Where did you ride today?

[jackpiner57]

I had an awesome ride today! I started around 1:15pm and got home at 9:45pm. Beautiful scenery! The route included Groton State Forest, lots of ponds and rivers, lots of gravel roads,Smugglers Notch, Appalachian Gap and a stop in Montpelier. I had a chance to say hi to Gov. Jim Douglas while walking in town. Then I went to Julio's for dinner and met Lieutenant Gov. Brian Dubie. The place was filthy with politicians and dignitaries. Senators and legislators everywhere. I think Montpelier is the smallest State Capital in the nation. There's no hiding there. It's a small town.

This is a ride that I would like to take you guys on. Here is my low tech map:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0511adironacksmap0027.jpg

[VtSTROM-K5]

I had an awesome ride today! I started around 1:15pm and got home at 9:45pm. Beautiful scenery! The route included Groton State Forest, lots of ponds and rivers, lots of gravel roads,Smugglers Notch, Appalachian Gap and a stop in Montpelier. I had a chance to say hi to Gov. Jim Douglas while walking in town. Then I went to Julio's for dinner and met Lieutenant Gov. Brian Dubie. The place was filthy with politicians and dignitaries. Senators and legislators everywhere. I think Montpelier is the smallest State Capital in the nation. There's no hiding there. It's a small town.

This is a ride that I would like to take you guys on. Here is my low tech map:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0511adironacksmap0027.jpg
Tom < we Need to go north and see the parts that are above Burlington and see places like Lake Carmi [Great Camping], Witch Cat falls, Eden ,East Enosburgh Bakersfield Jay peak,Richford, East Berkshire :) Just some Ideas....:rolleyes:

[Pink]

Hey guys. After a trip to Lebanon to order some parts, I hit all the dirt back roads in Lyme and Orford I could find, to include a jaunt to Cummings pond. (Well, almost. Had to stop at the gate.) Now thats out there. Ride safe. Tim.

[jackpiner57]

Tom < we Need to go north and see the parts that are above Burlington and see places like Lake Carmi [Great Camping], Witch Cat falls, Eden ,East Enosburgh Bakersfield Jay peak,Richford, East Berkshire :) Just some Ideas....:rolleyes:

Sounds great Jack, I'll be able to take a day off next week.

Pink, That sounds like a nice ride. They keep the gravel roads in good shape over there don't they? I've never been to Cummings Pond.

[jackpiner57]

dmf109 and I took a ride up to the North Country. We met in Eaton, NH Rt.153 and went to Snowville, up to Conway Lake and Center Conway. Then over to Fryeburg, ME and up Rt.113 through Evans Notch to Gilead, ME. Then over on Rt.2 to Gorham, NH to Jefferson, NH down Rt.115 to Rt.3 and split at Rt.93.

What a great ride and delicious Frye's Leap Ale at Frye's Tavern in Fryeburg.

Very scenic Rt.113

Here are two pics taken on my way over to meet Dan. These are from up near Kancamagus Pass.

My bike was somewhat unique:D

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0616adironacksmap0055.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0616adironacksmap0054.jpg

[garandman]

I'm dying to get my Wee on the road: I've been waiting a full week for the title to come back from the BPO's credit union.

But, at least I took possession of it today! So it got to tour the Mass Pike from Newton MA into Boston.

[jackpiner57]

I'm dying to get my Wee on the road: I've been waiting a full week for the title to come back from the BPO's credit union.

But, at least I took possession of it today! So it got to tour the Mass Pike from Newton MA into Boston.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOHH the Mass Pike? You lucky bastid!:mrgreen:

[randyo]

Hey guys. After a trip to Lebanon to order some parts, I hit all the dirt back roads in Lyme and Orford I could find, to include a jaunt to Cummings pond. (Well, almost. Had to stop at the gate.) Now thats out there. Ride safe. Tim.

Gate? I rode on that a couple years ago on my SV650:mrgreen:

[randyo]

dmf109 and I took a ride up to the North Country. We met in Eaton, NH Rt.153 and went to Snowville, up to Conway Lake and Center Conway. Then over to Fryeburg, ME


route tip

From 153 thru Snowville on Brownfield Road, go about another ½ mile past Center Conway Road to Haleytown Road, take left on Haleytown Road, it comes out on 302 right near the welcome to maine information booth

although it's not much, you avoid the center conway traffic & resdential neighborhood

[jackpiner57]

I took a ride up to Lyndonville and East Burke, VT

The scenery was awesome! This is Willoughby Gap, with Lake Willoughby in between Mt.Pisgah and Mt.Hor

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0716adironacksmap0013.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0716adironacksmap0010.jpg

This little guy has a mouthful. He was at the top of Burke Mountain. I saw five Jackrabbits on the way up, and almost hit two Roughed Grouse. When I stopped to take one of the Gap pictures, I heard a loud crashing sound behind me in the woods. It was probably a Moose, so I got the hell out of there.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0716adironacksmap0025.jpg

These people were moving right along at an impressive pace!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0716adironacksmap0003.jpg

[jackpiner57]

I took a ride to Hardwick, VT today and took this picture on the way in Peacham, VT The riding was great and the road through Groton State Forest was a blast.

Hey Dan, this road was named for me!:mrgreen:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0717adironacksmap0003.jpg

Down by Peacham Pond.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0717adironacksmap0004.jpg

[jackpiner57]

Took a little ride today and explored the area around Barnet, West Barnet and Peacham. Mostly all dirt/gravel roads.

These Maxxis Presa Detour tires work great in the dirt!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0018.jpg

Looking South from Peacham:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0020.jpg

Southern view from Peacham:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0027.jpg

The town of Peacham from up on a hill:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0016.jpg

Barnet Center looking South:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0007.jpg

Barnet Center looking South again:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0722adironacksmap0008.jpg

[oldjapbikes]

I see you went through Burlington and went right pass. Thats just plain mean. John

[jackpiner57]

I see you went through Burlington and went right pass. Thats just plain mean. John

Hey John, I wasn't even thinking about you!:D It was one of my spontaneous impromptu rides. Next time I'll think about you when I ride through.:mrgreen:

PM me your Tel.# as if I remember right, that's your preferred method of communication. I'll put it into my cell phone:D

[VtSTROM-K5]

Yesterday I did 65miles of "Scrub-In " on the new Anakee front tire . No special destination just some Dirt & Pavement.:-D

[1.3G]

I took a 125 mile ride around Quabbin this morning. Couldn't find any rain so I went home and took the misses out for a jaunt and lunch. Now I'm heading out to Lee for coffee.

[jackpiner57]

Yesterday I did 65miles of "Scrub-In " on the new Anakee front tire . No special destination just some Dirt & Pavement.:-D

How do you like it? It turns in nicely, no? We can "scrub it in" some more on Friday:D

I took a 125 mile ride around Quabbin this morning. Couldn't find any rain so I went home and took the misses out for a jaunt and lunch. Now I'm heading out to Lee for coffee.

That's a scenic area to ride. Glad to see you're out riding. Any excuse is good enough to go. Like, I saw a coffee cup on the side of the road up at Appalachian Gap last month. I better go see if it needs picking up. Keep Vermont beautiful!:D

[dmf109]

I rode through Boston last Sunday on a whim. I was out riding in Nashua, saw route 3, and got on. The traffic was bad at first, but proved to be a blast cutting in and out to get ahead of the pack.

I got into Boston and the cool air off the ocean felt great (but smelled not so great).

Traffic wasn't too bad, so I decided to just ride around. I hit the 93 tunnel 3 times and enjoyed that. A panhandler came up to me at a light with his plastic cup and commented on how big my 'Strom was. He even knew it was a Suzuki! For some reason I picture some of those guys going home to a big house with wife and kids, commenting on how rough work was that day :rolleyes:.

So, fun ride for a Sunday afternoon. No pics, though. I didn't stop once.

[Motorace]

Friday - NYC and Long Island visiting customers. Tons of traffic EVERYWHERE except when I was on the ferry to Bridgeport. No traffic on the water!

[jackpiner57]

Last Friday Aug. 3rd., VtSTROM-K5 and I took a ride to JohnS's in Valley Falls, NY

It was a beautiful ride, especially through Argyle, NY

When we got to Johns, he wasn't there, but his gracious wife offered us drinks, food etc. Jack and I pitched our tents in the back yard and went for a ride. We had a few ales waiting for John to arrive, but I was tired and headed for the tent. Saturday morning, Jeanette made us scrambled eggs, toast, sausages and coffee! Thanks John and Jeanette for your wonderful hospitality!

John took us on an awesome ride on some insanely twisty fun roads.

I was heading for a reunion in Quakertown, PA and Jack & John rode with me part way. I got to PA around 4:00pm and left there at 9:00pm. I was going to camp out there, but the road was calling me. I took off and started for home figuring that when i got tired enough I'd get a motel or camp out. Well I couldn't find a room that wasn't booked, so I kept riding.

To make a long story short, I rode all the way home that night! There were crazy people out at the wee hours! I got home at 6:00am Sunday morning. I rode through the night and watched the sun come up from the seat of my motorcycle. It was over a thousand miles in less than about 16 riding hrs. Definitely qualified for a 1000 mi. in 24 hr Iron Butt ride, except I didn't document it. And not all on the superslab. There were many secondary roads. I was exhausted.:D

John and Jack on the Taconic Parkway where I split for Quakertown.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0804adironacksmap0001.jpg

View from the top of the Kingston Bridge over the Hudson River.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0804adironacksmap0003.jpg

A view from the "lucky" pole on the bridge:D
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2007_0804adironacksmap0005.jpg

[Stromexplorer]

Rode around parts of York County looking for roads not yet taken. The maps were in the bag. The 1000 led the way. Found some neat new connections and sights. I love to go to an area, and just ride up and down every road to see how they link up (as my Canadian friend Paulie the wingrider says). One dirt road in Alfred (Ithink) called Brackett Hill Road got the better of me a bit. When the power lines end, and the surface turns gnarly, one might consider a turnaround... but no! So the rear tire spits out on a rock and I pick up the DL yet again Hate those Distanzias, miss the TKC80s... Where's my DRZ400 when I need it? But I just love the DL and its always ready to go...Standup cruising at dusk and beyond down Bakers Grant Road and Milton Mills Road paid it all back.

Hey Jack Id love to see details of your ride in VT. The map indicates the general area but not specific roads (perhaps a magnifier...) the Pics of Willoughby look like from Burke Mt (?)
Tom the Stromexplorer

[Tollster]

We came up from Pennsylvania and did Jay peak then down to Burke, And burke hollow. Stopped at lake willowby and sat at the roadside falls.
I have the route on my Zumo if some one wants it. Its a large one though at I routed from Plattsburg to Bar Harbor. No Interstates!. Raingly lakes in northern maine, and very, very nice back roads in New Hampshire and Vermont.
I found someone that hooked me up with the route that had been riding up there for 20 years. Very memorable indeed.

[04Strommer]

dmf109 and I took a ride up to the North Country. We met in Eaton, NH Rt.153 and went to Snowville, up to Conway Lake and Center Conway. Then over to Fryeburg, ME and up Rt.113 through Evans Notch to Gilead, ME. Then over on Rt.2 to Gorham, NH to Jefferson, NH down Rt.115 to Rt.3 and split at Rt.93.

What a great ride and delicious Frye's Leap Ale at Frye's Tavern in Fryeburg.

Very scenic Rt.113

Here are two pics taken on my way over to meet Dan. These are from up near Kancamagus Pass.

My bike was somewhat unique:D


Give me a buzz next time you are around Fryeburg/Rt. 113 as I live not to far! Mike

[jackpiner57]

Rode around parts of York County looking for roads not yet taken. The maps were in the bag. The 1000 led the way. Found some neat new connections and sights. I love to go to an area, and just ride up and down every road to see how they link up (as my Canadian friend Paulie the wingrider says). One dirt road in Alfred (Ithink) called Brackett Hill Road got the better of me a bit. When the power lines end, and the surface turns gnarly, one might consider a turnaround... but no! So the rear tire spits out on a rock and I pick up the DL yet again Hate those Distanzias, miss the TKC80s... Where's my DRZ400 when I need it? But I just love the DL and its always ready to go...Standup cruising at dusk and beyond down Bakers Grant Road and Milton Mills Road paid it all back.

Hey Jack Id love to see details of your ride in VT. The map indicates the general area but not specific roads (perhaps a magnifier...) the Pics of Willoughby look like from Burke Mt (?)
Tom the Stromexplorer

I just ride and rarely look at a map. Many of the roads I take are gravel and not on the maps. Come on over and I'll show you some great ones!

Give me a buzz next time you are around Fryeburg/Rt. 113 as I live not to far! Mike

Will do Mike, There's lots of good riding in Maine. Let me know when you're in the VT & Western NH area too.

[dmf109]

I just ride and rarely look at a map. Many of the roads I take are gravel and not on the maps. Come on over and I'll show you some great ones!



Will do Mike, There's lots of good riding in Maine. Let me know when you're in the VT & Western NH area too.

Tom - let's do more Maine dirt! Last Sunday was pretty fun:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l224/dmf109/100_2050.jpg

Stromexplorer, welcome aboard. Let's ride sometime.

[Stromexplorer]

Late Saturday nite or maybe Sunday AM. Hey dan, good to (re)meet you at the field day in Rochester, sorry you had to leave early. I am now about wound down from the day. Need a ride! If you receive this, Post a reply or maybe Ill call early... Tom the stromexplorer.

[dmf109]

Late Saturday nite or maybe Sunday AM. Hey dan, good to (re)meet you at the field day in Rochester, sorry you had to leave early. I am now about wound down from the day. Need a ride! If you receive this, Post a reply or maybe Ill call early... Tom the stromexplorer.

I'll send you a PM

[Stromexplorer]

Well I had expected to do a long distance day, maybe 4-500 miiles, or maybe hook up w/ some other strommers and follow/ lead a small group. But when that idiot cager pulled out of her driveway 50 feet in front of me, staring at my oncoming ass and easing across the road, just a few miles from home, I thought that maybe back roads and a slower pace was a better idea (especially since my reactions coulda been better). So I didn't get much more than 60 miles from home, but still went up and down a few new roads. As the day wore on, I decided to link up a route to go around the mess that is Tilton and Franklin, from Wally World to the bridge across the Merrimack. :confused: This ended up taking about 4 hours or more (well some of that was just roamin, and if any of the routes north of rt 11 in Salisbury had hooked uo as thru routes, this would have changed the day...) But , mission accomplished, a complete route from the 107-140 intersection in Gilmanton to rt 11 in Franklin, just in sight of the bridge over the Merrimack, with all my favorite features: back roads (mostly good pavement, conducive to a ...um, brisk... pace) , few cars, few connections on main roads, one gas stop spot on the only main (numbered) road, and lots of ridges with views. This will be a great part of a fall route to get west (for me) to the Dartmouth- Sunapee area, or to go to central Vt without the Islab, especially during "peak hours" when the Tilton-Franklin area seems to be a mini stop and go mess. Does anyone else care about such things? Most strommers I have met aren't bikers, who ride in packs and frequent coffee shops and bars, but rather seek out the road less traveled... Hey Jack, how did you do that "low tech" map? Tom:-

[Stromexplorer]

Well its a long weekend. A weekend ride needs to happen. Id like to do at least one day in Vt or Les Grands Bois du Nord, whos up for this?

[VtSTROM-K5]

I'm thinking the adirondacks and the lake Placid/Saranac lake/ area myself. Maybe leave friday nite after work & return mid day monday??? :rolleyes:

[1.3G]

Saturday I take off on a 3 to 4 week vacation. Prepped the vee yesterday and did most of my packing today. Will be camping. Have an open appointment in Montrose,Co for a rear tire (7000mi on it now) on the 5th, 6th, or 7th. Tentatively, am meeting my brother there and we will head to the Modesto, Ca area (Ripon). From there I go to a bachelor party in Vegas on the 14th for my future son-in-law. Plan on stopping at the Grand Canyon, Carlesbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park on the way home (all places where I lived or worked before '73) If I still have an ass left I'll come up Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway

[jackpiner57]

Have a great trip 1.3G and stay safe! We need a ride report with pics when you get back.

You might want to get some of this for the ride.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/monkey_logo.jpg

[Stromexplorer]

Cant leave til Saturday as I have s*** to do til then. Ny sounds good tho, I like Keene valley, out of the bustle of Placid... never stayed in Saranac, or any of those other lakes... maybe a hookup in NY? (Or I could end up in the Moosehead area...who knows?)

[dmf109]

Cant leave til Saturday as I have s*** to do til then. Ny sounds good tho, I like Keene valley, out of the bustle of Placid... never stayed in Saranac, or any of those other lakes... maybe a hookup in NY? (Or I could end up in the Moosehead area...who knows?)

I'd like to tag along for a bit. I can't do the whole weekend, but would like to get some miles in Saturday.

[randyo]

I'm going to be going to visit my Dad in Vermont (Hinesburg) this coming weekend, hope to get out riding at least one day, prolly scoot across the lake, a few roads around Ausable Forks I want to check out

[VtSTROM-K5]

OK, My plans Changed . College is In session, The Administration didn't give us the Monday holiday this year:mad: So I'll only be able to maybe get some riding in on sunday ....Maybe:(

[countersteer]

Jack & others with limited time,

How about a one day sprint into NY & back on Sunday? Then again, it's a holiday weekend & that means Volvo station wagons. Dirt/gravel in VT might be the ticket.

[VtSTROM-K5]

Jack & others with limited time,

How about a one day sprint into NY & back on Sunday? Then again, it's a holiday weekend & that means Volvo station wagons. Dirt/gravel in VT might be the ticket.

Might be do-able have to check tomorrow as far as possible sat. am work(:() as we're still cleaning up from last saturday's Storm

[Stromexplorer]

So riding Sat, Sun, Mon... all of the above,and wherever, Vt, NY, Quebec, its ALL good... Dan, meet up Sat, hook up w/others?

[dmf109]

So riding Sat, Sun, Mon... all of the above,and wherever, Vt, NY, Quebec, its ALL good... Dan, meet up Sat, hook up w/others?

Sounds good Tom. Where abouts?

[Stromexplorer]

So now that the site is back up, I wonder who will get this... 6:17 AM Sat, I am at least 3 hrs from leaving. Dan, I may just call... RanddyO if you see this, Did you plan on a NY sprint on Sun? Howboutcha Jack, is there a Vt hookup?

[randyo]

So now that the site is back up, I wonder who will get this... 6:17 AM Sat, I am at least 3 hrs from leaving. Dan, I may just call... RanddyO if you see this, Did you plan on a NY sprint on Sun? Howboutcha Jack, is there a Vt hookup?


not sure yet Tom, leavin in about 15min, going to take the floating bridge route

I am sending you a pm with my dad's phone #

[VtSTROM-K5]

Might be do-able have to check tomorrow as far as possible sat. am work(:() as we're still cleaning up from last saturday's Storm
OK, I'm going to try to meet with tom , afternoon and we're thinking a run up to "OWLS Head Near Malone NY for tonite and then workback to Vermont tomorrow mostly paved some dirt NO OFF ROAD:mrgreen:

[randyo]

What a fantastic weekend

Saturday, my GF & I headed to my dads house in Hinesburg, Paula was riding here sporty.

Route
Rt11-Rt11a,Meredith Ctr Rd, Rt 104, Rt3a, WestShore Rd, Halls Brook Rd, Rt 25, Rt 25a, Rt 5, Rt 244, Rt 113, RT 110, East Randolph Rd, Rt 14, Rt 65, (first time for Paula crossing the floating bridge) Rt 12, Cox Brook Rd, Rt 100, Rt 17, Huntington Rd, Sherman Hollow Rd

on sunday I met with Tom at the Bridge Restaurant in Addison, and had a super day exploring, staring with Tracy road, the Ensign Pond Road, Lincoln Pond Road, then we meandered towaed Ausable Forks had lunch

then the Adventure ride, Wells Hill/Jay Mountain road to Upper jay, got pretty rough, up to this point we hadn't seen hardly any traffic, we were pondering wheter to take the road, a local fellow stoped in his cage to talk a bit, said the last time he went thru was 3 years ago in a jeep, and nothing he'd attempt on his WeeStrom :mrgreen: about a mile into the route, we a GS & Tiger, they were cookin right along. an indication we can make it thru

after about 4-5 miles of rough going, it got real rough, a half mile of rocky going. I managed to pick my way thru, draging hardware a couple times, then about a quarter mile of steep downhill loose broken rock, I got to the bottom, what do I see, Crazy Canadians, I'm laughin my ass off, after a few minutes, Tom caught up with me, coming from the other direction, the canadians were on a R1200R, Speed Triple, and a pair of full dress Harleys :lol: One of them had alread dumped it twice, we recommended they turn around, the R1200R and S3 took off up the hill, then one of the harleys, then last the guy that had dumped, he made it halfway up the hill, his buddy walked back down the hill to get the bike unstuck while 3 of us pushed, about 50 feet and stuck again, the next push and he made it up the hill, last we saw of them, wonder how they made it thru the rocks, then we explored a bunch of county roads between Saranac, black Brook, & wilmington zig zagin back & forth, then we headed back toward KeeneValley where tom had a rooom for the night, just before I split off the head back to my dads in Vermont, we found the sweetest road, too good to mention on the internet, worth the whole weekend for that one 10 mile long road

Monday ride back to NH, Rt 116, New Haven Rd, Rt 7,RT 30 all the way south to Pawlet (VtStrom-K5, we beeped when we went past your house) then Pawlet-Danby Road, Tinmouth Rd, Rt 140, Rt 155, RT 100, then Rt 11 all the way home

I'll try to post some pics
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/100_1435.th.JPG (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=100_1435.JPG)
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/100_1445.37e.th.JPG (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=100_1445.37e.JPG)
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/100_1448.f9e.th.JPG (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=100_1448.f9e.JPG)

[Stromexplorer]

So, once again I got to Essex Co, NY. Rode w/Randyo (see his post except the gravel adventure was before lunch...:rolleyes:) And stayed at my favorite little inn, The Ausable Inn in the quiet village of Keene Valley, about maybe 25 miles from Lake unPlacid. A relatively cheap bed in a nonmotel, a popular restaurant and bar with convivial folks, only a few guests, quiet morning walks, the high peaks in the background... And the piece de resistance, Hurricane Road, just a few miles away!
Riding w/Randyo is like riding with myself in some ways... I see him looking up the side roads, wondering whats up there...:confused:And we both like to mapride. I will go to an area and ride every road, or look for the cues and clues to an interesting road.
Sundat, we tried many of the back and forth possibles from Ausable Forks to Wilmington to Silver Lake to wherever... including the little adventure. The day started out by getting up onto Essex 7 by Edgcomb Rd w/out going into Port Henry, then right to Essex 6-Tracy Road. A bop down 9 to Essex 4, the recently paved Ensign Pond Rd, even more fun than Tracy because its longer and more varied. After the above adventure and exploring, with the day getting a bit late, Randy looking at the map wonders "Hurricane Road? Whats THAT all about?" Perhaps thinking of NHs Hurricane Mountain Road... So, off we go.
This road is about 5 miles long, and pretty much unrelentingly twisty and challenging. Not super smooth pavement, watch out for sand in a few corners... but it begs to be ridden both ways and repeatedly. Don't know how many curves, just a lot... Randy left to get back to his dads in VT at maybe 5:30. I rode it again, then to the inn to drop gear. back for a sunset run and a few pics, abd a blast back.
Monday brought more Essexploring, including one of my favorites. I HATE going thru a town when a way around can be found:mad:. so, a way aroud Saranac Lake from Placid/ 86, to 3N, to 86, to 3S heading to Tupper Lake:D:D...Most prolly think that this is maybe a waste of time, but I get a strange satisfaction from avoiding the congestion of cagers and stoplights.
Latger on, after a bunch more Essexploring, and a nice ride along Champlain as evening came on, I crossed Chimney point at 6: 30m or so. Now for a long blast back to Rochester NH, mostly in the dark. After a couple checkins at the IBmotel, home about midnighgt. Dont come with me if you want a short ride! :twisted:

[countersteer]

I was on Tracy & Ensign Pond yesterday trying to keep up with an RC51. After 3 miles or so on each road, he disappeared. Great roads. Where is Hurricane Rd?

[IthakaBound]

http://ithakabound.smugmug.com/gallery/3399392#190098982-L-LB

[RedAnt]

Where is Hurricane Rd?

Hurricane Mtn Rd is here:
http://maps.google.com/?q=Hurricane%20Mountain%20Rd,North%20Conway,nh

Very short road over a mountain. Narrow twisty and lumpy. If you're in the area it's worth the ride. For me it's not a destination all on it's own. If I happened to find my self there on a weekday I would probably stop into White Horse Press/Gear for a look in the discount area.

Coming from the south Rt153 is a nice road that gets you up that direction a lot more enjoyably than Rt16 IMHO.

[Stromexplorer]

Hurricane MT Rd in NH is maybe 5-6 Miles, and the twistier west end is recenty paved. A nice road over the Mt thru the woods and a way to Rt 113 and Evans Notch. Hurricane Rd in Essex County NY is in Keene. From the W end of Tracy Rd go up Rt 73. Hurricane Rd leaves L just where 9N leaves to go towards Wilmington. On my map its called East Hill Rd at the beginning, But the raod sign says Hurricane Rd. Typical map crap: at least 10% of all map stuff doesnt match the signs outin the world. How DARE the locals not match their signs to our maps!!??:twisted: Anyhow after 5 or so twisty miles Hurricane Rd comes back to the E leg of 9N headed to Elizabethtown.

[randyo]

hurricane road (<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;saddr=CR-13%2FHurricane+Rd+%4044.254720,+-73.790010&amp;daddr=CR-13%2FHurricane+Rd+%4044.254500,+-73.742440+to:44.221338,-73.749332&amp;mrcr=1&amp;mrsp=2&amp;sz=13&amp;mra=mi&amp;sll=44.236098 ,-73.753624&amp;sspn=0.066169,0.115528&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;om=1&amp;ll=4 4.236098,-73.753624&amp;spn=0.066169,0.115528&amp;output=embed&amp;s=AAR TsJpklAf2MbQxVSzhR20yPGWgeBFTNQ"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;saddr=CR-13%2FHurricane+Rd+%4044.254720,+-73.790010&amp;daddr=CR-13%2FHurricane+Rd+%4044.254500,+-73.742440+to:44.221338,-73.749332&amp;mrcr=1&amp;mrsp=2&amp;sz=13&amp;mra=mi&amp;sll=44.236098 ,-73.753624&amp;sspn=0.066169,0.115528&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;om=1&amp;ll=4 4.236098,-73.753624&amp;spn=0.066169,0.115528&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>)

[countersteer]

Thanks all. I've mapped both the NY & NH Hurricanes. All I need do now is ride them.

[1.3G]

Had a great time; 9200 miles with only two hours of rain. I love the desert! Left Springfield, did 1050 miles first 21 hours, slept 2 hours in a rest area just short of St. Louis then road a little over 600 miles to my first camp site in central Kansas. On the third day I drifted through Denver- realized after getting lost in my once "home town" that we no longer had anything in common- and got the hell out of there. Spent that night outside of Colorado Springs.
Found out on my second day that my brother was stuck in Mexico due to a tropical storm turned hurricane, so I spent 4 days camping. Took a strangers advise on a mountain pass that was "cake" and had what was not the most enjoyable first offroad experience (never, never, never road dirt!) Going up the pass from the Silverton side was easy, but the down side into Ophir was too steep and rough for me. Once I headed down there was no turning back.Tried to walk the bike (DL1000) down but needed both brakes on the grade, learned real quick that I couldn't control the decent with just the front brake walking on the side of the bike, and couldn't brake, or reach the ground half of the time with the feet, if I tried to stradle the bike and walk it down! So, I rode it down- swearing and wondering what radiator stop leak would do to the strangers 225 Yamaha oil filter. Anyway, made the pass without falling over with the bike fully loaded.
After two more days of camping I met up with my brother, and I spent 7 days following him around Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Went to most of the parks in the southwestern part of Utah, and enjoyed the heck out of route 12. Only lost 30 bucks in Vegas, and enjoyed the heat everywhere- it made that 12 pack taste great every evening by the fire!
After that it was back to Montrose, Co. for new tires. My brother had buiseness to attend to in Vermont and at the Cape so after a good rest I headed for the Big Bend area of Texas. Cut kind of a Z across route 50 in Co. Down 285 to Santa Fe. Down I25 to Las Cruces. Thru Alamogordo to Artesia. Back on 285 thru Carlesbad to Ft. Stockton. And down 385 to the Persimmon Gap entrance to Big Bend. 1134 miles in 24 hours.
The last few hours I was amazed at how much stone my new front tire was picking up, figured they must have recently put down fresh oil and stone. It turned out to be grasshoppers, and after about two hours at my camp site in the basin my bike was covered with ants!
Spent two nights in the park and headed for Virginia Beach. Two days eight hours, 2000 miles. Hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway by Asheville, went maybe 5 miles, then turned around and beat it out I40 thru Raleigh to route17 up to Va. After Utah and Colorado I didn't have the patience for the llleffftttt and riiiighttt turns with that clean (but sceinic) treebelt. I felt like I was going up someones driveway!
Spent the night at a good old friends house, another twelve pack, then headed back to Springfield via Skyline Drive. Got the warning from a pleasant female ranger that "you won't be able to go as fast as you would like to because of loose gravel on the roadway"!
Saw the most stroms in Colorado. Saw a lot of terrain go by at 90+, Monument Valley went by at 110 (indicated - stock gearing). The yellow BMW1100S I was following was piloted by a pilot; and he knew how to fly!
Have to see if any of the pics I took are any goood after I attend to my daughters wedding.
















'

[water warrior]

1.3G.............sounds like you had a good time overall. Also, good news, you can have front and rear braking while walking the bike down hill. Engine shut off, in first gear with clutch pulled in. Let out clutch and engine brake at it's finest. Using the friction point of the clutch can make the hill almost a non event. Most dirt riders know this after a couple trips to the hills. Glad you made it through the rough parts and didn't drop it.

[garandman]

I'm thinking of taking tomorrow off for a day ride to the North or West of Boston.
Suggestions?

I'm thinking of riding up to North Conway, then taking the 'mangus west to 93. But it might be better to take it W-E as I'd be able to start a bit earlier.

[blue flame]

So I went out for a few hours Monday. Over to route 100, out through West Jamaica, Stratton, and west on the Arlington Road. Then South on 71, down to 9. Lots of moose hunters, not much else out there. Very nice ! When I hit 9 I decided to go check out Greylock. It's been on my "to do " list for a year or two, but I just never get to it. So I stopped in a Lanesboro ( I think ) and bought a sandwich and a drink, planning on a picnic somewhere along the way. Well ! The girl behind the counter told me the road along the top of Greylock is closed, and has been for a while and will be for at least another year. So... two questions... 1 ) Has anyone explored that, and could I have gone around the barriers with my Wee, on Tourances ? 2 ) Does the state publish a list online of roads that are out of service ? Thanks !

[Firefly]

I hadn't heard about this either but after doing a search this site explains it well:
http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/trails/greylock-closures.cfm

Looks like 2009 before you can cross it off your list. The road was in awful shape. The passenger on a coworker's Harley ended up with permanent back damage riding this road. They finished refurbishing the momument in about 2000 so it's in good shape.

[Firefly]

1.3G .... sweet ride! It's a dream to ride the Rockies that I probably won't fulfill. You got some serious long distance riding ability there.
Dirt ... uphill, fine ... downhill, NO don't like it either. Glad your trip was safe. Must have been you had a good MSF instructor <G>.

[BHazz]

I quickly plotted a ride on my GPS and had a nice little ride today, about 85 miles.
I started in East Glastonbury and headed South to the Salmon river, very nice. At the river, I took one road that snaked along the river, about 20 ft above. You know those roads. The ones that you aren't quite sure that the road is an inch over the width of 2 cars. Anyways, looking down you see fly fisherman scattered along the river. Time to smell the roses, Ahhh.

After that ,my GPS took me on roads where, many times, I was all by myself. I relaxed and enjoyed the solitude. One really appealing dirt road ended abruptly after about 300 yards. The road had some HUGH gullies. I hit "detour" on my GPS and continued on.

I headed back over the Connecticut river and stopped for a grinder and soda. Heading home, I followed the river North on Rt 154. and continued on to home...

http://haslam.smugmug.com/photos/266134480_39yvk-M.jpg

[Motorace]

Well, I went and took my plate to get its inspection sticker. Put the 08 decal on it and I'm legal for this season.

Bikes needs a bath and a Spring going-through. And I figure that if I put away the snowblower there is no POSSIBLE way it can snow again.

I am so ready for Spring. :)

[tmcgee]

Well, I went and took my plate to get its inspection sticker. Put the 08 decal on it and I'm legal for this season.

The inspection decal expires at the end of May for all of us in Mass. You'll need the one that sez '09 after May 31.

This is not to be confused with the registration sticker, which expires on Dec. 31 for all of us in Mass.

[Motorace]

Well, I now have the green one that expires in 2009.

Did get in about 20 miles today. First ride of 2008. It was cold, warm, sunny, cloudy, sprinkles, sun, overcast, warm , cold,etc.... The weather today had no idea what it wanted to do.

[jackpiner57]

Did a 155 mi. ride around Vermont today and took a few pics of covered bridges. Some of the towns I passed through are South Ryegate, Fairlee, Vershire, Post Mills, Chelsea, Tunbridge, Strafford, South Royalton, Sharon, Norwich, Hartford, Goose Green, Thetford and quite a few more. Great weather and awesome roads.

Thetford, VT ---- I actually fabricated and supplied the truss connection steel for this restored bridge.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0417adironacksmap0002.jpg

This one's in Tunbridge, VT
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0417adironacksmap0006.jpg

This one is also in Tunbridge, VT
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0417adironacksmap0010.jpg

This one was in Strafford, VT
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0417adironacksmap0011.jpg

[tmcgee]

Just a boring ride to the Cape of Scrod yesterday. No pictures, but I had fun with the new headlight modulator. It scares nearly half of the people out of the left lane. Here I come, ready or not! :weapons_7:

[jackpiner57]

Just a boring ride to the Cape of Scrod yesterday. No pictures, but I had fun with the new headlight modulator. It scares nearly half of the people out of the left lane. Here I come, ready or not! :weapons_7:

"Hey Guido, sh!t, slow down and pull over into the travel lane! There's a Motorcycle Trooper behind us with the flashing lights and big antenna!"

Guido: "Hey Vito, that wasn't a Trooper, it was just some a$$hole on a V-Strom! GET HIM!!!!!!!!! :mod2_scooter: :weapons_37: :smilielol5:

[Firefly]

Modulators are legal IF they modulate at the correct speed. I lost the link to the regulation, but it should be at a speed that it's almost constantly on. If you can really notice the light going on and off then it's too slow and you can be stopped for that. A good modulator will make you noticed but you won't be confused with the deliberate slow flashing of the police or emergency vehicles. I've seen some of the cheap modulator on bikes and could tell right away that they weren't legal. Cops can tell too.

[tmcgee]

Modulators are legal IF they modulate at the correct speed. I lost the link to the regulation, but it should be at a speed that it's almost constantly on. If you can really notice the light going on and off then it's too slow and you can be stopped for that.

This one is from Kisan and modulates the high beam. The low stays on constantly. This isn't my first experience with one and 95% of the time I keep it off. It can be fun though...

Here are the regs:

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either
the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser
intensity, provided that:
(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>40
cycles per minute.
(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70
percent of each cycle.
(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17
percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.
(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the
beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.
(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper
beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.
(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its
sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation
shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament
light operating at 3000[deg] Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25
foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than
60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing
sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that
is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the
sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to
simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.
(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure
9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test
conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater
than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the
standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.
(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam
function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either
the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.
S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as
original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum
wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally,
each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when
connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp
of the minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated
beam functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.
(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the
light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the
road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.
S7.9.5 Each replaceable bulb headlamp that is designed to meet the
photometric requirements of paragraph S7.9.1(a) or paragraph S7.9.2(a)
and that is equipped with a light source other than a replaceable light
source meeting the requirements of paragraph S7.7, shall have the word
``motorcycle'' permanently marked on the lens in characters not less
than 0.114 in. (3 mm) in height.
S7.9.6 A headlamp system shall be installed on a motorcycle in
accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
S7.9.6.1 The headlamp system shall be located on the front of the
motorcycle.
S7.9.6.2 (a) If the system consists of a single headlamp, it shall
be mounted on the vertical centerline of the motorcycle. If the headlamp
contains more than one light source, each light source shall be mounted
on the vertical centerline with the upper beam no higher than the lower
beam, or horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline and mounted
at the same height. If the light sources are horizontally disposed about
the vertical centerline, the distance between the closest edges of the
effective projected luminous lens area in front of the light sources
shall not be greater than 200 mm (8 in.).
(b) If the system consists of two headlamps, each of which provides
both an upper and lower beam, the headlamps shall be mounted either at
the same height and symmetrically disposed about the vertical centerline
or mounted on the vertical centerline. If the headlamps are horizontally
disposed about the vertical centerline, the distance between the closest
edges of their effective projected luminous lens areas shall not be
greater than 200 mm (8 in.).
(c) If the system consists of two headlamps, one of which provides
an upper beam and one of which provides the lower beam, the headlamps
shall be located on the vertical centerline with the upper beam no
higher than the lower beam, or horizontally disposed about the vertical
centerline and mounted at the same height. If the headlamps are
horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline, the distance
between the closest edges of their effective projected luminous lens
areas shall not be greater than 200 mm (8 in.).

[Mr. Ray]

I rode to work

[randyo]

Just a boring ride to the Cape of Scrod yesterday. No pictures, but I had fun with the new headlight modulator. It scares nearly half of the people out of the left lane. Here I come, ready or not! :weapons_7:

modulators with blue tint bulbs get even more people out of your way

[Black Lab]

To be safe, just use a tail light modulator. Everyone is behind you anyway, right? ;)

[jackpiner57]

Took a ride over to Berlin, VT today. I saw this moose on the way back in Orange Heights. I couldn't get the bike in the picture because I had to walk about 10 yds. uphill to get the shot.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0423adironacksmap0014-2.jpg

[AppGap]

Road through Essex,Westford,Colchester, Richmond, Waterbury , Duxbury, Middlesex, Montpelier, Berlin...missed the moose...Moretown,Fayston, Waitsfield about a hundred and fifty miles on a Wee that I dragged out of a barn fired up and drove away......spend some time tomorrow going through it......glad the seller at least had a tire gauge.

[longgreensilverado]

GOOD SHOT jackpiner

[jackpiner57]

GOOD SHOT jackpiner

Thanks Long, opportunities like this come up fairly frequently up here. Maybe I should host a moose viewing ride sometime.:D

[longgreensilverado]

JackPiners Vstrom Moose Viewing adventures

hmm sounds good

[Stromday]

JackPiners Vstrom Moose Viewing adventures

hmm sounds good

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[longgreensilverado]

hey jackpiner a fellow vstromer and I were planning a ride this weekend, but rain may put an end to it, but i was thinking of leaving taxachusetts and heading up thru nh and over to me and back thru the white mtns and heading to the lake wiloughby area

[jackpiner57]

JackPiners Vstrom Moose Viewing adventures

hmm sounds good

I like the sound of that:D

I'd buy that for a dollar!

I'll take the dollar, or you can buy me a cup of coffee. C'mon up and ride sometime.

hey jackpiner a fellow vstromer and I were planning a ride this weekend, but rain may put an end to it, but i was thinking of leaving taxachusetts and heading up thru nh and over to me and back thru the white mtns and heading to the lake wiloughby area

Saturday looks good and Sunday is only a 40% chance of a shower! And 60 degrees:D

Saturday is Green Up Day in Vermont and I do that with my family every year.

Sunday, a friend is riding over in the morning so we can put a tire on his Strom. Then we're going riding! Let me know where you'll be after lunch on Sunday and maybe we can meet up with you guys. I'm in South Ryegate, VT about 20 mi. south of St. Johnsbury.

[jackpiner57]

Took a ride through McIndoes Falls today and found this little bridge crossing over the railroad tracks into a field.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0501adironacksmap0005.jpg

The falls.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0501adironacksmap0009.jpg

[tmcgee]

No pictures today. Went to South Boston and Marlborough, MA. Here's a picture of Castle Island from last April. It's down the street from the church I visited today.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4923/img0290mt6.jpg

[dmf109]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/2008_0501adironacksmap0005.jpg


All hail the 'Strom!

[jackpiner57]

No pictures today. Went to South Boston and Marlborough, MA. Here's a picture of Castle Island from last April. It's down the street from the church I visited today.

That doesn't look like an island Tom. And, the pic is kind of plain.:bom_wacko:


All hail the 'Strom!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/jackpiner57/bowdown.gif:mod2_scooter: