August 2021

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W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

MONTHLY COLUMNS FREE WHEELIN’ ........................................ 4

Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

WHATCHATHINKIN’ ................................... 5 ON THE MARK .......................................... 6 BACKLASH ............................................... 8 INDUSTRY INFOBITES ............................... 9 GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN ......... 11 BIG CITY GETAWAY ................................. 13 WE’RE OUTTA HERE ............................... 15

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MYSTERIOUS AMERICA .......................... 17

Publishers

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil

Contributors

Mark Byers, Pamela Collins, Steve Smith, Bud Wilkinson, Dr. Seymour O’Life

Editorial Office BACKROADS, POB 620 Augusta, NJ 07822

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phone

973.948.4176

fax

973.948.0823

email

editor@backroadsusa.com

online

www.backroadsusa.com

Advertising

973-948-4176

SHIRA’S SOJOURN ................................. 22

Follow Us

Backroads-Motorcycle-Touring-Magazine

BENNY’S BACKROADS 120 ..................... 29

Tweet Us

@BackroadsGal

PROGRESSIVE IMS OUTDOORS .............. 36

See Us

backroadsmagazine

INSIDE SCOOP ....................................... 20 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE .................... 39 UPCOMING EVENTS ............................... 40

FEATURES

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS 2022 INDIAN FAMILY ............................... 31

PRODUCT REVIEWS SENA OUTRUSH HELMET ....................... 10 INDIAN CLIMACOMMAND SEAT .............. 35 KLIM MARRAKESH JACKET .................... 37

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BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2021. 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 • AUGUST 2021

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BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

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FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJEN

You Can Go Home Again If you have been reading Backroads for any number of seasons you might be aware that I am a “Farkle” guy. GPS, Radar, Hornet …. Whatever…. I am tossing it onto my bike.

But, with my purchase of a new BMW R1250GS last Fall I suddenly had three machines that were kinda, sorta, in some way - the same. Two GS’s and a KLR 650.

My 2012 eventually went to an awesome home and a great rider and Backroads alumni Larry Wilson (Not the ball player or LeMans racer; but a nice gent all the same), and in my mind, to replace it, I had thought of something… not normally in my script. Well, not since we began publishing Backroads.

Back in the day, way back in the day – I started my riding life with a ‘72 Kawasaki S-3 – two-stroke 3-cylinder machine. She was quick, but when run hard it tended to have oil-injection problems. I burned a lot of other riders that early Summer but then… Bang!

This came to point on a summer’s night on Cross Bay Boulevard.

Okay, let me say that again…. BANG! It was like a tiny explosion and a lock-up. Clutch pulled in I limped to the side and then a long, long limp home.

At this point, I was 18 years old and had a far greater grasp of tools and machines than anyone in my family. Well, all but my Uncle Thomas McAuley -USAF / PanAm / every tool you could imagine in the box.

Add into this my other part-time Dad, Dennis Falk and I was fairly okay with a wrench.

Seriously, if I asked for a Phillips in my home they would have handed me a bottle of Milk of Magnesia.

Just west of Bryant High School, on the edge of 47th street and 31st Avenue, there was a small garage that three of us shared. A very decent crew of bikes and riders. One ‘75 Z-1 and a stunning Norton Commando. I was in good company – especially when I went into the engine of the S-3. Both John and J.P. looked over my shoulder. Tearing off the head it looked like Captain Kirk had fired a Phaser into the piston. Ouch.

Piston burned clear through.

Dead bike. My garage-mates rolled their eyes. I was a bit crushed.

A few weeks later I spied an ad for what I wanted.

What 18-year old man would not? A 1973 Kawasaki Z-1. Root beer and orange. New York Steak!

Oddly enough this bike was just three blocks from my Uncle Tommy’s home. His big smile made the choice easy.

And thus a 1973 Kawasaki 900 Z-1 was my ride and my real introduction to riding for those formative years.

Drag racing at Connecting and Cross Bay, and terrible showing at Bridgehampton road course. Nick Richichi or Mike Baldwin I was not.

But, lately, my bikes have become slightly utilitarian.

They work for a living.

When I sold the older GS, I promised I would buy something outside the box.

As Monty Python would say… “Now for something completely different!”

And, there it was. Resting on its laurels, for a few years at least, in the showroom at our friends Bennet Motors in Fly Creek, New York – a 2019 Kawasaki Z900RS. It looked just like my old Z. From here on in I will be calling it my Z-1!

What Kawasaki probably would have built if they had this technology four decades ago. (Continued Page 7)

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

W H AT C H AT HI NK I N ’ SHIRA KAMIL

Taking Point Almost 30 years. I know, to many of you that is a drop in the bucket, but to me it is the length of time I have called myself a motorcyclist.

I didn’t have the opportunity to experience this great thrill growing up. My youth was spent on our dead-end street in Cliffside Park riding bicycles and playing on the cliffs of Edgewater.

The only person in my family I ever knew who sort-of, kinda had any linking to a motorcycle was my Uncle Jesse, who told a story of driving up the Boston Post Road late one night and seeing a motorcycle stuck in a tree, no rider in sight. And, honestly, everyone in the family questions the accuracy and truth of this tale. A boyfriend in high school who rode a Triumph was my first experience on a motorcycle and then a vast wasteland of nothing two-wheeled.

Brian was my introduction to this wonderful world and life. Our first date was on his Suzuki 550 to see the Mets playing the Dodgers. After a rain delay, the Mets won and, after that date, so did I. We went through many motorcycles together, travelling two-up, camping and exploring. We discovered Americade for our honeymoon on a Ninja 600, opting to luxuriate in a Vermont B&B instead of camping. Not too long after that, I plunged into it for myself and have never looked back.

Interestingly, from the beginning, I was usually in second position while riding. Long before GPS, when we would print our routes on index cards

Page 5 sitting in the map section of the tank bag, we would pour over the maps – Michelin if we could get them – laid across the living room floor to get the ‘big picture’. With the advent of bike-to-bike communication, we could debate which way the route actually went. No matter, really, as we were enjoying the ride and there was no ‘purple line’ to dictate exactly where we had to go.

Backroads sort of pushed me to the front of the line. Once we started doing our own rallies, we had several rides going out and I felt if I put the route together perhaps, I should take charge and own up to the mistakes I might have made. The inevitable gravel/dirt roads didn’t show up for some time but were almost always credited to ‘Shira’s Routes’. More than once I asked for assistance in getting my bike out of those predicaments.

In the beginning, I truly enjoyed leading a ride.

Not having a bike in front of me was as if I were riding by myself. Not following someone else’s lines, making their mistakes, always seeing the back of their bike was liberating. And then, somehow, it changed.

I began to worry that I was going too fast, too slow, not stopping enough, stopping too much. I began not enjoying my riding when with others. At the end of the ride, instead of feeling invigorated and happy, I was stressed and just plain tired.

Friends would ask, ‘Shira, ride with us. You set a wonderful pace and your routes are fun.’ Outwardly, I would be happy as a clam and gratefully accept. But on the inside, the storm clouds would begin to set in.

Just recently, I decided I wanted to head up to New England. We had a few places that I wanted to visit as well as just get the hell out of Dodge for a few days while the weather was just about perfect. I put together two routes – 500 miles up and 500 miles back – trying to hit some of the favorite roads as well as throwing in some that looked more than interesting. When we were pulling out of the driveway, Brian said, ‘It’s your route, you lead.’ (Con’t Page 7)

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

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O N T H E MAR K MARK BYERS

You Can’t Go Home Again Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again.” Some people think it means that once you’ve become an adult, you can’t move back in with your parents. Some take it literally and think it refers to the fact that once you move, especially to the “big city,” going back to your rural home will never be the same. Personally, I think Wolfe was talking about time, not space. I think Wolfe was talking about not being able to relive our youth, but that doesn’t stop us from trying.

You can’t go home again. That’s why a lot of us end up with old motorcycles. We see an old bike in a yard or a shed. Maybe it’s just like the one we had or a buddy had or the one on which we learned and suddenly, it’s as if we have no choice – no control.

We’re compelled to stop by an inexplicable force of nature that wells up from our subconscious minds, constituted of memories of that motorcycle, that time, that place, and of those people.

You can’t go home again, but you know of whom I speak. That motorcycle is inextricably linked to the people and psyche of that era. Your mom, who grudgingly accepted the motorcycle by extracting a promise that you’d “be careful,” even though “careful” in your bulletproof mind was only racing where cops didn’t lurk.

Your dad, who made you earn at least a portion of the money, if not all of it. Your friends, who were envious unless they had bikes of their own and who then, if yours was better, feigned ambivalence.

You can’t go home again, but there was a girl. There was always a girl.

Even if you were a hopeless loser, there was a subject of unrequited adulation. If you were lucky, she liked you because bad boys rode motorcycles and wore leather jackets. She met you around the block from her house because her mother forbade her to ride. You’d hand her an ill-fitting helmet that she’d press over hair streaked with sun and she’d climb aboard, clad in capris and a

sweater. If you were athletic, she’d have on your letterman’s jacket as a symbol of her title to you.

You can’t go home again, but you’d ride and she with you, clinging to your waist out of a mixture of love and fear and exhilaration. Stoplights were a frustrating delight, hindering your progress, but causing her to press even tighter against your back as willowy old forks dove toward the stop line.

Streetlights would cast orange-yellow splashes of light on the asphalt rivers leading to the Dairy Queen, where what little money you had bought Cokes that might have been spiked from a small, silver flask. You sat there with her and admired the way the neon played across the paint and the chrome and you were the king of the world.

You can’t go home again, but you can go in the garage and tear down an old bike like you did then. You can add hop-up parts like the ones you bought with money you saved by working at the grocery store and mowing lawns.

You can bob fenders and saw off pipes and pull out baffles and put on clubman bars. You can strip it down to parade rest and put it back together, polishing as you go, smelling the wax and the rubber and the gas and the oil, every inhalation stirring olfactory memories of that time so long ago when “life was sweet, and oh so mellow.”

You can’t go home again, but you can ply the electronic highways deep into the night. You can look for the bike that will take you back: the two-wheeled time machine that will transport your body in space, but your soul in time to the place from where those visceral memories came. It doesn’t matter by what name it goes, be it “Bonnie” or “Duc” or “Dream” or simply a collection of initials. When you find it, you can strip and polish and buff and cut and modify until it resembles the one you remember.

You can’t go home again, but if you’re really lucky, the girl with the letterman jacket will smile the smile that created the gentle lines at the corners of her eyes. She’ll put a helmet over hair streaked with gray and sit down behind you and cling to you with a mixture of love and fear and exhilaration while you ride to the Dairy Queen. You can’t go home again, but you can ride.

You can still ride. ,

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 Free Wheelin’

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I had to have it. What could possibly go wrong?

Emails were sent, phone calls followed and late one Monday afternoon we drove up to Cooperstown for the night and then over to Bennet Motors by mid-morning.

Paperwork and money were all finalized and I rode away – feeling just a bit younger than the previous day.

The first thing I usually do to my machines is add this, that, and the other thing. Not with this bike. Minimal Farkleization to happen on the Z. This is not a work bike. It is my Funday machine. Small tankbag, GPS and a Hornet. No hard luggage, no extra lights. The Z will look like a Z. The way it should look.

Unless of course, I find something that it simply has to have – I can’t help myself – it is a blessing and a curse.

Having my Z in the garage makes me smile and brings me back home.

Now let’s see how it does in that drag race… ,

Whatchathinkin’

(Continued from Page 5)

For those who have always been in the lead position, you know that it can become stressful and make the ride less than pleasant. And Brian had pretty much always led our way when the two of us are riding. So, it was certainly my pleasure to take point for this trip. As a matter of fact, I had put the ride together as if I were going to be on my own and routed what I thought would be ‘safe roads’, trying to avoid those inevitable gravel/dirt ‘Shira’ roads.

To say that this was one of the best rides I’d been on in some time was an understatement. Knowing that Brian would stop whenever he saw something interesting, I wasn’t concerned if he wasn’t behind me. I really was riding my own ride, at my own pace, in my own head. There was little or no communication between us, as we had our own thoughts in which we were involved.

I know many couple who ride together and I wonder if this happens with them as well. If so, I highly recommend switching it up and alternating taking point. You may find it as joyful as I did. ,

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

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BACKLASH

Letters to the Editor

Messages from Social Media Backroads, best West Virginia touring magazine ever!

Joe Burke Really enjoyed the rip and ride articles but can’t seem to find them anymore.

Might they be archived somewhere ?

Joseph Wright Hi Joe, We are still updating our website and hope to get the GPS Vault back open very soon. In the mean time, if you have a specific place or area you headed, let us know and we’ll peak into the vault for you and send it your way.

I like the clean feel to the new website. Nice job!

Is the link to the magazine archives somewhere? I couldn’t find it. (I did see the link to the TBR archive.)

Thanks!

Larry

Thanks Larry. It’s still a work in progress but we’re happy with it so far.

The issue archives button is on the home page - ‘Find out more’

TBR Feedback Good Morning Brian & Shira, What a surprise to see the cover of the July edition! WOW - and THANK YOU! And, the Town & Country Inn in NH is the same place we have stayed on ski trips. Maximum ski tours uses it as a base of operations for skiing in northern NH and Maine- decent place and they have a big dining room and bar from what I remember.

Cheers!

Tony Lisanti Hello Shira and Brian!

It was nice to meet you on the top of the Appalachian Gap and also inspiring! This is all rather new & I am hooked!

Looking forward reading your magazine. And who knows I might eventually send you stories.

Health, laugh and trips!

Cheers Geneviève Cambron Genevieve, Always a pleasure to meet new riders and adventurers.

Yes, it is addictive and you have a great motorcycle on which to continue your journeys. As Dr. Seuss said, ‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’ Hope to see you on the road again.

New to Backroads Gatherings Hi Shira!

It’s Inga. Thanks for nudging me at Benny’s Run/ Backroads 120. I really want to come along and see no reason I shouldn’t be able to pull this off. By August Sullivan County traffic should have me ready to run away screaming anyway - people are out of their freakin’ minds this year!

I was hoping you could give me some more info besides what’s on the FB page, starting with I need to book for Mon, Tues, and Wed nights, right? I’m confused as to whether we start at one inn and end up at the other or if they’re right close and I just pick one. Help! I wanna play with the big kids and be in the right place at the right time, not somewhere singing Dr. John... So please let me know where to book when and I’ll get right on it.

I don’t suppose you have any kind of handy checklist like don’t forget these things but leave all this other crap home? Which reminds me I should see if my Frogg Toggs even fit over those armored mesh pants of mine.

Then I can work on packing it up long before actually leaving.

Thank you. Any pointers appreciated. Talk to you soon!

Inga Bubar Hey Inga, That is great! You will absolutely have a great time.

Yes, you will book Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday if you want to stay the whole time and we’ll stay put all three nights. Either the Gray Ghost or Kitzhof - just a short walk apart – will have you playing with the big kids. We are having a group dinner on Monday night (Continued on Page 10)

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

INDUSTRY INFOBITES

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News from the Inside

MOTOGP RETURNS TO CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS IN OCTOBER

A NEW BMW R1300GS?

Grand Prix racing in the US has a long history at legendary tracks such as Daytona, Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. In 2013, the impressive new Hermann Tilke-designed 5.513km ‘Circuit of The Americas’ in Austin, Texas, joined the MotoGP™ calendar and become an instant hit - with its cuttingedge facilities and a capacity for 120,000 fans.

It is believed that BMW was working on a new bike and engine update for some time.

Last year trademark filings emerged for an M1300GS, which as well as nodding towards the high-performance range of M vehicles as seen with the recent M1000RR also suggests a change to the engine.

The bike was spotted at an off-road center where BMW offers training.

Although the bike was heavily disguised, there were clear changes to the engine including a new front engine cover, suggesting big changes to the bottom end of the engine.

(Continued on Page 10)

The US has a fantastic motorcycling heritage - with great champions such as Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz being amongst the best riders to have ever competed in Grand Prix racing.

COTA officials made the announcement via its social media platforms, and what’s referred to as the “Formula 1 of motorcycles” will speed around the track in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on October 1-3, 2021.

Last year’s race was ultimately cancelled after being rescheduled from April to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The race at COTA is the only stop in North America on the MotoGP circuit this year.

ACE IN THE HOLE When Max Biaggi set the land speed record for electric bikes in the semi-streamlined class on Voxan’s Wattman last year, he used brute power to achieve it – with 367hp on tap to average 228mph. Now British firm White Motorcycle Concepts plan to beat that record using clever aerodynamics and two-wheel drive.

The company’s confection of carbon-fiber and billet aluminum is the first demonstrator of a new aerodynamic concept, the brainchild of founder and namesake Robert White, an engineer with a quarter of a century’s experience in motorsport.

He will also ride the bike in the record attempt, but his plans are much more ambitious than simply going fast. He believes the same thinking that makes the WMC250EV 70% more aerodynamic than a Suzuki Hayabusa can be transferred to road bikes, working at sensible speeds to offer a boost in range, performance and economy that’s likely to be particularly useful for electric motorcycles.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

SENA OUTRUSH HELMET

Meet the evolution of a solid design and integrated intercom system: the Outrush R. This Bluetooth modular motorcycle helmet adapts to all riding conditions with easy access controls while providing seamless integration with Sena’s worldclass audio Bluetooth system. The Outrush R comes complete with a sleek and versatile modular design, integrated speakers and a microphone, and smartphone pairing to access music and phone on your ride.

It’s time everyone gets to ride in style; no matter what the conditions, the Outrush R has you covered.

Other helmet companies, like Nolan, have been doing similar set-ups for years, but this is the first time a communications system company has offered such.

It features speakers and a microphone integrated into the helmet and 4-Way Bluetooth Intercom, with 2-Way HD Intercom, powered by Bluetooth 5.0. It has Quick pairing with Smart Intercom Pairing, simply scan QR codes using the Sena Utility App – so it makes it seamless to link with your friends.

This DOT and ECE rated modular motorcycle helmet packs style and func-

tionality. It features a multi-density EPS liner, a lightweight shell, and 3-way ventilation located on the chin, top, and rear. The Outrush R provides superb protection, with the helmet’s dual P/J homologation allowing for certified rider protection when the chin guard is up, as well as when it is locked down in place. The ratchet strap easily secures the helmet on your head, providing a comfortable and secure fit. The integrated sun visor and face shield offer protection from the harsh light and the elements on the road. The sleek threebutton control unit on the left side of the helmet allows for an intuitive user interface, making it much easier to control while riding.

Sena’s Bluetooth® Intercom systems always come equipped with the latest advancements and the Outrush R is no exception. Powered by Bluetooth® 5.0, this modular motorcycle helmet features 4-way Intercom, allowing up to four riders to pair their Sena Bluetooth devices to one another. Additionally, when connecting to just one other rider, users will experience 2-way HD Intercom, which will enhance the audio quality on the trip. Users can expect an impressive 900-meter (0.5 miles) intercom range and a stellar talk time of up to 12 hours when using the Outrush R. It is at dealers now and lists for just $259. ,

Backlash

(Continued from Page 8)

at the Gray Ghost so if you stay there Carina, the owner and a wonderful person, will probably ask if you want to do that. If she doesn’t, just let her know you do and she’ll add it to your room charge.

We will probably have some suggested rides for Tuesday and Wednesday which we’ll put up on our website at some point.

Packing: take out what you think you’ll need and put half of it back. It’s a very laid-back place and stay, both places have a pool so take a suit. Gray Ghost does a bonfire (weather permitting) so a light jacket or fleece is good. Maybe some bug spray.

Any and all questions, shoot them our way. So happy you decided to come. , Industry Infobites

(Continued from Page 9)

The cylinders were also shrouded and the bike was fitted with much larger radiators, suggesting the new engine has increased water cooling.

STAY COOL… With the month of August now upon us we’d like to remind all our readers to stay cool. Keep hydrated and make it a point to stop in the shade a bit more than usual.

Hydration systems like the Camelbaks work extremely well, especially when packed with ice.

Thinking ahead will make the riding that much better this summer. ,

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Thisilldous Eatery presents

GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN Fetch 48 Main Street, Warwick, New York 10990 845-987-8200 www.facebook.com/FetchWarwick/ To say that this month’s stop on the Great All American Diner Run has gone to the dogs would not be an understatement – simply the truth. And, it being the Dog Days of Summer, we thought it the perfect stop.

But it was not always this way. Fetch had its start on the upper east side of Manhattan at 92nd Street and 3rd Avenue. Somewhere through the years, local eastside dog owners adopted the restaurant and soon the canine theme became its own.

In 2011 rising costs of renting space in Manhattan had the owner and Executive Chef, Adam Powers looking for greener pastures and a dog-friendly town.

They found that in the Orange County towns of Warwick and Goshen.

The Goshen restaurant is no more, but the Warwick location is barking!

We made a stop at Fetch back during the middle of that horrid month we will call February. It was kinda snowy and not all that rider-friendly. But that meant nothing as we had several friends and Backroads alumni get together for a Sunday Brunch amongst the puppy pictures, paintings, and doggy paraphernalia.

As Mark Byers has written it is our extended family, and all the friends that are the real fuel that powers this magazine, and a small mid-winter gathering re-affirmed that.

After all the hugs for some, elbow taps and fist bumps for others, it was time to study their tidy, but scrumptious menu.

The Brunch Menu had some serious egg dishes – Goat Cheese, Tomato and

tasty places to take your bike

Basil Omelet, Huevos Rancheros, Smoked Salmon Scramble or Benedict and the Fetch Special Scramble Eggs: Ground beef, Onions, Chopped Spinach and Parmesan Cheese.

Since it was early afternoon, we stuck with the Lunch Menu which starts with their burgers and sandwiches.

The Fetch Burger can be gotten in beef, turkey, or veggie that is topped with avocado. I had a Turkey Club that was very good (It is amazing how many restaurants screw up a simple Club Sandwich).

The BLT Extreme was just that; built generously and just right atop MOAB

Page 12 bread which is a kinda Pita on steroids.

I spotted a Fetch’s Original Cheese Steak – made with sliced Rib Eye, sauteed onions and Cheez Wiz on Philadelphia’s own Amoroso’s Hoagie Roll. There were two different Chicken Sandwiches - Grilled and Crispy – but that went in two different directions flavor-wise.

The Big Dog here would have to be a Burger we all wish we had named, if not created.

The Bite Me Burger! Two 4 oz. patties topped with Cheddar Cheese, Fetch’s Special Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Pickles and served upon one of their MOAB Rolls.

A few of these were ordered and I seriously thought I may have ordered too hastily. Next time!

You’ll find Flat Breads with fresh sliced Beefsteak, Tomato, and Herbed Goat Cheese along with Spicy Italian Sausage and Roasted Red Peppers.

Shira loves egg rolls and you will see a Philly Cheesesteak and a Cuban, but she went for the Thanksgiving Rolls with Roasted Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, and Stuffing wrapped and deep-fried and served with a Mushroom Gravy. I stole one. It was yummy.

The dinner menu is well built with six different kinds of pasta: Fettucine Arrabiata, Penn with Pesto, Mushroom Ravioli, Orecchiette with a Spicy Sausage and the All-American Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

On the meat-side of things you will find Beef Stew, Cincinnati-Style All-Beef Chili – served with Spaghetti and Cheddar Cheese?

Hmmm – I’ll try it.

Mom’s Meatloaf, their special Fetch’s Roasted Half Lemon Chicken and, even though they are up in the hills and dales of Orange County, New York, you will also have fresh Atlantic Salmon and Yellowfin Tuna.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

For those not driving, the Bloody Marys were said to have been superb and the rest of the mixed drink or, as Fetch calls them, Mutts looked pretty good as well.

After lunch, the town of Warwick is well worth a once around as it has a lot of different shops and stores. Antiques, Consignment, and Art Galleries can be found. The Warwick Valley Olive Oil Company is well worth seeking out.

So, Dog Gone It… we like this town and Fetch.

Great staff, great location, and delicious food – all in a very comfortable and easy-going atmosphere and to get you there we will have a most excellent motorcycle romp from our friends at Washington Cycle, in Washington, New Jersey. Stay hungry, my friends! , Download GPX file here: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/fzssc3

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

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Frontline Eurosports presents

BIG CITY GETAWAY Rickwood Field 1137 2 Avenue West, Birmingham, Alabama Rickwood.com nd

The Oldest Professional Baseball Field in the United States Yes, you read that right. While most people believe Fenway Park (c. 1912) in Boston, MA or Wrigley Field (c. 1914) in Chicago, IL are the oldest baseball fields, this beautiful, out-of-the-way ballpark in Birmingham holds the prestigious heritage. However, Fenway is the oldest MLB field in continuous use by a major league team.

While we have been planning on visiting all the major league baseball stadiums in the U.S., our plans always seem to go awry. First, it’s not enough to just visit the stadium – we want to watch a game. Piecing together the games and travel becomes somewhat sticky so quadrants need to be established. We have gone to the furthest (for us) in Seattle, WA and were hoping to get to Miami during the spring. The west coast will be a quadrant unto itself and who knows when we’ll be able to get to Toronto.

When we knew we were heading to Georgia and the surrounding great riding areas, we did some research and found, as you read in our June 2021 issue, there was an overwhelming amount of history of all sorts to be seen. One of the sights to absolutely pique our interest was Rickwood Field.

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind Here’s the scoop…

In 1909, Allen Harvey ‘Rick’ Woodward, grandson of Birmingham industrialist Stimpson Harvey Woodward, while in his 20s purchased a majority share of the Birmingham Coal Barons baseball team. Wanting to build a grand showcase for his new minor league team, he consulted the great catcher, manager and team owner Connie Mack and based Rickwood on the parks in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The 12.7-acre park was completed during the summer of 1910, with opening day held on Au-

gust 18, 1910 where the Barons defeated the visiting Montgomery Climbers.

Many of the greatest players in baseball’s history played at Rickwood Field.

Even if you are not a follower of the sport, you are sure to know the names Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, Stan ‘The Man’ Musial and the image of one of the rarest and most expensive baseball cards in history, Honus ‘The Flying Dutchman’ Wagner. Willie Mays grew up just minutes from Rickwood Field and, as a 16-year-old high school junior, was starting centerfielder for the 1948 championship Black Barons.

Page 14

The Black Barons, who alternated home stands with the Birmingham Barons, were organized in 1920 as part of the Negro League, starting in the Southern league and making the leap to the National league three years later.

One of their star players, and there were many, was pitcher Satchel Paige, along with that youngster Willie Mays.

Rickwood Field was consistently packed when the Black Barons took the field.

After taking a short tour around Birmingham proper, we made our way to the West End neighborhood to search out Rickwood Field. Winding our way through the local streets, we began to question if we were heading in the right direction when we turned a corner and there it was, in its green glory. We pulled the bikes into the fenced area and entered the gates. What we saw was an amazingly maintained field and we felt the history of all the games played.

As Brian was about to step onto the mound, a young man semiscooted towards us, asking if he could be of assistance. Jabreil, the groundskeeper, was being a bit protective of his charge, as well he should, and when we explained we were there to see this historic park, he offered a tour of the facilities. While we made our way around the field, there were two high school teams getting ready to practice for their championship game later that afternoon. In addition to that significant game, it was also April 15, which happened to

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be Jackie Robinson Day, and that fact would hit home in just a bit.

The pictures, trophies and signage throughout the stadium were impressive. But when we entered what will hopefully one day be the museum, we were floored. Gloves and bats belonging to the various players who graced this green field: Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and so many others. Posters, seats, uniforms and memorabilia to make your head spin. The Friends of Rickwood have been working hard to restore the facility to its former glory and get Major League Baseball to take a part in saving and rebuilding this historic place.

Since 1996, Rickwood Field has hosted the Barons for a throwback game, the Rickwood Classic, in which both teams wear period uniforms, with each game honoring a different era in Birmingham baseball history. Baseball fans from across North America attend and some believe this experience to be the most underrated baseball event, held in the sacred baseball cathedral.

If you find yourself in the Birmingham area, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to pass up a visit to this iconic stadium. If you’d like to help save a piece of Americana baseball history, you may donate on the Rickwood Field website. ,

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WE’RE OUTTA HERE Two Wheels of Suches 1915 HWY 60, Suches, GA 706-973-1671 twowheelsofsuches.com It is always a good thing when you are happily and heartily welcomed as a motorcycle rider entering an inn, lodge, or hotel. Even these days we have heard of riders summarily turned away by innkeepers who would rather have a room vacant than to rent it to a “marauding biker.”

We all know the stereotype is just that; but there are places - some in phenomenal regions – that prefer the two-wheel adventurer. A few months back we got a chance to experience this hospitality first hand.

Welcome to Two Wheels of Suches.

We had visited here many years back with our friends Jim and Marty who had us as guests in northern Georgia and wanted to show off their backyard. TWO at Suches was one of the first places they brought us.

A few years later we sadly heard the place was closing but it has had a breathtaking rebirth. Thanks to motorcycle enthusiast and resident of Suches, Bill Johnston, who has been riding the North Georgia mountain roads since the early 1990s, purchasing the property, along with additional land in order to expand the campground and attract larger rallies.

For many years he was a frequent camper and diner back when the founders, Frank and Jeannie Cheek, ran the campground.

Bill knew how important TWO was and tends to do things solidly and impressively.

Today Two Wheels of Suches, a truly historic motorcycle landmark, is open for business and provides meals,

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a weekend destinationkeeping you on the backroads lodging and camping to riders, as well as to the general Suches and North Georgia community.

The gravel lot is now paved and eight comfortable and cozy cabins with two double beds each line the back of the property. Camping spots abound and the bathroom and shower facilities are the best we have ever seen in any campground.

Other additions that Bill has made have been to expand the campgrounds, add in very neat TWO fire rings, camp grills, free Wi-Fi, a motorcycle loading and unloading ramp, and ample and comfortable seating on the porch for watching the riders coming and going.

The lodge is the true centerpiece of TWO, and there are a few rooms here as well. The din-

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ing/common area is large and inviting, with meals served Friday night, all day Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.

Sundays, and especially race days, will find Bill hosting viewing of MotoGP and World Superbike for local riders who know TWO is the place.

Yes, indeed, TWO is awesome in every way, but as we know… location, location, location.

Two Wheels at Suches is found, arguably (ha!), in the greatest motorcycle riding area in the USA. Yes, Colorado and California – that is the truth.

Deal with it!

In every direction, there are hundreds and hundreds of miles of superb roads ranging from pleasant sweepers to hard technical twisties. And if pavement doesn’t float your boat, the off-road riding in the area is superb as well. There is plenty of room to leave the trailer while exploring the trails.

Whatever your pleasure is riding-wise you will find it here. Leading into TWO is State Route 180. It is called Wolf Pen Gap Road and it might be one of the most demanding roads you will ever find. Deals Gap, Route 129 and the Cherohala Skyway are nearby as well.

Our thought is to bring your group down here and make this your base camp. The lodge can feed you, but when we were there for the night, we followed Bill to the town of Dahlonega. Here there were several restaurants, great shops (classic guitar shop that was closed, dammit!) and the Dahlonega Gold Museum – very well worth the visit.

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While waiting for Bill to arrive, we spent a good long hour with soda pops on the benches watching all sorts of riders pulling and out of TWO. What better past time and a great way to meet new riders as well as get suggestions by locals.

It is a Mecca of sorts for so many… and with good reason.

If you are in the region of north Georgia or planning a journey that way, make plans to visit Bill Johnston and company – you will not be disappointed.

Tell Bill we said hello! ,

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Morton’s BMW Motorcycles presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s

MYSTERIOUS AMERICA

The Curious Case of the Jones Diamond Was the largest diamond in North America found in a West Virginia horseshoe pit?

Diamonds are forever, They are all I need to please me, They can stimulate and tease me, They won’t leave in the night, I’ve no fear that they might desert me.

Shirley Bassey We have spent a great deal of time in West “By God” Virginia. It remains one of our favorite places to go riding motorcycles. But every backroad has a story and some are a bit stranger than others.

Along Route 219, just on the other side of the mountains where you will find the Mountain Lake Lodge, our two-night lodging this past Backroads Spring Break, you will find the small town of Peterstown, West Virginia.

Back some 92 years ago, in the summer of 1928, a father and son were enjoying a beautiful afternoon and having a friendly game of horseshoes in a vacant lot along Rich Creek, near their home. The father’s name was Grover Jones and his son was named William,

but everyone knew him as “Punch.”

According to the late historian Shirley Donnelly, “When Punch pitched his horseshoe, it struck a bright object in the hole,” Donnelly wrote in a February 23, 1974 column ‘Yesterday and Today’ in The Beckley Post-Herald.

“When dug out, it proved to be a rounded, faceted, glassy mass. It was about three-quarters of an inch in diameter,” Donnelly said.

“Although he had expressed the wild notion that he had found a diamond, it was several years before the stone was actually determined to be a diamond.”

Punch carried the rock home and stowed it in a box in the tool shed. Fifteen years later, however, he presented it to geology professor Roy J. Holden at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now Virginia Tech, who examined the stone and declared that it was, in fact, a diamond.

“It is my opinion that this is a diamond,” Donnelly quoted Holden as having determined.

“It is of good color and appears to be comparatively free from imperfections. It is the largest one ever found in the eastern United States.”

Page 18 West Virginia is known for many things – great people, great music, great roads – not so much for diamonds.

Yet, here it be.

Geologists are still at a loss to explain how it got here, though speculation has never died down.

The Punch Jones Diamond—also known as the Horseshoe Diamond—remains the largest alluvial diamond ever discovered in North America and the third largest found on the continent overall.

The Jones diamond was later exhibited at the Smithsonian, where Donnelly saw it, observing that its hardness was “such that a corner of the crystal readily scratches sapphire and a crystal face of carborundum. In the air, the high refractive power of the stone is indicated by the brilliance and the distribution of transmitted light. Under X-rays, it shows an opalescent blue fluorescence.” The bluish-white 34.48-carat diamond measures five-eighths of an inch across and 12 diamond-shaped faces.

For years it was on display at the Smithsonian, after which it was returned to West Virginia and was exhibited intermittently at the State Fair of West Virginia.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 The Jones family owned the diamond until the early 1980s when it was auctioned through Sotheby’s of New York. According to a recent uncited account at Wikipedia, the gem was sold to an agent representing a lawyer in an undisclosed east Asian country.

Vanished. Gone. Probably cut up and never to be seen again.

But still, how did it end up along a stream in the mountains of West Virginia?

“Alluvial diamond” is the term used to describe diamonds that have been removed from the primary source, by erosion over millions of years, and deposition in a new environment such as a river bed, an ocean floor, or a shoreline.

It’s also possible that someone might have dropped the rock or left it there. Native Americans benefitted from transcontinental trade routes, and archaeologists note that gems have been found in prehistoric burials, though never has the discovery of such a gem as the Punch Jones Diamond otherwise been documented.

Will we ever really know the truth of the Jones Diamond?

I think not and it is all part of Mysterious America. ,

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BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 Ben’s Fresh 33 East Main St, Port Jervis, NY • 845-856-9760 • bensfresh.com Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm • Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

It was a beautiful day which screamed for an ice cream run. By the time all the daily chores had been taken care of, it was getting on in the afternoon so we looked for a shorter but still fun ride in the general vicinity of Backroads Central. Like most of you, there is a route that is in the tank bag which serves to clear the head and stretch the cables, while still getting you out and back in a quick turnaround. And that is exactly what we did this day, with a great ice cream stop along the way.

Heading out on Route 519 east, we took the road which we feel is our tire-warmer on the way out of town or the welcoming home to a journey of any length. Today, the icing on the cake was that it had recently been paved and all the tar snakes and potholes which marred this snaky pavement, which we like to call the Crazy Squirrel, were no more. We effortlessly cruised to Route 23 and headed north over the equally curvaceous High Point and back down into the burg of Port Jervis.

We have started many a Backroads’ ride at the Port Jervis Diner and, for many decades, Homer’s had served riders a terrific meal before or after a ride. But there’s a relatively new kid on the block. Ben’s Fresh, owned by brothers Ben & Kanan Zyberaj, extended their culinary fingers in 2016. For years, Port Jervis Brick Oven Pizza served up some of the best pizza in the area and drew a loyal and hungry following. But they wanted to bring a different cuisine to the area and Ben’s Fresh was born.

While the menu may sound like fast food choices, that is far from the truth. The burgers – 100% pure, fresh, custom ground beef – are cooked to order and served on a toasted pickle bun. The split and grilled hot dogs are 100% pure beef served up in a variety of ways but all delicious. The fries are freshly hand cut from Idaho potatoes and cooked in pure peanut oil. While there is no fried chicken, their hand breaded, fresh fried chicken fingers are sure to please the pickiest of chicken lovers, as will their choices in crispy chicken sandwiches. To round out the menu, you’ll find quesadillas, salads and a wonderful variety of fresh fruit smoothies.

But we had come for ice cream, not a full-on meal, and we were not disappointed. Ben’s Fresh proudly serves up Perry’s, Gifford’s and Gillette Creamery. This last one, to my surprise, was one I had not previ-

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ously tasted and I was very excited to add a new creamery to my ever-growing list. Perry’s has an enormous selection of flavors to satisfy any ice cream afficionado. Gifford’s has long been a favorite of mine after my first taste in Maine, their home state. Gillette, family owned by four Gillette brothers, has been around since 1985, with their facility in Gardiner, NY. They began their operation a bit closer to Port Jervis, in Ellenville, NY and are the largest ice cream distributor in Eastern New York State.

As you can see from the pictures, the offered flavors are almost too many from which to choose. The menus plaster the outside wall as well as spilling over to the inside. Before we get to the hard ice cream choices, let me first tell you that their soft serve is made fresh with local Jersey cream and REAL bourbon vanilla. That, my friends, is rare and might just convert me to a soft-serve lover. Ben’s Fresh has their own ‘Mix-In’ called the Concrete using soft ice cream with crispy, creamy & crunchy additions such as the Salted Caramel Crunch: Vanilla ice cream,

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salted caramel and crushed toffee crunch. Their deluxe ice cream sodas are, as they say, made the old-fashioned way with flavored syrup, local ‘cream on the top’ milk, seltzer water, soft serve ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry on top – OH YEAH! Brian opted for one of their homemade milkshakes – coffee, I believe – and I snuck a taste; just delicious.

Okay, hard ice cream. I do believe that they offer EVERY single Perry’s flavor known to mankind, from the benign chocolate, strawberry and vanilla to the more inventive Queen of Hearts (dark chocolate with raspberry swirls and fudge-filled hearts), Deep Sea Treasure (caramel with salty caramel swirls and caramel sea salt truffles) and Kahlua Almond Amaretto (pretty much just how it sounds). Gifford’s had a nice presence but it was the Gillette that I was most interested in tasting. My first choice of Nutella was sold out (reason to return, I say) so I went with the Graham Slam Cracker and Cappuccino Explosion.

And, just in case none of those hit the mark, there are deep fried Oreos, Twinkies and Cheesecake.

We went outside where there are a number of tables at which to enjoy whatever you may be eating. There is plenty of parking for the whole crew and, on Wednesdays from 5-8pm, Ben’s Fresh holds a Bike Night which seems to draw a good crowd.

Next time you are heading to or from the Hawk’s Nest, make a stop for a meal or dessert – Ben’s Fresh will have you covered either way. ,

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Shira’s Sojourn

G

ood teams work like a well-tooled clock; working hand in hand. For the most part, when we are on the road, I always seem to be in front - maybe feeling the need to be at the point (it’s a character flaw), but it is a great idea to step back and let someone else run the show, and I was made an offer I could not refuse.

For much of my life, although almost always with my wife, best buddy, and partner – unless I am looking in the mirrors – I might as well be riding alone.

So, I was more than glad to follow along with Shira on her sojourn and mid-week jaunt north into New England to do some exploratory riding and visiting some potentials for rallies and column fodder.

We had some seriously violent weather leading up to our departure, so we chose to settle in and watch rock & roll movies until the skies cleared and we knew we’d have a good number of days of perfect early summer weather.

Getting an early start, I tucked in about a ¼ mile behind Shira and her bright yellow V-Strom. For those of you who have ridden with her, she is fun to watch. Smooth, precise, and kinda cute (I know another character flaw). We had an excellent breakfast at the Elias Cole and then motored up along the Shawangunks, lit beautifully in the early morning light, and then across the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 Although I kinda sorta knew where we’d be going and I had the routes on my Garmin, I kept myself in the dark – as many of you know is very easy to do. This was her ride and I was happy to simply follow.

We spun up along the Berkshires and along some tiny roads that I certainly had never been on. Along one road, that I have been asked not to discuss, mention or zero in on, we spied a 1963 Porsche. Shira’s voice came over the Bluetooth – “Go ahead – you know you have to stop.”

Not only was there a classic red Porsche

Page 23 – but some motorcycles. But, not just any motorcycles.

Some Vincent motorcycles! Holy F’n crap – what is this place?

There is a shop full of magic to be found. Old school. Real. A serious bit of our motorcycle history. If and when we can – we’ll tell you all about it.

We had a long day, well over 325 backroads miles, and I felt very at home when we popped into Vermont near Wilmington – almost a second home.

There has long been a discussion of how Shira always finds gravel. Vermont has more gravel than pavement – so I was not surprised or upset when it happened. And, as Steve McQueen said in LeMans – it happened again. Once again we found ourselves staring at a sign telling us our GPS Sucks and we’re gonna die.

Okay, not really but there was a detour to the detour.

A few more delicious hours later we rode up to the Snowed Inn, in Killington. We had been here years back but the new owners, Carolyn and Ken, have revitalized the inn and when our friends Danny and Paul tell us we needed to go back, we made sure to get there as soon as we could.

Staying at an inn or B&B offers the opportunity to mingle with

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a

travelers, as folks who stay at inns and B&Bs are such, not so much just folks heading from point A to point B. There were a couple of families from Florida, and as the hockey playoffs had the Tampa Lightnings and NY Islanders facing off, we took half an interest in what was going on, as we are baseball fans and not so much hockey. We left them to soak away our miles in the perfectly-temperatured hot tub while enjoying some wine and cheese. Highly recommended and they have the best sheets in the world. We’re Outta Here! to follow!

After a most excellent breakfast (sorry about the Lightning loss Ken) we headed east. Shira vectored us through the Green Mountain state and over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire.

As we rode past Warren, I slowed down to take in the Redstone Rocket in the town square. The Redstone missile came to Warren on April 21, 1971 – a nod to Alan Shepard.

Alan Shepard, a New Hampshire native, became the first American to fly into outer space on May 5, 1961. Nearly fifty years later, in 2009, the state erected a life-size perfect replica of the Redstone rocket that launched Shepard skyward. Explanatory signs around the rocket reveal that the Redstone was just a nuclear ballistic missile, barely six feet wide, with a space capsule stuck on top. Shepard was brave man and a little nuts.

I have made Shira stop here umpteen times, so I just slowed down, took another look, smiled, and then tried to catch her again.

Route 118 in New Hampshire could be awesome, but it is a battlefield of bumps and horribly maintained pavement. Shira did signal me to look right, as a yearling bear had just crossed her path and stopped to look at the bikes and they rode by. Ah, nature.

Much unlike the Kancamagus Highway, which was stunning, empty, and fun to be ridden with gusto this day. Some 60 miles of superb.

We were going to pass through Conway, with its backed-up traffic and the everpresent road construction that seems to happen every summer. But there was a car-

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rot being dangled at the end of this stick, as Shira had another great surprise awaiting us in North Conway. We had a long and happy lunch with Judy and Dan Kennedy – the owners of Whitehorse Press – one of the greatest motorcycle sources that ever was. After all these years it was phenomenal to spend the afternoon with these two. If you ever dealt with Whitehorse back in the day, you know how great these two are.

Shira’s planned destination this night was just north of Mount Washington in the town of Gorham at the Town & Country Inn. This is another excellent destination and perfect for a good size group of riders to use as a base camp to explore the White Mountains. With a large dining room and adjacent bar, as well as indoor pool and hot tub, you would be hard-pressed to find a better location to park for a few days.

Page 25 The Labnon family has owned the Inn since 1956 and Scott, son of Ralph ‘Navy’ Labnon, is a super gracious host, who also helps out in the dining room when needed. We were very impressed to see the folded American flag at the registration counter – proud folk and family.

We took a dip in the pool and chatted a bit with the many ATV riders taking up residence in the parking lot. In addition to the great twisties in this area, the off-road attraction is quite a draw. There are rental facilities in the area should you decide to park the bike for the day and head into the mountains on trails. After a superb dinner, we had a night cap and headed back to our comfortable room.

Early the next morning I got a text (4 am) from the good Doctor O’Life requesting some images from a fairly new place called the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.

We arrived an hour early, but karma is king…. simply by chance we met Mark and Annette. Mark, who also lives in New Jersey and rides (but not this

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Page 26 trip), were up and exploring the region just as we were.

Mark was amazing as he knew more about minerals than anyone I have ever met and touring this museum with him was like following a personal docent.

This museum is one of these hidden gems (no pun intended) that must be seen to understand – much like everything in there. They have done a seriously outstanding job here.

Although we learned about the history of minerals and gems from the New England region and around the world, we had come to see some stones that were from another place entirely, as the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum has the largest collection of lunar and Martian meteorites than any other museum or organization, including NASA.

Even more amazing was, towards the end of our tour, they asked if we’d like to hold a piece of the moon and Mars. Our yes was emphatic. The chance to hold these two rocks (actually meteorites) seemed to be a once in a life-time opportunity.

After spending a good deal of the morning at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum we mounted up and began our trek west across the states of Maine and New Hampshire and then back into the Green Mountain state of Vermont – mostly on Route 2 which cuts across these states along some very scenic and beautiful pavement.

In Vermont, I followed Shira’s lead as she jogged in and out of some tinier roads – remarkably staying on macadam the entire time. Of course, we had the obligatory ice cream for lunch stop just outside St. Johnsbury and, by late afternoon, we rode over the famed Appalachian Gap. We chatted briefly with a new rider, Genevieve, who had just done her own little jaunt on her 800GS and was excited to continue her newlyfound life style.

Just for the facts… The App Gap is one of a handful of passes in the state. Other gaps include the Middlebury, Lincoln, Brandon, and Roxbury gaps. To add some confusion to the mix, Vermont’s most popular gap is actually called a notch – Smugglers’ Notch – which happens to be the New Hampshire name for mountain passes.

On the western end, we rode past The Lord’s Prayer Rock (featured in June’s Backroads) and into the picturesque town of Bristol.

Our friends and Backroads’ alumni Gina and Ron live close by and they have a very comfortable home and B&B – and it was nice to get a chance to hang with them for dinner and the evening.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 With a stellar morning greeting us as well as Ron’s tasty bacon (from Oscar’s in Warrensburg, NY, dontcha know?) we took our time getting ready for the day and then continued on a westerly course and over into New York State at Crown Point on Lake Champlain. Sadly, there were no “Champ” sightings. Pesky plesiosaur.

Page 27 But, our romp towards the park on Ensign Pond Road more than made up for this. This road is a favorite of ours and it is also a symbol of friendship: look for the stone with an image of the two shaking hands etched in it. At speed, it is easy to miss.

The North Hudson Pine Ridge Cemetery is the resting place of a number of War of 1812 soldiers. Like most regions, it is packed full of hidden history. It also led us into the Adirondack Park.

Created in 1892 as one of the first Forever Wild Forest Preserves in the nation, the Adirondack Park is a unique wilderness area. At 6 million acres, it is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States. The state of New York owns approximately 2.6 million acres, while the remaining 3.4 million acres are devoted to forestry, agriculture, and open space recreation. The Adirondack Park is not a National Park - there’s no fee to enter and the park doesn’t close at night, nor is it a state park, a common misconception. It’s also the largest National Historic Landmark, covering an area larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and the Great Smokies National Parks combined.

It is also crisscrossed with hundreds of miles of great motorcycling roads, dozens of small towns, and stunning scenery. We stopped at a tiny ice cream stand called Granny’s just outside Johnstown. This time we endulged in some solid food – hot dogs with meat sauce and sausage and peppers – before finishing with a bit of Gillette Creamery’s finest ice cream.

There is a little-known factoid on this tiny town of Johnstown. It was here that a battle was fought between the British and Americans. It is considered the last battle of the Revolutionary War… the Battle of Johnstown, Oct. 25, 1781, was led by Patriot Colonel Marinus Willett. Willet and his men defeated British forces under Major Ross and Captain Butler, sending them into flight, retreating to the north.

Willett’s victory at Johnstown occurred at about the same time word reached the Mohawk Valley region of Gen. Cornwallis’ surrender to George Washington at Yorktown.

Shira led us down into the Leatherstocking region of New York, with its pleasant hills, open valleys, and smooth riding.

We skirted around the Catskills and then down along the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania side, returning to New York at Narrowsburg; but not before finding ourselves on a

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BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 good number of gravel miles and a brief stop at the artist home of Paul Sabin – Frosty Hollar Art. Truly a bit of Mysterious America for those who can find it. A wonderful mish-mosh of one man’s unlimited creativity.

The Hawks Nest, High Point, and County Road 519 led us back to our part of the Garden State and home. An undetermined sport bike followed us onto 519 and, while Shira was certainly doing a spirited pace, this rider was looking to do a bit more, as he or she was dragging a knee through the turns. We pulled over before Beemerville to let the rider go by, disappearing into the distance.

Putting the last 400 miles behind us and pulling into Backroads Central ahead of the darkness, with enough time to let Spenser T. Cat enjoy the evening for a bit, we looked at each other and nodded, knowing that these past four days, and well over a thousand miles, were productive and cathartic.

Shira had knitted together some great roads and given us some places to share with you later in the year, not to mention giving me the chance to take a back seat while enjoying a great ride into the mountains to the north. ,

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I like to have definitions- definitive defintions.

But this time around a bodega called Benny’s breaks any real definition… unless you wish to think that the classic “Bodega” is thought of as a storehouse of sorts. Well, if that is the case, then our friends at Benny’s Bodega might still fit that bill.

Every so often we realize that we can maybe help charities. Actually, not us, but you. We riders seem to come through in so many ways.

Looking at all the worthy charities around in this post- pandemic 2021 – we thought best to go local. Very local.

We are gym rats (mostly… we hope, umm, we try) and the woman that greets us at the door, Heather, is as solid and fun as can be. Her husband, Ben, and her children, Carter and Lily, who have been more or less adopted by the gym community, have become a small part of our lives (okay, maybe big part). We are at R & T Nautilus every “off day.”

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For years Heather and Ben have selflessly gathered non-perishable goods and other resources for the community. Giving what they could to help others. For nothing. Nada. Just to help. Everything we should be as Americans and humans.

After COVID hit – they were more important than ever for our region of New Jersey. They never asked for much… but…

If we could help, even in a small way, we were there.

On June 10, we had a small ride. As always, we asked for nothing; but we told the story.

You all came through so very, very awesomely.

The usual Backroads’ groups were in high numbers. But, the one group that almost brought us to tears was the Sport Touring Motorcycle Club. They

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came in from left field and made a monstrous donation. Backroads and STMC go way, way back.

With them riding up and so many other great riders helping Benny’s Bodega we think we did alright.

Our ride was 120 miles of (we hoped) superb roads – except for Old Mine Road, bombed out POS it is – but it is historic.

We hoped all enjoyed the ride. It always makes us happy when our friend Paul approves.

We had a great number of riders come in – some making it an overnight adventure – and it was awesome to see the new Bennie’s Bodega School Bus filling up with non-perishable goods. A special shoutout to Alan and his son – so totally unexpected. At the end of the day there was a tremendous amount of much needed supplies as well as over $800.

Let’s not let this end. If you couldn’t make it but still want to help these terrific people help others, you can make a cash donation on their website: bennysbodega.com or ship some much needed supplies.

We’ll do this again next year. What? A personal call to the Porsche and Ferrari friends…. Let’s do even better next year. Thank you all! ,

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ALL IN THE FAMILY

2022 INDIAN MOTORCYCLE FAMILY MEMBERS RECEIVE MAKEOVERS AND UPGRADES Words: Pamela Collins • Test Riders: Pam and Tim Collins Like seeing family members at an annual reunion, where Uncle Bob shows off a sleeker physique (he runs everyday!) or cousin Marjorie wears the trendiest red-hued hairstyle, the Indian Motorcycle family returned for 2021 with some of its members boasting new looks, new technology, or a complete makeover.

The Indian Chief Returns After A Full-Fledged Makeover Indian Motorcycle debuted the original, iconic Chief model in 1921, and reintroduced that nameplate when the company resurrected last decade. Now, one hundred years since it first appeared, the centenarian Chief has aged in reverse, showing off sporty contemporary technology and styling.

Considered a model year 2022, the Chief lineup consists of three styles, and Indian says each suits a different sort of rider: the standard Chief, with drag handlebars, mid-mount controls, and solo seat; a Chief Bobber sporting mini-ape hanger handlebars and forward foot controls; and a Super Chief that offers a quick-release windscreen, black leather saddlebags, touring seat with a passenger pillion, floorboards and a more traditional cruiser-style handlebar. In a nod to styling more modern-day than retro, the Chief doesn’t wear its famous flared fenders and instead dons cleanly styled sheet metal.

Each of those styles comes in a “base” model, featuring Indian’s Thunderstroke 111 powertrain with 108 ftlbs. of torque, an analog gauge, chrome and matte black finishes, and is available with or without ABS. But riders also can upgrade to premium trim in these styles, called the Chief Dark Horse, Chief Bobber Dark Horse, and the Super Chief Limited. This swaps the engine to the larger Thunderstroke 116 engine boasting 120-ft lbs. of torque and includes ABS on all models.

It also adds premium gloss black finishes to both Dark Horse models and chrome finishes to the Super Chief Limited.

The Premium trim also includes Indian Motorcycle’s industry-first 4-inch round display with Ride Command, essentially an old-fashioned shaped speedo with newfashioned functions. From a distance, it looks like the ubiquitous circular speedometer seen on motorcycles for

decades. But rather than a static analog or digital display showing an odometer, trip meter, turn signals, or possibly a gas gauge, Ride Command looks more like a cellphone or tablet screen. Multi-functional, this update brings things into the 21st century.

The new Chief slots into a previously unfilled niche in Indian’s lineup, fall-

Page 32 ing between its lighter-weight Scout and its larger Vintage, Springfield, Challenger, and Roadmaster models. Ranging anywhere from 670 to 739 pounds wet weight (depending on model) and with a short 64-inch wheelbase, the Chief variants look downright diminutive compared to the next-size larger Vintage, at 836 pounds wet with a 67-inch wheelbase. In fact, the Chief’s wheelbase measures only 2-inches longer than the Scout, which carries a 561-pound wet weight. The overall smaller presence of the Chief makes it feel more approachable to more riders than its bulkier family members.

The new Chiefs might look like traditional, simple, cruiser motorcycles but they also offer a lot of non-traditional technology. They feature steel welded tube frames, four-gallon gas tanks, bobbed rear fenders, dual exhausts, dual outboard preload-adjustable rear shocks, and Pirelli Night Dragon tires. However, the LED lighting, keyless ignition, cruise control, and selectable drive modes (sport, standard, or tour) push the Chief’s technology package into modern-day territory.

The Chief’s ergonomics feel comfortable, especially on the Super Chief versions. Seat height stands at 26-inches, and with 46mm front forks offering 5.2-inches of travel and a 28.5-degree lean angle, the Chief can let go and have some riding fun in the twisties.

Having ridden both the Super Chief and the Super Chief Limited during Bike Week, Tim and I both feel the Chief makes a great addition to the Indian family. When it comes to Indian motorcycles, I prefer to ride a Scout, feeling more comfortable riding the smaller cruiser. The Super Chief’s svelte look, even with its tall windscreen and saddlebags, encouraged me to try it. I liked what I rode. It had positive, responsive power and torque, was balanced even at low speeds, and it felt smaller than its dimensions would have you believe.

Controllable and maneuverable, I didn’t feel like I was riding a “big” bike, just a very well proportioned, and fun, motorcycle.

I have to add the speedo with Ride Command is impressive, one of the finest information displays I’ve seen on any motorcycle. It might not be a typical rectangular TFT display, but it displays all the information a rider wants on an easy-to-operate and easy-to-see (in any light) display. No manuals needed here thanks to its intuitive functions, whether via the touchscreen or handlebar controls. The Dark Horse and Limited models with the Ride Command system cost from $1500 to $3000 more but also feature the bigger engine— considerations to weigh when deciding which version to buy.

Though a century-old nameplate, the Chief proves that an old dog can learn new, trick technology. Prices within the Chief line-up begin at $14,499 for a basic Chief and travel upward to $20,999 for the Super Chief Limited.

The Athlete in the Family—The FTR Platform Indian introduced its lanky, athletic, dirt-track famous FTR in 2019 and enhanced it this year with more rider-friendly attributes.

Billed as a 2022 model, Indian listened to customers who weren’t happy with the tall-ish seat height and buzzy engine. The new version shortens the

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

bike while improving the ride and calming the motor vibes.

The FTR still uses a 1203cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine making 120 horsepower and 87 ft-lbs. of torque, but returns with a retuned engine calibration to refine cold start performance and smooth the previous model’s jerky throttle response.

Indian also switched to smaller 17-cast aluminum wheels and Metzler Sportec Street tires to improve corner handling and nimbleness. The smaller diameter wheels, combined with the new, more street-tuned suspension with 120mm of front and rear travel, contribute to lowering the bike’s seat height by 1.4-inches. Indian also cropped the ProTaper handlebars by 1.5-inches to improve rider control and handling.

The FTR has three variants and each benefit from now having fully adjustable front and rear suspension (with an inverted front fork) and cylinder deactivation that manages engine heat by shutting off one cylinder when the motorcycle is idling. All models also boast radially mounted dual Brembo brakes and cruise control.

The FTR lineup includes the base FTR, the FTR S, the FTR R Carbon, and the FTR Rally. The base model, starting at $12,999, has an analog gauge, while the other three use a 4.3-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and USB integration, and configurable gauges.

The FTR S, starting at $14,999, comes standard with an upgraded Akrapovic exhaust, three ride modes,

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 wheelie control with rear lift mitigation, stability control, traction control, cornering ABS, and a fast-charging USB port.

The FTR R Carbon, starting at $16,999, features all the goodies on the FTR S but adds carbon fiber tank covers, front fender, headlight nacelle, a fully adjustable Ohlins gold front fork and piggyback shock, a black Akrapovic exhaust, premium seat cover, and numbered badging on the console.

Lastly comes the FTR Rally, which maintains the taller seat, analog gauge, wirespoke 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels (while receiving the more refined engine) and stays truer to the bike’s scrambler image. It starts at $13,999.

Tim rode the FTR S for the day and had a hoot, thoroughly enjoying the torquey motor and the easy revving horsepower.

He had ridden the previous FTR version and didn’t appreciate the engine buzziness and handlebar vibration. Its taller seat height, though rideable, wasn’t ideal for him.

Not the new and improved FTR. He sits flat-footed on the bike, which now has a 30.7-inch seat height. He calls it light and extremely balanced, agile and nimble.

He flicked it’s 514 pounds of wet weight through Daytona traffic and through Florida’s backroads curves (they do exist if you know where to go), enjoying the throaty crooning of its exhaust and the powerful, smooth thrust of its remapped engine. He also appreciated the strong Brembo brakes, the cruise control and says he could see the information display in low or bright light, finding it user-friendly.

Mainly a cruiser rider, Tim says the pegs sit a little high and rearward for him but he found the seat comfortable, though he said the bike overall seems better suited for carving curves than comfortable touring. He also wished it carried more than 3.4 gallons of gas.

Lithe and lively, the FTR rides as the athletically endowed hooligan in Indian Motorcycles’ family.

The Big Boy—The Indian Challenger Indian introduced its big boy bagger model, the Challenger, in 2020, so the 2021 model didn’t see many changes. Using the liquid-cooled V-Twin Power Plus engine it introduced last year, the fixed fairing motorcycle offers a best in class 122 horsepower and 128 ft-lb of torque to keep a rider happily rolling down the highway.

The Challenger uses an inverted front suspension, lightweight cast-aluminum frame, and hydraulically adjustable Fox® rear shock to deliver stability in the straights or agility in the curves. Racespec radially-mounted Brembo brakes help slow down its 840 pounds of wet weight. Like the rest of the Indian line, it can be had in base, Dark Horse, or Limited dress, with varying features on each of the models.

The Dark Horse and Limited versions include the Ride Command infotainment system that uses a customizable color touchscreen display and Apple Car Play®integration, which can also be accessed through handlebar-mounted controls. These two also come standard with Indian’s Smart Lean Technology, which includes dynamic traction control, ABS with cornering control, and drag torque control, which work together to enhance safety by tuning the bike’s performance based on its lean angle.

As a bagger, the Challenger offers a plentiful 19-gallons of onboard storage to

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BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

pack your necessary “stuff,” while its six-gallon gas tank allows a rider to rack up many miles between fuel stops. A 26.5-inch seat height makes it easy to throw a leg over.

Tim liked riding the Challenger, loving the torquey engine pull and plush ride. He said it handles great despite its hulking size, its suspension smoothing the ride while it takes to corners like a much smaller bike, and he couldn’t fault the excellent transmission and positive clutch. He also found the Ride Command system easy to learn.

Prices for the Challenger range from $23,999 to $27,999 depending on the model.

The Smaller Sibling—The Indian Scout The Scout bears the title of the smallest member of the Indian family though it delivers a premium motorcycle experience. It remains essentially unchanged for 2021 except for cosmetic differences (color and seat), however, it now can morph into more of a tourer thanks to the addition of some new accessories.

I thoroughly enjoy riding the Scout…both the one with the larger engine that throws out 100 horsepower and 72 ft-lbs. of torque and the Scout Sixty, which makes 78 horsepower and 65 ft-lbs. of torque (and now only comes in the Scout Bobber Sixty). The ergos feel just right for me, it rides and handles great, and with a 25.6inch seat height and only a balanced 561 pounds wet weight, I find it easy and fun to ride.

Previously though the Scout seemed aimed at day riding, offering only small-ish saddlebags and not many touring-aimed accessories. Now that’s changed.

Riders can now change the Scout’s persona into that of a long-distance cruising machine thanks to a host of new farkles that include semi-hard saddlebags and a quick-detachable fairing. Indian dubs this look the Scout Long Haul, and it does extend the usability of this lithe and lively bike, increasing its highway worthiness.

I rode a Scout in a stunning Deepwater Metallic Blue that included the color-matched fairing and had the Quick-Release Semi-Rigid Saddlebags. A

stunner for sure, and it really changed the bike’s look while expanding its usefulness.

The bags are weather-resistant and covered in black vinyl. Make no mistake, they’re not designed to pack a kitchen sink of stuff, but the extra space is handy for multi-day rides. The fairing, which can be painted in a wide selection of colors, provides great wind protection and eliminates rider fatigue. It has a short windscreen, but Indian sells optional taller ones, too.

You can also purchase a fairly roomy vinyl fairing bag to keep gloves, etc., handy.

Prices for the Scout start at $11,999 and increase depending on color. The faring prices range from $799 to $1099 depending on the color, the faring bag costs $139.99, and the bags and mounts total $859.65, so turning the Scout into a Long Haul tourer isn’t inexpensive. But for those who wished they could, they now can. If only Indian would give its smaller steed a gas tank larger than 3.3 gallons, the Scout could be a longer-distance motorcycle.

For more detailed information on these or any Indian motorcycle, visit their website at www.indianmotorcycle.com. ,

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

INDIAN CLIMACOMMAND COMFORT SEAT FOR 2020-21 CHALLENGER MODELS The rider and passenger both enjoy a comfortable ride in all conditions with this innovative ClimaCommand Comfort Seat. This well-cushioned seat provides adjustable Thermoelectric heating and cooling controls for the rider seat and the slightly elevated passenger perch. Enjoy a heated seat when the weather

turns cool, and experience a cooling, comfortable seat that minimizes sweating and discomfort during warmweather riding with the Flexible Graphene, giving you the ability to dial-in seating temperatures based on the climate around you. This seat’s durable vinyl cover is water- and UV-resistant, easy to clean to maintain its showroom appearance, and features modern aggressive styling to complement its plush comfort. Seat may require additional harnesses depending on application; please contact your dealer for more information. The ClimaCommand Comfort Seat is available at your local Indian dealer or online for $1,199.99 ,

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Last month, The Progressive IMS Outdoors circuit kicked off at their first stop of their nine-stop tour at the Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. With plenty of great riding in the northern part of California, this made for a perfect start to what we hope will be a very successful and well-attended series of shows. The events can be used as stops on a weekend’s riding trip as many are hosted in good riding locations.

Designed to provide immersive, hands-on experiences for enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, each stop will host a number of returning fan-favorite attractions, including the Discover The Ride program, IMS Vintage, Adventure Out!, J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, and more, as well as two and fourwheel demos from a number of exhibiting brands.

On the East coast, you can make your plans to attend either New York or Pennsylvania. The Brooklyn Army Terminal, September 3-5, is situated in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park waterfront and has huge tracts of land on which to host such as event. Not quite sure how they will run their demo rides unless they keep them within the venue’s confines, but that will be an interesting thing to find out. There are subway lines to the Terminal for easier access, as well as a ferry stop so you can enjoy a water voyage before experiencing this exciting new format.

Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the following weekend of September 10-13, should have a much easier time of hosting this new-toIMS format, as the Carlisle Fairgrounds has a long history of large outdoor events such as car show, swap meets and such.

To make things even better, this part of Pennsyvania is an excellent motorcycle destination, with great riding and much to see and do. And September is a perfect time to do some riding in this area, too. The 82-acre Fairgrounds has plenty of parking and will certainly put together some great demo

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 rides, as well as have plenty of room for vendors and the other attractions the IMS Outdoors will bring to the table.

Designed to introduce riding motorcycles to consumers of all ages, the returning Discover The Ride initiative will provide a variety of interactions for attendees to learn and grow their riding skills in safe and controlled environments. In partnership with Zero Motorcycles, the New Rider Course allows non-licensed motorcyclists to experience, first-hand, the thrill of two-wheels on speed-limited electric Zero Motorcycles and learn riding basics from Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructors.

New this year to Discover The Ride is the introduction of Strider in the Kids Zone and IMS’ partnership with All Kids Bike, opening the world of two wheels to enthusiasts as young as two years old.

Adjacent to Discover The Ride is the Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Ride With Us Moto Intro experience. The Moto Intro gives non-riders a chance to experience the thrill of their first ride within 45 minutes. MSF RiderCoaches will guide new riders through basic motorcycle controls and help them experience their first ride in a closed-course environment. Furthermore, at select events indicated below, Harley-Davidson’s Invitation To Ride program will also be extending a hand to prospective riders, delivering the opportunity to experience the basics of riding on a HarleyDavidson motorcycle.

There will be ample opportunities along each Tour stop to hop on and ride both gas-powered and electric motorcycles and bicycles from brands including FLX, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, Pedego Santa Rosa, Pushpak Motors, Rayvolt, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Tern Bicycles, Yamaha, and Zero.

Returning this year will be a number of fanfavorite attractions, including: Adventure Out!, a space to shop, prepare for the next trek or tour and learn about incorporating adventure and travel into a motorcycling lifestyle – now also including RVing. IMS Vintage, an IMS staple, Vintage will be returning to each market, enabling attendees to get up close and personal with the very best classic and retro-style motorcycles from vintage bike clubs across the country. J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, the nation’s largest motorcycle builder competition, the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show will feature hundreds of motorcycles and tens of thousands in cash and prizes across the Tour.

Professional and amateur builders are invited to compete at their local Progressive IMS Outdoors for cash, prizes, and recognition.

Across the Tour, there will additionally be ample opportunities to explore brands and make purchases in a wide variety of markets such as electric-powered vehicles, the interactive retail space of The Marketplace, allowing you to touch, test, and buy the latest gear, parts and accessories from key aftermarket brands and The Shop for buyers looking to work on their vehicles and make updates to their rides. The Range brings a place to explore and shop many brands as well as connect with clubs and services to enhance their riding lifestyle.

The rest of the lineup includes Chicago, August 2022, Texas, October 1-3, Nashville, TN, October 8-10, Central Florida, October 15-17, Atlanta, GA, October 29-31 and Southern California TBD in November. To find the full listing of venues and schedule, visit the website: motorcycleshows.com ,

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

PRODUCT REVIEW

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FORM, FUNCTION AND FASION HIGHTLIGHT KLIM’S LASTEST WOMEN’S GEAR

Oftentimes protective motorcycling gear, fulfilling its promise to provide safety, security, and peace of mind, provides plenty of function. But the form part of that equation, well, lacks a bit. Motorcyclists, looking to protect their hides, resign themselves to resembling the Michelin Man on two wheels, plump as Thanksgiving turkey, albeit stuffed with body armor instead of bread cubes.

Klim Motorcycle gear this year released its Marrakesh women’s motorcycle jacket that seeks to deflate a rider’s profile while still providing durability and safety in a crash.

The sleek and slimming jacket uses a 1000 Denier Nylon fabric called Karbonite Micromesh. It offers four-way stretch for comfort; in fact, Klim claims it as being the “most comfortable jacket you will ever wear.”

The fully porous Karbonite fabric offers several benefits for warm weather riders, including allowing constant airflow to cool down those sun-blazing days. Though the fabric looks solid…not perforated like other warm weather riding jackets…I can attest after a daylong ride in 95-degree temperatures, that air really flows through the jacket, upping the comfort factor of a sweltering ride. The Marrakesh’s moisture-wicking liner pulls sweat from the body, working in tandem with the ventilated outer fabric, to toss your body heat to the wind.

Additionally, Klim claims the Karbonite Micromesh is abrasion-resistant, so should you “go down” while riding, the jacket’s outer shell should offer some degree of skid resistance. Thankfully I have not yet tested that feature.

Additional protection comes inside the Marrakesh jacket, where its wearer enjoys the latest, thinnest, and most comfortable body armor available. Called D30® IP Ghost CE Level 1, this new, super slim, and flexible armor protects by absorbing and dissipating impact energy when hit, then returns to its flexible state. The jacket uses this ventilated protection in the shoulders and the elbows (where it is height adjustable), while retaining a standard thickness armor pad (D30® Viper Ce Level 1) for the back. The armor is removable. The D30® website calls it “fit and forget” armor and claims it exceeds Level 1 safety standards.

I vouch the armor is very thin and flexible and super comfortable, so much that honestly, the Marrakesh doesn’t feel like it has armor at all. I find it somewhat unnerving because the more traditional stiff and bulky armor makes me feel, well, protected. I feel like I’m cheating wearing the Marrakesh.

The jacket has only very small reflective patches on the cuffs and front shoulders. I’d like to see more, especially on the back so cars see me while riding at dusk or in the dark. Two big zippered pockets sit low on the outside of the jacket, big enough for a phone, and an internal zippered chest pocket can also hold a phone (my Galaxy S20 with case fits fine).

I’m 5’2”, and sleeve length hits me at about mid-hand, but sits perfectly with my hand on my motorcycle’s bars. Each sleeve has zippered openings and fits quite loosely, not a complaint because the Marrakesh is a warm-weather style so I don’t mind the wind blowing up my sleeve. The jacket also has zippered hip gussets, so a rider can better tailor the fit. The stand-up collar has a nice lining (so do the cuffs) and feels comfortable around my neck and wrists.

Page 38 I really like the looks of my Burnt Olive greencolored Marrakesh, and think of it as a motorcycle jacket in disguise.

It doesn’t broadcast its intention but rather waits incognito until its real purpose is needed. Its tailored lines make it sleek and slimming to enhance a female figure, and it looks good wearing it off the bike around town, too.

I must emphasize that this is not an all-season, all-weather jacket like other Klim products. In 60-degree temps I add an underlayer to temper the chillier air flowing through the jacket. And…though claimed to have a hydrophobic water-shedding, quickdrying “coating,” it isn’t waterproof, so if you’re looking for one-jacket-forall weather, this isn’t it. Klim does sell a rain over-jacket, or any standard motorcycle rain suit would work fine.

The Klim Women’s Marrakesh jacket now offers warm-weather riders a more fashionable option that doesn’t skimp on safety features. It comes in three colors (Burnt Olive, Black, and Cool Gray) and retails for $369.99

KLIM WOMEN’S ADVENTURE GTX SHORT GLOVE Klim released this year a do-it-all full-featured glove sized for a woman’s hand. The Adventure GTX provides crash and weather protection that should carry a rider through all but the coldest treks.

Based on their men’s Adventure GTX glove, the women’s version provides many of the same benefits: Gore-Tex waterproofness and windproofness, fully bonded layers for a better tactile feel and dexterity, tough goat leather with stretch woven construction, carbon fiber knuckle guard with ceramic print in slide areas and 5mm XRD impact foam underneath for protection and comfort, 5mm XRD impact foam palm pad, and leather-trimmed finger protectors.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021 The gloves also offer many convenient perks, like touch screen functionality, a visor wiper, a clip that snaps the gloves to each other (making them easier to find in your saddlebags), and a loop to help you pull them on.

The gloves have pre-curved, articulated fingers so they wrap easily around the handgrips. The moisture-wicking lining feels soft and I appreciate I can’t feel any seams inside the gloves that could rub, cause hot spots, or cut off circulation, as I have in other gloves.

I have yet to use them in the rain, so I can’t attest to the feature called Gore Grip technology that is supposed to provide a strong grip even when the glove is wet. I can, however, vouch for the breathability factor as my hands didn’t sweat even when riding on 90-plus degree days. The carbon fiber knuckle protection doesn’t bind or feel uncomfortable.

I will caution that sizing runs large. The sizing guide says to measure the width of your dominant hand’s palm, and mine indicated a size medium.

However, the medium feels loose on me. I would recommend sizing down.

The Adventure GTX Women’s Short Glove has a lifetime warranty, comes in gray or black, and retails for $159.99.

For more information on these or any Klim products visit their website at www.klim.com. ~ Pamela Collins ,

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The Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. presents

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival

Safe Riding: Emergency Braking Techniques Need to be Practiced Words: Steve Smith Reprint by permission: Ride-CT & Ride-New England (www.ride-ct.com) The subject of emergency braking came up recently in posts on motorcycle social media groups, at a club rally and while on a group ride, so perhaps a review of proper techniques is overdue.

Learning, practicing and always using the correct emergency braking practices will not only keep your braking skills sharp but, more importantly, will help develop the habits and necessary muscle memory that will instinctually produce benefits if you’re presented with a situation where these skills are needed.

First, consider the importance of the mental skills that apply to riding. It is paramount to have 360-degree awareness and to always be searching for potential hazards. This allows a response to a hazard to happen earlier rather than at the last moment.

This difference between being perceptive and proactive versus reactive can reduce the need for emergency braking.

Front Brake Provides More Braking Power Correct braking involves using both front and rear brakes at the same time.

The front brake provides 70 percent or more of the total braking power, with the rear brake making up the remainder.

Proper front brake use for street riding begins with using four fingers to squeeze the brake lever. Four fingers provide the most strength to squeeze progressively and fully. When fewer fingers are used, they will typically be in the way. The brake will then have to be released to be able to fully apply the brake.

If four fingers are used all the time for braking, once again a habit will develop as well as muscle memory. This bears repeating: How a rider uses the brakes most of the time will be what the rider does instinctually in a reactive situation.

Total Stopping Distance Explained How much time/distance is needed to make a complete stop? At 60 miles per hour, a rider travels about 90 feet per second. According to Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the total stopping distance at this speed will be 300 feet or more.

The Total Stopping Distance is the distance traveled to come to a complete stop and includes 1) Perception Distance (the distance traveled before a hazard is perceived); 2) Reaction Distance (the distance traveled between perceiving the hazard and beginning to apply the brakes); and 3) Braking Distance (the distance traveled after applying the brakes and coming to a stop).

Attaining the shortest stopping distance during emergency braking requires understanding the maximum straight line braking technique, also called Threshold Braking.

The definition of Threshold Braking is full application of both brakes without locking either wheel. On motorcycles with ABS, it is the point right before the system kicks in. Too many riders feel they can replace good braking skill with an ABS brake system. When ABS kicks in due to over-braking (locking the wheels), the total stopping distance will increase.

There are dangers to over-braking and locking up the motorcycle’s wheels, and this is where ABS can help. If the rear wheel is locked up the ability to steer is lost and releasing a locked rear wheel can lead to a high side crash. The danger of front wheel lock-up is total loss of control and possible crash if the front brake is not released in time.

When braking, weight is shifted forward. The harder the braking the more weight is shifted forward to the front wheel and it will have more traction available, and the rear has less requiring less foot pressure. This added traction in the front allows more front brake pressure to be used.

Front brake usage is described as a “progressive squeeze” – continually applying more front brake as weight shifts forward. The progressive squeeze will continue until the bike comes to a complete stop or the lever touches the handgrip.

Emergency braking is a skill every rider should be proficient with. It takes practice. For many, taking an Experienced Rider Course as a refresher can be a fun and easy way to improve your riding skills.

About Steve Smith New York native and Waterbury, CT-area resident Steve Smith is a nationally-certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Ridercoach and instructor with the Connecticut Rider Education Program. He began riding off-road as a youth and on-road at age 20 with a Honda CB400T. He currently rides a 2011 Kawasaki Concours 14. Smith is a graduate of Fairfield University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Management of Technology.

BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021

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UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR AUGUST 2021 12-15 • BMW RA ‘Game of Roads’ National Rally, Waynesville, NC • They come to this quiet valley nestled in smoky mountains to learn from sages and magicians, to outfit their steeds with glistening new farkles, to renew bonds with old compatriots, and to make new ones. But most of all, they come to ride, to feel the curvature of the earth, to lean into the unknown, to slay dragons and snakes, and to play the Game of Roads. • Visit BMWRA.org for info and to register.

16-18 • BACKROADS SUMMER SQUEEZE. We’re heading back to West Dover, VT for a few days of kickin’ back and riding new and old familiar roads. Watch for details on our rally site: backroadsusa.com/backroads-events and Facebook page 20-21 • Bob’s BMW hosts Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Days @ Maryland State Fairgrounds.

Demo rides. All Brand Bike Show. Flat Track Motorcycle Races. Plus food, prizes, giveaways, and more. FREE event with the exception of the Races. Admission is $15 to races; FREE for 6 and under. BMW Motorrad Heritage Tour stops in Maryland for two days! Demo rides are available Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 4pm. All bikes on the lot between 11am-3pm will be automatically entered into an all brand motorcycle show, classes by brand, for a chance to win a custom, one-of-a-kind trophy and bragging rights! Judging will occur between 4pm and 6pm with winners announced at 6:30pm before the races begin at 7pm. Details: BobsBMW.com • Race info: bctra.com 20-22 • Progressive IMS Outdoors • Goebbert’s Farm, Pingree Grove, IL. The newly rebranded tour, previously known as the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), will provide exciting hands-on experiences. Tickets and more details available @ motorcycleshows.com 18-22 • Touratech Dirtdaze Rally. North Haverhill, NH. The Touratech DirtDaze Adventure Bike Rally is a fun, adventurous and educational multi day festival for dualsport and adventure motorcycles in the east coast. For full details and registration visit them online at dirtdazerally.com 22-27 • SheADV/Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation Inc. DIRTY for GOOD Adventure Rider Training/Fundraising Tour with Northeast Backcountry Discovery Route.

For further details visit womensmotorcyclistfoundation.org • email Sue.Slate@ womensmotorcyclistfoundation.org or text Sue @ 585-415-8230 for a return call.

SEPTEMBER 2021 3-5 • Progressive IMS Outdoors • Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn, NY. The newly rebranded tour, previously known as the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), will provide exciting hands-on experiences. Tickets on sale now. Full details here motorcycleshows.com 10-12 • Progressive IMS Outdoors • Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle, PA. The newly rebranded tour, previously known as the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), will provide exciting hands-on experiences. Tickets go on sale May 13 and more details will be available then • motorcycleshows.com 20-21 • CLASS returns to Virginia Int’l Raceway, VA and BACKROADS will be heading back once again. Plan to improve your skill with some of the best instructors in the business at one of the nicest facilities around. To book your space visit CLASSRides.com • Reservations at VIR virnow. com/lodging.

21-25 • NEW AMERICADE DATES. America’s Largest Touring Rally brings the 38th Annual Americade to the Fall, with the great Adirondack foliage and cooler temps. Make your plans to join the gathering of the annual ride to Lake George • Questions? 518-798-7888 • www.americade.com 25-26 • 2nd Annual Fall Foliage Tour of the Mountains sponsored by Bradford County Tourism and Canton Lions Club. Enjoy a weekend of beautiful riding in the Pennsylvania mountains to benefit local charities. 200+ miles over two days includes great scenery, historic stops, lunch and a poker run.

See full details @ tourarmeniapa.org 30-10/3 • Horizons Unlimited Virginia Travellers Meeting, Holiday Lake 4-H Camp, Appomattox, VA. For seasoned travellers or complete novices. For full details and registration, visit www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/virginia-2021

OCTOBER 2021 8-10 • Progressive IMS Outdoors • James L. Ward Agriculture Ctr, Lebanon, TN. The newly rebranded tour, previously known as the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), will provide exciting hands-on experiences. Tickets on sale now.

Full details here motorcycleshows.com 10 • Forever Friends Motorcycle Awareness Charity Bike Run. Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ • 10am-9pm • $20/rider; $10/non-rider. 15 Food Trucks, live music by Rated R and Beckwith Baker, North Jersey Hot Rods car show, tricky tray and 50/50. Ride Sign-in: 9:30a-12p • Scenic Ride: 12:30-2p. For full details visit foreverfriendsmotorcycleawareness.org 29-31 • Progressive IMS Outdoors • Georgia Int’l Horse Park, Conyers, GA. The newly rebranded tour, previously known as the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), will provide exciting hands-on experiences. Tickets on sale now.

Full details here motorcycleshows.com

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