

If you are looking for a different, beautiful and relaxing getaway for a special event, birthday, anniversary or … whatever - we highly recommend the Inn at Birch Wilds – it is a tall step above distinctive and unique.

Enjoy!

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 23

buTTerfIeld’s Ice creaM 946 W MaIn sT, doVer-foxcrofT, Me 04426 207-564-2514 • butterfieldsicecream.com seasonal: aPrIl – sePTeMber (check for hours) It seems that many East Coast states now have an ice cream trail. Last year I followed along Maryland’s for a bit and found some very delectable dairy delights, thanks to our friend Larry Cain’s suggestions. I’ve been to several of New York’s selections, and could very well put together my own for New Jersey.

When we were planning a trip to the northeast corner of the US, Maine to be specific, I poked around to see what stops were on their ice cream trail. Many were to be found along the coast, as the tourist flow along those byways is heavy during the summer months, also seen as ice cream season. But we were not heading that way this trip and, much to my favor, I came across a place that would very nicely fit into our plans.

Butterfield’s Ice Cream is a family owned and operated shop, where they make their own ice cream, and have been scooping out happiness since 1950. There is some indoor and outdoor seating. In addition to their many flavors and creations, they offer food of substance before your dessert.

Let’s start there.

We took a seat at one of their indoor tables and perused the menu. There were two women sitting at the next table and we asked if they were locals and if they had a suggestion. Nellie and Jan (mother and daughter) said all was good, especially if you like fried food. Jan did mention that there was nothing ‘green’ to be had – hmmm, I thought lettuce, tomato, onions and pepper were all from the ground. They offer up haddock, clams, lobster rolls, chicken sandwiches and burgers, all in various forms. We settled on the steak and cheese sandwich with said peppers and onions and a Hound Dog, a deep fried, bacon wrapped red or brown hot dog with onions and cheese – perhaps the single item that would most require the defibrillator. I made a slight alteration and topped it with chili instead of onions and cheese – seemed just the thing to do. Throw on a side of some of the best onion rings I’ve tasted in a long time, and that was one hell of a meal.

Having saved room for dessert, we took a look at the long list of flavors offered on the board.

There are the staples and there are the seasonal flavors. As with most restaurants, Continued on Page 25

For over 37 years Circle Cycle has helped riders get and stay on the road Our variety of powersports products is second to none.

Whether you’re riding offroad, backroads or on the track, we’re here to get you where you need to go.

In northern New Jersey there isn’t a friendlier or more knowledgeable staff than ours. We’re happy to help you find the parts you’ve been looking for.

ONLINE SHOPPING AVAILABLE Visit our website and check our catalog pages - if you don’t see what you want, give us a call or stop in we’re always ready to help!

CIRCLE

CYCLE for the discriminating rider

SATURDAY BASIC SERVICE First Come - First Served Follow Us on Facebook

570 Broad Avenue Ridgefield NJ web: www.circlecycle.net

201-945-2200

Page 24

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo Presents

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival

SPREADING THE WORD Don Gomo Whether you consider yourself a biker, rider, motorcyclist, enthusiast, or something else; we are truly a unique breed of individuals. Just look at what we do for our pleasure; we ride a machine that requires more than normal balance and coordination, basically sit on top of a hot engine with gallons of flammable fuel between our legs and is more or less hard to see by others (especially car drivers) - so it seems. I have heard a ton of reasons why we ride; from the statement that only a dog hanging its head out of the window of a moving car understands us, to the expression of freedom of the open road to even some folks saying it’s that risk that thrills us. While the motorsport we choose has the exceptional capabilities to allow us to be lost while finding ourselves at the same time, I am really not too sure how many folks really developed their passion for riding because it was dangerous; yet we should never forget the risks we have to deal with each time we ride.

When it comes to acknowledging the risks of motorcycling and especially doing something about it, this is definitely a tough topic to get across. The people that attend riding education programs, seminars, watch instruction videos or read on the topic, including those of you that are members with ESMSEP, are not the ones we really need to reach out to. It is obvious motorcyclists who recognize we can do & learn more are ahead of the pack, but what about the rest of the riding community? If you were to look up national numbers or state statistics you will easily find that the number of us who attend a riding program beyond a basic or licensing course will be a low amount.

Why are we as an overall group so resistant to rider education? While I could easily state that the prime factor is EGO; the infamous responses of “I know how to ride, I’ve been riding XX years and never had an accident” or “it’s always the other guy (car) you have to watch out for” and even “I know someone that needs programs like you offer” yet never considers classes for themselves, certainly express that but it has to be more than ego. Could it be that we as a community are not educated enough to realize that training and education can benefit us. Have we become so complacent with our riding that after some duration we feel “We Got This.” Perhaps we need more of a campaign as to the benefits of improved skills and situational awareness to enlighten the masses of rider education, but with funding barely available for even a comprehensive motorcycle study to get and government organizations believing the first step to protecting motorcyclists is enforcing helmets laws; where do we start or how do we do it?

Maybe, like everything else that is important to us, we take control of it ourselves. How many of you have ridden with someone or a group of people and see them do something that made you go Oh My God or a similar gasp of expression? Did you mention it to them when you had the chance or opted not to say anything for fear of an uncomfortable situation to develop or did you consider not riding with them anymore or keeping your distance next time? Unfortunately we live in a time where political correctness or fear of offending someone has taken possibly too much precedent in our lives and we’re afraid to say something even if it could maybe save one’s life in the future. We need to start evaluating this to recognize what is really important and what’s not.

Is there a chance a person would become offended if you discussed with them something they did improperly? Sure there is. Besides them telling you where to go, they may write it off with some nonsense reason or even ask you when you became such an expert. We as riders need to be able to accept criticism that may be to our benefit. Just like I try to explain to riders that we need to take back control and not let others (car drivers) dictate our futures

or expect them to consider us, we should also start taking the steps to point out to our fellow riders that we can learn so much more that would keep us safer. We all have the right to enjoy our riding and we should be able to go home to do it again another day, spreading the word among ourselves that WE need more proficient riders and that starts with us. I believe it is much better to have a fellow rider tell me they noticed an issue with my riding than an emergency medical tech telling me the issues I have because of a crash one that I could have possibly avoided if I were made aware of what I may have not been doing correctly before it happened. I think we can do better and we have to, the numbers associated with crashes and fatalities are scary and if we dig deep into who was at fault and/or percentage of responsibility related to those crashes – it gets scarier.

While we may be crazy enough to swing our leg over a machine that has so many physical aspects to make it dangerous, it may not be the machine that makes it dangerous and we shouldn’t be crazy not to realize we can become safer through education; so let’s start our own mission to spread the word. Motorcycling is fun, but the fun is over when the crash happens, we shouldn’t wait till then to realize that we could have done something differently or better.

Granted there are a lot of crashes that are due to the fault of others and we do need to watch out for everyone on the road, but we can also reduce the risks that we can control by becoming better educated on the mental processing and skills development. As a community, and a small one overall, we need to protect ourselves by taking the steps to reduce the risks we can and acknowledge that we all can improve to be safer. Besides, how bad can it be to learn something to enhance our fun? Seems like a no brainer. Let’s do what we can to make motorcycling safer and help spread the word that we ALL can do more – We Got This!

Don Gomo is the Founder and President of Empire State Motorcycle Safety Education Program (ESMSEP); a not for profit grassroots outreach organization that promotes rider education for free in the lower New York State region. He is also the skills editor/columnist for American Rider Magazine.

You can find more information about his program ESMSEP at www.motorcyclesafetyprogram.org

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 25

ITalIan nIghT aT MaMa’s & café baccI • hackeTTsToWn, nJ It was a dark & stormy night – yet we still had a couple of couples meet up for some superior Italian food at Mama’s & Café Bacci.

They offered a wide menu here in Hackettstown with some going for the risotto – mushroom and seafood. Huge portions and lunch tomorrow. Others tried their Duets – two smaller portion entrées on one plate - Sausage, broccoli rabe and the house Tomasso special, an ‘old school’ rigatoni with ricotta cheese, meatballs, sausage, tomato sauce and then baked with mozzarella cheese. Also most excellent was the combo of pear & gorgonzola purses with eggplant Pisa. The shrimp with a spicy fra diavolo was just that - SPICY! What would you think fra diavolo really means?

The wet weather might have held some back – but never to worry – we will be riding to another country soon enough. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and sign up for our weekly Backroads Report on our website. Hmm – where to next?

one should always try the specials because, well, they are special. There was Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake for Memorial Day, Ice Cream of Doom – vanilla with crushed Oreos and M+Ms, Whoopie Pie and Mint Katahdin Breeze.

Seeing as we had ridden all this way to see the mighty mountain, I had to have a scoop of that. I added a scoop of Daak Chocolate, which complimented the flavor of the mint. Both were super creamy, fully flavored and the perfect consistency. Since Brian is a savior of turtles it was only fitting for him to have a scoop of Turtle Tracks – vanilla ice cream with chocolate caramel turtles, pecans and a caramel swirl (no turtles were harmed to produce this ice cream).

We took our ice cream outside to one of the picnic tables and enjoyed the late spring sunshine, which had graced us for most of this trip. Butterfields is set on a main road, not too far from the local school, so I would imagine they get some pretty heavy traffic before school lets out in the June. We were fortunate to have it quiet on the day we visited and were able to savor our sweets in peace.

Should you find yourself traveling through the middle of Maine, plan a stop at Butterfield’s Ice Cream. It’s been a tradition with the locals and visitors since 1950 – and has my seal of approval as well.

Deep New England

Page 26

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

You would think heading to Americade for a few days would be old hat for us after all these years – but nothing goes super smoothly now, does it?

So after packing, I remembered it would be a good idea to get the Garmin routes I created on the desktop onto the laptop, now stowed in the top case of the BMW. Wow, a lot of compound words there.

Listening to WXPN letting Joni Mitchell sing about “the bright white lines on the freeway” I loaded everything up right on the bike.

Heck, I started this story at the same time, and with the July issue just put to bed this morning we were on a road trip already – even if we were not putting the side stands up till the next day.

We were ready – No regrets, Coyote!

Northward Ho to Americade

words and images: Brian Rathjen

RIDE LIKE A PRO NJ Advanced Riding Training Classes Being Held in New Jersey ‘NEVER FEAR that U-turn or dropping your 800lb. or any motorcycle again’ • You can learn the 3 simple techniques that master low speed maneuvers that Motorcops have been using for years • Our instructors - all active or retired motor officers - will instruct the use of Motorcop riding techniques to help you better control your motorcycle

There is a difference between just riding and riding well

Pre-registration is recommended as classes fill quickly.

Gift certificates available • Course Fee is $175.00 Visit our website to take advantage of this special offer.

RideLikeAProNJ.com

We blasted up to the Kingston region and then took the Thru and Northways towards Lake George. The plan was to mimic part of the Appalachian Trail, which we were constantly crossing, and make our turn-around point at the Trail’s northern terminus at Mount Katahdin.

But, first we made time north to Lake George.

Along this way we had a riding experience that we have never encountered before and, hopefully, will never see again.

About a ¼ mile ahead of us on the New York State Thruway, a semi pulling a load of recycled garbage, with a not so well secured trap covering the back, was heading under the next overpass.

As Maxwell Smart would have said… “He missed it by that much!”

From our direct vantage point of 70 mph and closing, all we saw was the explosion of the top of the truck colliding with the bottom of the bridge.

Debris, crap and garbage ejected in a cloud of white smoke and dust and the road was littered with fragments of boxes, cardboard, plastic bottles and packaging.

There was a mass slow down from us, the two guys on Harleys behind us, and the rest of the traffic heading north.

Shira’s only comment after ‘Holy Shit!’ was that she was glad he was not driving a car carrier.

With that Shira informed me we were going to be making a little side dash for lunch and frozen dessert at the only brewery and ice cream parlor I have

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 27 friends that we never get to see often enough and always hope to run into at this rally.

Bouncing around the World’s Largest Touring Rally

ever heard of, just south of Americade in Glens Falls – Cooper’s Cave; just what the doctor ordered.

Bodies and bikes refueled, sugared and caffeinated we rode into the rally that was still fairly light on this Wednesday.

We got our wristbands and took a quick stroll around the new Tour Expo - which is now found alongside Fort William Henry.

We liked the new layout and found it easy to park, navigate and find the vendors we were looking for.

Our new go-to hotel up this way is The Melody Manor, in Bolton’s Landing. We used this last year for the Fall Fiesta and found it to be a charming place, with stupendous views of the lake and far enough from downtown to make for peace and quiet. It’s the new Backroads North at Americade.

Not far from the hotel is the Algonquin restaurant where we met up with

We were up and out early on this Thursday Americade morning as Shira would be joining MSF Coach and owner of Big Apple Motorcycle School Diane Ortiz for a Ladies’ Coffee Club a gathering of female rides from all points in the motorcycle world to discuss pertinent motorcycle and riding issues that women, in particular, have to deal with day to day. A good hour covering a lot of topics - some old and done to death and others fresh, new and interesting. Diane has held this for a number of years and if you are female rider, or a male rider that looks to support the ladies on two wheels, we highly recommend this way to start the day.

We did a second stroll through the vendor area before meeting friends to take a tour of Fort William Henry right at the bottom of Lake George.

The fort, built in 1755, is at the scene of one of the biggest conflicts in the French & Indian War and the massacre by the Huron tribe following the siege, which saw the British surrender to the French, was the basis for James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans.

For all the years we have come to Americade this was the first time we

Page 28

toured the recreated fort (the French burned the original to the ground after handing the British to the Hurons). Interesting and informative – it is a deep part of the history of this region and it is hard to contemplate of the violence and mayhem that occurred here hundreds of years ago, when you are taking in the fun that is Americade.

We spun up to Dirt Daze that is held a number of miles away at the Painted Pony Ranch in Lake Luzerne. We spent s bit of time up there with the ADV crowd before lunch beckoned and we headed back north to rest up for the night’s activities which included a thing that they were calling Americade’s Knights of the Round Table – a gathering of industry insiders to talk tall tales, amusing stories and discuss motorcycles in general. On the panel were Emcee Fred Rau, Dave Higendorf (editor at Motorcycle Consumer News), Ken Condon (instructor and journalist extraordinaire), Alonzo Bodden (comedic genius and, evidentially, Grom devotee), Shira and I. We were curious to see how this all went, as it was new and a bit different

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

for Americade. As it turned out we drew a good size crowd - mostly made up of Backroads’ peeps and total strangers we had paid money to that afternoon just to show up and be congenial or at least not terribly rude to us – so it all worked out well and the topics ranged far and wide.

In truth it was a fun night and we hope they do it again.

Pizza was found on Canada Street that night before the required stroll round the busy thoroughfare that was now hopping on a Thursday night at Americade.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018 To Vermont We did another quick lap to Dirt Daze and the Expo before lighting off east towards the Green Mountain State. By that time it was past noon and we hadn’t eaten since the night before so we sidetracked a bit off the route and into Whitehall, New york – Birthplace of the U.S. Navy and now reputed home of an Empire State Sasquatch.

Along the canal in this town you will find things that are both curious and historic – one being the hull of the USS Ticonderoga, a U.S. Navy schooner that saw battle in the War of 1812. Lost to history, it was discovered at the lake’s bottom in 1958, raised and its remaining hull can be seen along the canal. Just down the road there is an historic sign signifying the Birthplace of the U.S. Navy. If you read Backroads faithfully you should know the story of how General Arnold (he was a badass before he was a traitor) took the King’s own ship and renamed it Enterprise and proceeded to run amok with the British in Lake George.

Across from the sign we found a superb restaurant called Historic Grounds.

We liked it in every way, not the least being where it can be found.

A return trip here is certainly called for.

Page 29 Back on the route, and not too far down the road, we came up on the large metal statue of Bigfoot that we featured in June’s Mysterious America. We stopped for the digital moment with the Monster of Whitehall and continued on, vectoring off the main road and staying on smaller routes for most of the rest of the day.

Somewhere soon we crossed into Vermont, and we knew this because all the cars were now sporting green license plates.

Sure sign for crack navigators like us.

The day’s ride brought us right by WRAP – the West Rutland Art Park (on the cover) with its large sculptures and beautiful grounds. We have been here before, but it is always worth the stop.

Today’s destination was not all that far from where we started so we stretched the ride out by crossing a couple of Green Mountain passes – the first being Route 173 over to Route 100.

Some of you might be aware that for a little stretch of time I had, what we called, ‘The Americade Curse.’ More than a few times I have had catastrophic bike failure in and around this rally. We were just south of Rochester when I told Shira through the Bluetooth that an engine light had come on.

“WHAT?! Which one? What’s wrong?”

I told her I was not sure as I had never seen this warning light before.

We pulled into the Rochester Café’s lot and I told her the light looked just like a Maple Milkshake – and that maybe Tim and crew could help.

Page 30

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS I thought it was funny. But with my track record Shira just rolled her eyes and we had one shake, one maple crème pie and a whole bunch of ice cream.

That seemed to do the trick as the light was out when we returned to the bikes - sufficiently sugared up for the return run west over the mountains on Route 125 and the short blast north to Bristol and our home for the night, the very cozy Vermont Inn at Baldwin Creek.

Last year Shira featured a wonderful Vermont ice cream shop called Lu-Lu. The Inn at Baldwin Creek and their famed restaurant Mary’s are all one family affair and the Inn was a perfect place to rest our heads and helmets for the night.

Our friends Gina and Ron, who live not far from there, joined us for dinner. When we last saw them we were riding out of the rains deep in Virginia at our Spring Break Rally so it was great to see them under perfect skies and on their home turf.

Mary’s was all we knew it would be as was our night.

To New Hampshire A cup of coffee created and in my hands warded off the Green Mountain’s chilly dawn air as I walked along the short trail by Baldwin Creek. The ferns and trees made for the deepest green this morning and, except for the occasional car rolling to wherever this early in the day, all was silent and it made for one of those perfect moments that you experience on the road.

Soon the rest of the world would awaken and the day would really begin.

Breakfast at Mary’s easily equaled the dinner the night before and we even ran into some folks from back home as well. Small world.

As has become a habit we had fueled up the night before so once on the bikes in the morning we could just get going.

Keeping with the Vermont mountain pass theme of the previous day we tackled Route 17 – better known to riders as the Appalachian Gap. This road is a real winner and just when we thought we were the Top Dogs this day, a young woman came by on some unknown sort of moto – with ponytail waving goodbye to us we slipped to the right and let her by. Nice!

Heading northeast we spent some time at the state capital in Montpelier. It was a busy Saturday, but we lucked out with a spot and did a bit of window shopping – the toy store, the book store and the farmers market - before settling in

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 31 with a cup of coffee… patiently awaiting the opening of a gelato ice cream shop Shira had heard about. Her mission soon completed, we continued onward and into the town of St. Johnsbury, making time to peruse the fantastic Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium.

This museum, located in a stunning building constructed of sandstone and limestone, laid in Richardsonian-Romanesque style, is really beautiful and the museum itself, with its hundreds of natural science ex-

hibits, animals, historic and geographic artifacts, is well worth the time. The show at the planetarium was informative as well and we were really glad we stopped and took the time to visit the Fairbanks.

Not too far down the road we had another quick stop. As per O’Life’s orders (he had a couple on this trip) we needed to seek out the Dog Chapel. Built atop Dog Mountain (not sure if this is an actual name or not) it is a small chapel with a “spiritual bond between man and dog.” Getting off my GS I heard a dog barking very loudly – it turned out to be a visitor’s pooch, as many folks bring their dogs here. I went to say hello to the old graying dog. She went for the bite.Thank goodness for my riding suit.

The owner was more than a little upset.

So much for peace, love & understanding at the Dog Chapel.

The dog’s name was Sandy. I dated a Sandy once…so it all made sense now.

Page 32

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

Still, even with the biting, we thought the Dog Chapel pretty neat and definitely one for ‘Mysterious America.’

By late afternoon we rolled into New Hampshire in the shadow of the Presidential Mountain Range. We rode by the famed Auto Road, where the 65mph winds at the summit this day did not appeal to our adventurous natures, so we passed and headed down to North Conway and the very nice Kearsarge Inn – our home for the evening.

Staying with our friends’ theme as well, we had dinner with fellow riders Kim and Nate, who live just a bicycle ride from the Inn. Dinner was nice, as was the town that still had not gotten swollen with tourists and Laconia-rallygoers this early in June.

To Maine Some of the shops had rolled up the carpet early the previous night so we did a bit of shopping and found breakfast at a darling upstairs eatery called The Stairway Café – very hip, delicious and the place to be.

The winds that had come through the day before had abated a bit so we paid our money and took the 8-mile route to the top of Mount Washington.

The other presidents represented in the Presidential Range: Adams, Jefferson, Monroe, Madison and Lincoln (okay Lafayette as well - we love that Frenchman) all reach up to 5,000 plus, but Mount Washington tops them at 6,288.

The ride up is nice enough, even slightly challenging at points, especially with Sunday driving touristy types coming down the road.

The views were stupendous and we spent a bit of time up on top.

As weather geeks we love that a bit of windy history happened here with Mount Washington’s famous wind gust of 231 mph, recorded on April 12, 1934 at the Mount Washington Observatory. It still stands as the record for the fastest surface wind measured in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

It was the fastest ever recorded till 1996 when Cyclone Olivia had a gust hit 253 mph on Barrow Island off Australia’s western coast.

But, you can ride your bike to the top of Mount Washington, so there is always that.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 33

Heading in and out of Maine and New Hampshire we stopped to take a look at Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park.

We have seen a lot of waterfalls, but this one is a combination of glacial potholes, large drop-offs and many ledges, making for a magical cascade.

Our planned stop for the night was in the Maine town of Rangeley and the Rangeley Inn, which was built more than 100 years ago. Their pub is even older.

But, before we got to the Inn we had yet another stop for Doctor O’Life and the pages of Mysterious America (page 12) - The Wilhelm Reich Museum, the former laboratory of radical psychiatrist Wilhelm Reich.

Come Ride the Dragon Deals Gap 318 Curves in 11 Miles

www.dealsgap.com 800.889.5550 17548 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Deals Gap Store Motel Bar and Grill

Reich was known for his work with Freud and his influence on writers such as Saul Bellow and Norman Mailer. He also collaborated with the famed psychotherapist Fritz Perls in Perls’ development of Gestalt therapy.

But all that physcobabble meant nothing, for we came to find Reich’s ‘orgone’ – what he claimed was the pure human energy, a part of nature that is all around us.

Think ‘The Force’ or Tesla’s ‘Ether.’

Reich took a step further and claimed it was a physical element, that effected the weather and biological patterns, among other phenomena. Reich built a laboratory in Maine to analyze orgone where he built “cloudbusters’ and “orgone accumulators.” They looked like Ray Guns.

We were asked to check it out – which we did.

The place looked closed and buttoned up tight, but maybe a GS with some aggressive tires could slip past a gate and meander upward towards the mansion and laboratory. Maybe someone on a mission might find Reich’s tomb and the ‘Orgone Accumulator’ that stands beside it. But, that would be frowned upon, wouldn’t it?

Page 34

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS The Rangeley Inn was perfect, with a nice lakeside room with a patio, a good book and tavern and restaurant just steps away.

Rangeley had another odd note…it lies, more or less, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. There was even a sign telling us such.

With our Ecuador trip not that far in the past we felt pretty good about this.

Maine morning…

At this time of year the morning comes on about 5 am with the sun stretching first light across the lakes.

The rooms had real coffee, so a cup on the porch taking it all in was in order.

Geese paddling along the shore, some with goslings in tow, a bullfrog bellowing his call from the reeds, a large bumblebee droning amongst the purple flowers of the rhododendrons. Not a black fly or midge in sight.

Quiet, peaceful, serene – perfect.

After breakfast we stopped at the local Post Office and shipped some of the trinkets, tchotchkes and stuff we had been acquiring along the way and then headed out of town north towards the Jo-Mary Mountains.

We had not been on many of the roads in this part of Maine and found them to be pleasant and easy going when following the rivers and a bit on the rough side when heading straight through seemingly endless pine forests.

Our route passed through a number of smaller towns and crossed a few good streams and small rivers, many with rocky falls and cascades running through the towns. This part of Maine is very rugged.

In the town of Dover-Foxcroft we found Butterfield’s (page 23) – homemade ice cream and great lunch to boot.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018 Our end goal on this ride was to ride to the end of the Appalachian Trail that stretches 2,181 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin, not far from the town of Millinocket - the biggest small town in the state.

“Man is born to die, his works are short-lived.

Buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes.

But Katahdin, in all its glory, forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.”

-Percival Proctor Baxter Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,267 feet.

It gets its name from the Penobscot Indians. Katahdin means “The Greatest Mountain” in their native language.

Today it stands huge and majestic and can be seen for miles.

This entire region was bought in small parcels by one man - Percival P. Baxter - who was governor of Maine during the years of 1921-1924. He enjoyed fishing and vacationing in the Maine woods throughout childhood and his affection for the land and Maine’s wildlife were instrumental in his creation of a park for the people of the State of Maine. He began to fulfill his dream of a park in the year 1930, with the purchase of almost 6,000 acres of land, including Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak. In 1931, Baxter formally donated the parcel to the State of Maine with the condition that it be kept forever wild. But maybe not ‘Born to be Wild.’

Being Katahdin was a big part of the reason for this journey we made our way towards Baxter State Park and its 17-mile gravel loop road that goes around the mountain – only to find out that motorcycles are not allowed.

Page 35 Yep… forever shall remain the mountain of the people, as long as you are not on a motorcycle.

We were slightly miffed at this rule – so we bent it till they told us we couldn’t bend it anymore, got a few nice shots and took in the majestic mountain along a pretty lake, which was really spectacular.

Just outside Millinocket you will find a splendid B & B called the 5 Lakes Inn. They offer the perfect place to unwind and take in this phenomenal part of Maine, the greatest stretch of undeveloped land east of the Mississippi.

Rick and Deb, the owners, added a bit more by taking us on an hour-long pontoon boat ride along the lakes with the most striking views of Katahdin.

As Buffett sings – ‘life is good on our boat.’

We motored back into town for dinner and then tried to make it back for the sunset.

The Return South This part of Maine is very wild and there are not all that many roads from which to choose.

We did not want to head into Canada and we had just spent the last few days along the northwestern parts of the state so I thought we’d head south – cutting a few miles off on the big road and then heading west from Maine into New Hampshire.

What sounded like a solid plan unraveled quickly with the reality of I-95 and the suburban sprawl nearer the coast.

After a week of pretty decent routing I had thrown a ‘stinker’ at Shira and she let me know it.

It was not until later in the afternoon that we finally got into some nicer roads and with the longer days this time of year we rode until almost dusk before sliding into Massachusetts and taking a room off the Mohawk Trail – but, not before Shira, who had taken over the navigation after my route was

Page 36

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS sent to the showers, brought us onto a few miles of gravel. We did find the Mohawk Trail – but it was a hundred feet or so, over our heads I was shocked there was not an ice cream parlor at the end of this trail.

Now back in very familiar territory, and needing to get back into the redhead’s good graces, I scrapped our previous route and created a new, better, more funner one.

We awoke to bright sunshine and…wait.

The one thing I had not mentioned all that much during this journey was the weather because we had a week long string of Mary Poppins Days – practically perfect in every way. I did not want to jinx us and draw the attention of the oh-so-fickle Gods of Weather.

After the Spring Breakageddon we just held, we thought they were going to cut us some slack, throw us a bone… just possibly ignore us for a bit – and they seemed to do just that this entire ride. Till the last day.

But, a little bit of rain is not a lot of rain and we had a great chance of beating anything hard if we got going early, which we did.

The Berkshires of Massachusetts are an old bunch of mountains geologically – and they have had mankind of various persuasions running around them for millennium – so trails become paths become roads and these days you will find some seriously enjoyable pieces of pavement and hard packed gravel in and about the ‘Berks.’

Routing this day’s ride, I specifically looked for roads that I did not remember riding before – sometimes I was successful and others struck a distant chord of memory. Regardless we had a real blast and avoided any real precipitation till the other side of the Hudson.

Passing through the town of Stockbridge we pulled in for a little breakfast at the Stockbridge General Store. Parking the bikes we spied a local policeman talking with a guy holding a bag of garbage.

As my nephew Danny would say – truth.

Taking note, and trying not to laugh out loud, we went into the Stockbridge General Store and had a filling breakfast that could not be beat; hearing the refrain from ‘Alice’s Restaurant Massacree’ floating in the back of our heads.

We crossed over the river near Kingston and followed along down through the Shawangunks and, eventually, into New Jersey near High Point State Park. From there it was a short motor along County Road 519 back home.

WASHINGTON CYCLE WORKS We cater to road racers and support all Track Day organizations One-piece Road Race suits in stock

Offering Service + Setup for Ohlins Shocks with our Shock Dyno

WHERE CAN YOU GET ALL THIS AND SO MUCH MORE

IN ONE PLACE?

MOTORCYCLE MADNESS

www.MadMotorcycle.com

MOTORCYCLE MADNESS Where you WON’T get lost in cyberspace Where you’ll find REAL, LIVE HUMAN BEINGS SEE • FEEL • TRY ON • Get it RIGHT the first time Trained Mechanics to actually WORK on your bike 8 State Hwy 94 • Lafayette, NJ • 973-579-6088 • 877-252-9828

www.washingtoncycleworks.com Washington Cycle Works PRIDE. PASSION. PODIUMS.

Junction of Rtes. 57/31 • Washington, NJ 07882

908-835-0043 Open: Tues-Thurs 9:30AM-7PM • Fri 9:30AM-6PM Sat 9AM-3PM • Closed Sun-Mon

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 37

Final Thoughts…Deep New England Katahdin is a big goal for thousands of hiker who have made the real trek along the Appalachian Trail. We do not put ourselves anywhere near their category, but we have followed along the famed walk in a two-wheeled way for decades.

We have been to its beginnings in Georgia and now to its end in Maine.

Both are impressive, but it is all the wonderful America in between with which we are captivated.

We had spent just a week on the road, but had covered a lot of ground, ran into some great fellow riders and seen some seriously wondrous sights along the way.

From the Adirondacks to the Green and White Mountains of Vermont and Maine and the majesty that is Katahdin it was an exciting and filling ride.

Deep New England is what we began to call it and it is deep and impressive. Follow in our wake – you will find it deeply impressive too.

Resources Inn at Baldwin Creek, 1868 N 116 Rd, Bristol, vT • 802-453-2432 • BaldwinCreek.net Kearsarge Inn, 42 Seavey St, North Conway, NH • 603-356-8700 • KearsargeInn.com Rangeley Inn, 2443 Main St, Rangeley, ME • 207-864-3341 • theRangeleyInn.com 5 Lakes Lodge, 46 Marina Dr, Millinocket, ME • 207-723-5045 • 5LakesLodge.com Fairbanks Museum, 1302 Main St, St. Johnsbury, vT 802-748-2372 • FairbanksMuseum.org The Dog Chapel, 143 Parks Rd, St. Johnsbury, vT • 800-449-2580 • DogMt.com Wilhelm Reich Museum, 19 Dodge Pond Rd, Rangeley, ME 207-864-3443 • WilhelmReichTrust.org Historic Grounds, 142 Main St, Whitehall, NY • 518-499-5017 • HistoricGrounds.net Cooper’s Cave Ale Company + Ice Cream, 2 Sagamore St, Glens Falls, NY 518-792-0007 • CoopersCaveAlecom Chill, 32 State St, Montpelier, vT • 802-223-CHILL Butterfield’s Ice Cream, 946 W Main St, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 207-564-2514 • ButterfieldsIceCrea.com

Page 38

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS AND REvIEWS GRIME BOSS SURFACE & HAND WIPES EASY WAY TO KEEP HANDS CLEAN IN THE SHOP AND ON THE ROAD I like it when I am looking for one thing and come across another. Case it point- Grime Boss Cleaning Towels.

I was perusing my local Lowes the other day, with a list of stuff needed, when I spotted Grime Boss in the paint aisle.

Although there are a lot of things in our barn, a sink and hot water is not among them. So sucked in by the packaging, I bought a box of these pre-moistened wipes. According to the manufacturer claims, Grime Boss will replace liquids and sprays, paper towels, rags and shop towels, sponges pads – basically anything that wipes things down. I just wanted to be able to clean my hands without any questionable after-effects.

They say “This ain’t no baby wipe,” and they are not kidding.

After cleaning and lubing one of the chains my hands got pretty grimy. I pulled a Grime Boss out of the box, impressed on the size (9.8 X 8.2) and how sturdy it was and it quickly took off the grease and oil and left my hands with a nice citrusy smell.

There seems to be nothing these wipes can’t handle… Grime Boss claims you can dust dashboards and easily wipe off scuffs and dirt from door panels, clean upholstery and even remove stains from carpets.

You can touch up your motorcycle wiping off road debris, bugs and bird droppings from the bike; dry and buff with a microfiber cloth to shine and protect the finish. For the price, around $15, the box of 60 works great in the shop or even around the house.

Small packs would be excellent on the road too. Find The Grime Boss at any major outlet.

TOURATECH AvENTURO CARBON 2 ADvENTURE MOTORCYCLE AND DUAL-SPORT HELMET The Aventuro Carbon set new standards for light-weight comfort, cooling airflow and a fighter-jet shaped peak that cleanly cuts through the wind. Touratech has updated this adventure motorcycle helmet and taken it to new levels with the Aventuro Carbon 2.

The Aventuro Carbon 2’s peak has a more streamlined shape with ports that manage the airflow reducing turbulence. Over-sized cutouts allow wind to travel underneath the peak and then exit cleanly to the rear, minimizing drag.

Airflow is increased by 40% over the prior model with larger vents and a new one right under the peak that features a cowling to scoop air in just like a muscle car from the 1970s.

The result is increased comfort and reduced neck fatigue on even the longest adventures. Many riders report the reduced air-grab effect makes it easier to turn their heads while enjoying the sights.

Riverside Cafe & Lodge, nestled on the Beaverskill River in Roscoe, NY CIA-trained chef • Motel rooms and cabins • Free wi-fi Excellent base location to explore the lower Catskills

Riverside Cafe & Lodge • 16624 Cty Hwy 17 • Roscoe, NY • 607-498-5305 www.riversidecafeandlodge.com • GPS: 41°58’09”N • 75°01’32.6”W

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 39

A redesigned chin vent has more airflow and is easily operated while wearing gloves. It also has an updated aesthetic design.

The peak is now angle-adjustable for just the right position to block the sun while maintaining visibility and providing protection from brushy trails or Mother Nature. The integrated camera mount also changes angle with the adjustable peak.

The peak is removable without tools so you can use this helmet in street mode. The shield is also removable if you want to run goggles for full dirt-mode. The back of the helmet even has a clip to keep the goggle strap located where you want it.

New high-durability synthetic leather material is used at the bottom of the neck roll and on the chin skirt for longer life. Center panel perforation is designed to maximize liner breathability and features reflective panels for visibility in low light conditions.

Included in the package is a Pin-Lock visor complete with the breathable insert to keep your vision clear on cold and wet days on the road.

There is also an added shell size, so the Aventuro Carbon 2 is now available in sizes XS – XXXL. It comes in Core (all black), Companero (black, gray and yellow) and Sport (red, white and blue). MSRP is $599. Available at Touratech.com

BRIDGESTONE ADvENTURE A41 TIRES • BEST OF BOTH WORLDS We want the best of both worlds, we want it slow and hot

- Robert Palmer

When Robert Palmer sang about the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ he might as well have been singing about Bridgestone’s Battlax Adventure A41 Tires.

These tires are becoming more and more popular and now come standard on a number of ADV machines as well as a set specially created for the new three-wheel Yamaha Niken.

Bridgestone has a lot invested in this next generation tire and recently had a large gathering in Morocco just to prove a point.

Back here in the States we had more than ample opportunity to put on thousands of miles on the A41s – on two separate machines - a Triumph Tiger 800 and Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, on which they came as standard equipment.

First a little bit about how Bridgestone went about developing this newest entry into the growing ADV tire market.

The A41 utilizes a mono-spiral belt construction, which is a single strand of steel cord, wrapped lengthwise around the circumference of the tire. This eliminates seams and crossed belts. Compared to conventional cross-belt construction, the result of mono-spiral construction is a lighter tire that provides better shock absorption and generates less internal heat.

Bridgestone also brought in a dual-compound construction offering great grip in the turns and longer mileage on the highways.

You see, Bridgestone had a mission here - as they wanted an adventure type tire that would offer outstanding straight-line stability, great cornering capacity and performance in the wet, in addition to higher mileage durability and performance.

We think they have succeeded.

While preserving long tire life, the Adventure A41 achieves superior performance in the wet, stability in the dry and improved handling overall.

ye olde landmark Tavern 5 Spacious Rooms starting at $100.00 Tavern and Dining Room Menu

Fire Pit • Free WiFi Cooked-to-order Breakfast Heated Pool • BYOB

Serving Hours: Mon-Sat: 5-9pm Sunday: 2:30-8pm Seasonal April ~ December Member of

We welcome everyone from a lone rider to a full chapter

Featured in ‘We’re Outta Here’ In the heart of great riding • Between Syracuse and Utica

344 Route 100, West Dover, VT www.BigBearsLodge.com 802-464-5591

Cooperstown • Finger Lakes • State Forests

route 20, bouckville, ny • 315-893-1810 • www.yeoldelandmark.com

Quoddy Head Station B&B • Lubec, Maine See the Sunrise First Quoddy Head Station is located on West Quoddy Head in Downeast Maine in the historic seafaring town of Lubec. It's adjacent to Quoddy State Park with a 5 minute walk to West Quoddy Light.

For a Romantic Getaway or Group Outing, Quoddy Head Station is a perfect destination for your next motorcycle trip. 9 private units — 5-bedroom Station House, Keepers Cottage, the Cabin, the Camp and 4 Lodge apartments.

Visit our website for more details www.quoddyvacation.com Call Bill Clark for reservations 877-535-4714 • info@quoddyvacation.com

Page 40

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

The tires we have been testing have been put through the ringer. Two days of heavy track time at Virginia International Raceway proved them to be very confidence inspiring even after hundreds of miles of hard charging and pushing their limits. They have also spent hundreds of miles along some rough gravel roads, in very adverse and wet conditions at times as well. In perfect riding conditions so were the A41s, offering great handling and confidence in just about all riding scenarios.

Both riders reported great rideability, traction and control. Even when they did get the rear to step out, it came right back when the surface evened out a bit. It was also commented on how well and controlled the A41s were as far as braking and cornering were concerned – in both dry AND wet conditions.

According to Bridgestone … “This is a next-generation Adventure type tire that allows riders to extract even more enjoyment from the unique riding that only an adventure bike can offer, whether it be long-distance touring, highway cruising or riding on unpaved roads.” That about sums it all up.

The Adventure A41 tire is marketed as a 90/10 tire, meaning 90% street and 10 % dirt. We think that is very conservative and would say it was more a 75/25 tire. We wouldn’t want to ride Baja with these tires, but for day-to-day riding in the United States with its mix of great paved roads and mostly enjoyable gravel routes the Bridgestone Adventure A41 Tires are a super choice for today’s ADV riders. Find them at your local dealer or bridgestone.com

CELLULARLINE TOUR BLUETOOTH WIRELESS INTERCOM: CUTTING THE CORD! I avoided Bluetooth, preferring a wired intercom when traveling with the missus; however, when we had the chance to evaluate Cellularline’s “Interphone Tour” twin pack, I jumped. Packaged in a pair, this wireless Bluetooth communication system can either link a rider and passenger or two riders, as it has a range of just under a mile. In our case, we used it as a rider/passenger device. It will also expand to work with four total units.

Installation is simple: the units come with multiple options, from a heavy-duty tape-on mount to one that clips to the side of the helmet by sliding between the shell and liner. I used the latter because the curvature on my Shoei flip-front was too great for the tape. The clip mount was easily attached and the speakers went right into the earcups using the supplied adhesive Velcro. Two microphone options were provided, one stick-on for a full-face chinbar and one boom for open face helmets or flip-fronts. Again, the installation was easy using the supplied Velcro, which allowed precise placement of the microphone.

The wires were easily tucked between the liner and the shell, with the whole installation taking 30 minutes for the first helmet, and just 20 for the second. Pairing the two units was simple using the abbreviated instructions in the kit – as simple as turning them on and placing them next to each other. The units clip onto the helmet mounts securely and the big buttons allow use of controls while wearing gloves. Quickly, my wife and I were using them to talk to each other around the house and the voice quality was excellent. We tried the FM radio feature and it worked well, but the speakers are clearly optimized for voice communication.

We used the Cellularline units on something of a torture test: the very rainy Backroads Spring Break. Despite the rain, the waterproof units and their buttons and connections worked well and nothing got shorted or damaged. The only niggle in rider/passenger communication was when we wore our earplugs – even at the highest volume (confirmed by voice prompts), we had trouble hearing each other with earplugs in. If I had to ask for an improvement, it would be for more volume. Even so, we could still make each other understood, especially when the big windshield was all the way up.

Battery life was phenomenal: when you turn the unit off, the voice prompt announces the battery state and even after using it for a full four days, deliberately leaving it on at stops, we were only down to “Battery Medium” per the female voice. They have standard USB power cords and the Tour package came with a rechargeable backup battery in case you ever need an onroad “booster shot,” but I doubt you will. The backup DOES make a handy freshener for your phone. I was able to pair the units with my Garmin GPS to get navigation voice prompts, although I need to get smarter on the priority to make sure I retain intercom. Since the units just come with a basic “startup manual,” you have to download the full instructions from the web, along with firmware updates. Pairing with the phone was similarly easy, but I am loathe to use the phone when riding, so you’ll have to evaluate that for yourself.

Overall, we found the Cellularline Tour units a welcome addition to our touring arsenal: light, easy to install, with good sound quality, and great battery life.

MSRP for a 2-Pack set is $489.99/$279.99 for a 1-Pack, and is available through Helmet House (www.helmethouse.com • 800-421-7247) I really liked being connected when we were separated, like when I was filling the tank and she was inside buying drinks and snacks. Now I can see why people like cutting the cord: perhaps it’s time you did too! ~ Mark Byers

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 41

THE HORNET ELECTRONIC DEER AVOIDANCE SYSTEM Mike has been on the road for a few day’s riding south and into the mountains and forests along some stellar roads that make for some great riding.

But he is not alone on these backroads – there is something else here.

Coming through some wetlands and approaching a forest with deep tree coverage, he has his eyes up and is marveling at the view.

BOOM! A Romulan deer has decloaked and slammed into the bike, taking him out-for the season-with a broken collar bone and a wrecked motorcycle.

It happened in a millisecond, but as he and the bike went down his brain sped up and he clearly remembers the deer staring at him through the plastic shield of his fairing as they all slid and tumbled down the rural country road.

He is lucky to be just damaged and not dead.

Choose your universe.

Deer cause more damage, death and mayhem on the roads than any other creature. They are everywhere and invisible till they de-cloak in front of you.

Although much has been written about deer whistles and the like, we can say, after years of use, that the Hornet Electronic Deer Avoidance System – a system that actually makes its own tone - is your best bet.

Is it just an electronic rabbit’s foot?

Maybe.

As much as I have asked local deer, and sent them survey forms, they have never gotten back to me.

BUT – I have seen deer (and two moose) move in the opposite direction of my Hornet-equipped bike many, many times; enough to make me a believer and order a second Hornet for Shira’s V-Strom as well.

Installation is easy enough, although you will have to figure out exactly where you will want to mount it as it needs to be at least 8 inches off the ground and set at a 45-degree angle to the pavement.

Shira’s went on in about 20 minutes.

Two Hornets are even better than one - I am sure.

American • Metric • Sport • Parts & Accessories • Award-winning Service • Performance Work • Dyno Tuning • S&S Pro Tuning Center • Power Commander Tuning Center

JDS CYCLE PARTS EST. 1988

247 W. Westfield Ave, Rosell Park, NJ

908-245-2445

Route 739 • Dingmans Ferry, PA • 570.828.1920

Meanwhile in an alternate universe…

Mike has been on the road for a few day’s riding south and into the mountains and forests along some stellar roads that make for some great riding.

But he is not alone on these backroads – there is something else here. He knows this and when he started his ride this day he leaned over and switched on his Hornet Electronic Deer Avoidance System.

Coming through some wetlands and approaching a forest with deep tree coverage he has his eyes up and is marveling at the view. Mike is never even aware of the pregnant doe that was just feet from the roadside and now dashing away, scared off by the piercing whine that was approaching where the doe lay hidden.

He has a fantastic trip and all is well in his world – it just keeps getting better.

Page 42

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS Unlike ‘whistles’ the Hornet makes its own high-pitched tone electronically using a precision tuned sonic generator which produces a high pitched, directional sonic wave. The Hornet operates at a fixed frequency of a 5,000 Hz. square wave pattern and uses Sonic Systems’ exclusive Wave Variance Tuning, which takes a secondary frequency to the 18,000 to 21,000 Hz. range, well

within the normal human’s hearing.

Yes, you will hear it and in closed spaces it can be quite annoying; that is why you can turn it on and off.

When this wave is reflected from the road surface of a moving vehicle, a virtual sonic echo effect is produced. This sonic wave has proven its ability to alert deer, and most other animals, to what they perceive as an approaching threat. According to XP3, the makers of The Hornet, the reason The Hornet works so well on deer is they have acute hearing and are very skittish animals with a strong sense of survival. When you are approaching deer with your vehicle, they will react to The Hornet by lifting their head to determine if they are being threatened. As your vehicle is moving towards the deer, they will normally run for safety- and away from the road and your bike.

That at least is the plan – I have had mine for a number of years and so far so good.

So the bottom line is this… as much as I would like to tell you that this will 100% guarantee you will not be hit by a deer (deer hit us, we do not hit them) I can not. Like I said – electronic rabbit’s foot. Then again, some people swear by their rabbit’s foot.

But, for the price – just $79.99 (plus $17.99 for the motorcycle harness, which we recommend. See ad on page 25 for Free Harness) – the price of a nice meal or a cheap hotel room for the night – you can ride with a little bit more confidence that you have a far better chance of not getting tangled up with a deer than if you are not using The Hornet.

The choice is easy and cheap. I bet our rider wish he had one.

Contact Hornet at their website: www.xp3hornet.com. ~ Brian Rathjen

DUCATI’S INTRODUCES THE MONSTER 1200 25 ANNIvERSARIO The Monster was first presented at the Cologne trade fair in 1992, production began on 5 March 1993 and in just a few years the bike reached icon status in the world of motorcycles. The model was responsible for launching the category of Naked sports bikes and an ever growing and ever more devoted community of riders grew up around it: Monster fans.

To celebrate the first 25 years of history of the most iconic of the Bologna-based manufacturer’s motorcycles – over 325,000 of them have been made since 1993 – Ducati has decided to create the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario.

Only 500 numbered examples of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario will be produced, which for Ducati embodies the maximum expression of a Naked sports bike. Just over 100 bikes will be available in North America.

The limited edition is characterized by an exclusive livery featuring the three colors of the Italian flag on the nose fairing, fuel tank and passenger seat cover, inspired by the 2008 Monster S4RS Testastretta Tricolore. The special color scheme partners perfectly with the prestige seat which is embroidered with the 25th anniversary logo.

‘50s-Style Drive-In Restaurant Full and Varied Menu Room for the Whole Gang BIKE NIGHT IS HERE! Join us at

THE CHATTERBOX DRIVE-IN GREAT FOOD • GOOD TIMES • EXCELLENT RIDING Located at Ross’ Corners • 1 Route 15 • Augusta NJ • 973-300-2300

www.chatterboxdrivein.com

accommodations available six newly renovated rooms

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR GROUPS

bar • lunch • dinner At the intersection of Great Homemade Meals and Beautiful Backroads

Breakfast Every Sunday 9am-1pm Tues 4-10pm • Wed-Sat 11am-10pm • Sun. 9am-9pm

RivertonHotelandRestaurant

The riverton hotel and restaurant At Belvidere-Riverton Free Bridge, Riverton, PA

610-498-4241 • www.rivertonhotel.com

Member of

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Round 10 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship made its annual visit to upstate New York the weekend of August 12. Last year’s championship was up for grabs from the very beginning with injuries to former champion Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey’s announced retirement in May. In fact, the premier 450cc class was decimated by injuries last year. The starting grid started to look like the NY Mets pitching staff in some ways. This is not to say that the current series leader and those battling for points are also rans.

Nothing could be farther from the truth the series was left wide open for perennial favorites such as Eli Tomac, Blake Bagget and Marvin Musquen to step up. More on the race later.

As is my tradition, a leisurely ride to Unadilla affords me a day out of the office and originates in the lower Hudson Valley.

A quick trip to the end of the Palisades Parkway, west to Monroe and north on Route 208, which meanders up through Orange County. Passing through the villages of Maybrook and Wallkill I turned west on Route 44 in Gardiner then Route 55 up and over the Shawgunk ridge. Eventually 55 spills out on Route 209 running south along Roundout Creek. Route 55 again turns west at Naponoch and heads toward the Roundout Resevoir. Just past

Page 43 the reservoir Clayville Road runs north to Hunter Road. Heading west again this is a twisty rural road winding up and over the foothills of the lower Catskills. Eventually it ends at Willowemoc Rd and Debruce Rd, which follows the creek into Livingston Manor.

A short blast west on Route 17 to Roscoe made for a timely gas and lunch stop. From Roscoe I followed Route 206 west all the way to Walton and the familiar Route 8. Arriving at the track under cool overcast skies early in the afternoon, I took a much needed walk around the track and pits.

Unadilla was playing host to the amateur races on the “U2” track and there were hundreds of racers, young and old, lining the parking fields for the event. If you wonder where the young riders of our sport are going to come from go to a local amateur motocross track.

Grassroots motocross has to be the most family friendly motorsport.

In the pits, factory semis were parked in endless rows and the mechanics were methodically prepping race machines for early morning practice on Saturday. AMA tech inspection was busy looking over the bikes and handing out transponders. Vendor row was coming to life with all types of merchandise being readied for the expected crowd the next day.

Back on the road towards Cooperstown I made a pit stop at the Fly Creek Cider Mill.

What would a summer ride be without an ice cream stop? If you’re in the vicinity of Cooperstown, you owe it to your taste buds to visit Fly Creek! I took a ride up the west side of Otsego Lake to scope out campsites for future reference. I also had heard about a new craft brewery in the area called Red Shed. They were easy to find on the east side of the lake. I could only have a small taste as they only fill growlers at present. I had a sample of a nice tasty IPA made with all NY grown ingredients.

Soon the kickstand was down at the Lakefront Hotel in Cooperstown for the evening. I later was surrounded by two brand new BMW

Page 44 GS 1200s whose owners rode down from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. My Yamaha would not be alone for the night.

The next morning began with cloudy skies and cool temperatures. This is contrast to the blazing heat and humidity from the previous year’s event.

Early practice sessions saw fast lap times on the relatively dry but loamy track. After qualifying, the stage was set for the 1st 450cc moto. A slight drizzle began to fall tempering the dust but Mother Nature would have Her say before the moto was finished. Heading into the first race, would perennial and crowd favorite Eli Tomac racing for the factory Monster Energy Kawasaki team extend his fragile points lead? Or, would the late charging Red Bull KTM Marvin Musquin close the gap in the championship points standings?

When the gate dropped the RCH Suzuki rider Matt Bisceglia led the 40 rider field into the fast right hand first turn and claimed the ‘Motosport.com’ Holeshot. His teammate Justin Bogle and HRC Honda’s Christian Craig were on his heels as they worked through the top part of the track before dropping into Gravity Cavity. Red Bull KTM mounted Marvin Musquin wasted no time and began to work his way up through the pack. Musquin passed Craig and took over third place before the opening lap was completed. KTM’s Blake Baggett was also charging through the pack hard and was catching Musquin. Baggett’s factory KTM sounded awesome. He was obliterating berms as he powered through the turns. The bike giving off a deep 4-stroke bark as he gassed up and over the doubles. As the pack came by the start/finish line it was the two Suzuki’s of Bisceglia, Bogle with the determined Frenchman Musquin in third.

Musquin started to really attack the track and in no time found his way past Bogle taking away second place. He set his sights on Bisceglia and passed him for the lead. Bogle tried to keep Musquin close and made the move for second passing Bisceglia. As Bisceglia tried to maintain position, he found himself being reeled in by Blake Baggett who got by him just before the start of the next lap.

With no one in front, Musquin settled in and opened up a sizeable lead of several seconds finding the conditions to his liking. As the opening laps faded, the drizzle turned into a steady rain. The track went from moderately dry to thick and loamy. By this time Baggett had made his way past Bogle into second and was clicking off the fastest lap times. He closed in on the rear wheel of Musquin and the two KTM riders began a battle for positon

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS with Musquin successfully defending each attempt from Baggett. Now the steady rain turned into a good old-fashioned late afternoon down pour. The track became slick and muddy with standing water everywhere. The lap times began to increase but the two KTM riders didn’t seem to mind. The two were racing each other into each turn and jump. At this point with spectators huddled under the vendor tents, the wind picked up and there was loud crack of lightning, which came down just past the rear section of the track. In 40 plus years, this was some of the worst rain I have witnessed at Unadilla.

Up until then, Musquin and Baggett continued to battle for the lead. Unfortunately, the lightning put an end to that. Race officials called the race at 27 minutes instead of the 30-minutes-plus-two-laps. Marvin Musquin was declared the Moto 1 winner with Baggett in second and HRC Honda’s Cole Seely in third. This would be the fifth consecutive moto win for Musquin and KTM.

The heavy down pour made track conditions as bad as possible and the second race was delayed for over an hour. When the gate finally dropped for Moto 2, Musquin led the carnage around the opening corner to take his fifth ‘Motosport.com’ Holeshot of the season. Husqvarna mounted Dean Wilson and Christian Craig were close behind. Following his podium finish in the last race, Husqvarna’s Martin Davalos was determined and passed Craig and

RISING WOLF GARAGE NYC EXCLUSIVE MOTORCYCLE PARKING FACILITY W e p r o v i d e a f r i e n d l y, c l e a n a n d s e c u r e environment for the motorcycle enthusiast

Service Area Personal Storage Air Compressor Battery Charging

Monthly Parking Long & Short Term 24 Hour Access video Surveillance

By Appointment Only East village NYC Ph: 212 475 5858 • Fx: 212 505 5205

risingwolfgarage@aol.com

www.risingwolfgarage.com

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018 Wilson for second. At the completion of the opening lap it was Musquin, Davalos, and Wilson.

Championship contenders Baggett and Tomac started the race in sixth and eighth positions, but it wasn’t long until disaster struck Baggett and forced him to pull into the mechanic’s area. He would rejoin the race nearly dead last.

At the front of the field Musquin made an attempt to break away, but Davalos kept him within sight. As Davalos attempted to pass for the lead, Musquin began to pull away. Wilson put in a consistent ride in third place but began to feel pressure from Yamaha’s Cooper Webb. Webb made his move on the 7th lap and moved into third.

Musquin remained well out in front during the final laps taking the win ahead of Davalos. Third place on the podium went to Cooper Webb.

Musquin’ s 1-1 finish propelled him to his fourth career overall win and added to his moto win streak of six. The strong second moto helped Davalos finish second overall (8-2) and capture his second career 450 Class podium.

Seely finished third overall (6-3), resulting in his first podium of the season

Page 45 The points leader Eli Tomac retained his lead by a mere 27-points with a ninth overall finish. As a post script, Tomac accumulated enough points by finishing in the top 10 at the last round in Indiana to claim the championship.

Congratulations to Eli as he has been competing at the professional level since 2010.

And so another year of top level motocross action at Unadilla came to an end. In 2016, Mother Nature did her best to challenge the riders with blazing heat and humidity. In 2017, she opened up and made the track the challenge with a good ole’ mud fest. After all the rain and a late ending, I chose faster state roads for the trip home. Heading east through the Catskills to Kingston, opting to slab it on the NYS Thruway for the last leg home. I hope to be able to make the race again this year- any takers? ~ Tony Lisanti

2018 round #10 lucas oil Pro Motocross championship • august 10-12 5986 state hwy 8, new berlin, ny 607-965-8450 • www.unadillamx.com/

Page 46

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

HONDA TO BRING MONKEY AND SUPER CUB C125 TO U.S. MARKET • TWICE THE FUN IN TWO SMALL PACKAGES During a special welcome dinner at the popular Smoky Mountain Crawl rally, American Honda announced that the Monkey and Super Cub C125 ABS models will be made available to U.S. customers for the 2019 model year. First unveiled in concept form last September at the Tokyo Motor Show, the models are both closely based on iconic motorcycles from Honda’s past, and are the latest examples of the company’s aptitude for developing pocketsized motorcycles that capture the fancy of enthusiastic subcultures. Preceded by cherished models like the Mini Trail, the Z50, and more recently the Grom, the Monkey and Super Cub C125 are set to honor Honda’s heritage and define new lifestyles while appealing to a broad spectrum of riders.

“Since our ‘You Meet the Nicest People’ campaign of the ‘60s, Honda has produced fun, confidence-inspiring models that attract new customers to the joy of motorcycling, while introducing new ways for existing enthusiasts to express themselves and interact,” said Lee Edmunds, American Honda’s Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications. “With the 2019 Monkey and Super Cub C125, ‘The Power of Nice’ returns.”

honda Monkey Beginning with a Japanese amusement-park ride, Honda’s 58-year history with the “Monkey” has seen the Z series capture the hearts of generations the world over, offering enjoyable, accessible mobility through a likable design, tiny dimensions, and low weight. Today, the desire for an easy-to-handle motorcycle that puts smiles on faces is alive and well. A master of fun, the 2019 Monkey builds on that passion, while opening the door to the next generation of enthusiasts. The classic Monkey style provides the cues: simple, curved surfaces, and a trapezoid silhouette highlighting the compact length.

The glossy fuel tank, finished in the same color as the frame, swingarm, and shocks, crowns the machine, and proudly wears a historical 3-D “Old Wing”design Honda logo. Chrome steel high-mount fenders—plus the evocatively stamped exhaust shield, circular mirrors, and high-rise handlebar—all pay homage to the original. The Monkey is powered by a modern, reliable 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, and is available with ABS brakes.

The Monkey will be available in Banana Yellow, Pearl Nebula Red as well as the Monkey ABS: Pearl Nebula Red retailing for $3,999 and $4,199.

Look for them come October.

honda suPer cub c125 abs

Since the 1958 introduction of the first Super Cub C100 (one year before the launch of the American Honda Motor Company), the iconic model and its descendants have enticed armies of new riders to motorcycling, its approachable, stylish design and utilitarian performance altering people’s understanding of riding. A social phenomenon, the Super Cub even inspired a Beach Boys song, its worldwide popularity carrying it to a production milestone of 100 million units in 2017, making it the highest-selling motor vehicle in the world. Although U.S. importation of the model ended in 1974, American Honda is offering the 2019 Super Cub C125 ABS in celebration of its 60th anniversary. Featuring classic Super Cub styling with an S-letter silhouette and step-through design, the little motorcycle has a fuel-efficient and quiet 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, fuel injection, a comfortable seat, and ABS brakes. Available in Pearl Niltava Blue for around $3,599 in January 2019.

20th Annual

Fall Fiesta 2018

Endless Mountain Excursion • Sept. 20-24 book early - rooms are limited

Thursday, September 20 Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel

Fri-Sat, September 21 + 22 Altoona Grand Hotel

Sunday, September 23 Inn at Jim Thorpe

700 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA 570-342-8300 • www.radisson.com/scranton $104 + tax (Backroads Group discount)

1 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 814-946-1631 • altoonagrandhotel.com $119 + tax (Backroads Group discount)

24 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 800-329-2599 • innjt.com $98-$148 + tax (Backroads Group discount)

Originally a French Renaissance-style train station in 1908, the Lackawanna Station has been completely renovated while keeping its history and artistic flair. Get here early and visit the Steamtown National Historic Site, Houdini Museum or just stroll downtown Scranton.

A great two-night stop, complete with indoor pool and fitness center. Saturday you can visit Punxsutawney Phil and ride through the Allegheny Forest, head to Horseshoe Curve and take the funicular or the 194 steps to the overlook, or simply enjoy the beautiful curves and sights this part of Pennsylvania has to offer.

Built in 1849, the Inn at Jim Thorpe is a perfect stop for our last night on the road. Within steps of the front door, there are shops, dining, live music and historic sites to fill your evening. If you arrive early, visit the Old Jail Museum with its eerie dungeon cells and mysterious hand print.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2018

Page 47

TRIUMPH ATLAK ARRIvES IN NEW JERSEY Following in the flavor of Triumph’s Back in Black Tour of 2017, this time around ATLAK is a meandering roadshow featuring the Triumph Tiger line-up and it stands for Atlanta to Alaska, as the tour started in April in Atlanta and will roam through 16 stops throughout North America and finish this month in Girdwood, Alaska.

The Triumph ATLAK Tour gathered at Old York Cellars, in Ringoes NJ, on a stellar Sunday in late June. It was a great day for a ride, and the winery made an excellent, if slightly upscale, venue for Triumph to show off the new Tiger line-up; although we do think their ATLAK truck – a giant 8-wheel drive Oshkosh 1070F tank hauler - drew a lot of attention as well.

Backroads needs one of these.

They had an excellent turnout, a great band and some serious barbeque from More than Q in Lambertville, New Jersey.

(We see a future GAADR) Good for Triumph for making the effort and putting together a number of great events throughout the country. It was the perfect excuse for a day trip, some good food, and a chance to see the bikes, learn a little bit about them and, best of all, hang with a bunch of like-minded riders. www.fortheadventure.com

Rip & Ride® • HISTORIC GROUNDS • APPROx. 80 MILES 142 MAIN STREET, WHITEHALL, NY 12887 518-499-5017 • HISTORICGROUNDS.NET 7 DAYS A WEEK - 7AM - 3PM GPS DOWNLOAD: WWW.SENDSPACE.COM/PRO/DL/AMRA5x

START: MILLION DOLLAR BEACH, LAKE GEORGE, NY RIGHT ON CANADA ST. BEAR RIGHT ON ROUTE 9N LEFT AT DIAMOND POINT RD. RIGHT AT SCHROON RIvER RD. BEAR RIGHT AT HORICAN RD. RIGHT AT RTE. 8 LEFT AT RTE. 9N GO THROUGH TICONDEROGA STOP AT STAR TREK‘S ENTERPRISE STRAIGHT AT RTE. 74 CROSS LAKE CHAMPLAIN ON FERRY RIGHT ON RTE. 73 RIGHT AT MT. INDEPENDENCE RD LEFT AT OLD STAGE RD. RIGHT AT FRAzIER HILL RD. LEFT AT NORTH LAKE / PARK HILL RD. BEAR RIGHT AT NORTH RD. STRAIGHT AT CR 10 LEFT AT DOIG ST. RIGHT AT CR 9 CROSS CANAL AT SAUNDERS BRIDGE RIGHT ON MAIN HISTORIC GROUNDS OPPOSITE U.S. NAvY MARKER Join Us in 2018

Patagonia, Peru, Bolivia Argentina and more!

Visit our website for 2018-19 tour dates Ride through Bolivia, Peru and Argentina.

Visit the full range of our beautiful and enchanting places and see our lakes, other-worldly deserts, Independent touring or guided tours with multilingual guide, mechanic and support vehicle. 17 Years organizing tours and BMW rentals.

80 motorcycles in fleet.

World’s 2nd Largest BMW Travel Partner and Official BMW Dealer

the dramatic Andes, snow-covered volcanoes and, of course, the magic world of Patagonia.

email info@motoaventura.cl web www.motoaventura.cl

Page 48

AUGUST 2018 • BACKROADS

UP C OM I N G E vE NT S CAL END AR EVERY MONTH - WEATHER PERMITTING Every Tuesday • Two Wheeled Tuesday at Spiegel Restaurant • 26 1st Avenue, NyC. An eclectic gathering of motorcycles served with multi-cuisine meals. Kick some tires, have some couscous, enjoy the crowd • www.spiegelnyc.com • 212-228-2894 Every Tuesday • Bike Night @ The ear Inn, 326 Spring St, NyC Every Thursday • Bike Night at the Chatterbox Drive-In, Rtes. 15/206, Augusta, NJ. Tire kicking, good food and friends • wwwchatterboxdrivein.com

What’s Happening 25 • Valley View Tavern sponsors Ride to Give to benefit Deerfield Valley Food Pantry.

Sign in/endsite: 131 Route 100, West Dover, VT • 9am Ride / 1pm Party. More info: 802-464-9422 28-Sept. 1 • 40th Wing Ding, Knoxville, TN • https://wing-ding.org/ 29-Sept. 3 • 115th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Celebration, Milwaukee, WI • www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/milwaukee-115th.html

SEPTEMBER 2018

Every Saturday thru October • Bergen County H-D Saddle Up Saturday. 9am for coffee and bagels. Ride departs 10am. Returns to dealership for FRee music and food.

Proper attire MUST be worn! BCHD, 124 essex St, Rochelle Park, NJ • 201-843-6930

13 • Frontline eurosports Thursday Rider’s Night with Late Until eight hours and complimentary food (bustin’ out the smoker) to enjoy while taking advantage of Flash Sales.

540-387-9780 • www.frontlineeurosports.com • 1003 electric Rd, Salem, VA.

First Sunday of the Month thru Sept. • Hudson Valley Motorcycles Caffeine and Gasoline. Meet friends and like-minded riders over coffee, tea and a bite before heading out for a great Sunday ride. HVMC provides a nice location for various rides to Upstate Ny, Connecticut or Bear Mountain. Showroom will be open. • 179 N Highland Ave/Rte. 9, Ossining, Ny • 914-762-2722 • HvMotorcycles.com

20-24 • 20TH ANNIvERSARY BACKROADS FALL FIESTA. The endless Mountain excursion. Scranton, PA, Altoona, PA and Jim Thorpe, PA will be our homes for four days of PA's twisties, histories and mysteries. Details: www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html

AUGUST 2018 5 • Hudson Valley Ride for Kids benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Sign in: Motorcyclepedia Museum, 250 Lake St, Newburgh, Ny. 9-9:30am, KSU 10am rain or shine. Register at: rideforkids.org/hudsonvalley 12 • 5th Annual Rockaway Twp UNICO Charity motorcycle Run for Kids to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Sign in: Peterson Field, Fleetwood Drive, Rockaway Twp, NJ. 8:30am KSU 10am. $25/rider, $15/passenger. endsite: Buffalo Wild Wings, Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, NJ. 60 mile police escorted run thru scenic northwest NJ. Incl. lunch, music, raffles and more • www.rtunicoorg • info@rtunico.org • 973-975-5554

MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS DAYTONA, BIKETOBERFEST, STURGIS AND BEYOND

BARN TRAILERS

SALES 718-426-7039 • www.barntruckrental.com RENTALS 57-05 BROADWAY • WOODSIDE NY 11377 (OFF THE BQE & LIE)

16 • Frontline eurosports Thursday Rider’s Night with Late Until eight hours and complimentary food (bustin’ out the smoker) to enjoy while taking advantage of Flash Sales.

540-387-9780 • www.frontlineeurosports.com • 1003 electric Rd, Salem, VA

Sussex Hills Ltd. Stocking a full line of heated gear Make your riding season last all year.

Specializing in Motorcycle Repair, Parts & Supplies • Cycle Tires Mounted & Balanced • Batteries & Hard Parts • Dynojet 250 Dyno available for testing

973-875-2048 Norman Gross 946 Rte. 23 South For All Your Harley-Davidson Needs Sussex NJ 07461 Since 1976 3 miles north of Sussex Borough Our Reputation Speaks for Itself

The Boat House Restaurant Perfect in Any Season Brunch, Lunch or Dinner on Swartswood Lake

Excellent Ride Destination

Tues-Sun 11A-9P Brunch 10A-2P Closed Monday Call for Seasonal Hours

1040 Cty Rd 521 • Swartswood NJ 973-300-0016

Beemerboneyard.com USED OILHEAD, K-BIKE & H EX-H EAD PARTS Hundreds of used parts at 50% off new cost or less Order online 24/7 ~ M/C, Visa, Discover or PayPal 100% money-back guarantee ~ parts ship in 24 hours

N EW MAINTENANCE PARTS ~ BELOW RETAIL NO BACKORDERS ~ WE STOCK WHAT WE SELL

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION PAYPAL and SQUARE ACCEPTED FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

Easy • Convenient • Secure Subscribe Today via our Website

www.backroadsusa.com/subscription.html Sending a check? Use the form below and mail to:

Backroads, PO Box 620, Augusta, NJ 07822 NAME ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________________________________________

10% off BACKROADS Discount - Online Orders Only

Don’t Miss An Issue! Mail Your Subscription TODAY!

Enter code BACKROADS in source code box @ checkout and click ‘apply’

If you have moved, please use this form to inform us of your change of address

973-775-3495 • M-F 12pm~5pm • inquires@beemerboneyard.com

o New/Lapsed Subscription

o Change of Address