May 2019

W H A T ’ S

I N S I D E

MO NT HLY C O L U M NS

24

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Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

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POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE.......................5 ON THE MARK ....................................................6 THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD ..........................8 BACKLASH..........................................................9

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil Ralph L. Angelo Jr., Mark Byers, Bill Heald, Cheryl Stewart, Dr. Seymour O’Life

Editorial Office BACKROADS, POB 620 Augusta, NJ 07822

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BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. BACKROADS™ may not be reproduced in any manner without specific written consent from the publisher. BACKROADS™ welcomes and encourages submissions (text and photos) and suggestions. Include phone number with submissions. BACKROADS™ will only return material with enclosed sufficient postage. The written articles and opinions printed in BACKROADS™ are not necessarily those of the publisher and should not be considered an endorsement. The Rip & Rides® published are ridden on the sole responsibilty of the rider. BACKROADS™ is not responsible for the conditions of the public roadways traversed. Please respect the environment, read your owner’s manual and wear proper protective gear and helmet. Ride within your limits, not over them.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJeN

On the PeriPhery What you can’t see can hurt you I had a friend, a chief MSF instructor that, decades ago, instilled in me the need to physically do a head check and never solely rely on the bike’s mirrors.

I have made it a habit of checking twice before moving around on a crowded road or teeming interstate.

This was easy enough during my 40s and 50s, but in the last few years, I have missed a few things here and there. Nothing dire (yet), but cars have occasionally appeared, seemingly out of nowhere and more than one deer came into my view far later than it should have.

When riding it is key to have situational awareness. If you effectively have blinders on that is going to be compromised. Loss of your peripheral vision can happen over time and for various reasons as I was to discover.

In May of last year, I was struck by a small pebble in the inside corner of my right eye; directly at the tear duct. I felt like I had been shot and was on the side of the road for a good bit before being able to continue. Stung like hell.

Over the last summer, this right eye began tearing up on a regular basis.

An eye specialist told me that my lower lid and tear duct had become separated from the rest of the eye, and this is an area that gets weak with age.

Getting hit by the bouncing pebble at speed probably finished the job Mother Nature had already begun over the years.

This became more and more problematic over the season and when I began

Page 3 to carry tissues in my Aerostich pocket I knew I would have to do something.

That something was surgery in January after the specialist sent me to an Oculofacial Surgeon and Ophthalmologist, who took care of the issue but had concerns about my droopy upper lids and my peripheral vision.

She explained that eyelids may become this way as we age.

Cosmetically, such conditions may detract from the overall attractiveness of your eyes and face and cause a tired and older appearance. But, more importantly for me, that I might be missing visual cues while on the road.

I was open to her concerns and her people went ahead and tested my peripheral vision.

They did what is called a Visual Field Test to measure my central and “side vision.”

First with my lids taped up out of the way and then again with the lids loose and normal. The machine uses a light spot that is repeatedly presented in different areas of your peripheral vision.

You click a hand-held button each time you see a dot of light.

With the lids taped up, I thought I did well. When the lids were loose, it became obvious to me that I was not seeing nearly as much as I was on the previous run; or what I should be seeing in dayto-day life.

Oh oh. Here we go again.

The surgery is called a functional eyelid blepharoplasty.

(You try to pronounce it) It is no different from the surgery that some have done for more narcissistic reasons. In this case, it was a necessity, although I would be lying that I did not hope any improvement on my mug would be an unintentional bonus.

One month after the first surgery I was back on the table with an IV-drip and a smiling anesthesiologist saying, “Bye Bye,’ see you on the other side.” continued on Page 7

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

WHATCHATHINKIN’ SHIRA KAMIL

i CAn’t live withOut… With the passage of winter, which – honestly – was not all that bad, we are heading into the riding and touring season. Yes, I know, there are those of you who are diehard riders, heading out in all but the most treacherous of days, along with the Polar Bear crowd. I did get out a few times during these winter months – granted they were anomalies of 50-degree days – and they got me past my Parked Bike Syndrome.

But I ache for the long road trip. Like most of you, I’ve spent these short days and long nights planning, as Dr. Seuss said, ‘Oh, the places you’ll go.’ There are rallies, states, countries and destinations that fill the list. I’ll see how many get ticked off this year.

What also happens this time of year is the Spring Cleaning and Restocking. My tank bag is pretty well kitted but, over a good riding season, things get used up, misplaced or go bad. Currently mounted on my tank is the Mosko Moto Nomad with a gazillion partitions, pockets and zippered compartments to organize the myriad of essentials for my trips, long or short. In addition to this space I have my Givi Trekker Dolomiti top case with separate inner liners, one that holds my heated gear and extra gloves and the other, also compartmentalized, with an assortment of stuff (medical kit, Stop N Go and battery backup, to name a few).

All this, while very wanted and some hopefully never needed, falls outside of the ‘I can’t live without’ category. I’m sure everyone has their own must-haves on this short list, but I’m the one doing the writing, so you’ll get to read mine. I’d be thrilled to know what sits on your list (email: shira@backroadsua.com). extrAOrdinAry liP BAlm Next to my glove fetish, lip balm runs a very close second. Brian swears

by Blistex, and I agree, it is very good, but I need to reapply that too frequently for it to be useful on the motorcycle. What I’m looking for is one that comes in a self-applying, probably twist tube, that is smooth and not only soaks into my lips but stays moist for more than an hour. It also needs to be UV, not melt in 100 degrees when left in the tank bag or freeze if I forget it in the garage during the winter. Currently my go-to is Palmer’ Cocoa Butter stick for quick application and Aquaphor for the longer stops when I can use a finger.

eyeglAss CleAner I used to wear my contact lenses while riding but, as I’ve gotten older, my eyes no longer accept the wind in my face while there are lenses in my eyes.

I like riding with my face shield up so my glasses get a workout with the elements. Some years back, Mark Byers mentioned Walmart’s Shield lens cleaner and I’ve been using it ever since. It’s inexpensive, does a great job and comes in small travel sizes that work perfectly in the tank bag. More recently I discovered Peeps All-in-One Cleaners. This little gem is a dry, selfcontained cleaner that will make your glasses spotless in day-to-day wear.

Of course, if you have gotten some icky mess (mud, sleet, driving rain, etc.) on them, take out the Walmart cleaner first.

BAseBAll CAP Here’s another item that can easily become a large collection over the years. I have MANY Mets caps, almost as many Backroads and lots from our travels around the world. But there is only a handful that have been shaped and fitted to be just right for doffing once the helmet comes off. My current two favs are my Gifford’s ice cream and D-Day from Normandy caps, although my newest Backroads distressed cap is going to start its trips this season. We’ll see how it breaks in and if it makes the cut. hArd CAndy Or mints While I almost always have my CamelBak or some sort of hydration system with me, I find I get very easily parched while riding. If I pop a hard candy or mint in before taking off, I can extend my stops for quite a while. While I try to keep my sugar intake to a bare minimum (no, I really don’t eat as much ice cream as all of you think) I am a sucker for Werther’s (no pun intended) and try to always keep a tin of Altoids on board. hedz AdAPtABle heAdweAr This little piece of tubular material can make all the difference in the world – or at least a 10-degree difference. I must have at least half a dozen with me at a time, either stuffed in my pocket, my tank bag or my top case. It will keep the sun and dirt off your neck and face on a hot day or the wind and cold when the temperatures plummet. We have many versions with different Backroads logos and I’ve collected a good amount from the different companies with which we’ve toured. They also can be used to clean your glasses (see previous entry) or wrap a fragile souvenir from a road trip.

That’s my short list of ‘can’t live withouts’. Now I’m off to the garage to do that inventory and restocking. I’ll see you on the road!

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE BILL HeALD

A glAss menAgerie “When the going gets rough, just shop with somebody tough.”

- Barenaked Ladies I hate it when somebody goes to messin’ with my bidness. In this case, my bidness is defined as the merchants, stores, dealers, institutions, etc. that I regularly do business with. I expect standardization, man! When I go into the grocery store, I want my McVitie’s Digestives in aisle 5 right next to the other British cookies where they belong, dammit. About a year ago my grocery store decided to move things all around and I thought the manager and I were going to go a few rounds. Me and the Better Half have been customers for a couple of decades, and I get to be entirely unreasonable when conditions demand. Store navigation is an integral part of successful shopping, and changing the landmarks leads to chaos, anarchy and wasted coupons.

With this as a baseline, imagine my dismay when I strolled into my regular motorcyclery after a fairly long absence to discover it had been violated by a rogue pack of interior decorators. This was no small series of alterations, either, but a serious overhaul that replaced the almost mom & pop atmosphere of the past and substituted it with something upscale that bordered on the sinister. Ok, sinister may be a bit strong as the place actually looked pretty chic. The problem is, it didn’t look like the motorcycle dealership I knew, and when I went looking for the parts department (the reason I was visiting the place) things became weirder. For reasons that are difficult for me to assimilate, the parts department was. . . gone. What in

Page 5 Valentino Rossi’s trophy room was going on here?

In my longish tenure in riding (which has meant explorations of dealerships in a vast number of motorcycle dealerships of every stripe in countless states), parts departments have generally been similar enough that I could find them in the canyons of even larger stores with great ease. There are many standard landmarks, and if I was to generalize I’d say there’s a long counter with bits and bobs on it, two or three computers and, in the old days, microfiche readers. But mainly there’s some counter space, usually protected by a workbench pad and a coffee cup (usually with a company logo of some kind) full of pens. Perhaps there’s a clock on the side wall with some neon bezel ornamentation and the livery of a prominent parts or lubricant supplier. Behind the counter there’s either some shelves loaded with filters, oil, spark plugs and other regularly requested items or often there’s no wall and instead there’s direct access to the full parts stock, where tall canyons of parts retreat into the shadows. I have often thought if you were to walk back far enough through these parts towers, you would find a warehouse suitable for hiding the Arc of the Covenant.

Maybe not.

The bottom line is most parts departments, in my experience, follow this basic template, and thus have a degree of friendly familiarity even if you’ve never set boot in the dealership before. So you can see why I had a moment of otherworldly dysfunction when I wandered though my once traditional dealership to see all matter of upscale, luxury mall displays and little in the way of chain lube. It was visually interesting, I’ll give it that.

Where I thought the parts department should be (and if I had my forensic team with me could have determined was, in fact, in the past) there was a wall, and on this wall were a series of glass-cased mannequins clad in the latest fashion-oriented rider wear. If you’ve ever watched Arrow or other sucontinued on Page 7

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

ON THE MARK MARK BYeRS

this…meAns…wAr! If aliens studying our world ever tried to monitor the Internet for indications of the intelligence and health of our civilization, the only conclusion to which they could logically come is that our sole use to them would be as food, and even THAT would be sketchy. A medium that was originally intended as a way for learned people to exchange scientific information that might have a profound, positive effect on mankind is now awash in pimple photos and fart-lighting videos. I remember a young, naïve Internet, where you could get advice about what gear ratio to run or where to get the best deal on a 520 o-ring chain. Now, if you dare ask a technical question, some basement-dwelling troll who probably doesn’t own a motorcycle will instantly transform into a polymer-research chemist with definitive knowledge of oils, when in fact he can’t even grasp the ones that make his skin break out.

And then, the wars break out.

There are no crusades fought with more religious fervor than those that erupt when someone asks what the best two-stroke oil and mixture is. The Castrolites will try to take the high ground but will be set upon by the Synthites and their sub-tribes, including the Amsolians. An ancient tribe of oil zealots known as the Klotzites, whose followers burn candles scented with “Techniplate and Estorlin,” will enter the fray, claiming only their noses hold the key to salvation. And just when you think the battlefield couldn’t get any bloodier, the mixture flanking maneuver will erupt, with visceral attacks on the Amsolian 100:1 Rationites by the Monastic-40:1 Castrolites, who have a

smell fetish of their own that rivals, but does not exceed that of the Klotzites.

Oil isn’t the only petrochemical product defended with cultish zealotry: Tires are equally holy. Any pilgrim trying to make his way to Tireland will be set upon by Michelonians, Avonians, Pirellians, Dunlopians, and Bridgestonians. Any attempts to establish dominance will result in an assault by the Goth Continentalians. That will seem like child’s play when the Cheng Shinian Tribe rides over the hill, closely pursued by the Shinkonians. The bloodbath will be complete when the evil and ignorant Darksiders crawl out of their caves to assert that auto tires are perfectly acceptable on motorcycles.

Much like the oil crusades, the tire wars are only fully joined when the airpressure sub-battles erupt.

There are any number of other skirmishers out there: in the chain world, the Riveters versus the Master Linkers is a frequent knife fight, including the subtribe of Safety-Wired Master Linkers, a more cautious and moderate group. They are all scoffed at by the Shaftolians, particularly the Germans. There is a frequent-chain-removal-for-cleaning cult that is constantly at odds with the “if God wanted us to take the chain off, he wouldn’t have made o-rings” crowd.

Each has members who claim godlike mileages with their beliefs. In my mind’s eye, they wander the land, 530 chains dangling from their necks, secured in a way that defines them as Master Linkers or Riveters, searching for the holy grail of any Chainer, the frictionless lube.

Just like the Middle East, oil fuels this conflict too: The Lube War. This one is tricky, because there are multiple sub-groups that are harder to figure than Balkan tribes. The Paraffinites are Waxers, but some belong to the Master Linkers and believe in soaking the whole chain, and some are Riveters who believe the paraffin can be applied in spray form (generally considered heresy by the True Paraffinites, who like the Baptists, believe full immersion is necessary for Frictionless Salvation). The desert-dwelling Drylubians are constantly casting throwing knives at the Wetlubians, who live in the rainier microclimates. Then, there are the pennycontinued on next Page

BACKROADS • MAY 2019 free wheelin’

Page 7 continued from Page 3

On the mArk

“Yup,” I replied, “ On the othe…”

I had been lulled into a false sense that this will be easy and fairly algeticfree after the first surgery, but real pain is real pain, and the first few days were spent sequestered with cold packs, Excedrin and hours playing guitar blind and developing a newfound respect for Jose Feliciano.

I hoped this would all be worth it as we got ready for the real riding season to begin in a few weeks.

The bottom line is that it was. Like so many things, degradation of something – hearing, hair, strength, and sight - might not be noticed until it is pointed out or made plain to you.

Although my close-up vision bites, I still have 20/20 for down the road and a far greater degree to my left and right.

It’s great to see what is on the periphery.

POstCArds frOm the hedge

continued from Previous Page

pinching WDfortians, the cannon fodder of the Internet Lube Wars, with status only slightly above the Use-Whatever-Is-Handians and the scum-of-theearth, Total Neglectians. There’s a stuffy British tribe, the Scottoilerians, who like the Shaftolians, thumb their noses at the rest of the Lubists, uttering oaths like “Pshaw” and “Balderdash!” I will say that, compared to the oil and tire crusades, the Lubist Wars don’t leave near the blood and viscera on the battlefield.

As always, there are the Battles of the Brands, but those are best left for another day. It is safe to say that the best way to ignite yet another fray and bring out the worst of the battle trolls, is to simply ask, “What’s the best _____?” on any forum. Within minutes, Godwin’s law will surely be proven – that the likelihood of a Hitler comparison goes up exponentially with the number of posts.

Come Ride the Dragon Deals Gap

continued from Page 5

perhero shows and seen their underground lairs, they keep their suits in sim318 Curves in 11 Miles ilar glass enclosures. I’ve never understood this; if they left their superhero kit piled in a heap on the floor like I do they could get dressed and on the job Deals Gap Store much faster. But no. Each to his own, I guess.

Motel Anyhow, I was lost. I had ordered (and paid for) a new battery and expected to just waltz up to the parts counter in a smooth, artsy yet manly manBar and Grill 17548 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771 ner (that Gene Kelly would have used) and get my booty. But where was the counter? How could I waltz up in that artsy yet manly manner if there was nowhere to waltz up to? As is usual in motorcycle dealerships, over by some new bikes there was a gaggle of sales types hanging around what I think was a desk and I broke into this murder of crows and demanded satisfaction.

“Good Afternoon. Could you direct me to the parts department?” Smooth, right? I’ve still got it. Instead of pointing like a politician walking out on stage at a rally, they picked up a phone and paged the parts diva. Then, they pointed to a smallish desk/computer ensemble not far from the mannequins mentioned earlier and said I would be serviced momentarily. Once I got over there I did notice, wonder of wonders, a shelf with a few of the standard parts department items neatly tucked away so smartly I didn’t see it before. Aha! I had apparently found the Parts Kiosk, which was like a satellite orbiting the showroom and all the parts themselves were in the back somewhere. A quiet exchange with the parts maven had my battery floating out from some undisclosed location, and before I knew it I was out the door with my prize. What had just happened? Apparently a dealership had fallen victim to people deeply immersed in market199 Main St. • Ste. 901 • White Plains, NY 10601 ing. Hey, years ago I remember when Harley started changing the grease monkey bike store into boutiques, If you’ve been involved but they still had the right cues to tell me they were motorcycle dealerships. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, and if in a motorcycle accident, they are spending the kind of money on a refit like this get the knowledgeable, business must be good, which makes me happy.

Oh, and my battery? It was the wrong one. I had to y b d sympathetic and forceful esente have them order the right one, and make the hour-long e repr who has B legal representation trip back a few days later. Typical, right? But at least ne someo ng for over this time I knew my way around. i d

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

THOUG HTS FRO M THE ROAD Hello Friends, As you may have heard, Congestion Pricing will soon be a reality in NYC. Now that the agreement has been signed, the infrastructure to support cashless tolling over such a broad area will have to be planned and built. We were told that would take two years, but some have said that it may be ready to roll out as soon as a year and a half. We still don’t know how much a trip into the Central Business District of Manhattan will cost. That will be decided by an as yet unnamed six member panel. That same panel will also be in charge of deciding who will be exempt from congestion based charges in the future. Essentially, the negotiations for who would be eligible for so-called carve outs became so contentious that the Governor and legislators decided to kick that can down the road. But as late as Friday evening we still had good reason to think we might succeed outright.

Below is an excerpt from a 3/29 article in the WSJ: “the biker exemption is one of many carve-outs under consideration as officials haggle over the final details of a congestion pricing system this weekend. they hope to reach a resolution before Monday, the deadline for the state assembly and senate to adopt a budget of more than $175 billion….”

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Cheryl Stewart A panel whose exact form hasn’t been finalized would set the toll rates, lawmakers said.

They are also discussing whether to empower the panel to study and grant additional exemptions— a move which could help win over some still recalcitrant legislators from the suburbs and outer boroughs.

But other exemptions could be spelled out in law, including for the disabled, for poor residents who live in the congestion zone, or even for motorcycles. Assemblyman Robert Carroll is trying to limit exemptions and maximize funding for the MTA. “That sounds idiotic,” the Brooklyn Democrat said. “What we’re trying to do here is not just raise revenue, but reorder our streets and get people on mass transit.”

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, another Brooklyn Democrat, said Friday that an exemption for motorcycles was a “common sense environmental issue” because they cause less congestion and take up less space than cars.“ It’s still in the conversation,” Mr. Ortiz said. “I’m not a motorcycle rider, but Cuomo is. He’ll probably be sympathetic.”

A spokesman for the governor, who occasionally rides a custom-painted Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide touring bike, didn’t immediately comment.”

Below is an excerpt from the latest article in City & State: “the Metropolitan transportation authority will implement a first-in-the-nation tolling program, although some details remain vague. the program will institute electronic tolling devices on the perimeter of a zone encompassing all of Manhattan south of 60th street. a sixmember review board will “advise on tolls, exemptions, and credits,” which “will be variable and passenger vehicles will only be charged once per day.” the tolls would not go into effect until 2021 at the earliest. People with disabilities would be exempt from the tolling and a traffic mobility review board could recommend additional credits, discounts and exemptions for other bridge and tunnel tolls, according to budget legislation.”

Thank you to everyone who took part in this effort.

We worked long and hard to get the exemption for our fuel efficient, congestion reducing vehicles. We called legislators, and we travelled to Albany to lobby twice.

We wrote articles, signed petitions and spoke at Town Halls. We don’t have traditional leverage which comes from big money or a large demographic. We only have our passion and the fact that we’re making sense. It was a nail-biter right up until nearly the last minute, and we almost got our exemption in the first round. I’m very proud of that, as I hope you are.

Once the panel is appointed we’ll have our work cut out for ourselves. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue to raise awareness about our fuel efficient, congestion reducing vehicles. Speak to reporters or even write something yourself if you feel you can.

Influencing public opinion will be a potent tool for us as we continue this fight.

Congestion Pricing is only one of many issues that we face as motorcyclists in NYC. There are motorcycle-only checkpoints and dangerous road conditions, overpolicing and high tolls on Port Authority crossings, etc. We will continue our campaigns - join us. cheryl stewart • riders against congestion

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

B ACK LAS H Hi Brian, Your April 2019 Freewheelin’ editorial about the passage of time reminds me of an observation I made somewhere around age 12, relatively profound for me at the time....

I was watching the toilet flush and BM circling the bowl. I watched how initially they circled slowly and as they got closer to the downward vortex, they accelerated round ‘n round ever so much faster.

Somehow, with my teenage years immediately ahead of me, I realized that I was watching an analogy of life itself; that the acceleration of time as years pass is a reality.

And so now, in my later seventies, I’m reaching up, up, up, trying to grab the rim of the bowl, to slow the inevitable.

Downhill skiing this winter has helped, and the tireless KLR in my garage beckons me to the Adks & Greens.

The day before yesterday was an amazing ski day at Killington, and I’m now packing to go up and ski with my grandkids tomorrow near Burlington.

So despite my tasteless toilet bowl analogy, life maybe rotating faster but it is not shitty at all.

Best to ya both, Bill Folks, As a long time reader, just read Mark Byers April 2019 article. Tell him to check out a 42-page booklet by someone I know on Amazon called Designing your Time in Retirement. Great roadmap for us. There is a SYLLABUS. John wispelwey Shira In your April 2019 issue Whatchathinkin’ “Pink This”, I have to give kudos to your mother. My mother also gave me part of my adventurous side, but where the rest came from we’ll never know. Her traveling consisted of highways 301/95/85 and that’s about it. By us traveling up and down 95 when I

Page 9

Letters to the Editor was young, it gave me the desire to want to travel more, by car, (it never crossed my mind about any other way). You see when I was young, motorcycling was taboo in my family, it was dangerous, and it was for boys. My cousin took me for a ride on his motorcycle twice when I was 19 years old and I never had the opportunity to get on another one for 15 years, until I met my husband. After being on the back of his bike for nearly 13 years, it occurred to me ‘why not get my license and ride myself’. As the thought got stronger and stronger, I knew I just needed to get off his and on my own. A year or so later, after taking lessons, classes, and getting my license, I had my own bike and have been riding ever since. Who says riding is for boys ??? So it was nice to read in your article that more women are riding, fishing and hunting.

I think the old saying, “The Woman’s Place is at Home” is just that “OLD” and it’s “Not for this GIRL”!! Thanks for a nice read. lisa mutchler Backroads, Well, I have finally had it. After listening to a multitude of people who have seen me in motorcycling attire or on my bike and decided to tell me their worst motorcycle horror story, I have decided to hang it up. I mean, your unclecousinfriend was drunk off his ass when he ran the red light doing 100 MPH at 2AM and hit the school bus full of retired nuns coming back from a field trip, but hey, it was the bike’s fault. If he had been driving his rice car with the fart can exhaust, he might have made it. I totally get how motorcycles are the Devil’s Bicycle thanks to your constant insistence at sharing your worst possible stories in elevators, restaurants, and hotel lobbies.

I am sure you will be happy to know that I am throwing down my gloves, selling my bikes and related accoutrements, and joining the increasing herd of mouth-breathing, left-lane hogs who inhabit our highways. Chevy Cobalt, here I come!

Clint westwood continued on Page 11

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

IN DU STRY INFOBITES

News from the Inside

CHERYL STEWART AWARDED BACKROADS’

UTAH PASSES MOTORCYCLE LANE-SPLITTING LEGISLATION

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN MOTORCYCLING EXCELLENCE AWARD

Utah became the second U.S. state to formally recognize a type of lane splitting, with the governor’s signature on a bill legalizing the filtering of motorcycles between lanes of stopped traffic.

“This is a major victory for motorcyclists in Utah and across the country,” said Mike Sayre, on-highway government relations manager for the American Motorcyclist Association. “As more states acknowledge the benefits of lane splitting, motorcyclists can become safer on the roads, and motorists can find some relief from traffic congestion.”

H.B. 149 allows motorcyclists traveling no faster than 15 mph to filter between lanes of stopped traffic traveling in the same direction on roads where the speed limit is 45 mph or less.

The LAME award is given annually to the person or persons who we believe embody a true love, drive and absolute passion for the sport and lifestyle of today’s motorcyclists.

LANE SPLITTING IN CONNECTICUT?

For years Cheryl Stewart has shown us that one person can really make a difference. Working with others as passionate about motorcycles and our place in today’s American society, it was Cheryl who has always been the driving force to inform and educate the general public to see who we riders really are and the benefits that riders, motorcycles, and scooters have to offer New York City, as well as other cities and regions in the United States.

Although the final outcome is still in the air her work to have motorcycles and scooters exempt from the upcoming Congestion Tax was amazing.

Congratulations Cheryl!

A Democrat state senator in Connecticut has introduced legislation to allow motorcyclists to lane split in that state. State Senator Cathy Osten (DSprague) proposed Senate Bill 629 “To permit the operator of a motorcycle to operate between lanes of traffic as is permitted in other states and countries and thereby ease traffic congestion.”

Although California is the only jurisdiction that has legalized the practice in the U.S. and Canada, politicians in Texas, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Utah have proposed such bills, while Hawaii has legalized a similar measure which allows motorcyclists to filter ahead on the shoulder of the road in congested traffic situations.

Lane splitting, or “filtering”, is also legal in a number of other countries, notably in Europe and Asia, with many sources indicating that it helps reduce congestion and emissions while increasing safety for the riders who engage in the practice.

AUTOBAHN IN CALIFORNIA California is considering creating speed limit-free lanes on some major highways, similar to the famous Autobahn in Germany. Senator John Moor-

BACKROADS • MAY 2019 lach (R-Orange County) introduced Senate Bill 319 which would require the Department of Transportation to create two additional lanes on Interstate 5 and State Route 99 north and southbound with unrestricted speed limits.

Replacing the now defunct High-Speed Rail project with dedicated lanes would let Californians speedily and safely traverse the Northern and Southern parts of the state. Like the German Autobahn, the new lanes would be designed for both high-speed and safety, as a World Health Organization study estimates road traffic deaths per 100,000 people is 4.1 in Germany, while 12.4 in the United States.

The project is also anticipated to reduce emissions, by decreasing the number of idling vehicles, which would justify paying for the project using the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

“Why don’t we provide people with vehicles the opportunity just to drive at 100 miles an hour, get to San Francisco in a shorter period of time than the train would?,” Sen. Moorlach told CBS Sacramento, adding that there are fewer reported incidents on the Autobahn.

DO DEDICATED LANES SAVE LIVES? Dedicated motorcycle lanes might be the answer to substantially lowering the death toll around Bangkok’s congested streets, suggests a leading Thai engineer.

The Engineering Institute of Thailand’s Dr Thanet Wirasiri says that Thailand has some of the most dangerous driving conditions in South East Asia, and claims that the ever worsening death toll could be reduced by 82% with such lanes.

In Bangkok about three quarters of deaths involved motorcycles, according to the Daily News, which notes that there are 3 million motorbikes on the road around Bangkok alone.

Dr. Wirasiri’s think-tank is proposing motorcycle lanes on major roads as part of a coordinated approach to improve road design and reduce the risk to riders on the city’s roads.

BACklAsh

continued from Page 9

Our Fault? Okay, I guess it was…

Brian & Shira, So....2 hips replaced, 1 knee, double carpal tunnel, 2 eye lens implants...astigmatism and cataracts gone for 20/20 vision...all in the last 6 years....a virtual cyborg Brian, they just can’t stop US buddy...of course many good friends, DNA, health insurance and an active enough life to require the rebuilds and maybe Prevagen down the road if I can remember it.

BTW...I hold you guys responsible.

It all started with Backroads first Fall Foliage trip to Finger Lakes in 1997? The gang of 13 with Dan’s police Beemer, great weather and a surreal waterfall at afternoon sunset sipping local wines in ankle deep water 80 feet above Lake Seneca with a Backroads full moon rising! I returned for 10 years of Backroad adventures and still wear the jacket with pride to prove it.

All good times.

CP Hi Guys, In the autumn of 2001, Carol and I made a last-minute decision to go to Vermont to leaf peep taking our yellow lab puppy, Molly. However, not surprisingly, it was hard to find a place for the 3 of us at the last minute.

One place that I called was a B&B in Arlington, but I got an answering machine and just left a message. We gave up on the trip until the lady at the B&B called back. She told us that she was no longer operating the inn, as her husband had died, and it was too much for her. She was living in the studio across the street. She offered us the whole house for about $150 without amenities and said that we could even bring friends. As it was, just Carol, Molly and I went. We were amazed

Page 11 to find out from photos and books in the house that it was Rockwell’s home.

It was not advertised as such and the owner never mentioned it. Years later we passed it and it was a one family home again. Apparently it has now been reincarnated as an inn. greg Bagen

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MYSTERI OU S AMERIC A stumPin’ rOund the mOuntAins • PArt One Have you ever heard a stump speech?

It’s a political term that gets its name from years past, an early American custom in which candidates campaigned from town to town and stood upon a sawed-off tree stump to deliver their speech.

A stump speech.

But Seymour is not here to talk politics, Gawd no, rather I want to talk about stumps – actual tree stumps.

But what is so mysterious about a tree stump, you might ask?

Well, other than ancient ones can maybe tell us about the future, and that many a spooky tale has its beginning around old forests with stumps everywhere, there are some rather interesting stumps in and around the Central New York region – particularly the northern Catskills and the Shawangunk Mountains.

Let’s start with the really, really old ones.

Let us set the Wayback Machine (I won it from my friend Peabody in a poker game) to 385,000,000 years back. Ahh, here we are in primeval timberland, which would become known as the Devonian Forest in modern times.

But, back then these were the very first forests on the planet.

This was so long ago that the only living creatures were arthropods and wingless insects.

The name is taken from Devon, England where the first of these forests, found sporadically around the globe, was discovered.

But, one of the greatest finds happened in the northern Catskill Mountains.

As we read a few months back there were a number of massive reservoir projects to supply water to the ever-grow-

ing New York City. The Ashokan Reservoir and the others were coming up short and another reservoir was in need. In the mid-1920s construction began on a dam on the Schoharie Creek near the soon to be drowned town of Gilboa.

The dam, made of stone and Rosendale concrete, rose 120 feet high and excavating the foundations went deep. The local quarries began to uncover something very odd. Cutting into the rock a long run of dark shale was uncovered with what looked to be fossils. They turned out to be over 200 petrified tree stumps from a very ancient time.

The aforementioned Devonian Age.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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Years before a flash flood had uncovered something much like this in the same region, so scientists were called in and what they found turned the American scientific world on its head.

The fossils, some of the only survivors of their type in the world, were the remnants of the Earth’s first forests. The oldest ever found.

In 2010 the dam was being upgraded and to do that part of the reservoir and the quarry were drained, which had been backfilled after the completion of the original dam.

Unlike 90 years back when the dam was first built, this time scientists were quick to move in as the original quarry was emptied.

The remnants of the original stumps were plain to see, but so was so much more to the trained and inquisitive scientific eye.

Doctor Chris Berry of the Cardiff School of Earth and Ocean Sciences explained “For the first time we were able to arrange for about 1,300 square meters to be cleaned off for investigation. A map of the position of all the plant fossils preserved on that surface was made.”

Where once they had one, maybe two trees and never the tops – now they had a whole, forest.

It was amazing!

As more and more stumps were uncovered, they found the top parts of some of the trees, which allowed for positive identification of what they really were.

They are called Eospermatoperis – and this confirmed that they were indeed as ageless as believed.

They also found one large example of tree-shaped club moss, the type of tree that commonly forms coal seams in younger rocks across Europe and North America. Dr. Berry added, “All this demonstrates that the ‘oldest forest’ at Gilboa was a lot more ecologically complex than we had suspected, and probably contained a lot more carbon locked up as wood than we previously knew about. This will enable more refined speculation about the way in which the evolution of forests changed this Earth.”

A number of these ancient petrified tree stumps are on display at the Gilboa Museum, not far from the quarry site itself.

The museum is found on Stryker Road, right off of 990V, which itself is off Route 30.

The museum is small but informative, but the stumps, once you know the history of them, will have you giving speeches about them.

Stump speeches, of course.

Next month… the most striking stumps you have ever seen…o’Life out!

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

G REAT A LL AMERICA N DINE R RUN

tasty places to take your bike

yiA yiA’s greek kitChen 432 rOute 206, mOntAgue, nJ 07827 973-948-8088 • yiayiasgreekkitchen.com I spent years living in LA - Lower Astoria.

It has been said that here in Astoria you will find more Greeks than in Athens. I don’t know about that, but it is the Greek capital of the United States, that is for sure.

Lucky me, as over those years I lived in a house owned by Greeks, had Greek neighbors and many, many Greek friends.

In fact, as I only had a motorcycle back in the early ‘80s, it was a caring Greek family who lived next door that loaned me their car to bring my son back from the hospital after his birth.

Vasili, who I call my Wolf Brother (both he and his brother Bobby) brought Shira and me all across the Peloponnese some years back – one of my most treasured riding memories.

After all this, it would not be too hard to imagine I love Greek food.

But… I live in Sussex County, New Jersey these days, not Astoria – so I was very excited and hungry when the old General Store leading to the bridge at Dingmans Ferry was taken over by a Greek couple from Astoria, Anastasia and George, and they turned it into a restaurant.

Ahh, it was a great few years.

Then one day I rode over… and they were gone.

Somehow the diner gyros didn’t have that Hellenic flair and Astoria was a bit of a ride and about $25 bucks in tolls – not to mention riding in and out can sometimes be easy, sometimes not. Mostly not.

A few months back Shira and I were riding north on Route 206 – the Jersey Mother Road – when I spied a blue hand-painted sign.

Yia, Yia’s Greek Kitchen.

Yia is Greek for Grandmother and seeing this we pulled in only to find they were closed for the day.

A few weeks later we returned to not only find they were open – but it was our friends Anastasia and George.

Oh, happy day – “real” Greek food!

It’s a family affair at Yia Yia’s . We took a table and their daughter Eva came over to make sure we were comfortable and to get us started.

Although we loved the old location, right atop Walpack Valley, the new place is a bit more comfortable and open. Long glass cabinets show off Greek pastries and trays of spanikopita – those delicious spinach pies made with the flakiest of golden crusts - found alongside homemade desserts like Greek baklava, flan, cheesecake, and rice pudding.

The entire menu is created with the finest ingredients. Yia Yia’s brings in the very best feta cheese, kalamata

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

Page 15 olives, and extra-virgin olive oil all imported from Greece. Their pitas are made the traditional way by hand and the Gyro meat is authentic and handcut. Anastasia and George’s appetizers are their own recipes and Yia Yia’s source local vegetables for the salads, their meats are purchased daily from the local butcher and, of course, the fries are cut fresh and cooked in highquality corn oil.

Everything they serve is made fresh daily and on the premises, and it shows with every bite.

Start off with some Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) or go with what Shira chose - keftedakia (Greek meatballs) – a good size portion of the most flavorful meat we have had in a while. Drizzle on a little bit of tzatziki sauce and it is almost a meal by itself. Staying with the carnivore crowd the lukániko (Greek sausage) is also amazing.

Although the Greeks do lamb better than anyone, many of their dishes are vegan. Patzaria is fresh beets and garlic, oil and vinegar and kulukiythokeftedes are fried zucchini fritter with an unpronounceable name, which are great all by themselves or as a side dish.

Yia Yia’s salads are enormous and can easily be split four ways if you are ordering another entree. Most times I am a basic guy and I think gyro.

The name is pronounced gee-ros, not gyro like the scope, but the meaning is basically the same – it literally means ‘turn’ and that is how the meat is prepared, on a spit constantly turning on a vertical rotisserie. To me, gyros are the perfect food.

You have lamb, bread, greens, onions, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce (which has a yogurt base and more good stuff) and sometimes feta cheese (if you ask for it).

It is all good to me and here at Yia Yia’s they have it down to perfection. George is a most excellent grill man, Anastasia handles the rest and it shows in every dish and daughter Eva is a gem.

Although we loved the last location, Montague is in Sussex County, New Jersey and this area has some seriously great roads to ride so we will give you a serious great Rip & Ride to get there. Kaló taxídi!

GPX download here: www.sendspace.com/filegroup/xmaOO6%2foPw0yuiyxy8tbBQ

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

Frontline Eurosports Presents

B IG CITY GETAWAY hOPewell furnACe 2 mArk Bird ln., elversOn, PA 19520 610-582-8773 • www.nps.gov/hofu/index.htm In the late 18th and early 19th centuries most raw materials had to be sourced and created locally. Canals were just beginning to be built and the railroad was years away. So, much like the lime kilns O’Life talked about a few months back – iron was mined, smelted and created locally.

In Pennsylvania, a state famous for its coal, there were also sprawling properties called Iron Plantations that could be found across parts of the state.

With plenty of forests for fuel, and streams for water power, iron “plantations” were the centers of iron manufacturing before 1840. To attract workers to these rural locations and support production, ironmasters built sprawling physical plants, which typically had a furnace or forge, houses for workers, an ironmaster’s mansion, a charcoal house for storage, store, grist mill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. Ironmasters also acquired vast acreage, with farms to feed workers and draft animals, forests, and iron ore deposits. Iron plantations were among the largest manufacturing complexes in the nation before 1850. They were also social and labor-management systems, entwining masters and workers in complex relationships.

A wonderful example can be found just north of Elverson, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia, in the Hopewell Big Woods surrounded by French

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind Creek State Park – The Hopewell Furnace. This property was designated Hopewell Village National Historic Site in 1938 then under the authority of the Historic Sites Act, thereby becoming one of the earliest cultural units of the National Park System. But every historic site has a story…

In 1770, a 30-year-old Mark Bird, son of a successful iron-master, bought several large tracts of land in Southeastern Pennsylvania located in Berks and Chester counties. He established what is referred to as an “Iron Making Community” which consisted of entire villages that sprung up in proximity to the resources needed for the iron making industry: iron ore near the surface, a dependable water supply, extensive hardwood forests, and limestone. Pennsylvania is abundant in these resources and by the mid18th century it had become the leading ironproducing colony in British America.

We came upon the Hopewell Furnace on our way south. It was not a planned stop, but we have found some of the places we find by chance make the ride and adventure that much more fun.

We saw the sign for the Iron Plantation, made a quick u-turn and went to find what we could find.

The grounds - 848 acres - were expansive and the 14 buildings well maintained.

Remarkably Hopewell looks like they could start iron production in a few days if needed. The Iron Master’s House holds a small museum and if you know nothing of how iron was made, you will have a better idea after walking through this old home.

There were iron slabs stacked high and the kilns all brought forth to our

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

Page 17 time the past when things needed to be done locally.

There was a small village that developed here for the workers and their families – a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and smoke house.

The sand casting molds were there to see and walking around the expansive grounds is a treat for those who love American history.

Without a doubt the water wheel was the high point; mastering natural power the wheel was key to the entire operation.

The Hopewell water wheel is a 22-foot diameter “breast” wheel, which was made predominately of chestnut and oak wood.

A breast wheel is commonly found in areas where the headwater is between 5 and 12 feet high. It gets its name from the fact that the water turns the wheel by flowing in halfway up the wheel instead of having the water come in at the top of the wheel, as is the case with an “overshot” wheel, or turning the wheel from underneath, as is the case with an “undershot” wheel.

The wheel itself turns when water flows into the spaces in the wheel, called buckets, on one side of the wheel, which then makes that side heavier than the other. Gravity then works on the heavier side of the wheel, which causes it to turn. The turning of the wheel can create 5-15 horsepower that can then be used to run the blast machinery of the furnace.

Ingenious.

The Hopewell furnace is a wonderful place to learn a bit of Pennsylvania’s iron history – and it also helps that the roads surrounding the site are stupendous to ride.

That neat combination makes the Hopewell Furnace the perfect Big City Getaway!

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WE’RE OUTTA HER E

MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads

tuggles gAP mOtel 3351 PArkwAy ln s, flOyd, vA 24091 Blue ridge mile mArk 165.2 540-745-3402 • www.tugglesgap.biz Does it not seem that every time you turn around something or someone has another task for you to do? We’re right, aren’t we?

How about some time for you and yours?

How about a ride to someplace special?

It’s time – we’re outta here!

The road on which Tuggles Gap Motel can be found is one of the most well-known and picturesque roadways in these United States – the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A 469-mile scenic highway that is an amazing ride from stem to stern.

Although the plan had been in the works for the two years prior, construction of the Parkway didn’t begin until late in 1935. At that time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had visited Virginia’s first Civilian Conservation Corps camp while they were working on the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. Liking what he saw, he soon approved the concept of constructing a scenic motorway linking the two new parks, Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After much wrangling in Congress over acquisition, funding, and the location of the road, it was decided that the Parkway should follow the crest of the southern Appalachian mountains through Virginia and North Carolina, and that the necessary rights-of-way should be purchased by the states and then turned over to the federal government to be administered by the National Park Service as a park. Although the Parkway differs from the usual national park in

its narrow land-holdings (at times shrinking to a width of only 200 feet), it is still managed like any site in the National Park Service.

Although the Blue Ridge offers an easy going and enjoyable ride we have found that the roads going up and down to this famed way are truly technical rides indeed. Still on a brilliant day, with little traffic, the BRP makes for miles of friendly riding enjoyment.

Yes, there can be fog and on some weekend way too much traffic – but on a peaceful and open day – like the last time we visited Tuggles Gap – life was good on the BRP! The motel itself has a history related directly to the road. Built in 1938 by General Boyd in anticipation of the future Blue Ridge Parkway, Tuggles Gap initially operated as a gas station with soda pop and candy. Soon after, the first eight motel units were built. Descendants of General Boyd ran the business until 1985, when it was purchased by Retired Marine Bill Mills. In 1992, Neil Baker, at the suggestion of daughter Daryl and son-in-law Larry Kreager, bought Tuggles Gap from Mr. Mills. She arrived with years of restaurant

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

management experience, great recipes, love of the business and her cherished Rottweiler – Captain Midnight.

In true pioneering spirit, Neil risked her life savings and comfortable life in New Mexico to realize her lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant.

After several months, she recruited help from her daughter, Cheri Baker, who’d been working in the restaurant business in Washington State for years.

Neil retired in the fall of 2003 and with her guidance and support, daughter Cheri has continued to manage Tuggles Gap using Neil’s recipes and credo, “We love to serve you.”

For today’s rider or group of riders Tuggles Gap Motel has much to offer.

Here atop the BRP you can refuel the body, the bike and the soul. For your motorcycle they have a full fuel station, for the body a restaurant that is one of the best along the parkway and for the soul – they have an ice cream shop.

Cheri and crew serve breakfast all day and their lunch and dinner features include Southwestern American with vegetarian chilies, burritos, tacos, and traditional American favorites such as apple pie, pan-fried chicken with real mashed potatoes and gravy, and their acclaimed and gratifying cream of tomato and other homemade soups.

Here you will find ‘Not real fast, not real slow, just real food.’ We have never been disappointed and can attest to their amazing tomato soup, which goes perfectly with their golden brown grilled cheese sandwich.

The rooms are newly renovated, clean comfortable and offer a most excellent night’s sleep in the high and crisp mountain air.

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The hotel is located just a few miles from the town of Floyd, Virginia a most excellent town with a serious musical addiction. The General Store is well worth the ride down the mountain. And, being on the Blue Ridge itself, the riding opportunities abound in every direction.

While touring through the Shenandoah Valley, make it a point to visit Tuggles Gap for a meal and/or a room – it cannot be beat!

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

sAnCtuAry dAiry fArm 209 rte. 103, sunAPee, nh • 603-863-8940 • icecreamkidbeck.com seAsOnAl – CheCk OPening BefOre stOPPing By What makes a great ice cream stop? Of course you need great ice cream – that goes without saying – but there is so much more that adds to the experience and enhances the flavor of any homemade ice cream. And the Sanctuary has just that.

First a little family and business history. It was the youngest of the 10th generation Johnson dairy farm family who had the dream to convert the old sheep barn into an ice cream scoop shop. Beck, at the age of nine, had a vision and, in true entrepreneurial style, he followed through, bringing his family along for the ride. There are three generations of Johnsons at work here, and it was the young Beck who brought his mother and grandmother into the fold, along with his siblings.

He attended Penn State University for ice cream science and, along with his family, traveled to Italy to learn from the masters of gelato. You can taste the love that goes into every batch of ice cream with the first lick.

The Sanctuary Dairy Farm sits on 750-acres with miles of hiking trails, a fenced yard for the little ones to play in, lots of other activities such as horseshoes to pass the time and plenty of seating to enjoy your dairy delights. Since it is a working farm, there are lots of animals around, both their livestock and other wildlife, for your entertainment and viewing pleasure.

Now to the ice cream. As you would expect, it is made with fresh from the cow milk as well as sourcing local farm produce for their ingredients, such as blueberries, strawberries and honey. Their flavor offerings include everything from the simple to the complex: Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Ricotta w/Cherries, Maple Cream made with NH maple syrup and maple candy, Morello Cherry Dark Chocolate Chip made with Griotte Morello cherries and Belcolade Dark Chocolate and Caramel Cashew Chocolate Chip to name just a small selection. The consistence is creamy and luscious and the mixins are plentiful. They also offer dairy-free, sugar-free, low-fat and gelato for those

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

watching whatever it is you watch while trying to enjoy dessert.

In addition to their fine ice cream they offer simple lunch fares of hot dogs and paninis, which can be washed down with Squamscot old-fashioned beverages. Squamscot has its own pedigree, dating back to the Civil War and, as the Johnson family, has been made by the Conner’s for the past five generations. Their story deserves its own piece, but in lieu of that, when you are in the area of Newfields, NH, pay them a visit and taste some of their 22 flavors.

Our visit was on a route during a Backroads Summer Squeeze rally and several attendees made the stop for lunch and ice cream. It was a lovely spot for a respite and, while there, we visited with their goats and rescue donkeys, paying full attention to the signage pertaining to the latter. The farm store has a good offering of local goods and other fun stuff, and supports the Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue – a non-profit donkey and mule rescue. One of their little mascots found its way into my saddlebag and is now living a safe and happy life at the Gray Ghost Inn in Vermont.

The Sanctuary makes an excellent stop while exploring the on and off-road riding in this part of the northeast.

Here is a 150-mile loop ride from West Dover, VT – enjoy the ride and say hello to the critters on the farm.

Download for two-part route: from west dover to sanctuary: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/twk0c2 from sanctuary to west dover: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/a5aqrj

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo Presents

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival A BreAth Of life Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice were out for a nice day’s ride on a beautiful summer’s day. They were all excited as they had each gotten new motorcycles just this year. They had planned a pleasant route through the Catskills with an overnight at one of the hotels they had found in the pages of Backroads magazine.

They had stopped for a little stretch of the legs and to enjoy the picnic lunch they had packed at a lovely, remote watering hole they knew. After finding a shady spot to get out of the hot summer sun, Ted complained of tightness in his chest and, turning very red, fell to the ground. Bob, Carol, and Alice all pulled out their cell phones to call 911 but found no signal.

Wide-eyed and panicked, Carol and Alice did their best to make Ted comfortable and ease his pain while Bob rode off to find help. By the time he did and the EMTs got back to Ted, there was very little that they could do, as such precious time had passed. With forethought and training, the outcome could have been different.

Meanwhile, in an alternate universe…

Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice were out for a nice day’s ride on a beautiful summer’s day. They were all excited as they had each gotten new motorcycles just this year. They had planned a pleasant route through the Catskills with an overnight at one of the hotels they had found in the pages of Backroads magazine.

They had stopped for a little stretch of the legs and to enjoy the picnic lunch they had packed at a lovely, remote watering hole they knew. After finding a shady spot to get out of the hot summer sun, Ted complained of tightness in his chest and, turning very red, fell to the ground. Bob, Carol, and Alice knew exactly what to do as they had just taken a CPR class. Finding that there was no cell service, Alice started chest compressions and breathing while Carol went to find the nearest telephone to call for help and Bob stayed to spell Alice in her ministrations.

It seemed like an eternity for help to arrive, but when the ambulance and EMTs got there, because of their recently acquired CPR skills, Ted was still with them as they loaded him into the ambulance to take him to the hospital.

One bypass, and a bit of recovery later, the four riders returned to the same spot to very happily finish their abandoned picnic.

All Riders Should Know CPR! It is a good thing to learn something new, and taking a CPR class is not only educating

but can be life-saving. As motorcyclists, we can put ourselves in remote locations and should the unwanted and unthinkable happen, help could be too far away. A few hours spent with a trained professional can make all the difference, as we see in the example above.

During this winter season, Brian and I spent those few hours at our gym with Steve Ross of First Aid & CPR, LLC from Manalapan, NJ. Steve started his company in 2011 but has a background of emergency service work dating back to 1977.

He found that people’s reluctance to taking these much-needed courses was the nervousness in coming to a strange, cold classroom. If the course was taught in a familiar environment, such as the gym you come to every day, it would be a better learning center, which turned out to be true. Steve brought all necessary equipment with him – adult manikins, barrier devices and Automated External Defibrillators (AED), trainers. The course is instructor-led accompanied by an instructional video and is 100% hands-on. There were a half dozen in our class, some being recertified and some, like us, taking it for the first time. Steve was clear, concise and patient with his teaching, giving extra time should anyone need it before moving on to the next stage. Briefly, steps are checking for response, calling 911 (when possible) and getting an AED (when available). If not breathing or breathing abnormally begin compressions, which need to be straight down 2-2.5 inches as quick and efficiently as possible and continue until AED arrives.

Of course, this is a VERY brief overview. You can find out more about the courses taught by First Aid & CPR, LLC on their website. In addition to the CPR/AED course, they offer Basic, Pediatric and Wilderness First Aid, Pet First Aid and CPR and many more. All these courses are taught at your convenient location of choice and all necessary instructional equipment is supplied. At the end of course completion, you are given certification, most good for two years.

Don’t let the unthinkable catch you unprepared. Give Steve and his crew a call and schedule a course soon.~ shira Kamil

888-242-4259 • firstaid.org

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

PRODUCT REVIEW

BELL SRT MODULAR HELMET

With the introduction of Bell’s new modular SRT Helmet, one of the oldest names in helmets joins the modern flip-up world.

The new SRT-Modular combines the construction of the SRT — fiberglass shell, compared to their upper echelon offerings made with carbon-fiber, thus allowing for the lower-price point.

Our helmet weighed in at just under 4 lbs.

The SRT features recessed EPS speaker pockets, a broad range of sizing options and class 1 Panovision optics.

The SRT Panovision shield offers a wide opening and superb peripheral vision and has a Class1 optics rating – ensuring clear vision all around. Unfortunately, the Bell does not have Pinlock anti-fog capability.

For those who wish, Bell has a ProTint visor that changes from clear to tinted in about 60 seconds when used on a bright and sunny day.

Shield changing is easy as well. The helmet also has a decent rubber seal to ensure an air-tight fit when closed making the helmet very quiet on the road. Maybe not as silent as some higher end helmets from Nolan, X-Lite, and others, but decent for the price.

Air is handled by adjustable chin and top vents moving a good deal of air through the SRT and out the back.

Like many modulars these days, the SRT has a dropdown sunshield that offers “on the fly” protection from the sun, operated, with a bit of effort, from a slide lever on the left side.

The helmet pops up easily enough with one hand and closes securely just as effortlessly.

The SRT secures with a D-ring buckle and the interior, which is comfortable and fairly plush, is easily removable for cleaning. We found that installation of a Sena Bluetooth Communication system went it easier than any other helmet we have worked with.

The SRT is available in a number of graphics schemes as well as white, black and black matte.

The SRT comes in sizes XS t- L and share the same shell size, while XL through 3XL uses a larger one.

We found the Bell SRT Modular, which lists for $349.95 and comes with a 5-year warranty, to be a good entry into the modular helmet world, especially if you are looking to save some bucks and still have adequate DOT- approved protection. www.bellhelmets.com

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

A

t the last New York City International Motorcycle Show, there were a good number of new and updated machines to be seen, but few gathered the attention, scrutiny, and comments as did the new threewheeled motorcycles from Yamaha – the Niken and soon-to-be-released Niken GT.

The Niken (we were told it means two swords) was introduced in November of 2018, but this year Yamaha has added another, more evolved edition called the GT – a sport-touring version of this head-turning ride.

At the same time the new Niken GTs were rolling out onto Yamaha showrooms across the nation, Yamaha’s media department was rolling out a small gaggle of Niken GTs onto the driveway of a small boutique surf hotel in

Santa Barbara, California. It was from here that a group of moto-scribes would go off on a two-day ride in and around the mountains, beaches, and backroads of the Golden State’s central region.

The Goodland Hotel, a two-story affair built around a central pool and with a bar just a 30-second walk away, reminded me of a place we had stayed on the Pacific coast of ecuador.

Interesting place with its own record store and a very cool Ford Country Squire Station Wagon parked outside with the Yamahas.

Our pre-dinner briefing on the Niken GT highlighted the features of this unique machine and how all this seemingly complex system really works.

Exploring Central California on Three Wheels words: Brian Rathjen • images: Joseph Agustin + Brian Rathjen

BACKROADS • MAY 2019 There is no mistaking Niken with its unique dual-tube upside down suspension and twin 15inch wheels dominating your attention.

I was told that, regardless of the unique chassis and suspension and the extra front wheel, the Niken handled and felt just like a regular motorcycle.

Handles and feels like a normal two-wheel motorcycle?

Well, the first thing you find out is this machine is not self-stabilizing.

If you let it go it will fall down. Just like a normal bike.

Okay, so that made me wonder if the Niken and Niken GT were answers to some questions that nobody had ever really asked.

Was it just to see if it could be done? Perhaps a bit of flexing of Yamaha’s technical know-how and they built the Niken just because they could.

Did I consider that maybe this bike had its genesis on a wet cocktail napkin in a small izakaya in downtown Hokkaido?

In truth, Yamaha’s designers and engineers spent a lot of time working, adjusting and evolving the Niken before they felt it was ready.

But, would all that effort be worth it?

I was looking forward to seeing just why this odd machine was here at this small surf hotel in California and now rolling into Yamaha dealers around the United States.

Heading north…

The ride motored north along the 101 for a bit, and into ever-darkening clouds. The rains that had battered California, a state that needed the wet in the worst way, had not entirely gone away and as we rode east up into the tightening foothills the rain went from a sprinkle to drizzle to a steady pour.

I am used to wet. It is now part of my riding DNA and, it seems, my new ‘normal.’

What was not normal was how comfortable the Niken GT felt and handled in all this. During most media events you hope for stellar weather. But, this time

Page 25 around, some of us hoped for rain, and we were not disappointed.

From the start, the Niken felt almost exactly like a normal bike but, as we got into the foothills and more adventurous pavement, the inventive Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW) Ackerman-style steering and technology came into play. The two leaning front wheels offered twice the front contact patch and that allowed for a very deep lean angle of 45 degrees. This offers a whopping feel and grip from this front end – especially in hard braking and tight cornering.

Just so you won’t have to Google this… Ackerman Steering allows the geometry to remain consistent throughout the full range of leaning the bike and each wheel to track in a more natural fashion without slipping.

If you got to look under the sleek and sexy bodywork you would see that there is a lot going on with tie rods, parallelogram arms and the obvious four tubes holding all this together. The truth is the trailing 43mm adjustable forks do all the rebound and damping and the two 41mm leading tubes basically have just springs and some oil and keep the two 120/70 15-inch wheels in check and from doing that wobble thing that happens with every shopping cart you have ever used.

The front utilizes 4-piston radial mounted calipers on 298mm rotors – with individual ABS and the bike is chain driven by a 190/55 -17 wheel using a 282mm rotor and single-piston caliper.

The rear uses a more conventional set-up with single-shock adjustable suspension.

All this is built into a hybrid frame with a combination of investment casting, tubular steel, and aluminum.

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And, the Niken GT does all this being just 35mm wider than the Tracer GT! How did Yamaha really do this?

Chiefly magic.

Speaking of magic… Yamaha had arranged for a little help from the CHP and for about an hour we had a good long and twisty section of mountain

MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

roadway to ourselves as we did multiple passes in front of the cameras and videographers.

What? Do you think some of these images just happen?

With each pass, the rain seemed to get worse, but the Niken GT was incredibly stable, confident and a pleasure to ride.

I wanted to head into this with an open mind. Although I am not a Luddite, I am a bit of purist. But with each pass in the downpour along these tight roads and more and more miles in the saddle, I begrudgingly admitted to myself that Yamaha really had something here.

Most other journalists this day agreed.

Rolling down towards the coast and then onto the 101 the rains came on again, this time near-Biblical proportions.

As in the wet twisties, on the highway at a fairly fast speed, the Yamaha Niken seemed almost as confident and connected on the rain-soaked asphalt as my car, and I drive an Audi Quattro. With cruise control on, the Niken tracked for a mile with my hands just off the bars.

Impressive.

The bike borrows the same 847cc, 3-cylinder, liquidcooled, DOHC CP3 engine from the Tracer, but has been tweaked, in a slight way, for a more sport touringish feel.

I am not a ride who needs a ton of horsepower and I felt the engine was blissful as is with no wasted horsepower.

The six-speed transmission, that has quick shift ability too, is very smooth and never missed a shift – even when sloppily initiated.

As the ride progressed I began to familiarize myself with the LCD gauge package and the controls on the

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

switchgear. Heated grips, with adjustable setting for regional climates as well as further nuances, are standard with the GT and were a plus on this wet and chilled California morning.

Most of the usual info was readily available as you cycle through the display although I did find one or two things that irked me a bit, such as the power mode settings being simply numbered - 1, 2, & 3. (most aggressive, standard, least aggressive).

Not Rain, Road, and Sport, or something descriptive along that line. This can be very annoying for someone new on the machine and I realized later I had been running it all soggy morning long in the Niken’s ‘Most Aggressive Mode’ (slightly finicky and a bit twitchy sport).

I know this is a lawyer thing, but it would be great if all the OEMs decided to make power-mode settings easy, simple and instinctive – before something bad happens.

Still, with that said, the Niken, even in ‘most aggressive mode’, never gave me worry or concern, and even when it did have a slight slide on a white marker it was more car-like than bike (can we call it a bike?) as the rear wheel drifted and the two front wheels tracked right along.

Very controllable and nothing to fret over.

Also, there is no ‘range’ display offered. I would gladly trade the average mpg to know how many miles left in the 4.8-gallon fuel tank on a bike that,

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according to its own computer, was averaging around 35 miles to the gallon.

The traction control is marked ‘least intrusive’ and ‘most intrusive’, is adjustable or can be eliminated entirely. The PC-speak like aggressive and intrusive had me sadly shaking my head. Can we get some lawyers that really ride to create these new legally-safe terms?

Our ride cut down to the ocean, the bikes following one after another through the turns, left, right, left, right… like a long line of two-wheel – oops, three-wheeled moto-murmuration.

I was becoming aware of the brisk, yet comfortable pace.

The Niken GT can move.

We took a long lunch at the end of the long pier in Avila Beach. Nobody ordered the steak as the fish store next door was doing serious business and the Olde Port Inn had their own Pacific Ocean version of ‘Farm to Table.’

We watched fishermen’s boats coming in and a few guys with rods and

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS reels brought in some small croakers (keepers) and a sand ray (it got a second chance). On a small boat off the pier, a number of harbor seals were basking in the sun that had decided to come out to play for a bit.

Fueled in body and tanks our afternoon ride continued north past Morro Bay and Cambria, and then east into the hills on Old Creek Road.

Here the group began to spread out and the intrinsic and solid feel of

the Niken GT really came into play.

Hey, at 600 or so pounds, this bike is not light – but it sure feels that way and its ‘stickability’ and ease of ride became more and more apparent as we sliced through the foothills.

When you think of this part of California you probably think of large vineyards and wine, but along this route, we passed a few other businesses that

flourish along these backroads – olive oil farms. This was something I did not know, but was not surprised, as this state’s agro-industry is amazing.

By day’s end we had logged well over 200 varied miles – in the wet and slick and dry and curvy and there were smiles all around, as many of those who had preconceived notions and questions on just what the Niken really was were reconsidering.

Almost all agreed the Niken GT powered through the wet in a far more confident, assuring manner than your normal twowheeled motorcycles of the same caliber.

But, this is a sport tourer and to help carry things along, the GT comes standard with 25-liter ABS side cases that are unique to this machine. These come off quickly, as do the brackets themselves if you prefer a more ‘naked’ look. The bags are light and compact, but lockable only with a small padlock, and not very waterresistant – although they do come with waterproof liners.

Why Yamaha did not grab the luggage from the Tracer GT is unknown.

If the first night’s Goodland had a casual, almost Bohemian feel to it, this night’s stay at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles was, well…opulent.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

Although there was wine tasting before dinner for the Yamaha group, I spent that time with a local olive tree farmer tasting his oils and balsamic vinegar. Fantastic. A bottle found its way back to New Jersey.

Dinner was had in the small abbey on the property and the property itself was full of surprises. A twenty-foot section of a Redwood tree and the world’s first Sonic Labyrinth – something that has to be experienced and not read.

Although the bar seemed full and happening for a Wednesday, most made it an early night for, as we had headed north this day, tomorrow we had to go back south.

Heading south…

In very non-typical west coast fashion the day started out with a cold drizzle and temperatures around 46 degrees – or what I like to call Thursday.

Perhaps this would not last for long as blue sky could be seen all around except directly above Team Btfsplk (pronounced Yamaha).

But, unlike most two-wheel machines, the Niken GT seemed to relish the wet; perhaps some WaveRunner tech covertly borrowed from the watercraftside of the factory in Japan.

This day we’d spend a bit of time along California Route 229, known locally to sportbike riders as ‘Rossi’s Driveway.’

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It is called this as it is fairly narrow, well paved, very twisty and has some interesting and quick elevation changes. There is no center or dividing line along this route and it looks like it could be a long, insane driveway – leading to and from Valentino Rossi’s estate.

It is about as good as it gets.

The only thing that could make it better was to be free of law enforcement and imperial entanglements.

The only thing better than that…?

Well, is to have the California Highway Patrol there to block off this gem of a road for a few hours while our photographers did their thing.

Oh, baby.

Toss in this remarkably fun sport-touring machine and you have it all!

But, Route 229 is not the only great road in this region…

Not by a long shot and Yamaha had picked out a bunch of twistalicious pavement for our amusement as we headed to the faux cowboy town of Orcutt, known for its yearly Sidewalk Chalk Festival and Christmas Day Parade, and sat down for lunch.

The split personality of this finicky Thursday kept up, with it morphing

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS between sun and rain all day – but at this point, rain-slick roads were the norm and the Yamaha Niken GT seemed to thrive in both.

It was about this time that I considered the all-around comfort of the GT. It comes with a ‘comfort seat’ and I had no real complaints in my nether regions in just two days, although I would have swapped out the shield for the larger accessory one that is available. The heated grips were well appreciated.

True to form we rode back east and along another stretch of curving mountain roads in the San Rafael Mountains, dutifully, and politely I might add, avoiding the plethora of oblivious bicycle riders who seem not to acknowledge that anyone else could possibly be on the road as well.

Heading down the wide and winding mountain highway towards the Pacific coast I glanced at the speedometer and was surprised at just how fast we were actually covering ground. After two days and nearly 500 miles of riding, the Niken GT powered swiftly and confidently through the sweepers. I don’t say this to infer that the Niken is a go-fast machine, like Yamaha’s R6 or R1, but it is confident, capable, and a crazy amount of all-day sport touring fun.

We made one last stop at Cachuma Lake, a large 3,100-acre reservoir that runs along the Los Padres National Forest.

Time for one more digital moment and we then headed back to where we started – the Goodland Surf Hotel in Santa Barbara.

Final Thoughts…

As we stated, we were not really sure what Yamaha’s thoughts were when we first saw the Niken and Niken GT, but for a question that we didn’t think was ever asked they certainly came up with the right answer.

Utilizing Leaning Multi-Wheel technology Yamaha has brought to the game a machine that is steady and confident and, most of all, fun.

Will it be for everybody? Most likely not, but it certainly will be for some… and is truly a unique ride.

The Niken GT, available in Matte Phantom Blue only, will run you $17,299 and is available at your local authorized Yamaha dealer.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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PRODUCT REVIEW/SPOTLIGHT

A TALE OF TWO STANDS PIT BULL MOTORCYCLE STANDS Center stands are great – they make chain and wheel cleaning far easier and used to be standard on many motorcycles.

Not so much these days.

We have a few bikes that did not come with center stands and with some we had to heal the bike over on the side stand to simply lube the chain.

A two-rider job.

Years back we bought a motorcycle stand on the cheap. We got what we paid for and it lasted just a few seasons before bending, having its adjustments freeze as if welded and just become more of a nuisance to operate safely than it was worth.

We looked around to see what were some of the better offerings in the motorcycle stand universe and Pit Bull came up again and again.

At last year’s Bike Show in New York, Pitbull was one of the few vendors of worth and we made it a point to stop by and chat with them.

Taking a good look at the quality and materials we were sold and ordered a Standard Rear Pit Bull Stand.

When it arrived, we were reminded of the high-grade steel construction and how great the zinc-plating looked on the stand. We almost felt bad using it on a semigrimy bike.

But, that was its job, right?

Pit Bull has Stands for just about every machine and some are more specific than others.

As this would be used primarily on Shira’s Honda which does not have ‘spools’, we chose the standard Pit Bull Stand with the rubber pegs that slide under the swingarm and lift and support the bike.

The pegs are adjustable for different machines and it took just a few minutes to properly align the Pit Bull with the Honda’s swingarm.

Operating is easy, but for beginners, there is a learning curve and it is best to have a second and assuring body to make sure the machine does not go the wrong way down.

After some practice and growing faith in your ability, the stand operation is a breeze.

With the Pit Bull Motorcycle Stand in the barn, Shira’s bike gets ridden in and raised up securely and, as she saunters off like a really curvy and pretty Marc Marquez, her pit crew (Brian and Spenser T. Cat) take care of the upkeep.

If you have ever considered a stand to make your motorcycle maintenance and chain lubrication easy, then we think Pit Bull is the way to go.

It is so well made it will outlast your next three bikes.

They also make a number of other great products.

Our stand, which came with the removable handle (additional $10), lists for $159.95 from www.pit-bull.com.

A.T.S. MAGNETIC MOTO STAND The chassis for every dirt bike brand, year, and model is designed a little differently, and as a result, not all bikes sit level on a traditional dirt bike stand. Subsequently the front or back tire often touches the ground when placed on a stand. Aftermarket skid plates can also affect this angle leaving the bike dangling low on one side or the other. Risk Racing was fed up with low hanging tires dragging on the ground, so they came up with a universal solution. Introducing the A.T.S. Magnetic Moto Stand.

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS The A.T.S Stand chassis is constructed of powder coated steel and built to endure the abusive life of a dirt bike stand. The adjustable top features a large oil drain hole and an oversized, non-slip rubber pad that is chemical resistant, thick, and hard-wearing. This combination of rugged design and innovative features can magnetically hold nuts and bolts just as well as it holds any bike, from 50cc to the largest dirt bike, perfectly level.

The A.T.S. Magnetic Moto Stand retails for $139.99. Ask for them at your local dealer or find them at www.riskracing.com.

The Risk Racing A.T.S. Stand solves this issue with a fully adjustable top which ensures that each bike sits level on the stand. It features two anodized, CNC, aluminum turnbuckles with locknuts, that allow the user to set the angle of the top of the stand, and then lock it in place. This enables the user to match the exact angle of their bike chassis, bringing both tires level into the air. With both tires lifted, simple tasks like cleaning and servicing are much easier. In addition, it gives the bike a proper stance in the pits or garage.

Ensuring the bike sat level was only the beginning. Risk Racing knows that owning a bike goes hand in hand with fixing a bike. Bike repairs leave loose nuts and bolts everywhere. There is nothing worse than kicking one across the shop and losing it in the deepest, darkest corner forever. To eliminate this frustration, Risk Racing embedded magnets into both side panels of the A.T.S. Stand. Now, users can remove bike parts and simply stick nuts, bolts, and tools directly to the A.T.S. Stand. Utilizing magnets on both side panels allows bolts from each side of the bike to be kept isolated, and on the correct side of the bike.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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The Art of the Motorcycle Movie Poster Naked Angels! Deathsport! Knightriders! MotorPsycho!

For all the misconception and sensationalism that Hollyweird has fed to Joe and Jane American, there were certainly many B-Movies (B might be for Biker) that had some seriously interesting (?) movie posters.

Were they outrageous? Yes, they were.

But they all had that look, that feel and that flair to them.

The term B-movies came about as these films were low-budget and originally meant to be distributed as the lesser flick in a double feature.

If you have never been to or heard of a double feature, well then turn off your iPad and pick up the print version of Backroads – it’s more fun.

Many of these movies were first westerns but then horror and sci-fi became the rage. After Life Magazine published the set-up ‘Fake News’ photograph, shot by Barney Peterson, of a not-so-drunken rider at a rally in Hollister, California in 1947, the American motorcycle rider’s die was cast and we were constantly portrayed as hooligans in the national press.

Feeding on the headlines the producers down the coast made the film The Wild Ones with Marlon Brando.

This sensationalism caught on and adding in a few other things ensured their popularity with filmmakers and the audience. These movies worked on a low-budget, but made big bucks.

The other added ingredients that drew the crowds were eroticism and sex.

Today, looking back at some of these posters that adorned the front of movie theaters around the country in those days, you almost have to laugh.

These works of cinematic art deserve a little reflection in these times of “the faux outrage du jour.” Does it make you wonder if other segments of the population were portrayed the way we riders have been on the silver screen if there would not be marches, protests, and days of awareness to right the wrong?

Let’s take a look at some of the art and the movies that portrayed us in a good, bad or indifferent light.

Werewolves on Wheels (1971- Director Michel Levesque) Ahh, this poster. It looks like Eddie Muster has turned out really, really bad.

What would Herman and Lilly think?

Even badass bike gangs have to be careful with whom they mess. In this movie called the first biker/horror film ever made (weren’t they all horrible? Okay, Knighriders is still fun!) ‘The Devil’s Advocates’ (we kid you not) visits a monastery where they encounter black-robed monks engaged in worshipping Satan.

When the monks try to persuade one of the female bikers, Helen, to become a satanic sacrifice, the bikers smash up the monastery and leave. The monks have the last laugh, though, as Helen, as a result of the satanic rituals, is now possessed and at night changes into a

werewolf, with dire results for the biker gang.

Interestingly enough, the producers hired real riders with no acting experience and filmed them for a few days just riding around and doing what they enjoyed. The acting (?) and werewolves were added later to the film.

Where is Warren Zevon when you need him?

Motorpsycho (1965 Director - Russ Myer) Here is a movie poster literally “Torn from the Headlines!”

A small-time biker gang ride the countryside plundering, pillaging and generally being a nuisance in every sense of the manner.

When they rape a veterinarian’s wife, he takes exception and pursues them, teaming up with a Cajun woman whose husband they killed. The leader of the gang, a Vietnam Vet, begins showing signs of what we now know as PTSD. The film is notable for containing one of the first portrayals of a disturbed Vietnam veteran character.

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

Motorpsycho did so well that Russ Myer went on to make many more along the same theme – the next being about a gang of female strippers called Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Subtle, right?

Naked Angels (1969 Directed – Bruce Clark) The American version was what you would expect, but the French poster is way better. Sexist and sensational? Yes. But little things like the woman’s eye reflected in the mirror and the sepia riders truly stand out… as if the artist was really trying for something.

“Hunting down their prey with a quarterton of hot steel between their leg!” With a tag line like that, well you know what you will be getting.

This film was the swan song for Favorite Films that had been making movies since the ‘silent era’ and was written and filmed in just three weeks using film students from UCLA. Nothing screams fun for all as much as a plot about, yet another, death feud between two rival biker gangs. The Angels are out to revenge themselves on the Las Vegas Hotdoggers and most of the action highlights the neon of late ‘60s Las Vegas where the film was produced in between meals. Why they just did not simply name the gangs the Misogynists and the He-Man Woman Haters Club is beyond me.

Deathsport (1978 Director - Roger Corman) The poster is a bit different from the classic ‘B’ look, almost ‘Frazetta’ in style with a bike that looks like a Schwinn Apple Crate Bicycle with missiles and an oscilloscope for a

dash and a rider in total ‘All The Bathing Suit - All The Time’ gear.

After Kwai Chang Caine had taken his bedroll and quietly walked into the sunset, David Carradine took the role of Kaz Oshay in this bizarre futuristic film, set in the year 3000. The death penalty has been replaced with “Death Sport” a high-powered conflict where convicted prisoners fight to the death for their freedom on ‘Death Machines’ dirt bikes loaded with laser weaponry.

Fun for the entire family, indeed.

Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989 – Director Dan Hoskins) Not just another action, comedy, horror, biker, zombie movie! Nor was it the same old B-movie poster.

This was the late 80s… and it shows.

Ugg. New York’s Troma Films continued their grand tradition of relentlessly bad taste with this horror epic, which follows the exploits of an all-girl motorcycle gang who go by the quaint moniker “The Cycle Sluts.” Their fearless leader Rox offers the freedom of the road to any frustrated small-town girl willing to slap on the leathers. Things take a nasty turn for Rox and her violent femmes when the gang rides into Zariah - a town in the slimy grip of a deranged mortician named Ralph who has been busily turning the locals into cannibalistic zombie slaves. As if that weren’t enough... a busload of blind and orphaned teens become stranded within spitting distance of Ralph’s undead army, and

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BACKROADS • MAY 2019 it’s up to Rox’s twisted sisters to save the day. Troma is often guilty of slapping outrageously goofy titles on notso-funny films (e.g. Surf Nazis Must Die, Fat Guy Goes Nutzoid!, etc.), but this is something of an exception, with wonderfully sleazy performances, lots of zany energy and many clever references to zombie and bikermovie genres.

Knightriders (1981 – Directed by George Romero) Let’s ride over to a film I actually enjoyed, and have a DVD copy of here at Backroads Central.

This poster, like the movie, was way above the rest.

The beautifully depicted Honda CBX, the armor, shield fairing, the after-market 6 into 6 exhaust, the mace and Ed Harris truly stand out.

If most of these B-films were on the low end of the human scale, Knightriders attempted to ride in the other direction.

King Billy (a very young Ed Harris) and his fellow knights attempt to live by the Arthurian-style life as the troupe travels the county fair circuit performing stunts, battles and some great motorcycle jousting.

Think Then Came Bronson rides to the Renaissance Fair with King.

Discord and modern society nearly disband the group, but in the end, fate intervenes and charts the group’s course.

The soundtrack was stellar and King Billy riding a (then new) Honda CBX adds to the regal feeling that Romero brought across.

There is even a great cameo by Stephen King.

I remember how a large group of us rode our bikes to the old Triborough Movies on Steinway Street to see this when it was released and the envious looks we got from other movie-goers, when we all dramatically left, has always stuck in my mind.

As the movie was a different kind of ‘biker’ film, so was the poster too. Verily - Camelot is a state of mind!

See you at the movies…

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.

You have to catch it yourself. ~ Benjamin Franklin

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

Words: ralph L. angelo, Jr

Speeding along on the Speed Twin I was recently given the opportunity to ride the all new from the ground up 2019 Triumph Speed Twin. So off to southern California I went, to spend time in beautiful Borrego Springs on this stunning new motorcycle.

The Speed Twin is a premium motorcycle that was engineered to have a sport bike feel in a classic or standard package. The look is all Triumph, including the classic Triumph tank, twin silencers and faux carburetors (covering real fuel injectors) that allow the husky 1200 CC mill to growl to life at the flick of the start button. The big parallel twin responds without hesitation to a twist of the wrist, smoothly running up the rev range. The motor is throaty and powerful; its pedigree hails from the Triumph Thruxton, and it’s not just a detuned Thruxton motor, it’s a full on, just as powerful Thruxton powerplant supplying 96 HP and 83 ft. lbs. of torque.

Electronically, the Speed Twin offers ABS, traction control and a three-selection engine mode system with Sport, Rain and Road modes available at the touch of a button.

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Other features include LED riding lights with a DRL (Daytime Riding Lights) system. The twin gauges (or in Triumph speak, ‘clocks’) offer a clear view of the motorcycles functionality including a gear indicator and a fuel gauge as well as instant MPG, actual MPG and range to empty modes. The Speed Twin comes standard with a USB charging socket under the seat. There is also an optional TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) available.

The bike comes standard with a built-in immobilizer system.

The tubeless seven spoke cast rims come fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 sport tires, as they should be on this wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The bike boasts of a 49-mpg appetite for 91-octane and with a 3.8-gallon tank, expect to be

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

looking for fuel before you hit 186 miles, ‘cause after that you’ll be pushing!

Still, there’s nothing wrong with getting off the motorcycle and admiring its sexy looks every 150 miles while you fuel up the tank.

So, what is it like to ride the Speed Twin? That’s the ultimate question.

The answer is incredible!

From the moment I threw my leg over the 31.8-inch high seat, I was surprised at how comfortable it was. The seat is not too wide and it’s just firm enough to not be mushy. The seating position is very neutral and very comfortable. I twisted the throttle and off I went. The Speed Twin is amazingly responsive from the get go, accelerating smoothly and without any hiccups through each of its six gears. Don’t be offended if I use the word ‘thrilling’ too many times to describe the ride on this beautiful motorcycle.

The Speed Twin was very confidence-inspiring through every turn it was pressed, and while I was riding the gorgeous red and black tanked beauty in normally sunny southern California, it was in fact raining in sheets on my entire test ride, so I was not able to ride it to anywhere near its full capability. But I CAN say the traction control and rain mode worked perfectly, and I never once felt that I was ever close to getting in over my head. The bike railed through curves like it was glued to the road. The motor was as smooth as silk and the

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transmission was a thing of beauty. Its shifts were buttery smooth without any drama anywhere in the rev range. The twin Brembo 4-piston/4-pad front brakes, matched with a Nissin 2 piston rear caliper were actually eye opening the first time I used them, to say the least. Let’s just say their power was surprising.

It takes a lot for a motorcycle to impress me, but this one did. The fit and finish is exemplary and the styling is impressive, to say the least. I really liked this motorcycle, a lot. It pushed all the right buttons with me. From styling to execution, Triumph did it right; building on the multi award-winning ‘Street Twin,’ Triumph has upped their game with this exceptional motorcycle. I have to say, this might just be my favorite Triumph motorcycle right now, that’s how much I like it.

It’s the perfect mix of old school styling and modern performance and features. This gorgeous machine screams its ‘60s-‘70s Triumph heritage while performing with the best of the modern-day standards. In fact, the Speed Twin is so good, that it may be the very BEST of the modern-day standards.

I can honestly say the Triumph Speed Twin is a motorcycle that might end up in my garage before too long, it’s that impressive. Available at local Triumph dealers starting at $12,100.

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

California Scramblin’ Triumph has had a scrambler in their lineup almost since the beginning of the brand itself. In the ‘60s, Triumph’s Scrambler (known then as the T120-TT) made its mark when Steve McQueen famously jumped a ‘Triumph TT Special 650’ over a wall in the ‘Great Escape’.

Today’s Scrambler was introduced in the 2006 model year, and was reinvigorated in 2016 with the all-new ‘Street Scrambler.’

Now Triumph has upped the ante again, with the 2019 Triumph 1200 Scrambler. I recently was invited to ride a new 1200 Scrambler XE in California, and I came away completely blown away by the experience.

The new 1200 is not your daddy’s Triumph Scrambler. This new machine is 1200cc’s of Triumph parallel twin power set in a ‘scrambler state of tune’ which delivers incredible torque to the pavement.

First and foremost, the all-new Scrambler 1200 is a very high-tech motorcycle, built on the cutting edge of tomorrow.

The new tech includes 6 riding modes including a new ‘off-road pro’ mode, a 2nd generation Triumph TFT instrument cluster, a switchable newly optimized cornering ABS and traction control. Other features include new LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights) lighting, illuminated back-lit switches (REALLY nice feature!), a keyless ignition and cruise control, under seat USB charging port and standard heated grips (most features standard on the higher spec XE model, which is also the more off-road capable model of the two). There is also an optional bluetooth connectivity module, allowing GPS,

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

Page 39

phone and music operation, available for the new 1200 Scrambler.

The bike has a first-rate suspension and brake system, consisting of components by Brembo, Showa, and Ohlins. The Pirelli Scorpion tires are mounted on tubeless spoke rims.

89 HP and 81 ft. lbs. of torque ensure more than enough power to get you riding and in and out of any situation you will come across, both on and off road.

There are many other improvements and changes from the Thruxton and T120 motors including a special ‘Scrambler state of tune.’

So, the big question is, how is it to ride? It is the right tool for the job if that job is a combination of on and off-road riding, as well as some sliding and scrambling. The motorcycle has serious guts and is surprisingly torquey for such a style of motorcycle. Taking off from a start is very smooth and powerful.

The Scrambler has a unique, gutsy tone to its tuned pipes.

The dashboard is informative and very modern. Cruise control is enabled by a flick of the finger. Riding the new Triumph 1200 Scrambler brought a smile

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to my face. Plus, the very plush suspension did not jar my teeth out of my head while riding.

The only caveat I had is the seat height on the Scrambler, which was, in a word, tall. At 34.3 inches it’s a stretch.

But there is so much good going on with the 1200 Scrambler that you tend to overlook minor inconveniences.

The torque assist clutch is a thing of beauty. It’s a modern marvel, especially for someone who has sat through one stop light after another and experienced heavy clutch hand fatigue. Not with this bike! The clutch pull is extremely light and a pleasure.

The bike gets up and goes from barely above idle at 2500 RPM all the way to 7500 RPM and just a hair under 90 ft. lbs., where it begins to fall off. In other words, it has VERY usable power all through the rev range.

So, what are my conclusions about the 2019 Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE? The bike has very nice, and usable power, it has loads of very modern, high-end tech. The fit and finish is typical Triumph, meaning it is exemplary.

If you’re okay with a (very) tall seat height and don’t want a Tiger 800 or 1200 Triple adventure bike, but want to be in the dirt sometimes and have that classic Triumph Scrambler pedigree, this machine is for you. For the dirt Scrambler set, this motorcycle hits it out of the park! Triumph dealers are taking orders for them right now, starting at $15,400. triumphmotorcycles.com

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

The Girl or Guy

on the Side

By this stage in the game of life we probably all have our main squeeze.

That day-to-day motorcycle that you would be hard pressed to get rid of, exchange, or not take when the ride was bigger and more involved.

What did you think we were talking about?

So, what about the ‘just around town’ ride, or that one particular Sunday morning blast?

A girl on the side (or guy – whatever).

For we will admit that a little something on the side is always a happy, if sometimes expensive, pleasure.

If you are still confused what we are discussing here is a second or third machine in the stable.

For sure, many already have a harem of rides, but most do not and choosing that back-up Sunday pleasure can be an intricate choice.

This conversation came up for discussion at dinner one evening with

a group of avid riders and some of their picks were unexpected.

The bikes mentioned were all decent, fun and, for most, machines that could be happy full-time rides.

The discussion was continued the next day and Shira and I decided to take a day to ponder this and come up with ten machines that would make great secondary machines.

Although we could have gone anywhere with our lists we wanted to keep it doable and real – so all the machines would have to be modern and available at showrooms today.

Sorry – no ‘52 Vincents or CB400 Fours this time.

Yet, in our humble opinion none of these bikes, at least the way they come from the factory, would be used to cross the continent.

But crosstown? You betcha!

All the choices were interesting and we thought we’d highlight the short list of great machines that would be worthy additions – even if just for the occasional weekend ride.

Honda Grom ($3,399) Okay, so maybe this would not be the best choice to take on an all-day jaunt along the backroads, but there is no denying it is happy little machine and that everybody we have ever seen ride one comes back with a smile.

The little Honda is infectious and fun, fun, fun.

Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer ($10, 665) Like many girl/boys on the side they get chosen for their looks, but this Italian beauty’s looks are not just skin deep. The V7 III Racer comes with a useable 744cc engine (push rods, please), dynamite styling and Ohlins suspension holding up that pretty rear end.

Indian Scout ($11,999) This machine caught many an eye with its cool retro-modern styling and distinctive liquid-cooled 69 cubic inch (1,133cc) engine.

Its very low seat height makes it manageable for everybody and throaty sound and deceptive performance would make this a superb Sunday around town machine.

Kawasaki Z1000RS ($11,199) You might want your new ‘Girl on the Side’ to be a lot like your first.

Case in point, the Kawasaki Z1000RS. Although it comes in black and a very cool café edition, we would be hard pressed not to go with the brown

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

with orange stripe. Although a modern machine in every way… it might just bring you back to the early ‘70s and cruising down to Astoria Park or crushing some guy’s Camaro on Connecting Highway on a Friday night.

Oh… sorry – we got caught up in the nostalgia.

Yup, can totally see this in the barn.

Triumph Thruxton 1200 R ($15,400) Ahhh, the girl on the side with the British accent.

The R-version of the Thruxton has upgraded suspension (Ohlins and Showa) and radial mounted Brembo brakes and never fails to get our eye a little green with envy when we see one. We’d take it in any of the three colors available from Triumph as long as it was the classic British green.

Kawasaki W800 Café ($9,799)

Page 41

Basic, simple to the point. The W800 is a retro style model that emulates the Kawasaki W series, three models that were produced from 1967 to 1975, and which in turn were based on the British BSA A7.

You might not go cross-country on the W800, but around town, it would shine.

Energica Eva EsseEsse9 ($23,400) Essential, Authentic, Pure.

Energica is new to the US, but they offer the quick off the line tourqey power of an electric bike with styling from the same nation that brought us Sophia Loren, who was never the Girl on the Side.

With a range around 100 miles in town, the EsseEsse9 offers a more relaxed and upright position and is a silent blast to ride, even if it is seriously pricey to have as an around town ride.

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

Motorcycle History 101 We recently attended a number of seminars given by noted author and moto-historian Armand Ensanian that were conveniently held at our local high school here in northwest New Jersey.

These hour and a half talks lasted about six weeks and covered motorcycles from their very beginnings to where we are at today. Along the way, Armand shared his deep knowledge and insight into the industry, motorcycle design, and evolution.

Harley-Davidson Street Rod ($8,699) There was a time when Milwaukee provided only ‘main squeezes.’ Not so these days as The Motor Company now offers a number of ‘entry’ bikes that make most excellent second rides.

The Street Rod grabbed our attention the first time we saw it. Available in a number of different liveries, and powered by the Revolution X 750 engine, the Street Rod has plenty of power that is both useable and fun. C’mon everyone wants to say they have a Harley.

Ducati Scrambler Café Racer ($11,995) It seems there are a lot of ‘Scramblers’ out there these days, but at a recent event at Hudson Valley, Shira spotted this bike. Sure, there were other Ducati Scramblers here, but this one got her.

Done up in the new “Silver Ice Matt” color and blue trellis frame with 17inch black spoked wheels. Add in the bar-end mirrors that were typical of ‘60s racing, the 803cc powerplant with the Termignoni exhaust with double silencer and we thought we would have to make additional space in the barn.

Yamaha XSR700 ($8,499) Some of the machines on this list have gotten a bit pricey. The Girl on the Side should never break your wallet.

The Yamaha XSR, at this fairly modest price, offers a machine that has everything we were looking for. The crossplane 689cc engine has plenty of pop to keep you smiling and ease of handling and classic looks should keep this girl around for a long time. It is almost as if the engineers at Yamaha were thinking ‘Girl on the Side’ when they designed her.

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There were some things we knew, but much more we did not.

If you ever get a chance to listen to Ensanian give a lecture on the history of motorcycles we highly recommend it.

We also recommend his most excellent book Discovering the Motorcycle which has set a new high bar for historical motorcycle books. You can find it at fine books stores and the web for around $30.

You can’t change the past but you can ruin a perfectly good present by worrying about the future.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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PRODUCT REVIEW

THIRD EYE INVIEW WIRELESS BRAKE & TURN SIGNAL LIGHT See and be seen. We, as motorcyclists, hear this mantra all the time.

Back in 1986 the Federal government mandated that all new automobiles being sold in the US have a Center High Mount Stop Lamp or what we came to call the ‘third brake light.’

Now a company in upstate New York has brought out something along this line for tody’s motorcycle rider.

The Third Eye inView Wireless Brake & Turn Signal Light.

This system places a very visible combination brake and signal light exactly where it can be seen by following motorists… dead center of your helmet.

This is a thoroughly modern system utilizing the latest technologies – it is so advance that you never have to turn it on or off.

Unboxing the inView you will find three main items - the motorcycle transmitter that sends the signal from your brake lights and turn signals, the helmet transmitter that receives these signals and the brake light itself that mounts onto the back of your helmet.

The installation guide must be downloaded or accessed with a smartphone (ugg). We prefer paper, but the online instructions were complete and very detailed and inView warns that you really need a little bit of motorcycle and mechanical ability to tackle this job.

Depending on the bike, this could be easy or a bit more difficult.

You will need to access a mounting point for the transmitter, preferably under the seat or in the tail section of the machine.

Then, following the directions, lay out where it will be and look for the correct connections you will need to make. Brake light wire, right and left turn signals, power and ground.

Once you know what you are connecting it is time to make those connections. This is made easier by the use of the Posi-Tap Connectors that come with the unit. The transmitter itself is mounted with 3M double stick tape. Once properly wired and secure the unit will illuminate and run a self-diagnosis. Check to make sure all illuminate the way they should, as LEDs will glow when using the brake or signaling left or right. With all that is done button, up the bike and move onto Step Two – Mounting the accessory Brake Light.

The inView Wireless Brake & Turn Signal Light comes with an additional, tiny LED light unit that can be mounted elsewhere on the bike, typically above or below the existing brake light. These lights are very bright and a great addition to the motorcycle’s conspicuity.

The light is activated when the inView transmitter senses sudden deceleration. With this done, we moved onto the third step – mounting the actual Third Eye Light.

Once again it helps to read and reread the instructions to correctly and easily mount the light to the back of your helmet.

The light utilizes common AAA lithium batteries and mounts with heavy-duty Dual-Lock fasteners. If you took your time and followed the instructions carefully, you should be ready to go.

Another, very important, note is that the Third Eye inView is not really all that big and is very light. It is barely noticeable when on the helmet and just a bit more care needs to be taken when placing the helmet down when off the bike, as you wouldn’t want to abuse it more than necessary. continued on Page 45

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

Choosing the right charger for your battery Standard or Lithium – there is a difference We all can make errors.

The good thing is that we can learn from these - and hopefully, move forward.

The case in point was my ‘brilliant’ idea of making a charging system for my Garmin GPSs. I have a number of old batteries lying about and I try to keep them charged to capacity. When needed they make excellent charging stations for various motorcycle-related things. Like charging up the GPS batteries.

I had an old lithium battery – about as old as it gets – and thought it perfect for this task.

After I used it for what it was worth I put it on charge with my regular charger. Bad move. And, here is the issue.

The next day I came out and there was…. an aroma…wafting around the barn.

My first thought was some dead critter… but that didn’t quite fit. Then I spotted one of my old battery chargers whose LEDS were flashing all sorts of warning lights.

Next to it…. the old lithium battery sat. Looking like Captain Kirk had just shot it with a Phaser. Crushed, melted, creamed. Done.

Okay, this was not good.

So here is the deal. Not all chargers are the same and not all chargers can handle different tasks. Lithium batteries MUST be treated differently.

These day’s batteries are far different than in the past. New technology has allowed for lighter and more powerful batteries but, with some of this newer technology has come with a price, and these batteries MUST be handled the

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way they were designed.

Straight up – lithium batteries can be ideal as far as size and lightweight, but we are not touring with them, as having my bike barely start with one of these just south of the Arctic Circle was not fun.

But, back in the USA, these batteries can work for many machines in a most excellent way.

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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Our Honda 919, for instance, has been kinda relegated to ‘back up’ duty these day, being used for the ‘extra’ bike as it were.

The lithium battery that sits inside this machine works well and has for 4 years but, after sitting for a few months at a time, it would need a little pickme up, especially after we purchased the new CTEK Lithium US SMART Charger.

Unlike conventional chargers that pulse power, the CTEK charger is specially designed to recharge and maintain the cells of the Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery. This particular charger has 8 charging steps – keeping your lithium battery in top shape.

We have been using a standard CTEK Charger for lead-filled batteries for

years and they make available additional plugs, one for the standard Europlug we are comfortable with, so for us it was plug and play.

I would be less than honest if I didn’t say I awoke in the middle of the night dreading a battery fire in the barn.

But, the CTEK Lithium US SMART Charger was excellent at its task.

So if you have a couple of different machines, PLEASE check what batteries you have in each of them.

Correctly charging your particular battery is a breeze – with the right charger.

With the wrong one, well - it will look like you just had a firefight with the Klingons! ~ Brian rathjen The added light seemed to really pop out to drivers, especially at night, and one or two actually asked why all motorcyclists did not have this.

As so many riders have been rear-ended over the years, many with horrible consequences, this one addition to your helmet might just save your life, especially if you ride in a busy town or high-risk urban environments like New York, Philly or Boston.

Third Eye inView Brake and Turn Signal Light cost $249 and is available with red or clear lens from www.thirdeyedesigninc.com.

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continued from Page 43

The ThirdEye inView was designed to be a “set & forget” piece of added safety equipment. Once connected, a double chirp and vibration will let you know the unit is functioning properly. When the unit disconnects (or goes back to sleep) the unit will alert you with a single chirp and vibration. The helmet unit should be visually inspected prior to each ride to ensure it is installed correctly and working properly.

On the road, the unit worked brilliantly (pun intended) with a bright blasting glow of additional brake light, as well and signaling intended turning.

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

BACKROADS • MAY 2019

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Rip & Ride® • YIA YIA’S GREEK KITCHEN 432 ROUTE 206, MONTAGUE, NJ 07827 • 973-948-8088 • www.yiayiasgreekitchen.com This Rip & Ride starts from Perkins Drive atop Bear Mountain, NY and the Hudson River and runs for nearly 80 twistalicious miles.

Enjoy the food and revel in the ride!

RIDE DOWN TO SEVEN LAKES DRIVE AND BEAR LEFT GO THROUGH CIRCLE FOLLOW SIGNS FOR RTE. 202 SOUTH BEAR LEFT AT GAYS HILL RD VERY HARD RIGHT ONTO MOTT FARM RD RIGHT AT QUEENSBOROUGH RD LEFT CR 69 – CEDAR FLATS RD LEFT AT RTE. 210 STRAIGHT AT RTE. 106 BACK INTO PARK ¼ AROUND CIRCLE TO SEVEN LAKES DRIVE ¾ AROUND TIOROTI CIRCLE TO ARDEN VALLEY RD LEFT ON RTE. 17 SOUTH RIGHT AT ORANGE TURNPIKE LEFT AT BRAMERTOWN RD. LEFT AT BENJAMIN-MEADOW RD RIGHT AT RTE. 17A LEFT AT RTE. 94 BEAR RIGHT AT HATHORN RD RIGHT AT CR 1A BEAR LEFT AT LIBERTY CORNERS RIGHT AT OIL CITY RD Sept. 18 - 21 STRAIGHT AT STATE LINE RD

STRAIGHT AT MAIN ST. UNIONVILLE BEAR LEFT AT CR 36 UNIONVILLE RD. (NEW JERSEY) RIGHT AT SKYTOP RD LEFT AT MUDCUT – QUICK RIGHT MEDAUGH RD LEFT AT CR 519 SOUTH LEFT AT RTE. 23 NORTH HIGH POINT STATE PARK LEFT AT SAWMILL ROAD (JUST PAST PARK ENTRANCE) RIGHT AT CR 651 DECKERTOWN TURNPIKE LEFT AT CLOVE RD BEAR LEFT ONTO RTE. 206 SOUTH YIA YIA’S DOWN ON RIGHT NEXT TO GARDEN CENTER APOLAMVÁNO!

+ Bonus Night Sept. 22

Yes, Virginia, There is a Backroads Fall Fiesta Rally It took us a while to get this one together but here it is - 4 days spent in Virginia with an extra stay thrown in at the end in Pennsylvania. It’s a mixture of lodging options with some great riding in between. All the booking details are below and we’ll fill in the blanks as we move closer.

Book EARLY so as not to be disappointed.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18 THUR-FRI, SEPT. 19-20 COMFORT INN BOLLING WILSON HOTEL 334 Caroline St, Orange, VA 540-672-3121 • $69 + tax Mention Backroads when calling Make your own way to Orange, VA to start your journey.

It’s a quaint little burg with a selection of dining options as well as the home of James Madison’s Montpelier.

The Comfort Inn has an indoor pool for our enjoyment and sets us up for great riding to our next two-night destination.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 BEST WESTERN

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 FULTON STEAM BOAT

170 e. Main St, Wytheville, VA 109 Apple Tree Lane, Waynesboro, VA 1 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA 717-299-9999 • $100 + tax 276-223-2333 • $130+tax/night 540-942-1100 • $131+tax incl. b’fast Mention Backroads when calling

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For those joining us on Sunday, We’ll start heading north for our Wytheville is a great base for us to we’ll make our way closer to home next night’s stay. The beautiful explore the paved (and some not) roads through the George Washington with a stay outside of Lancaster, PA. roads in this part of Virginia.

Perhaps a stop in Harpers Ferry and Jefferson National Forest along There is something for everyone, for a bit of history and lunch along the border of West Virginia make from rolling country lanes to the the way. Or maybe a ride past for a pleasant day’s ride before technical twisty Claw of the Dragon.

Mt. Weather, one of Dr. O’Life’s parking in Waynesboro where we’ll After exploring, the Bolling Wilson Mysterious stops. The Fulton Steam find an indoor pool and some fine Hotel makes a perfect spot to relax, Boat makes a great last night on Virginia barbecue at the Fishin’ Pig with its rooftop terrace and very our Fall Fiesta Rally. right next door. tasty restaurant downstairs.

DON’T MISS OUR SOIREE IN VIRGINIA • BOOK YOUR ROOMS TODAY!

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MAY 2019 • BACKROADS

UP C OM I N G E VE NT S CAL END AR EVERY MONTH - WEATHER PERMITTING every Tuesday • Two Wheeled Tuesday at Spiegel Restaurant • 26 1st Avenue, NYC. An eclectic gathering of motorcycles served with multi-cuisine meals. Kick some tires, have some couscous, enjoy the crowd • www.spiegelnyc.com • 212-228-2894 every Tuesday • Bike Night @ The ear Inn, 326 Spring St, NYC every Thursday • Bike Night at JumboLand, Route 206, Branchville, NJ every Saturday thru October • Bergen County H-D Saddle Up Saturday. 9am for coffee and bagels. Ride departs 10am. Returns to dealership for FRee music and food. Proper attire MUST be worn! BCHD, 124 essex St, Rochelle Park, NJ • 201-843-6930 Third Sunday thru August • Caffeine and Gasoline at Hudson Valley Motorcycles, 179 N. Highland Ave/Rte 9, Ossining, NY. Meet at 8 for coffee, tea and a light bite then head out for your ride • HVMotorcycles.com • 914-762-2772

MAY 2019 2-5 • International Female Ride Day east Coast Rally. Base: Hudson Valley HarleyDavidson, 33 NY 304, Nanuet, NY hosted by Garden State Girls NY Chapter of WOW. Host hotel: Double Tree Hilton Nanuet (845-623-6000) discounted rate available/mention IFRD. Rally details, pricing and reservations: gardenstategirlsnnj.com • Tickets available here: ifrdeastcoastrally2019.eventbrite.com 2 • Bike Night at Rollin’ Fast, 1221 Rte. 22 east, Lebanon, NJ • 908-236-9000 4 • Hudson Valley Stillettos on Steel Int’l Female Ride Day. Sign in/endsite: Walker Valley Fire Company, 3679 SR 52, Walker Valley, NY. 1-5pm/KSU 1:30pm. All Welcome.

Details: 845-800-2418 • www.stillettosonsteel.com 16-19 • COG Northeast Spring Fling Rally, Matamoras, PA • https://goo.gl/ZBi8en 17-19 • Morton’s BMW Spring Fling Rally, Natural Bridge, VA. Full weekend of great riding, good food and terrific company. Rally fee includes vendors, door prizes, route sheets, scavenger hunt poker run, Fri. night Brats + Brew, Sat. catered buffet dinner and guest presentation. Full info and registration: www.mortonsbmw.com 18-19 • 6th Annual New Sweden 450 - 2-day/450 miles of great backroads. Sign in: 8:30-10am • Cycle-Gear 2070 Rt. 70 (east) Cherry Hill, NJ 08003; endsite: PJ Whelihans 1854, Rt. 70 (east) Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Pre-register $55; Day of event $65 (Credit cards accepted). Incl. doughnuts and coffee at registration, free camping, Sat. night dinner, prizes, 50/50, Sun. morning breakfast, finisher’s patch and route sheets, incl. gas/eating spots. GPS uploads available • http://450.nsbmwr.com 16-20 • Backroads Spring Break. Lions and Coasters and Amish - OH MY! First night in State College PA, two in McHenry, MD where we’ll have a group dinner on Sat. May 18. YOU MUST RSVP BEFORE MAY 1 TO BE INCLUDED. Our final night will be in Bird-in-Hand, PA. Full details: www.backroadsusa.com/rallies.html

JUNE 2019 1 • Motorcyclepedia Museum police-escorted ride to Newburgh Illuminated Festival.

Doors open 10am/ KSU 11:30. Free admission for rider and passenger with appetizers provided at the Wherehouse to all participants • motorcyclepediamuseum.org 3-8 • Americade, Lake George, NY. Largest motorcycle touring rally • www.americade.com • 518-798-7888 6 • Rollin’ Fast hosts Relay for Life. Music, food, Tricky Tray and more. Starting 6pm, 1221 Rte. 22 east, Lebanon, NJ • 908-236-9000 • www.rollinfast.com 8-9 • Motorcyclpedia Museum hosts V-Twin expo - Indoor event with dealers, vendors and more. Come for the expo and see the over 600 motorcycles and memorabilia exhibited in the 85,000 sq. ft. space. 9am-5pm • motorcyclepediamuseum.org 8-16 • 96th Anniversary Laconia Motorcycle Week, Weirs Beach, NH. www.laconiamotorcycleweek.com 9 • 6th Annual Warriors Run to benefit our Military. Sign in: American Legion Post 170, 33 West Passaic St, Rochelle Park, NJ 8:30-10:30am/KSU 10:30 SHARP. $25/rider • $15/passenger • $10/walk-in. Find on Facebook for more info: Warriors Run, Inc. 17 • Ride to Work Day • www.ridetowork.org 20-21 • Rollin’ Fast hosts Indian Demo Truck. Must have valid MC license. First come, first ridden. More info on Facebook • 1221 Rte. 22 east, Lebanon, NJ • 908-236-9000 ext. 200 • www.rollinfast.com

What’s Happening 20-23 • Johnstown PA Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally. All Bikes Welcome. www.visitjohnstownpa.com/thunder-valley 23 • Rolling Thunder NYC 20th Salute to Veterans ‘Threes Are Wild’ Poker Run. Sign in: Putnam Cty Veterans Mem. Park, 225 Gipsy Trail Rd, Carmel, NY. 8-11am • $20/pp incl. coffee, rolls and donuts at start, scenic ride through Hudson Valley with historic military card stops along the way, lunch, games, prizes, vendors and live entertainment. endsite: Montgomery Veterans Mem. Park, 60 Bachelor St, Vilalge of Montgomery, NY. Lunch served at 1pm • 845-762-8719 • 845-249-3886

JULY 2019 13-14 • 43rd Annual Ramapo 500. 2 days (250 miles each day) incl. Sat. dinner, Sun. breakfast, camping, awards and prizes. endsite: Blackthorne Resort, east Durham, NY. On-site hotel accommodations available ($) and other lodging options within 10-mile radius • Full details www.ramapomc.org 22-26 • COG Keystone National Rally, Williamsport, PA. Rally HQ: Historic Gennetti Hotel• cogmc.com/national • 814-615-9138 26-28 • Kissell Motorsports Soggy Bottom MotoFest Adventure and Dual Sport Rally.

Port Matilda, PA. Registration fee incl. 5 catered meals, 4 rides with GPS routes, live music, beer and 2019 t-shirt. Attendees can expect 350 miles of mostly unpaved roads with spectacular views and optional hero sections. Lodging must be booked separately.

Info: www.eventbrite.com/soggy-bottom-motofest-2019-tickets

AUGUST 2019 7-12 • DIRTY for GOOD Women’s Dual Sport Rider/Training Camp, Rocky Gap SP, Flintstone, MD • full details: womensmotorcyclistfoundation.org/events 15-18 • Touratech DirtDaze Rally, Suicide Six, Pomfret, VT. This will be THE ADV rally of the east Coast. Watch for details on their website: www.DirtDazeRally.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 6-8 • BMW Motorcycle Owners of Vermont host 2019 Green Mountain Rally, Camp Thorpe, Goshen, VT. Registration incl. 4 home-cooked meals, self-guided tours, Gap and GS rides, live bluegrass music, door prizes and awards, camping with hot showers, and bonfire Sat. night. Full details: bmwmov.wildapricot.org 9-12 • Rolling Thru America Virginia. Limited to 100 guests • 518-798-7888 • Sign up at www.rollingthruamerica.com 14-18 • Women’s Training + Dual Sport Tour. Full details: MotoVermont.com 25-28 • Rolling Thru America Maine. Limited to 100 guests • 518-798-7888 • Sign up at www.rollingthruamerica.com 16-17 • CLASS at VIR, Alton, VA. Join the crew from Backroads BeFORe the Fall Fiesta and make your riding THAT much better. For more details and to register, visit www.CLASSRIDES.com or call 805-933-9936. You must also book your lodging at VIR: 434-822-7700 ext. 101 18-23 • Backroads Fall Fiesta. Here are the details: Wed. Sept. 18 Comfort Inn, Orange, VA • Thur-Fri. Sept. 19-20 Bolling Wilson Hotel, Wytheville, VA • Sat., Sept. 21 Best Western, Waynesboro, VA • Sun. Sept. 22 Fulton Steam Boat Inn, Ronks (Lancaster) PA. Make sure you BOOK eARLY as some hotels are VeRY LIMITeD. Full details can be found on our Rally website: backroadsusa.com/rallies.html