Adirondack Ride

Since returning from Natashquan in late June I haven't been riding except for a short jaunt with my wife and another couple one evening. Part of the reason has been the weather, which has been lousy lately with almost continual rain and T-storms. But to be honest, I needed a break from riding after the trip.

Well, for the last few days the forecast has been calling for a break in the weather today, so my riding buddy Brad and I set a tentative plan for a ride: Leave early morning, cross the Champlain Bridge into New York, ride the back roads through the Adirondacks.

I woke up at 5:45Am, with the sun already streaming through the pines and glistening on the water of Lake Champlain. Sky crystal clear, temperature about 55-60, crisp -- a glory day! Met Brad about 7 Am, and we were off, Brad in the lead on his new BMW R1200RT, arguably one of the finest touring bikes out there. Brad is great to ride with - easy going, good sense of humor, and a highly skilled rider. I get better every time I follow him. We head south on familiar roads - the only excitement comes as I ride over the Champlain Bridge and an osprey trying to gain altitude flys over me about 20 feet above, in what seems like slow motion. A National Geographic moment to be sure.

We head north to Port Henry, a sorry old town in a breath taking location on hills overlooking Lake Champlain. We head inland on some backroad twisties - new to me, which rollick over hill and dale for about 40 minutes. We emerge on Route 28N - which is a pretty good road with big sweeper curves. In Newcomb Brad wants to stop for coffee at this old dive.

The coffee is pretty bad, but, in a remarkable coincidence, Brad runs into his Uncle Sam, and they share a few tender moments.

After saying good bye to the old fella, we ride on to Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake. I regret not wearing my heated jacket, because it is a bit chilly. In Long Lake we stop for some photos and to check out Hoss' General Store.

After a quick ride down to Blue Mountain Lake, it's off to Saranac and a good lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe. After lunch, we continue east through Lake Placid, being careful to avoid the downtown highway repaving project, zip down route 73 past the Winter Olympic venues and through some spectacular terrain to Keene.

Just past Keene, Brad pulled over and offered me a test ride on his RT - he has already test ridden my Multistrada.
Of course, I jump at the chance. We are on Route 9N riding over the mountain to Elizabethtown, basically, it's a two lane speedway with a few high speed sweepers; then some twisty sections and long straights as we work our way over to the ferry dock in Essex. After I figure out the unusually long clutch, we are off. The bike is really nice, but I have trouble with the ergos, which are tailored to Brad's smaller frame. Putting that aside, the bike is pretty nifty. The supension feels very soft compared to my bike, but I find myself comfortably taking curves at fairly high speeds (for me). It feels like a high performance "big sedan" compared to my "sports car" like bike. A comfortable secure ride. THis would be great on a long trip - and the windscreen goes up and down electrically while underway. After about 15 miles, I conclude that I have to take a serious test ride with the ergos sorted out.

We reach the ferry dock as the boat is pulling in so we have only a short wait. The ride over is absolutely beautiful. The lake is calm and the mountains are very distinct in the clear crisp air.

What a great day and it's only 3:00 PM!

Getting Ready for Nova Scotia Ride

It's July 9 and that means there are only 38 days until I leave on my next big ride of the Summer - an 11 day sojourn up to Nova Scotia. We leave for the Portland, ME ferry on August 16. This trip will have a different feel than the last one. Rather than riding solo as I did on the trip to Natashquan, on this trip I will be accompanied by four other gentlemen. Three of these, twin brothers Reg and Ron, and their bro' in law Boo, will be riding their cruiser bikes, while Swanny will be aboard his trusty SUV. I must say I am both excited and apprehensive about this arrangement. On the one hand, they all seem like great guys who would be fun to travel with. On the other hand, group travel means having to be attentive to the needs-wants of the others in the group. Being alone on the last ride was actually one of the best dimensions of the ride. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, went where I wanted when I wanted - a consensus of one. I never felt lonely.

Already, there are slight divisions in group expectations, and although we have all said that everyone can do what they want, prior experience with small travel groups (even just with my wife) tells me to get ready for endless compromises. Several in the group want to camp (no problem) another is whining about the prospect of rain, one member is a less experienced rider (will that mean we have to go slower than we want?), budget differences? etc. etc.

However, having some friends along does have its obvious positive aspects too.


On the plus side, having the "support vehicle" means expanded recreational options (golf clubs, fishing gear), less disciplined packing on the bike, and also means that if you go out for dinner somewhere, there is a designated driver available.

I must say, I was a little "biked out" after the last trip and haven't ridden much since. If the rain leaves this week I will go for a good ride in the Adirondacks - maybe Thursday with buddy Brad.

I plan no mods for the bike, as it performed spectacularly on the last ride. I will get the 12,000 mile service done before I go and have the guys at BCM give the bike another once over. Oh, I will do one thing: my hand grips are a bit small for my hands so I will have them built up with tennis grip material.

That's all for now. The next post will probably be a preview of the Nova Scotia itinerary.