Couple of short rides today

[MidlifeMark]

About 10:00 this morning the phone rings, and it's an old buddy of mine who recently bought a new HD Softail Classic. Turns out he was down at the dealership expecting to attend a "group riding" class but when he got there it had been cancelled. He was only about 15 minutes away and wanted to know if I wanted to ride. So I said sure, come on over and we'll go.

So he shows up on his very spiffy looking new bike and away we go. We headed inland and cut over to the Connecticut River and cross over on Route 82 at the Goodspeed Opera House. Then we took Route 149 north from there, picked up 151 south back to 82, and stopped at Gillette Castle State Park. After a quick rest stop we went out the back way, picked up Route 148 back to 82 south, and from there down to 156 back to 95 and home to Clinton. Gorgeous day, on some gorgeous roads.

So we pull into my driveway as my wife walks out to greet us and admire Bob's bike. I said, "Honey, quick, go get the camera. We set a record!" She says, "What record?" I said, "Bob just became the first Harley rider to go 58.7 miles without stopping for a beer!"

So we sat on the porch and shot the breeze for awhile. Bob headed out, and then my wife & I got into my car and drove up to Danbury to pick up my airhead. It has been in the shop since before I left on vacation in July, waiting for stainless steel braided brake lines which are a custom order for a 1987 R80RT. One thing led to another; it turns out that the brake lines were only part of my problem. It also needed a new master cylinder. Anyhow, the annual brake inspection ended up pushing four figures but the end result is much better confidence in the brakes. I'll have to watch the panic stops; I now have enough braking authority to lock the front wheel without trying too hard.

Switching from the Roadster to the Airhead was quite a difference. From a naked bike to a fairing & windshield, from 80 HP to 50, from telelever to fork dive, the RT is definitely a blast from the past. It was 70 miles back from Danbury, with a stop along the way at the apple festival in Monroe where a friend of mine was hawking his folk art wares. Mostly highway this time, but not too much traffic and fun just the same. A gorgeous day.

[yjleesvrr]

Hey Mark - I just broke your buddy's record! I went 130 miles without stopping for beer on my Harley today

September can be a very nice month on the East Coast. Sounds like you had the same weather as we did in Virginia. This week as a whole as been beautiful.

[R4R&R]

September can be a very nice month on the East Coast. Sounds like you had the same weather as we did in Virginia. This week as a whole as been beautiful.

Yeah, too bad we can't get weather like this for the Hungry Mother ride!?

[DSKYZD]

Yeah, too bad we can't get weather like this for the Hungry Mother ride!?

There's always next year


Thanks for sharing your tip with us Mark!!

DSKYZD

[rph802]

Due to a major brain fart on my part and a direct order from a forgiving LEO in town, I had to make a ride from the Brattleboro area (just over the MA border) to the Montpelier DMV in the heart of VT today.

Got a late jump on the day so didnt leave till noon. Headed down Route 30 to Dummerston and crossed over the covered bridge. Start of my ride was my local version of the Tail of the Dragon. Only about 2ish miles and more driveways than I care for but still a fun bit of road I ride often. Shot up Route 5 parrelell to the CT river till I hit Bellows Falls. Crossed over to Rtw 12 into NH and took that up through Charlestown and Claremont. Realized I needed to pick up the pace a little or I wasnt gonna get there before closing, so started taking a little more direct route. By the time I hit West Lebanon, I decided I had best get on the highway or this wasnt going to be a happy ending. But as I just mentioned in another post, even the interstates here in VT aint bad for riding. Had to make a pit stop just north of Randolph at a rest area and was still amazed by the views sitting there despie having grown up in that town. Got in and out of the DMV in about 20 minutes. Boy have they let place slip!! Gives DMV's everywhere a bad name. no huge lines, pleasnt (even damn cute) staff, what are they thinking??

Decided to take a more scenic route home. Came back through Berlin and Barre where I spent much time as a kid. Haven't been through there in yeasrs and was pleasantly suprised how little had changed and what had seemed to be improvement. Shot down 302 till I picked up 14 which was some very nice entertaing spots. Made a little detour up to the Ridge Road. Man, if I had to move back to that area, I'd be scouting houses there. Some of the best long range views in Central VT IMHO. Continued down 14 through South Royalton and Hartford, back to White River Juction. Got back on 5 south but was staring to get hungry and was going to miss the Red Sox game so jumped back on the slab for the last 30 miles or so. BTW, totally jealoius of you 1150 guys with the 6 speed tranny. While my 1100 is a wonderful and faithful steed, I do feel limited a bit on the slab with just 5 gears. I run about 4500rpm for an indicated 75mph. Not excessive but wouldnt mind that extra gear. oh well I understand the 1200GS has 6 gears!!

All in all, a very pleasant day. It turned out a lot warmer than the last few days have been. i initially grabbed the leather jacket but after getting the bike out and feeling the sun for a bit, went back in and changed to the mesh First Gear. Did about 225 miles in 6 hours door to door including the DMV time, couple gas stops and couple stretch breaks. Lets hear it for aftermark seats!!

Craig