MOTO WEEKEND 2021

During the second weekend of this September, a lot was going on in the motorcycle world.

The International Motorcycle Show, no longer a mid-winter enclosed event because of the pandemic, found itself a reborn Phoenix of sorts, now being held at various outdoor venues across the nation, and this weekend rolling into the fairgrounds at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

There was to be one in New York City, Brooklyn to be speci c, but (thankfully) that was canceled. I could not even imagine the logistics of holding a rally with demo rides in Kings County.

We had our plan, more or less, etched in mud months back. Hit the IMS Outdoors in Carlisle, overnight and then journey south and east and, eventually the very southern part of New Jersey and to the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.

Friday, September 10th The International Motorcycle Show Outdoors

It seems that there are two completely different ways Shira and I can start a day on the road.

While on the road, we are up and at em’ around 8ish.

Not so fast at home.

There is always something that pops up, diverting our attention and during all this, time keeps on ticking, ticking into the future.

Somewhere around 11ish we nally had side stands up and, although we had a twistalicious backroads route from home to the Carlisle Fairgrounds, we also knew we needed to be there by 3pm the latest to get a good four hours in before the 7 pm closing time.

As we rode along on this brilliant day we talked ourselves, via Bluetooth, into a Plan B. We’d ride through the rst part of the GPX route and make a stop at Hermy’s BMW to say hello. From there we would slab it across the rest of I-78 (as horri c and ghastly as it is) and then turn it up south on I-81 (far more civilized) and get to the International Motorcycle Show right on schedule – which we did.

We have heard mixed reviews from the northern California and Chicago shows, but the weather was perfection and we knew the Carlisle venue had a great location, with especially superior roads for demo rides - so went there with an open mind. While parking we talked with several riders who had been there all day and were walking to their bikes to head home; asking them their opinion of the event. Other than a few kvetching on the lack of a few notable manufacturers, it seemed all had a most excellent time.

We got our wristbands and began exploring the IMS Outdoors.

Before we go any further let’s take a look at the various complaints and the reality of the now-defunct New York City Show.

Compare and contrast if we will.

The middle of winter, cold, wet, cramped – and there was never a show we left without feeling like we had been sequestered. You could sit on bikes, but

no one was riding them and then there was New York City. Congested, you needed to take a loan on your home to pay for parking and, as much as it was a motorcycle thing to do in winter, we never relished it.

But, this day everything was spread out. The vendors that were there were actually motorcycle vendors, well, all but two or

three, and not only could you see the newest offering from the OEMs, for the most part, you could take them for a ride as well.

Add in the fresh air and the rays of the yellow sun that power up Kryptonians and it was about as motorcycle-perfect as you could ask for.

Little ones on Stryders, a rock band that was spot on, but not so loud that you couldn’t hold a conversation or hear yourself think.

Plenty of very good food vendors and a great line-up of manufacturers that did come for the weekend.

The Pan America, the new Adventure machine from The Motor Company, was there, as well as the new Sportster. Both available to ride.

Zero has showed that electric bikes don’t have to be boring and their newest offering were downright beautiful. Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Honda assured that all the Japanese brands had a healthy line-up as well as Triumph, Royal En eld, and Beta being there as well. One shop, Karns Performance in Mechanicsburg, brought

a bevy of Benelli – very nice and their TNT 135 bike (think Italian Grom) had us almost reaching for our wallets. We stopped to have a new set of custom earplugs created by In Earz Sport, spent a good amount of time with one of the Harley reps and the Pan America – an ADV machine even the moderately in-seamed Shira was comfortable on.

The Antique Motorcycle Club had their usual impressive collection on hand and we spoke with each and every vendor and were impressed by what was being offered. We even had a chance to speak with the national sales manager for Yuasa Batteries about the power-side of the industry

before sliding over to Honda and chatting with our buddy Rob Doyle, Honda’s Jeff Weiner, and road race maven Kevin Erion (a true treat to meet him).

That evening we met up with the entire Honda crew for dinner at a local diner – I even won an alligator for Shira with one of those ‘claw’ games in the lobby. What we’d do with a foot-long alligator was anyone’s guess but Carlisle Lacoste, as he was named, made it through the weekend and into his new home at Monkey with a Gun.

During the meal we talked a bit about how the IMS outdoors had a real festival feel to it. Familyfriendly, great location, and value and a much-needed shot in the arm for the industry.

It was well attended that Friday, but we heard that crowds poured in during the rest of this superb weekend. The great weather and mid-September date probably helped a great deal as well.

We think the event was a winner for the OEMs and the attendees as well and we are looking forward to next year.

Saturday, September 11th Moto America

Like most Americans, we arose this day and, while going through the morning ablutions, it hit me what day it was. September 11th. The realization that it was 20 years ago was just as staggering. We quietly took breakfast at the hotel and then got on our way, both of us taking a quiet and personal moment at 8:46. There would be more personal moments as many of the towns we rode through were holding public gatherings in remembrance.

The day started chilly and riding in the shadows before the sun cleared the trees added to the nip. I told Shira I needed to layer up and she was totally with that. I looked for a safe Port ‘o Call roadside and was happily surprised that we pulled over right at the crossing for the Appalachian Trail – something we always seem to run into on our east coast journeys. I took it as an omen of good times ahead.

The route from Carlisle to Millville was plotted to squeeze as much fun

out of the Amish Roads as possible and it did just that as the black-top followed the topography, rising over blind hills with nothing but the faraway skyline of the nearby Appalachians in the distance and then running down valleys, along twisting streams still full from Edna’s passing a week back.

We crossed into Maryland in a happy and quick manner; running roads much like Pennsylvania to the north… But the fun came to a bit of hiatus as we crossed into the First State of Delaware - Route 40 – a required evil to get us to the end of the Delaware River and then into the Garden State over the twin spans of the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Although I always considered this one crossing consisting of two bridges, the truth is the rst span was opened in 1951. With increased auto traf c and the advent of Eisenhower’s Interstate System, a second bridge was planned and that was opened in 1968.

While they are similar in basic appearance, major differences can be seen between the original and second spans. The original span was constructed of riveted steel plates, and it has an open-grate shoulder access walk. In contrast, the second span was constructed mostly of welded steel plates (with heavy riveted joints in crucial areas) and it has concrete access walks.

However you look at it, the twin spans have been making the crossing from one shore to other a breeze for decades.

We quickly exited and then vectored, once again, on tiny backroads – roads that were far different from the backroads of Pennsylvania just an hour or so before.

We all know that New Jersey’s nickname is the Garden state – down here you will see that the moniker ts, as all you will see are miles and miles of farms with the occasional small hamlet or larger town breaking up Mother Nature.

This bucolic farmland ride did not last for long as it was a fairly short blast to the track and MotoAmerica.

For those who might not be aware of America’s premier road racing organization, MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, sanctioned by the AMA and FIM and supported by Dorna.

MotoAmerica has reinvigorated motorcycle racing in North America, reintroducing the most exhilarating motorsport in history to fans while grooming a new generation of American and international racers for the world stage. We needed this in the worst way and MotoAmerica has truly come through with some of the best racing on the planet. This was the rst time to this track and we were more than impressed. New Jersey Motorsports Park is located on 500 acres immediately adjacent to the Millville Municipal Airport, a location that was dedicated in 1941 as America’s First Defense Airport, which played a key role in the country’s World War II military efforts. NJMP is one of the few facilities in the world housing two circuits that can be operated simultaneously. The tracks both feature many elevation changes, along with lengthy front straightaways. One of the best-known features of this course is a stretch on Thunderbolt Raceway known as “The Jersey Devil.” The Park offers open seating which allows spectators to venture throughout the grounds. Grandstands are available in several locations, in addition to camping areas and on-site hotel and condominium accommodations. The facility includes a fullservice bar and restaurant, The Finish Line Pub, located at the center of the property.

In addition to the two road courses, NJMP includes a 1.1-mile karting facility called Tempest Raceway. Like the park itself, Tempest consists of two tracks that can be operated simultaneously. It is a great moto facility in every respect.

As we rode in, we were almost immediately intercepted by our friend Keene who piloted us through the crowds, groups, and the pits and to the far side of the track.

Over the years Backroads has brought many riders into our lives and a few of them have become more than close friends, but what we consider extended family. Newlyweds Lisa & Keene, part of what we have come to call the Southern Contingent, are huge road racing fans and had been at the track since early in the morning so they could set up what could only be described as L & K MotoAmerica Hospitality Tent. Snacks, coolers full of water, and San Pellegrino Italian sparkling drinks all right in front of the track chicane.

But, were they done? Heck no!

Parked along the MotoAmerica Hospitality Tent were two Kawasaki Z125 Pros – arguably one of the greatest pit bikes on the planet. The keys were there and we did put them to good use during the weekend.

It could not get any better – but the next day it did – but, I’ll get to this.

In addition to the races, they had stunt shows and MotoAmerica is very lenient with letting fans stroll the paddock and a good deal of the facility. There were kids (small and big) on pit bikes, entire families out enjoying the beautiful late summer sun and blue skies and the racing was amazing.

We had come to see our local champ Corey Alexander race, but even the very best can have a bad weekend and mechanical gremlins ended his weekend prematurely. Still, it was great to see our friends at Hudson Valley Motorcycles doing their thing – the entire Alexander family is so impressive.

We put in a full day at the track and then checked in to a local chain hotel and rode over for dinner with Lisa and Keene.

The next morning when we arrived at the track the Dynamic Duo had already set up the MotoAmerica Hospitality Tent. We hung for a bit, but then, following a direct command from Mystery-Maven Dr. Seymour

O’Life, I split for a few hours that morning to explore the Millville Army Air Museum, just down the road.

This was the rst Defense Base in the country at the start of the Second World War and now houses a most impressive museum. All this was fantastic and a bonus of sorts; as the real reason I rode over was to see one of the largest collections of Hot Wheel cars in the world. Seymour and I share some priorities.

I spent a bit more time than I wanted to and missed the rst race of the day, but the disappointment was quickly erased as the rest of the Southern Contingent arrived.

And along with them came a bevy of delights – sandwiches, tomato pie, roast pork, chips & salsa, cheeses, fruits, and more cold soft drinks. As Jimmy would say – “Life is Good on Our Boat!”

By this time we had gotten over the shyness of asking to borrow the Z125s and, in truth, it is the only way to get around a track of this size. Besides these little bikes are just fun and I see two little ponies coming into the Backroads’ stable very soon.

As much fun as we had riding the Z125 Pros around the track, the real joy of the day was watching our friend David Wilson hop on one and take his rst twowheel ride in nearly two years since a horri c and ery crash (woman making a left turn in front of him). After months in the hospital and so much work it was phenomenal to see our Scotsman aboard a machine again! You rock Dave!

In the Superbike Class Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne continues to raise the bar in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, securing his rst title in the premier class at the penultimate round at New Jersey Motorsports Park. After sealing the deal in Race 2 of the triple-header, the newly crowned champ pulled off an encore performance in the afternoon race to extend his impressive win streak to 16. Josh Herrin returned to the podium with a pair of third-place nishes.

The Altus Motorsports team celebrated their second Stock 1000 title in consecutive seasons. Jake Lewis picked up where Cam Petersen left off last year and rode the Altus Suzuki GSX-R1000R to win the class.

For me, I could listen to the Twin Class all day long and the races were taken by Corey Ventura and Tommaso Marcon respectively.

The Junior Cup races were fun as well, but sadly one

rider, Jack Roach, all of 17 years young, tapped the points leader, during the sighting/warm-up lap, and ended up sliding towards us.

It was crushing to see this young man climb over the barrier and fall to his knees sobbing at what had just occurred.

The thrill of victory and the anguish of defeat.

Heading Home

By late afternoon the races were done, moving south to Barber for the next round, and after helping break down the MotoAmerica Hospitality Tent and saying our goodbyes, Shira and I hit the tiny southern New Jersey roads with a plan to ride till the sun was setting and nding a place for the night.

We rode through Brandywine, made famous by the Revolutionary War Battle fought between the American Continental Army of General George Washington and the British Army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. Washington had to retreat, and that would lead to one very important stop the next day.

Right outside West Chester, Pennsylvania we spotted a Quality Inn, just down the road from the Ram Diner (named after the local college football team). At $80 we had our home for the night and the diner was pretty darn good too. Three days in the sun took its toll and before I could nd American Dad, I was already asleep.

We had just 125 miles or so to ride this day; all on the tiniest roads I could muster. I ran us through the town of Paoli. It was here that another horrible blow was dealt by the British to the Continental Army.

As Washington retreated, he ordered General Anthony Wayne to keep the British busy. Things did not work out that way.

The British were camped at Tredyffrin, preparing to cross the Schuylkill River and attack Philadelphia, but Lord Howe got word that Wayne was lurking in ambush. Howe changed his plans. He would instead try to ambush Wayne at his camp in Paoli.

What happened was simply a massacre, as Grey had ordered his men to remove the ints from their ri es before the attack began. Bayonets, a weapon Americans considered barbaric, would be the weapon of choice. 53 Americans were killed and over 100 wounded in Grey’s lightning raid.

The site of the battle is now hallowed ground and the story of what happened is hard to fathom. We spent some time there and then quietly rode away.

From Paoli it is was a good, quick and fun charge home. Until we ran into the “Bridge Closed” sign. We took it as a suggestion and rode past it just to nd… nothing. They never took the signs down after Edna. Ha! Moto Weekend 2021 was all we had hoped for and much more. Great times, great friends, and some superb riding with my honey. See ya on the road! ,