WHAT’S INSIDE
FREE WHEELIN’
tHe oon eePs e rounded
saw him through my telescope
On a cloudless night in June
As he rested between voyages
At his beach house on the moon
Jimmy Buffett
I admit it. I am a certified Selenophile. Especially when on the road. The truth is, I do it at home too and when I am with Shira, we do it together.
Whoa – hold on kids, this is not what you think… I would say I am proud of being such, but I think many of us who spend a lot of time on the road, away from home, do the same thing.
I watch the moon… it keeps me grounded. Although most simply call our orbiting friend the Moon, the Romans called it una, and the Greeks Selene – thus Selenophile. Other cultures also worshipped the Moon.
The Moon-god in Mesopotamian religion was named Nanna in Sumer and Sin in abylon. The moon’s cycles of waxing and waning were seen as a representation of birth, death, and rebirth. Nanna was associated with cattle herds and was believed to bring fertility and prosperity. Sin was also worshipped for wisdom and controlling waves, coral, and a woman’s menstrual cycle.
The Sumerians, a very smart ancient bunch of kids, were among the first to create a calendar
BRIAN RATHJEN
based on the phases of the moon.
The ible’s Genesis describes the Moon as one of God’s “great lights” to separate day from night and mark seasons, days, and years.
Men and women, and all sorts of creatures, have been watching our closest neighbor since the earliest of days.
In the beginning…
Earth’s Moon, una, is thought to have formed in a tremendous collision. A massive object named Theia after the mythological Greek Titan who was the mother of Selene, goddess of the Moon smashed into Earth, flinging material into space that became the Moon. The collision occurred when Earth was still a young planet, and the debris from the impact tore apart Earth’s crust. The debris from the impact, a mixture of hot gas and molten rock, coalesced into a separate entity that eventually became the moon.
The moon formed 39,000 miles away from Earth. It was initially molten, but within 100 million years, the moon’s magma ocean crystallized, and less-dense rocks rose to the surface to form the lunar crust.
According to those who look at the moon from a scientific point of view, compared to romantics like me, or arry Talbot, it takes a little more than 9 days for the moon to completely go from new (nothing to see here folks) to full, and back to new again.
Each one of the “phases” has a name - the new moon, waxing crescent, first uarter, waxing gib-
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WHATCHATHINKIN’
ount doWn
For riders living in the northeast of the US, we enjoyed a really wonderful riding season. For the most part, our weather was dry and warm, with a bout of pretty hot in the beginning of the summer and dry – too dry – in September and October. Pretty much on schedule, about Thanksgiving, we dipped into the Wow, it’s pretty cold this morning’ temperatures. up, that lake-effect snow made a mess of upper New ork state about the same time, but folks up there are pretty used to that, I think. I can deal with the cold. I can even tolerate some snow. It’s the darkness that makes this time of year, well, depressing. As much as I try, SAD will get its fingers around my brain and attempt to drag me into the cushions of the couch to sit out the winter while binging on Rick and Morty or the full 15 seasons of Supernatural. Hey, I have nothing against watching Sam and Dean kick some demon ass, but the need to be up and active when it gets dark at 30pm is a real struggle.
A few years ago, rian and I started playing pool at one of our local hangs – Gyp’s Tavern – which certainly made the winter doldrums move along a bit uicker. I had been taking piano lessons for a few years, and that had me out at least once a week to tinkle the keys. rian will still head to the bike barn to tinker with various projects when the weather permits, while I occasionally visit, sit on the bikes and make room, room’ noises.
have files and folders full of places for each of our monthly columns –We’re Outta Here, Great All American Diner Run, ig City Getaway and Inside Scoop. The good Dr. O’ ife will send his missives when he is within communication range during his long walkabouts. And we do love getting suggestions from you, our wonderful readers, so keep them coming.
Other winter planning includes our rallies. 0 5 puts us in our 30th year of publishing ackroads – a milestone we had never guessed we’d reach. Our July 0 5 issue will be the actual 30 year mark, so keep an eye out for some sort of celebration, perhaps in conjunction with National Ice Cream month, as that certainly seems fitting.
As far as counting down to the end of winter, or at least the return of a warmer sun in our hemisphere, there are several methods. eing baseball fan(atics), we begin our countdown with pitchers and catchers returning to the field for spring training. As of this writing, with the date of return being February 1 , there are days until their return (I’ll leave out the hours minutes seconds). To further the dateline, opening day is set for March 30, which extends the wait another days. ou can take away 10 days from that if you’d like to factor it to the first day of Spring (March 0). If you are said Polar ear rider, their season is over on April , so you’ve got another days past baseball opening day.
rian began a countdown of his own with the weeks left of garbage and recycling to be collected before the sun begins rising before am, which, coincidentally, is the spring e uinox which begins at 5 01am on March 0.
Of course, should the temps head above the 5 degree mark, I’m all in for a brisk lunch ride. I give A kudos to those intrepid souls who attend the Polar ear rides taking place throughout the winter months. When the destination falls close enough to ackroads Central, we’ll take a ride to mingle with these cold-weather cowboys and girls. This time is also spent researching destinations for the upcoming year. We
Other signs that bring a smile to my face to show that the darkness is coming to an end are the crocus and daffodil poking their greenery out from the still frosty earth. Similarly the fuzzy blooms of the pussy willow begin to emerge and the lilac bushes have a tinge of purple around their branches. I will continue to be optimistic for a mild winter with many riding days to pass this dark time and, before I know it, it will be time to put the hummingbird feeders back up and watch the early Robin catching its worms, as well as being on the bike all day, sunrise to sunset, enjoying the warming sun and longer days. et the countdown begin. ,
ON THE MARK
Hy yes yes I
We’re not supposed to be judgmental. Well, that’s what some folks say, generally after someone pointed out something less-than-optimal with their conduct. It’s hard not to, as nature programmed us to innately evaluate our surroundings for danger. ou don’t get to outlive Og if you let him lead you into the saber-toothed tiger den, so if your observations of Og tell you he’s a risky biscuit, then you’d best steer clear of his company. In modern times, if words like “accomplice, abettor, co-defendant, or co-conspirator” come up, chances are your judgment in companions is suspect.
Some people consider me judgmental, although they also leave off the “judg” part and refer to me simply as “mental.” There are times when I make personal observations about the conduct of others, slave as I am to the saber-tooth-avoiding relative of my past. ecause of my passion for two wheels, fre uently my observations are of the riding characteristics of my companions, some of whom might be operating in close proximity to me. If we are on a group ride and you are wondering whether I am judging you, the answer is, “Why yes, yes I am.” Don’t take it personally, because you’re not being singled out and because I can also guarantee that on some level, you’re doing the same thing to me. If I start riding like a complete ass, riding poorly and or unpredictably, you should uickly leave my company in favor of someone with better
skill and leadership potential. ou can be assured that I will have no ualms with doing the same and there’s no sense in being overly-sensitive to it. I get judged pretty severely because of my work as a pro moto in bicycle races, I am fre uently hired to carry other officials, some of whom are experienced motorcyclists. If you are used to piloting yourself, it takes uite a bit of confidence to turn your fate over to someone else. On my part, I am acutely aware that my passengers are experienced and skilled and I know that if I am graceless or “throw it down the road,” I’ll likely never get hired again. I get hired to give “ IP rides,” sometimes the very first motorcycle ride they have ever taken, and they’re usually sponsors or their children, so heaven help me if I make a mess of it.
During the Pro World Championships in Richmond in 015, I got to carry the Chief Official for USA Cycling, a Ducati pilot himself. Inwardly, I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs knowing that I was carrying “the oss” in the big show and he was a rider. I also got to carry a local guy who was a fellow Pridmore school person and I knew that every shift was being evaluated against those standards. The measure of success is getting to do it again. eing used to the scrutiny keeps me sharp, but every day is an audition.
It is inevitable that we want to make sure those who are operating high-powered machinery in close proximity to us are using the right amount of skill and care. A month ago at a dual-sport ride, some fellows in our group were being less than attentive and one hit me from behind, knocking me to the ground. This was after I gently cautioned the guy who hit me about riding too close and or in my blind spot. I was not disappointed
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BACKLASH
From The Backroads Report
While shorter, I think you will find that Old Sandwich Rd. in Plymouth, MA is much older.
Hi Dick, wouldn’t doubt it… found this – but it would be interesting to see if there was a list (and that would all depend on who was compiling it all.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Sandwich_Road
In NJ they say Old Mine Road. More important you read it and commented.
Hey rian
Great that you had the opportunity to visit the Aerostich factory. Personally, I never liked ake Superior. For as long as I’ve known it, it has always had its nose in the air and behaved as if it is better than all the other lakes. Poor Erie and Ontario have had complexes for the past hundreds of thousands of years. Can you imagine the therapy bills It’s just not right.
Rabbi Dan
Folks,
uick email to say hi and thanks... Why I love ackroads. Well, a little hard to describe perhaps... I think it was because the routes and articles more closely match my riding style than others I have seen.
free HeeLIn
Continued from Page bous, full moon, waning gibbous, third uarter, and waning crescent and it gives one a feeling of accomplishment, and for me, a bit of grounding when traveling – as the moon, and Earth, are Celestial companions. Now it has pieces of spacecraft from the Earth, or as uffett put it – “relics from Apollo trips when the earth men came to play.”
The Moon enchants and though our Star, Sol, is the giver of all life on this planet, you really can’t look at it for more than a split second – and a bit more at dawn and dusk the moon, on the other hand, can be stared at, watched, followed, and followed all the night through… on every clear
on tHe ArK
Continued from Page when later, that fellow and a couple companions decided to go off on their own. I later found out they tailgated another guy and he made them go around him, lest he suffer the same fate. So, it’s not personal, it’s just business to use a “Godfather” line. We’re constantly evaluating each other as a defense mechanism to insure our survival out there on the mean streets. Typically, people won’t say anything about
ove off the beaten path, small roads, meeting folks along the way. Unfortunately I am still working, so still have time constraints, looking forward to a time when I can go even slower’, not be bound by schedule.
Mike
Hey rian,
Glad to see your Cannonball ride and test ride of the Pan Am. I too was a MW R1 GS rider for a long time, and I really liked the Pan America. I am hoping the Pan Am is successful as I like my local HD shops, Classic, Iron alley, Whites, and Schaefer, and I also love Hermy’s Triumph MW and have dealt with them since the 0’s
My concern is the current H-D management team, and I am fearful of a lack of understanding of the dual sport rider. I have a hard time mixing with a Cruiser bike gathering
Rob Roth
Rob,
We get the feeling that there are a good number of H-D personnel that love the big dual sport, and the direction it takes The Motor Company. Time will tell.
But, we think the cruiser crowd might more nervous around the Pan Amer ican than you of them. For some of them it’s like going to a bar with their wife or girlfriend and then someone very fetching come through the door.... Hard not to look harder if you get caught!
night.
I recall being out west, and while walking back along the wide main road through the town of Mobridge, along the Missouri River, glancing up and seeing a slight sliver of the Moon – to the right side.
There was no Moon the few days before, and this little waxing crescent would mark my second night on the road. y the time I had gotten back home it would be way past full, and already waning.
I wondered if ewis Clark had the moon looking like this when they first tread through here in 1 0 . I would bet all in their party watch the moon too. We Selenophiles are everywhere. ,
our perceived faults, but if they’re serious enough, we may find ourselves having difficulty finding companions with whom to ride. It’s a shame that we’re not more open to observation and discussion - as if every ride was a learning experience - because unless someone shares with us, how will we know Unfortunately, because we’re so protective of our riding egos, those commentaries tend to be as welcome to the recipients as discussions of political affiliations. ut if you are wondering whether I’m silently judging you as we ride, yes, yes I am. ,
BACKCOUNTRY DISCOVERY ROUTES STEPS UPFOR HURRICANE RELIEF
On September , 0 , Tropical Storm Helene caused severe flooding in Damascus, devastating downtown and low-lying areas. Homes and businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged, and local trails—an essential driver of tourism—were rendered unusable, further impacting the town’s revenue. Recognizing Damascus as a vital part of the MA DR, the DR oard saw an urgent need to assist the community in its recovery, and stepped up to support the small town of Damascus, irginia, the starting point for their Mid-Atlantic route and future terminus of the highly anticipated South-East route.
Through itsAccess Advocacy grant program, the DR oard of Directors approved a 5,000 contribution to the Damascus Strong Fund, a relief fund established to aid the town’s recovery. The grant will help repair roads and bridges, restore trail systems, and rebuild the downtown area that relies heavily on outdoor recreation tourism.
“The people of Damascus are in the process of recovering from a level of destruction they’ve never experienced before. Walking through town, we witnessed firsthand what they’ve lost and what it will take to rebuild. I was inspired by their resilience and how they have come together as a community. They were clearly surprised and honored by DR’s recognition of Damascus as a critical part of our route network. It was a deeply emotional moment when we handed Mayor amb the check, and I felt truly touched by their genuine appreciation for what DR has done for their town and proud of how far our organization has come on our mission.” - Tim James, BDR Board President
CAN-AM ROLLS OUT FIRST ELECTRIC BIKE
Our friends to the north are excited to celebrate the first Can-Am electric motorcycle to come off of the assembly line at our plant in uer taro, Mexico. 0 5 Can-Am Origin 0001 is seen here along with some of the team that helped build it.
Josee Perreault, Chief Marketing Officer, remarked,
“Today, we are celebrating the first Can-Am electric motorcycles coming off the assembly line. With this milestone, Can-Am is bringing new energy to the global electric motorcycle market. uilt on 0 years of powersports ingenuity, these all-new, all-electric bikes are proof once again that innovation is at the core of what we do. Today marks the day we reclaim our
two-wheel heritage. Can-Am motorcycles are officially here ”
HARLEY-DAVIDSON REACHINGOUTTO SPANISH FLOOD VICTIMS
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing put the thundering performance of its race-prepared 0 Road Glidemotorcycle on display in a test conducted in conjunction with DORNA and MotoGP at Circuit of arcelona-Catalunya in Montmel , arcelona, Catalonia, Spain. MotoGP is one of the most ex-
citing motorsport championships in the world. The race was moved to arcelona after the disastrous flooding in the alencia region. Harley-Davidson donated a Road Glide motorcycle to be auctioned off for MotoGP’s relief efforts.
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Warren County Tourism presents BIG CITY GETAWAY
sTAx MuseuM oF AMerICAn soul MusIC 926 e MCleMore Ave., MeMphIs, Tn 38126 901-261-6338 • staxmuseum.org
Oh, mmm, I know a place Ain’t nobody cryin’ Ain’t nobody worried
The Staple Singers
We do know a place, a tad southeast of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, that changed the course on flair of American Music. STAX.
daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind
It was here that Jim Stewart, a banker by day and musician at night, began to produce other artists. In 1957 he opened Satellite Records and produced his first record, Blue Roses, a low-quality country tune. In order to get a better sound, Stewart needed better equipment, and, in order to get better equipment, he needed money. He approached his older sister, a music-loving bank clerk named Estelle Axton, for help and she mortgaged her house to buy an Ampex 350 console recorder for the studio. In 1960, Estelle refinanced her house again to fund the studio’s move west from Brunswick, Tennessee to a former movie theatre on McLemore Ave. in Memphis. The company was renamed with a combination of the first two letters of Stewart and Axton’s last names. STAX was born!
That same year they had their first single, a duet between Rufus and Carla Thomas called ‘Cause I Love You’, which became a local hit through radio airplay and the 40,000 copies it sold regionally drew the attention of Atlantic Records’ Jerry Wexler.
A young Otis Redding was discovered.
The Atlantic connection allowed for better distribution of STAX records, and new artists were drawn to the company – the first big one being a limo driver who had driven another artist to STAX.
The session had gone badly, and the driver asked to try the song.
Other great American artists followed; Booker T and the MGs, the MarKeys, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, and Issac Hayes among so many others.
Although American Soul Music might be linked with Black Americans, STAX was owned by two whites, and all musicians and artists were welcome regardless of skin tone – as long as their musical tone was good, the door was open.
There is a long story of what happened in the later part of the ‘60s, and the legal battles with Warner Records after it bought Atlantic – but when the ‘70s arrived STAX was still alive, though barely.
With the new leadership of Al Bell, who took over when Estelle Axton left, STAX had some new soul and direction, and the hits kept coming.
Al Bell was on a mission to extend STAX’s reach coast-to-coast, and the seventh annual Watts Summer Festival (commemorating the 1965 Watts Riots) provided the perfect stage. Bell sent a significant portion of the STAX roster - Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, the Bar-Kays, and others - to play a festival show at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 20, 1972. The nationwide release of a documentary and live recording of the concert gave Bell the national reach he was seeking, with the record selling more than 500,000 copies just weeks after its release.
But soon allegations began to come in, then the IRS, a crumbling deal with CBS Records and sadly, in December of 1975, federal marshals marched into the studio and ordered everyone to vacate the building within 15 minutes.
The bank took everything, including the master tapes, and Al Bell was escorted from the building at gunpoint. The label that had become the community and livelihood of so many suddenly ceased to exist.
But, the music lives, and so does STAX Museum of American Soul Music.
Unlike most museums here at STAX you can “Express ourself”. Dancing is not only allowed – it is re uired. So, loosen up, kids
There is a hall full of all the records and hits, but the best is the section to Isaac Hayes. Hayes’ Oscar for the Theme to Shaft and his 19 glittering gold-trimmed Cadillac Eldorado can be seen. He WAS a bad Mother… The entire place rocks with soul
We visited there when in Memphis this past October, and the museum, founded in 003, is a simply wonderful celebration of STAX, their artists, their roots, and the music.
The self-guided tour starts with a faithfully recreated modest country church. The actual studio where all this great sound was born has been exactly rebuilt, even down to the gently slanted floor that added to the STAX sound.
Not only do they have the museum, they also have the STAX Music Academy which is a uni ue learning center that provides at-risk youth with mentorship, high- uality music education and performance opportunities. When we were leaving a marching band came by. Not playing… but simply counting the cadence of their march. It was as impressive as the museum. We are so fortunate that places like STAX, Motown, and Muscle Shoals are still celebrated and greatly visited. The music that we grew up with is truly the soundtrack to our lives. We must never forget it, or where this music really came from and by who. ,
Morton’s
presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MYSTERIOUS AMERICA
tHe AMMotHof sPrInG AKe ooLLy AMMotH Ane yALusInG ennsyLVAnIA
I want to think that, after all these years, some of my keen observation powers have rubbed off on publisher Rathjen.
I guess that was the case when he, Shira, and our bud Tony isanti were making good time on this year’s Ramapo 500 through radford County, Pennsylvania when Rathjen’s usually dull eyes suddenly got sharper as he caught just a bit of an Historical Marker.
Signaling to stop, he asked if Tony had just seen that sign. Indeed… he did.
Shira’s head sunk as she knew they were going back. He and Tony made a uick U-turn, leaving Shira like a sad James May to fend for herself.
Circling back to the small lake and parking lot their uick eyes were paid with the story of the Mammoth of Spring ake.
Okay boys, go find Shira and finish the 500 – I got it from here. It was July of 19 3, and a workman was clearing debris from the small outlet at Spring ake, in Asylum Township. While loading up the truck to haul away debris he noticed an oddly shaped piece of wood.
He pulled it from the pile and uickly realized this was a mandible, a jaw, of some creature. It was very big and weighed over 30 pounds and had huge molars still attached.
He brought the jaw to the property owners, Walter and Jane Newton,
who were just as baffled as he to what creature this could possibly belong to.
Intrigued Walter took a number of photographs and sent them to the American Museum of Natural History, in New ork City.
E ually stunned at the images, the museum uickly sent word to Newton that he had discovered the jaw of a Wooly Mammoth.
Word of the discovery spread, and in the following days, more bones were discovered by the Newton’s son Tim, who found a tusk and several more bones.
y this time a noted archaeologist, Dolores Elliot, came down from inghamton, New ork, and determined there was enough to be found to warrant an extensive digging, but Pennsylvania’s own State Historical Museum Commission informed them that there would be no funds
available for this. Thankfully the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh came through with funding, and a month later an extensive and methodical dig began.
The Newton’s provided lodging and the townspeople supplied meals and dozens of cases of refreshing beverages.
There was a “We Can” Feeling at the site, as pumps and a make-shift dam kept the site drained, and trained volunteers worked from dawn till dusk every day. Heavy rains flooded the site and a bigger, stronger dam was uickly made – work went on.
After a month, and thousands of s uare meters of stone glacial and glacial drift removed and cleared away, more than 90 pieces of bone were recovered - including the large tusk.
y October 3rd it was determined that all that was to be found had been, and the dig closed down.
The mammoth bones were brought to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, and there are wonderfully done casts from the bones on exhibit at Sus uehanna River Archaeological Center, in Waverly, New ork.
It was later determined to be a Jefferson woolly mammoth. Published online reports from eleven years ago called the finding the most important excavation in Pennsylvania history. The woolly mammoth continues to pop up in the news in a sort of science-fiction way.
There are scientists today who are investing millions in an attempt to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction.
In 00 the state put up the Historical Marker that grabbed Rathjen’s eye, and the site is a rather pleasant place to stop and wonder about how old this land really is.
Today there is a picnic pavilion on the site, with the road-facing wall painted by the local oy Scout troop – depicting ancient hunters tracking down a Wooly Mammoth. So, keep your eyes open when riding the backroads of Mysterious America – you never know what you might find. O’Life Out! ,
AMsTerdAM CAsTle
49 FlorIdA Avenue, AMsTerdAM, ny 12010 518-212-2607 • www.amsterdamcastle.com
Camelot. Camelot. It’s only a model…
Throughout Spain, there are several hotels called Paradors. They are marvelous properties consisting of restored castles, monasteries, convents, fortresses, manor houses, and palaces as well as some exceptional modern properties. Point is, these are very, very nice places to stay. A place that you feel special, almost like royalty.
Sure, there are some inns and hotels like this in the USA, but these opulent places usually come at an opulent price.
We recently came across a very special hotel indeed, and one that did not drag our wallet down to the dungeon; and certainly in line with the interstate chains price-wise. Imagine staying in an American Castle, built atop a hill overlooking one of the most important waterways in American history.
Welcome to the Amsterdam Castle.
The building has a long history, built nearly 130 years ago. It was designed by architect Isaac G. Perry, whose other works all seem to follow the massive gothic and castellated late Victorian style of overbuild. He designed the state capital in Albany. They just don’t make them like this anymore. This historic building dates back to long before 1827 where a magnificent mansion stood in its place in 1736.
This building in Amsterdam, New York was specifically built for the 46 Separate Company of the New York State Army National Guard, which it housed for 99 years. When finished it was a monstrous 36,000 sq ft, with 50 rooms, a gymnasium, rifle range, fallout shelter, and a tank garage.
Today the Amsterdam Castle is one of the most unique and extremely cool hotels we have written about in Backroads for a very long time.
The Castle was listed on the National Registry of Historic Place in 1994 and was purchased privately a year later by Nigel Ghotbi and his wife Leslie Ashely.
When they learned of the property, they had a total vision of what it could be – but to create something as wonderfully grand as the Amsterdam Castle was not going to be easy – or cheap. This was a labor of love and commitment, as according to Nigel, “Every bank I approached would look at
me like I just landed from the moon. History will tell if the banks were right or wrong.”
Oh, Nigel – they were so wrong… trust us on this one. What does Mr. Drysdale know?
We stayed at the Amsterdam Castle when we were returning from the Backroads Summer Squeeze, in late summer, and as we rolled south out of the Adirondacks and approached the Mohawk River and Erie Canal, we could see the Castle sitting high on the hill, overlooking the river valley like a kindly overlord.
Oh, we thought … this is going to be special, and it was.
Like many great buildings of old… a neighborhood has grown up around it. In San Antonio, the Alamo is not on a deserted Texan plain but surrounded by a city, and here the hill that the Castle lies on is sprinkled with small old-style homes, and we wound our way through the steepish Amsterdam streets and up a long drive to Camelot – I mean the Amsterdam Castle.
Polished wood floors, filled with tables, lined for a massive feast worthy of the Game of Thrones, a row
Entering the huge doors, guarded by stone lions and a knight’s burnished armor we were stunned by what we saw. But that was nothing to how we reacted when we strolled into the Great Hall.
of armor stood along the long wall, festooned with flags and paintings from the past, and a plethora of gargoyles were seemingly everywhere keeping a watchful eye on us as we walked around with our mouths open.
I uickly remembered my Scot bloodline, and knowing my heritage I declared myself King for the day. Shira looked incredulous… “King ” “Indeed woman… as Kull and Conan both said… Who dies first ”
She rolled her royal eyes at my obscure sword sorcery references and agreed to be my ueen for the day, and all was good in the land of Amsterdam, and the common people yelled, “Hazzah ”
The Amsterdam Castle has 3 rooms, and they are all roomy, and nicely appointed, with great showers and very comfortable beds. There are some community rooms for friends to gather over an adult beverage. One has newspaper clippings from when John F. Kennedy visited during his campaign in 19 0.
When we were there, their restaurant was closed, but we hope that will change in the near future. For dinner that night we had an easy stroll to orenzo’s Southside that offered up a superb meal of homemade pastas and incredible sauces – worthy of a King. ater that night we had the Great Hall to ourselves and watched MotoGP at the bar (great wifi)… occasionally chatting with the peasants… err other guests that came by to see what we were watching and to basically gush about how magnificent the Castle was. We heartily agree.
We know we have a winner when one of my first thoughts is… Wow – this is the winner of the next est of ackroads I cannot see it not being. ,
GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN
wATer sTreeT seAFood
654 wATer sT, hAvre de GrACe, Md 21078
443-502-8855 • www.waterstreetseafoodhdg.com
Open year round • closed Mondays + Tuesdays
It would never be a complete summer riding season without a trip south to The Bay.
For as long as we can recall we have been huge fans of this area, and although the riding here is not bad, it is not brilliant either. We have come down to the Chesapeake time and again more for the vibe than pavement – and that one other thing. That thing being Callinectes sapidus, the Maryland Blue Crab – also known as the Beautiful Swimmers – made more famous by author William Warner.
The Maryland Blue Crab, according to the state, is one of the most important species harvested in the Bay and has the highest value of any commercial fishery and supports a recreational fishery of significant, but undetermined, value.
When in season Maryland Blue Crabs are not cheap, nor are they easy to eat.
So why would a motorcycle magazine from the northwest hills of New Jersey ride hundreds of miles each year to feast on these crustaceans?
Somewhere down the backroads we developed a fondness for MCBs that we cannot explain, and if you have never dined on them then it may be time to expand your culinary horizon.
tasty places to take your bike
Take a ride with us to the town of Harve De Grace, in Maryland. You can call this waterfront town a river town, or a bay town – and you would be right on both counts. The burg is located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, some 444 miles from its start in Cooperstown, New York to empty into The Bay.
We had been there just a month before and a long strange trip it was that brought us to the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay. Truth is there was no way we’d be in the region and not partake in a little bit of Blue Crab eatin’.
This season we thought it would be neat to go to the town on the other end of the Sus uehanna, as Shira had come across a restaurant with a very robust reputation.
Welcome to Water Front Seafood.
ocated right where the river meets the bay, the Water Street had plenty of parking, and a very nautical, almost Key West feel to it.
The staff was extremely friendly, with owner Theresa Riedal-Ray at the helm, and we got ourselves a nice window seat. They have some outdoor seating, but this was that part of mid-July that we all sweltered in, and AC was better than no breeze this day.
We had come for one thing, but the Water Street has a wide selection of other offerings as well.
They offer salads and soups – Caesar, strawberry spinach, and island salads. And Maryland crab soup, cream of, and a superb half and half.
If you are a fried seafood person, the Water Street is your place for sure as their shrimp and oyster baskets are superb as are their traditional fish chips.
After pm they offer a dozen different pasta seafood specials, and if you are strictly a land-lubber they have some tasty-looking smash burgers that should work nicely for you.
ut we were here for the crabs. Crabs are a very seasonal thing – April through October – thus for us almost always a motorcycle thing as well. If you are visiting Water Street during the winter, you will not be disappointed with the variety of oysters available for slurping. This day they had a few different sizes and we went for a dozen extra-large at 110 per dozen. ou do the math… good crabs are not cheap, and not some-
thing you are going to devour every day – but they are worth all the work it takes to get at the succulent meat. Our waitress Morgan (See Morgan – you get a shout out’ and you’re a star) brought over a dozen very hot, very delicious looking crabs – done perfectly with a light coating of Old ay Seasoning. What, you do not know what Old ay Seasoning is Why it’s just about as close as you can come to Summer on the ay in a can… a heady blend of 1 herbs and spices including celery salt, red and black pepper, and paprika to add beloved, unmatched taste and the ON thing needed to make “ eautiful Swimmers,” a beautiful meal.
Eatin’ crabs is something of an art, and like most art, it can and will get messy at times – and you might even shed some of your own blood cracking open a Maryland lue Crab. The crabs here at the Water Street were some of the sweetest we have had in years, and there was never any rush to move us along Nope. The real art, the real trick to eating well-spiced, perfectly steamed fresh crabs right out of the bay Take your time and enjoy. If you did want to speed up the process a tad, you can call ahead as these are steamed to order and can take a good 0 minutes or so. See ya on the road ,
Istory of oLd bAy seAsonInG
Or HOw Hitler AlmOst ruined summertimein mArylAnd
Old ay Seasoning is the stuff of legends.
ut did you know that Hitler and the Nazis almost killed this before it even started Old ay Seasoning is named after the Old ay ine, a passenger ship line that plied the waters of the Chesapeake ay from altimore to Norfolk, irginia, in the early 1900s. In 1939, a German-Jewish immigrant named Gustav runn started the altimore Spice Company.
The origins of the company can be traced back to Wertheim, Germany, where runn started a wholesale spice and seasoning business selling to food industries, seeing an opportunity as spices were in especially short supply amidst hyperinflation in the aftermath of World War I. Due to rising antisemitism as the Nazi Party rose to power, the company moved to Frankfurt, Germany however, on the night of November 9, 193 , a massive pogrom against Jews, known as Kristallnacht, led to runn being arrested by Nazi soldiers and sent to uchenwald concentration camp.
According to runn’s son, Gustav’s wife paid a large sum of money to a lawyer for him to be released as they had already applied for and received American visas, they were able to escape with their two children to New ork City and later altimore, Maryland, where runn had family. There, having brought with him only a small spice grinder, runn founded the altimore Spice Company and produced the “Delicious rand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning”, which was later renamed Old ay.
The rights to the seasoning brand were purchased by McCormick Co in 1990. McCormick continues to offer Old ay in the classic yellow can.
These days you can find Old ay in just about every major supermarket and spice shop.
It is not just for crabs, and added to any number of dishes Old ay simply adds a bit of The ay into your meal. Funny how a Jew from Germany developed such a wonderful spice for traif.
For your ICe CreAM BuCKeT lIsT
There are some shops that have been on my ‘go-to’ list which I haven’t gotten to as yet but wanted to share with my ice cream kindred souls. I wish you a peaceful winter and hope that you enjoy many scoops of ice cream to help it pass more quickly.
rAndy’s hoMeMAde ICe CreAM 322 wAnAque Ave, suITe d, poMpTon lAKes, nJ 973-590-9111 • randyshomemadeicecream.com Season March thru October – check for hours Randy opened his ice cream shop in August, 2020. While it may have been a difficult time to open a business, his homemade ice cream won over the taste buds of everyone who walked in the door. His website has a short version of, apparently, a longer story regarding his shop:
“Honey, can we get a dog?” This was the question I posed to my wife a second time and both times the response was, ‘No’. So, I opened an ice cream shop.”
If Randy has the time, he will share the longer story with you over a cup of his delicious ice cream.
It seems that Randy has a good sense of humor, as well as a great brand of ice cream, which is freshly made from cows in the USA, in small batches to ensure the freshest flavor profiles. A small sampling includes Midnight Dark Chocolate, Best Ever Lemon Ice, Real Pistachio and Banana Cream Pie. The list of rotating and specialty flavors is too numerous to name, but some that pop out to me simply for the names are British Morning Sun, Arizona Cactus Pear, C-4 Explosive, (I Can’t Elope) Cantaloupe, Lemon Poppyseed, Sweet Road Stand Corn and Franciscan Fig. You’ll get a heavenly whiff of freshly baked waffle cone when you walk in the door. I simply cannot wait for March to roll around to taste whatever Randy has filling his ice cream case. The icing on the cake, so to speak, is the animal cracker placed atop each serving of ice cream. For those who travel with their pups (Pam and Kimberly take note) their puppy cup is made from coconut milk, peanut butter and a dog biscuit on top.
nAsTo’s
236 JeFFerson sT, newArK, nJ 973-589-3333 • nastosicecream.com
Open yearly Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sunday Noon-6pm
One of the oldest ice cream makers in New Jersey, Nasto’s, founded by Frank Sr. and Angelina in 1939, started from humble roots as a mom-and-pop shop in Newark. Now distributed nationally, their fine Italian ice cream, gelato, Italian ices and sorbet, as well as other Italian specialties such as Spumoni, Bisque Tortoni and Tartufo can be found in shops across New Jersey and beyond.
The shop, situated in a historic corner storefront in Newark’s Ironbound section, made its mark by introducing an ice cream batch machine right in the front window, allowing passersby to marvel at the creation of homemade ice cream.
They continue to make both traditional and innovative Italian desserts such as Reginetta, which is a chocolate sponge cake with raspberry sauce, amaretto ice cream with a cherry in the center. Their ice cream flavors range from Almond Butter Crunch to Vanilla Peanut Butter with so many in between. And don’t forget the cannolis. Now in their third generation of Nastos running the churners, the tradition and quality continue to satisfy all who taste their ice cream and frozen desserts.
dAs’ CreAMery
100 us 46, Budd lAKe, nJ • 862-258-3593 • 191 e hAnover Ave, MorrIsTown, nJ • 973-206-1700 dascreamery.com • check website for each location hours
Das’ Creamery was one of the first shops visited for my Inside Scoop column. Mr. Das and daughter, Komal, opened their doors in 2014 but, as they say, ice cream was a major food group in the Das family. Komal spent many years in the culinary field developing her skills and techniques as well as attending the Penn State Ice Cream Short Course to learn the science and technology of ice cream making (I know she had an easier time of it than I with all that math and science). Mr. Das took an early retirement so pursue his dream of opening an ice cream shop and attended a short course in ice cream at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Their unique small batch flavors are created to lift your spirits and seduce your imagination and they accomplish it very well. With such things as Chocolate Cardamon, Colombian Cookies N Cream, Kulfi, Toasted Coconut Almond and Ghost Chocolate and sooooo many more, you will be hard-pressed to decide so multiple visits are necessary. Thankfully, they have added to their original shop in Budd Lake with MooTown in Morristown, NJ, which has fewer flavor offerings but will keep you quite satisfied, I’m sure. ,
Best of Backroads 2024
It had been a wonderfully pleasant autumn here at Backroads Central; but as the first of the big holidays approached a winter storm hit northern New Jersey and those now sequestered at Monkey with a Gun watched silently as the last and deciding plebiscite would be cast. The one tasked to deciding the final call padded back and forth - eyes darting to the lists in front of him. Three men and two women watch quietly, eyes closed and rolled in anticipation. The falling snow seemed to amplify the silence. The quiet reverie was broken with a muffled thunk, as Pamela opened the bottle of Blantons, and poured herself two fingers. Byers looked up, and extended his crystal tumbler for a fill as well, as did Shira. Collins glanced around… Bisbee and Rathjen shook their heads – happy with their coffee… They had been at this all night, and it was just a tad past sunrise.
Then, as if on cue, the choices were made as Spenser T. tapped out the five final votes. It was done. The cat had finally voted, and we had our winners.
Welcome to the Best of Backroads 2024!
The Great All-American Diner Run Meeting up with friend and enjoying a great ride to a superb eatery has always been the groundwork for many rides and adventures. From the very start the Great All-America Diner Run has been a readers’ favorite and each month Backroads brings you something new, a bit different and always tasty. Here are our top three for 2024.
Second RunneR up reeLAndGenerAL store
1383 Macopin Rd, West MilfoRd, nJ 07480 973-874-0860 • www.thevreelandstore.com
Nestle in the northwest corner of Passaic County, New Jersey, the reeland General Store has been around for over a century, and today carries on the tradition of offering locals and travelers excellent food in a very cool d cor that wonderfully mixes country with a dash of hipness tossed into the mix.
The food is remarkable, and they have an on-premise bakery, and a very aromatic coffee shop. If you are passing through rooms are available and there is also a bar with a house -string guitar on the wall for those so inclined –always a plus.
FiRSt RunneR up tHe nArroWs
2206 RiveR Rd, UppeR Black eddy, pa 18972 484-309-4449 • www.thenarrowsrestaurantandbar.com
We had come here many times years back – but for a long bit this historic building along the River Road that flows down the Delaware was empty. That is not the case anymore as the now named The Narrows has been re-envisioned, re-furbished and re-opened with a new open and airy feel and some outstanding food too
ike the reeland, The Narrows building has a long history – 1 1 – but the current owners have done a smashing job of making The Narrows one of the neatest restaurants along the river.
We rode down for a birthday lunch back in March, and have returned here a few times since. Really outstanding and you will uickly see why The Narrows easily made the est of ackroads.
1St place GReat all-ameRican dineR Run 2024
tHe oCALs fArM ArKet 19929 fisheR ave, poolesville, Md 20837 301-338-8113 • www.localsfarmmarket.com
We like to think we discover all these places, but we were brought to The ocals Farm Market while visiting our friends arry and Cyndi when we went to have a birthday breakfast with their grandson Caden – who turned 5 this day.
When a 5-year-old smiles like that when breakfast in placed in front of him you know you have a real winner.
ocated in Maryland’s Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve this place is a true hidden gem. They serve breakfast all day, but the rest of the menu is just as savory.
Dinner can be found on Friday and Saturday nights and they have an open mike Jam Session on Fridays too – maybe we can get Johnny Rocket to ride down with us next time we are rolling through this wonderful part of the Free State. Stop in and you will agree this is certainly the 1 pick for the est of ackroads 0
Big City Getaway
This column has always been about bringing our readers to some of the more interesting places to be found along the backroads of the nation. Museums, sculpture gardens – places that just make you feel good to a human and to appreciate what humans can do. We are more amazing than we give ourselves credit for. Here are the Top Three for 2024!
Second RunneR up sKyLAnds useuMof rt 15 nJ-15, lafayette, nJ 07848 • 973-729-3323 • www.skylandsmuseum.org
In the township of afayette, New Jersey, along the main thoroughfare designated Route 15 by the state, there is a building that could almost be mistaken for a home and it is – to some of the most beautiful art in the region.
Welcome to the Skylands Museum of Art. Founded by Ailene Fields and Neil ukerman the museum is a short ride from ackroads Central, and when we visited, we were totally blown away by how beautiful and how varied their collections was. As the museum says, “Each piece tells a story about some aspect of humanity, and collectively immersing the visitor in a fabulous world of rare imagination brought into being by national and international artists. From the graceful forms of creatures, both real and mythical, to introspective human figures, and imaginary places.” That about sums it up. The museum is such a worthy destination and we know you will be thrilled you went.
FiRSt RunneR ArLey-dAVIdson useuM
400 W canal st, MilWaUkee, Wi 53201 • 414-287-2789 • www.harley-davidson.com
It took us a long time to get there, but The Motor Company’s museum in Milwaukee is almost beyond description. From their humble beginnings to today’s latest rides, and with marvelous examples to help tell the story. From war and peace to racing, and motorcycle clubs and the riding ethos that we all share.
Many of us think we know the history of America’s brand, but walking the Harley-Davidson Museum will immerse you in the real beginnings, the storied history, and how the US motorcycle has become such a part of not just America history but the world as well.
1St place BiG city Getaway 2024 ALLof eroes 1915 cassopolis st, elkhaRt, in 46514 574-333-3406 • hallofheroesmuseum.com
Although a certain red blue hero from ueens is the most popular, there is no denying that the bold red S in a pentagonal yellow stylized shield is the most recognized and know image of its kind on the planet… and, for goodness sakes, it’s not even from this planet
Our 1 pick for this category was almost unanimous. (Okay, yers will not sign onto anything like this…Muggle)
We came upon this museum by happenstance – but we know there really are no coincidences, are there
Created and run by Allen Stewart, the Hall of Heroes is, by far, the most amazing, incredible and mighty comic book and superhero museum on the planet. This planet. We can’t speak for any others. For now.
If you are a D.C. or Marvel kid – or just love it all - the Hall of Heroes is worth seeking out. We spent hours there, and know that we’ll never ride thought this part of Indiana and not make a stop. It seems that the folks here at the Hall have great power, and they use it in a most responsible way. Excelsior
We dare say the ar Shield is one of the most famous and recognizable iconic symbols on the planet. We can only think of one that is even more famous – which leads us to our 1 choice for 0 …
We’re Outta Here
To paraphrase Chicago – “Everybody need to get away…” That is what We’re Outta Here is about. Traveling and touring is great but made greater by the places you will stay on the way. We had a dozen really excellent inns from which to choose, but it did have to come down to three – so buckle your helmet – we’re gone!
Second RunneR up Inn At tHe AnAL 104 BoheMia ave, chesapeake city, Md 21915 • 410-885-5995 • www.innatthecanal.com
We know at the beginning of each year we will be making a ride to The ay. It seems Old ay and Crabs are in our blood.
Along the C D Canal, in the town named for The ay, you will find the perfect waterside escape – the Inn at the Canal. The home, with a commanding view, was built back in 1 0, and 155 years later it feels much the same. arge plank flooring, odd room shapes, and more character and flavor that anything else in the area.
We love that the O’Hara’s have managed to have an inn that has the modern touches of today, but still embraces the old-time nautical feel that made the Chesapeake and the city what it is.
We loved everything about the Inn at the Canal and so will you.
FiRSt RunneR up Innon broAdWAy 26 BRoadWay, RochesteR, ny 14607 585-232-3595 • www.innonbroadway.com
Unlike many of the places we have brought you, this one is in the middle of one of New ork’s biggest cities – Rochester. We typically avoid bigger cities, but we were heading to the Strong Museum of Play, and Shira came upon the Inn on roadway.
Once a fancy “Men’s Only” club for the affluent – it has been refurbished into an amazing 5-room bouti ue hotel, and a place where each room is different, the staff wonderful, the vibe very comfortable indeed.
Rochester is right outside, and this city is truly amazing and has much history to be found. Just go to the falls at sunset. ou will see why the Inn on roadway easily slid into the est of ackroads.
1St place we’Re outta HeRe 2024 IstorIC boone tAVern oteL 100 s Main st noRth, BeRea, ky 40403 •800-366-9358 • boonetavernhotel.com
We stopped and stayed at the Historic oone Tavern Hotel while on our Grand Tour back in 0 , and it was just a matter of time before it was featured in ackroads. This historic place (so historic they have it in their name) is part of erea College, a college that pushed social constraints with the admission of both whites and blacks, but men and women too. So far ahead of their time
The oone Tavern Hotel is uite the place, and one that oozes class and a top shelf feel in every corner. They have a great restaurant and the town of erea is a very artsy place and well worth an afternoons stroll as well. Riding around this region is also top tier, and we cannot recommend this hotel enough if you are exploring the lue Grass State. Enjoy and say hi from us
Mysterious America
The good Doctor, Seymour O’Life, has been a busy man this year, roaming the regions looking for the odd, weird and down-right WTF! From ancient creatures from the past to presidential monuments of titanic size, O’Life surely came through in 2024 – here are the top three…
Not many would think that a small town in New Jersey would be the start of dinosaur discovery in the United States. ut it is true, and in the July edition O’ ife brought us to see Hadrosaurus Foulki – The Haddonfield Dinosaur. In truth America’s first dinosaur was uncovered in a marl pit, right outside modern-day Haddonfield in1 5 , and today you can visit the Dinosaur Discovery Park, the very spot where the bones were uncovered and you might even spot a full-sized Hadrosaurus while walking down King’s Highway in town.
Second RunneR up tHe AddonfIeLd dInosAur
The entire story is worth rereading on our website but while we are talking ancient history let’s ride some 0 miles north to our next stop, shall we
FiRSt RunneR up rutGers eoLoGICAL useuM 85 soMeRset st, neW BRUnsWick, nJ 08901 • 848-932-7243 • geologymuseum.rutgers.edu
Tucked away in the New runswick campus of Rutgers University, in an old two story stone building, you will find the most remarkable collection of ancient geological history. The museum was started in 1 by George Hammell Cook and has been here ever since.
Walking into this building and up the stairs you can almost hear the “Raiders” theme building in your head. e smart and wear a fedora. A giant mastodon dominates the room, but is surrounded by so much more. Amazing pieces of the past, and especially of New Jersey’s ancient history as well. ou can easily spend a few hours getting lost in this place and its history.
Admission is free, and the Rutgers Geological Museum is certainly one of the greatest hidden regional treasure to be discovered.
1St place mySteRiouS ameRica 2024 LLtHe resIdents eAds
We admit that we were a little skeptical when O’ ife had this flown in by Margaret, his carrier pigeon, that he somehow cloned from Martha at the Cincinnati oo.
Giant Presidents Heads in a field in irginia y Jove, O’ ife was right. Again In a large field outside Croaker, irginia, just west of the ork River, you will find gargantuan heads of all the presidents – well the first of them. The busts were once part of a functional tourist attraction called Presidents Park. It went bankrupt in 010 and Howard Hankins, a man who was involved in the creation of the park, was also hired to destroy the presidential heads by putting them in a stone crusher. “He’s a historian himself and didn’t have the heart to do that and, fortunately, was of the means to spend a lot of money and come in and transport all forty two statues,” said John Plashal, a photographer who has a passion for abandoned places throughout irginia and is a friend of Hankins. Thankfully they are still standing like some misplaced Moai, far from Easter Island. The story of how these were dreamt, then created, and how they have been saved is well worthy of the 1 spot in this year’s est of ackroads.
Inside Scoop
Just recently I was walking through an outdoor holiday market, on a windy, brisk Sunday, and one of the vendors, bundled for warmth, was happily eating an ice cream cone. She said, ‘It’s never too cold for ice cream.’ A woman after my own heart. The Inside Scoop is here to bring you ice cream every month of the year, from Ice Cream for Breakfast Day in February to National Ice Cream Month in July. This year’s entries were varied, from history to festivals, with all good creaminess for you to enjoy.
Second RunneR up tHe bAnAnA sPLIt
Celebrating its 1 5th anniversary in 0 , the banana split was born in a pharmacy soda fountain in atrobe, PA by David Strickler, a 3-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh. Having been asked for something different’ he used what was on hand and, voile, the banana split was born and is now the official dessert of Pennsylvania. Today, atrobe salutes the banana split with the Great American anana Split Celebration each August ( 3- of 0 5) with activities, vendors, games and so much more. If you have a fondness for the banana split, you may just want to head to atrobe, PA on August 5.
Second RunneR up dIAne s dAIry
446 Main Rd, sUite 8, toWaco, nJ • 973-265-4620
Diane Manganelli, churner and creative mind behind Diane’s Dairy, has been scooping for the last three years, but her expertise from 0 years in the cake decoration field has served her well in building her following at Diane’s Dairy. ou can find her and her wonderful flavors in a small strip mall just off Route in Towaco, NJ. Her shop is colorfully decorated, as you would think, and her offerings of over 0 different flavors (not all at the same time - but if you have a favorite which is not in the case, she may just have it in the back ) will have you in a uandary as to what will tickle your tastebuds. Take your cup, cone, shake or whatever and have a seat on the outdoor benches to enjoy the ice cream and fresh air. From spring through fall, if you visit on Saturday you’ll be treated to the weekly Cruise Night as well.
1St place inSide Scoop 2024 beenIe s ICe reAM
38 MoRRis st, MoRRistoWn, nJ 07960
862-260-9221 • beeniesicecream.com
Tony and Andrea’s playful and delicious ice cream shop will be the cherry on top for your visit to Morristown. Their high- uality, inventive flavors, with Flavor of the Month releases, have made eenie’s the go-to spot for ice cream lovers in this area. The inviting pink and white awning will lure you in and the creative and colorful interior will have you smiling as you savor whatever delicious flavor you have chosen. While many shops, even smaller ones, buy a pre-made base for their ice cream. eenie’s makes their own base so their ice cream truly is homemade, and also allows for direct infusion into their base to bring out even more flavor in the ice cream. Tony and Andrea built and opened eenie’s (named after the family dog) based on their mutual love of ice cream, people and happiness. Once you taste any of their flavors, you’ll know that they have accomplished their goal of making people happy through ice cream.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
2025 TRIUMPH TRIDENT 660
Triumph Motorcycles enhances its award-winning Trident 0 for 0 5, fitting even more rider focused technology as standard, upgrading the suspension and introducing a choice of three bold new colors and graphic schemes.
As the only triple engine in the class, the Trident 0 delivers thrilling, exploitable performance, and its agile, confidence inspiring handling and updated retro-modern styling is now paired with best-in-class rider-focused technology. Underpinned by Triumph’s renowned premium build uality and component specification, the Trident 0 now offers riders an even more compelling package and remarkably low cost of ownership. In response to customer demand, the Trident 0 now features a host of new e uipment that is unprecedented in this class, with Optimised Cornering A S and Traction Control, Triumph Shift Assist and cruise control all fitted as standard. The integrated TFT display and MyTriumph luetooth
Connectivity system gives riders turn-by-turn navigation, calls and music control, and there are three rider modes, including a new Sport mode. At your Triumph dealer now for ,595.
AVON 3D SUPERSPORT TIRES
If you are purely a street rider you might not be aware that some tires are created strictly for the track. It’s not that you cannot spend a day doing laps on a touring tire – but the correct tool for the job always works better, right
Avon has a tire that handily does both - the 3D Supersport.
This tire was designed, developed, and made by Cooper Tires European Technical Center in Melksham in the United Kingdom with the thought of creating a tire that would offer long-mileage sport-touring miles, with the handling characteristic of a pure sport tire.
When in development the tire always had the road rider in mind, but the engineers and development team spent extensive track time with the 3D Supersport to ensure they would be one of the best handling street tires on the market.
Three key technologies have been combined to create the new 3D Supersport. The tire’s advanced tread pattern design generates extensive grip by enhancing its contact with the road. This is achieved by increasing the land to sea’ ratio, meaning the tire has an increased footprint, putting more rubber in contact with the road surface.
The tire construction stems from extensive on-circuit development and optimizes handling, stability, and feedback for the rider by bringing a sense of the race track to the road. While the tire is designed for riders who predominantly ride on the road, Avon Tires’ development team has carried out extensive on-track testing to ensure that the 3D Supersport delivers thrilling and reliable performance when riders do take it on a track day.
Avon Tires’ state-of-the-art Silica Dual Compound technology also ensures that riders benefit from maximum grip without compromising on longevity. The rear tire features a more durable compound in the middle for increased mileage when riding upright and a softer compound on the edges, delivering better grip when cornering.
The 3D Supersport is available in six sizes one front and five rears. These include two rear sizes that are brand new to Avon Tires in the hypersport segment (1 0 0 R1 and 00 55 R1 ) ensuring fitments for a wide range of sports and superbikes. We have a set on our 900RS, and will be back at a later date with a full review. Find out more www.avontyres.com.
SPECTROGOLDEN JUST GOT BETTER NOW AVAILABLEIN SYNTHETIC
SPECTRO Performance Oils is thrilled to announce the addition of its newest Synthetic engine oil specifically designed for Harley-Davidson and other -Twin motorcycles, SPECTRO Heavy Duty Golden Synthetic SAE 0W50. This new Synthetic Performance -Twin
Engine Oil brings you the best balance of performance, protection and reliability. Top-tier, highly refined hydrocracked group 3 base oils are the foundation of this new Synthetic Performance -Twin engine oil, keeping operating temperatures lower, especially in air-cooled Harley-Davidsons. High uality, synthetic performance for your Heavy Duty, high demand machine.
The gravel driveway is some 200 yards long, and Sue and I are walking out to the post box on this chilly, late November evening. And here comes Tina, our delightful post person, and she handed us half a dozen letters, a copy of Backroads, and a well-wrapped book. From England.
That would be Sam Manicom’s latest. Sam’s not well-known in this country, but in Europe he is the writingist motorcycle traveler I can think of. Lots of articles, lots of books, and a couple of years ago he began publishing other motorcyclists’ travels in a new series, The Motorcycle Collectors. The first book dealt with travel tales from around the world, this second volume focuses on Asia, “the most diverse continent on earth”. Truth, and this diversity includes a whole lot of island nations, according to the UN. This book has 20 different stories, ranging from hot, jungly Cambodia to cold, barren Siberia, the most eastern part of Russia.
I like the back cover, which has drawings of all participants, with a nice balance of women and men. And the stories they tell are vastly different, like Jacqui Furneaux, an English nurse who was backpacking in India in 2000 and thought riding a motorcycle looked like fun. She bought a Royal Enfield Bullet and then spent the next seven years riding it around the world. In 2023 she goes back, borrows a new Enfield, and rides across the southern peninsula, and has a lovely time telling the reader about the oddities of Indian traffic.
And then there’s the fellow who wants to ride in the coldest places on the planet, and heads for Siberia. Now, that is one I would rather read about
than do. Or you can learn about Mongolian truckstops, and checking into the Oasis Hostel, where you have to choose between a private room, a dormitory, a yurt, or setting up a campsite. And there is a questionable pleasure in riding in Ho Chi Minh city (old Saigon) now overly monied and over-crowded with vehicles, and at every red light hundreds of motorcycles get to the front of traffic. I worked in Saigon in 1971 and had a Vespa, and the biggest problem was avoiding getting run over by all the military vehicles on the streets, mostly driven by hot-shoe PFCs.
All these writers are experienced motorcyclists and have published articles before. So no blubbering stories about incompetence and misery. I would recommend this book to all adventurous motorcyclists, and readers who like to be entertained. Available through Amazon for $25.
Contact sam-manicom.com ~ Clement Salvadori
My riding suit has a pocket for everything eft pocket keys. Right pocket Wallet. Right sleeve pocket ear plugs and gas receipts. Right chest pocket maps. eft chest pocket spare key. However, I wear mesh riding gear in hot weather which has far fewer pockets and I leave some stuff out. Moto Pack by JT’s Moto offers an elegant solution.
Moto Pack is a small zippered pouch that you wear over your jacket like a backpack, only in front. It holds your riding stuff in a convenient location on your chest. It’s secured to your body with a pair of shoulder straps as well as two side straps. The small outer pocket measures about inches by 3. 5 inches (1 mm by 95mm) and is perfect for your phone. There’s a cable pass-thru for headphones or a power connection. The larger inner pocket measures about 9 inches by 5 inches ( 5mm by 1 5mm) and can hold your wallet, sunglasses, reading glasses, earplugs, receipts or even a pair of lightweight riding gloves
Moto Pack is loaded with cool features that make it an ideal riding companion. First is the convenience. It’s right there in front of you where you
can get to it easily. Just look down. The interior of the main pocket is bright orange, making everything easily visible. Inside the main compartment are two mesh pockets along the front and an elastic band across the back to keep everything in place. The zipper pulls have small rings that are easy to open and close with gloved hands. There’s a strip of hook-and-loop material across the front that can securely hold your E- Pass, or a small video camera. Hooks on the bottom hold your keys or lucky gremlin bell. The side buckles have a single large button that is easy to release with a gloved hand. The back has a reflective strip on it as well as a mesh pouch. So how does it work in the real world It’s mighty handy. Once I had it on, I could barely tell I was wearing it and yet everything was right there. No fussing with pockets. My phone usually stays in my pants pocket and there is a fair amount of fumbling to get it out. Not so with Moto Pack. A uick easy unzip and there’s my phone. I can see Moto Pack coming in handy for non-motorcycling situations too. Any place where people get packed together (subway, ball game, mosh pit), it provides a much safer location for your stuff. Moto Pack comes in lack, White, Military Green and Urban Camo and is available from JT’s Moto Company. The JT is John Terzo, a lifelong rider and Moto Pack is the first item he is selling with more on the way. In addition to motorcycles, he is the owner of JT’s arbershop in erona, NJ. It’s a motorcycle-themed barber-
shop with a pristine Honda C 00T in the window and a selection of gas tanks on the walls. ou should check out his web site and get yourself a
Then
a
Moto Pack.
take
ride to erona for a haircut. ~ Dan Bisbee
EVENT RECAPS
2024 CANTON LIONS CLUB RIDE
So first off weather - We had arguably the nicest weather weekend here in north central PA that we have had all year. Clear skies and 5 degrees. We had registered riders – Saturday’s morning route was 91 miles in the morning thru the rural roads of northern radford and Tioga Counties ending up back at ride H with our famous lunch prepared by the Canton ions Club Members. The Saturday afternoon ride was 55 miles, ending back at our ride H where dinner and refreshments were served. pm was the Motorcycle Skills Events which included a slow bike race and a plank ride. The slow bike race was won by ockhaven’s Nick Mantzoros and the plank ride was won in a ride off by Canton’s Jordan Andrus. The evening was filled with campfires, pit bike racing, and story-telling at the Campgrounds in back of ride H . ate night refreshments at Jimmy’s Park Hotel and rewing Co. next door. Sunday’s Self-Guided ride of 10 miles took riders south thru the forest and back roads of ycoming and Sullivan Counties. This year’s ride was to benefit the Trout Run olunteer Fire Co. in Trout Run PA, who lost their firehouse in the devastating August flood that tore through their town. 3,500 was raised from the ride.
Next year’s ride is already in the works so everyone can mark their calendars for Oct th and 5th of 0 5. ,
WINGSAND WHEELS 2024
VAN SANT AIRPORT • BUCKS COUNTY, PA
ogi erra once said, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
Well, ogi might have been talking about the an Sant Airport’s autumnal gathering called Wings and Wheels. Now in its 3rd year, this event is growing at an amazing rate.
We attended last year for the first time and were very impressed with the wide variety of cars, bikes, and planes.
When we arrived at an Sant this October, we were stunned at how big it had grown in just a year. The field
opposite the grass runway – a big field too - was already filled with cars –and these were just spectator vehicles.
ucky for us motorcycles got to park alongside the road.
ike the year before we were impressed by the wide array of historic and exotic cars, and motorcycles – but this year the airplanes truly dominated our time as well.
Easily twice as large as before we had to make a plan to make sure we saw everything – and there was so much to see and take in.
What I liked last year, I liked again this year. For the most part, these beautiful machines had parked according to when they showed up – so you could have a beautiful Dodge iper parked next to classic Sunbeam Tiger, or a Model T following a sleek Ferrari.
That atmobile gathered some folks attention, while we gobbled up the 19 Chevy Impala that could have just rolled out of Supernatural. (Shira was so excited, and kept looking for Dean).
It wasn’t just cars that kept the eyes roaming but other road-worthy pieces of history. There was an old Air Stream Trailer that did not seem to have seen better days, but rather all the important ones.
The hangars were especially impressive with their mid-last century soundtrack blazing and sprinkling with planes, cars, and bikes. ery nice.
There were plenty of food trucks, the airport was very well spread out so that they could still fit in the nearly 50 vehicles and 50 vintage airplanes that could be seen this day.
ut Wings and Wheels has something else that is very special… maybe the most important ingredient of all – the vibe.
This is a show for enthusiasts and lovers of both the pavement and the sky. The knowledge, passion, and vibe that you feel walking around an Sant makes this one of the best long morning strolls you can have on an October Sunday.
Get there early – like 9 am, and take your time. Every vehicle and airplane has a story, and you truly have no idea what you will see next. ,
A few years back Shira’s 919, a bike that has seen two decades, had an unfortunate dealing with gravity and got toppled down a hill of a driveway – taking a shot on the left side.
What was a bit worse was that she was not on the machine that day, but had lent it to a friend who had to go and tangle with the Law, and lost.
After that, the machine had an odd vibration, that led us to discover that her engine guard on the left had been cracked, and both sides needed to be replaced. But what was readily available 20 years ago, might not be the case today. Unless we could luck out and find some Honda dealer that had a set covered with dust – we were S-O-O-L!
Undaunted our hero (sometimes me) carried on deep into the web.
The dark web, the light web, the. “Oh… Hey Shira, check these out.” What I found were a set of engine guards for a Honda 919 that looked spoton and far more protective than the previous set. They looked perfect. They looked like they were in Ukraine. Hmmm.
Ordering online for something special is not so rare. Ordering a mediumly-priced item like a set of engine guards from halfway around the planet – in a country currently defending itself from the Earth’s equivalent of Darth Vader, made me wonder.
Recraft’s website looked impressive enough, and my quick email to them was promptly answered.
With newly instilled confidence we ordered their set of engine guards which sold for $172 American and $85 in shipping. Hey, it was coming from Eastern Europe.
Parts ordered. Order confirmed. Address correction made (my bad – they fixed) and then we just waited for international shipping to do its thing. While we waited for the guards to get across the ocean, I researched Recraft Motorcycle Accessories.
This company started 15 years ago as a local motorcycle shop. Their customers were more like extended family and friends. Remember when shops
were like this?
Over the years they were dismayed at the lack of parts and accessories, for some older machines, and then the lack of quality when parts could be found. They knew they could do better.
They took the dive and began to manufacture their own parts. They learned from mistakes, and perfected each design, and now sell quality parts for a wide array of motorcycle brands, and years.
A few weeks later a delivery van pulled up and the driver came up to the door with a very oddly shaped package.
Once I had it in my hands, I knew what it was. The engine cases had arrived from Ukraine. Yes!
Recraft’s packaging was amazing, and any worry of “damaged in transit”
slipped away. In fact, it was so well done that it took about 20 minutes to completely free the guards. NASA should hire these guys.
The guards looked fantastic.
Hardware was also included… but not instructions. Oh, boy. I emailed them and a day later a PDF with detailed images came my way; with both parts and knowledge, we went about installing the new engine guards on the old 919. It was obvious from the start that all was well and that Recraft had done their homework on these engine guards. Their fit was pretty spot-on and they only needed a minimum of convincing.
These guards are made from ultra-high-quality steel piping and have a slick black powder-coated finish to them. Installed on the Honda they almost look like they came from the factory in Japan.
We could not be happier with this choice of bike protection for the Honda, and if you are looking for something along this line for an older machine, we urge you to take a look at Recraft Motorcycle Accessories which you will find on the web at recraftmoto.com ~ Brian Rathjen
Industry InfobItes
Continued from Page 7
The test was the first European track appearance of the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide motorcycle that is raced in the U.S. Harley-Davidson Factory Racing riders Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli piloted their bikes on Monday following the MotoGP race on the 4.657km (2.894 mi) 16-turn circuit. Additional guest riders included former MotoGP and World Superbike pilots, Simon Crafar, John Hopkins, Randy Mamola, and Marco Melandri.
“We were riding alongside our heroes, and were able to share our body of work with people we respect so much,” said Wyman. “These are special moments, and memories I’ll not soon forget. I want to thank DORNA, Harley-Davidson and all of the staff who worked tirelessly to put on this event in the most challenging circumstances of recent events.”
KING KENNY TEAMSWITH MOTOAMERICA
MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce that three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts will make a welcome return to American road racing as a team owner in the 2025 Parts Unlimited Talent Cup, a championship designed to prepare young North American racers who have the desire and talent to compete on the world stage of MotoGP.
Roberts, who was influential as a team owner in getting American road racers Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, John Kocinski, and Kenny Roberts Jr. to be World Champions, is hopeful of giving young racers the opportunity to join those legends as Grand Prix racers via MotoAmerica’s new Talent Cup program.
Partnering with Fastrack Racing’s Arney Wick, Roberts will initially start the series with one rider and that rider is none other than three-time American Flat Track (AFT) Singles Champion Kody Kopp. Kopp will make his road racing debut in the opening round of the Talent Cup at the MotoGP
event at Circuit of The Americas, March 28-30, on the KrämerAPX-350 MA.
The Krämer APX-350 MA motorcycle has been specifically designed and engineered for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup as it is designed to support a pipeline from the U.S. circuits directly into the European systems that ultimately feed MotoGP teams.
“This is the first time I can see an avenue where we can get young Americans to MotoGP,” Roberts said. “Production bike racing has never done it for me as it’s really complicated because you must be on the right bike, etc. The Talent Cup will give us the opportunity to really see the talent of the rider. I still think dirt tracking is the first step, and the Talent Cup gives us a chance to put a young dirt tracker on the equipment that’s the same as everyone else’s and that hasn’t been the case until now. This is the first step back into the world arena and I’d like to hear the American National Anthem on the rostrum before I slip off the groove.”
“Obviously, having Kenny as a team owner in MotoAmerica is a win for everybody,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “His presence in the paddock will create interest in the Talent Cup both here and internationally. Kenny and his team are also bringing in Kody Kopp, a flat track champion, and it will be interesting to watch his development under Kenny’s guidance. Kody couldn’t ask for a better person to learn from as Kenny has truly done it all – as both a racer and a team owner.”
NEW LOOKFOR MOTOGP
Unveiled at the end-of-season awards ceremony in Barcelona, MotoGP’s new logo is a bold departure from its predecessor, reflecting the series’ ambition to modernize its brand and engage with a broader audience. Designed in partnership with the renowned design studio Pentagram, the logo is not just an aesthetic update—it’s part of a comprehensive rebranding effort to meet MotoGP’s vision for the future.
The updated design incorporates dynamic elements that capture the es-
sence of motorcycle racing. The “M” symbolizes two motorcycles leaning side by side into a corner, capturingthe sport’s close competition. The “O’s” represent motorcycle wheels, while the “t” represents a rider, emphasizing the synergy between man and machine.
Additionally, the “GP” echoes the curves of a racetrack, ensuring the logo remains grounded in MotoGP’s sporting roots. These subtle design choices create a sense of motion and energy, aligning with the excitement the sport brings to fans around the globe.
Now we all have to buy new MotoGP shirts? – ED
The Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. presents
Welcome to the Jungle -
The Art of
Learning to Ride Skillfully
A column dedicated to your riding survival
I think we all have had this happen to us.
ou are in a large room when, from the blue, you hear your name or a word that cuts through it all and brings your attention to bear.
This happened this morning at the gym.
I was on one machine, in the middle of a set, and throughout the noise and hubbub that occurs in a place like this I clearly heard a women’s voice… “Motorcycle Accident.”
ike hearing your name, or something else near and dear to you, these two words came in like reaking News’ used too.
Some call it the Cocktail Party Effect. The phenomenon that occurs when you’re able to hear your name being called, even in a crowded room filled with chatter. This ability of our brains shows just how our names, and things important are to us.
It is hard to ignore something like this being said, and the angels on my shoulder immediately began to arm wrestle on what, if anything, I should do here.
Not being the shy guy, I waited till she was done with her set, introduced myself, and asked about the accident. It was her sister… and it was nothing like what I had expected to hear.
Middle of the day, on a charity ride, and her sister lost consciousness and fell off the back. Did she just fall asleep, or did she have a condition that had her pass out – that is to be determined – but it got us thinking about riding with a passenger.
On one side of this discussion was a friend of mine who will not take passengers on the back at all claiming it is too distracting and takes away from the riding pleasure.
ut many of us take a guest now and again, and these passengers, we will call Copilots, need to be vetted constantly.
et’s look at some factors that will come into play when you have a “pillion.”
One thing to consider is weight and size. It is far more difficult to passenger someone on a small machine. No matter how you look at it – two adults on a petite bike does not make for a fun day. So, if you are going to do any real amount of two-up travel choose a bike that can handle it.
Another part of the discussion was saddles, and the good and bad of armrests. ou will see many bigger machines with pillions that rival the best a- - oy – and many have armrests. Some passengers grow to depend on these, and the thought of not having them makes them feel a bit antsy. es, they certainly snug the copilot in behind the pilot (rider), but also keep them “ ocked In” which is not a good thing if an incident occurs. There is a reason we do not have seat belts on bikes. My thought, and you can feel free to differ here, is I want my copilot to be part of the ride – not just baggage.
When we are on the road it is not uncommon for us to leave one bike behind, and have Shira ride pillion on my GS to dinner, or a baseball game. It’s easier, and I like having her on the bike – a warm summer night with my honey behind me is the best
ut… she is an experienced rider and when riding with her on the back she is part of the ride. She leans the right way, and she doesn’t slam her helmet into mine at each stop light. She knows how to be a good passenger. I know other couples that are simply amazing twoup on a ride – they are like one and they are as impressive as hell.
As the Pilot – you have a responsibility for the safety of your Copilot. That is where vetting and taking on the responsibility for a passenger should always be in play. et’s assume you are all good, and 100 but how is your passenger With the woman who lost consciousness and fell off the bike… did she know she had this issue Her sister told me she had passed out at work just weeks before. So that is an issue, right
The point is that if you are taking on the responsibility of a passenger then make sure they are physically up to it and know what is going to happen. That motorcycles need to lean to turn, and that sudden starts and stops are common and to be ready for them. Have them be part of the experience from the first time they get on the back. Communicate with them – if you don’t have a comm system, then make sure they know they can signal you if they have a problem, or need to stop, eat, or pee.
Encourage them to snuggle in tight. A talented copilot can usually sit with their hands on their thighs, but when they see action coming up (turns, traffic, or a situation) to firmly grasp your waist – yes boys, even if you got your bro’ on the back.
There is an art to being a great copilot. Not everyone should ride a motorcycle, and not everyone should be a passenger – it is up to you to earn these wings. ,
