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Motorcycles, travel & adventure
WHATCHATHINKIN’ ...........................................4 ON THE MARK ....................................................5 THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD ..........................6
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Brian rathjen • Shira Kamil
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THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD ..........................8 BACKLASH..........................................................9 INDUSTRY INFOBITES .....................................10 MYSTERIOUS AMERICA..................................12 GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN ..............14
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FEAT U R E S THE BREAK OUT..............................................23 ALL IN THE FAMILY..........................................38 PACKIN’, SNACKIN, AND WASHIN’ ................41 HONDA’S NOT SO SECRET STASH ...............44
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BaCKrOaDS (iSSn 1087-2088) is published monthly by BaCKrOaDS™, inc. 2020. 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 • SePteMBer 2020
FREE WHEELIN’ Brian rathjen
Fear
Page 3 and folks I ride with frequently, where some would stand or how they would handle themselves… before I even asked or spent time with them. And, for me, that was okay. As Shira also has said, “I’ll do me and you do you.” Surely, we must protect the aged and the infirmed from this. But, we have done that for generations when the mumps, measles, or chickenpox came to Continued on Page 7
Last month Shira created a statement-making image. It read: “Don’t Let the Fear of What Could Happen Make Nothing Happen.” As we are like-minded in more than a few things I could relate to her frustration on the current situation and, although we understand some people’s fear and trepidation, we are not letting the current situation keep us frozen with inaction this season. Yes, some of us do have an advantage in the form of antibodies - but acquiring these little warriors was not fun in the least. But that is the way the dice rolled for us. Here we all are some 6 months down the road and witnessing more and more polarization, division, and loathing from some people that is more than shocking and incredibly sad. We have seen long-time friendships fall apart over to mask or not to mask. To shelter or go about life. To be sociable or stay sequestered. For us it is easy. If we are asked to wear masks while entering a store or restaurant we will. If someone is greatly concerned we take their thoughts and wishes into consideration at all times. It’s very easy to be kind and polite. But, let’s call it like it is, okay? To be asked to wear a mask into a restaurant... only to be allowed to remove it once seated is purely for show. It kind of defeats the stated purpose, don’t you think? Who came up with this idea? P.T. Barnum? I heard an interesting comment the other day about this bit of human history, “We can live on the sidelines or we can choose to go through this.” Along that line, Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame, said this on a FaceBook post … “I’m concerned, I’m just not petrified.” Both words have the same meaning and work for us. The COVID-19 virus is here and it will be a long time before it truly burns out. If previous pandemics are our baselines, this could go on for a bit. The Spanish Flu of 1918, with 50 million dead worldwide, lasted nearly two years. In 1957 the Asian Flu lasted one year with 1.5 million passing and it was ended with a successful vaccine. So, right now we have to wait. There is nothing you, me, the president, the pope, or Dali Lama can do about the pandemic. 199 Main St. • Ste. 901 • White Plains, NY 10601 The only thing you do have total control over is how you let it affect your life. Nothing is black and white in If you’ve been involved this world and, as humans, we have free will and the ability to make choices for ourselves and be flexible in in a motorcycle accident, these choices. get the knowledgeable, Go for a ride? Stay home and shelter in place for the y b duration? Plan a trip with friends? Be extremely caud e sympathetic and forceful resent has tious in your day-to-day business? Be rep o legal representation ne wh Many scenarios, your choice. omeo g for over s The flu is here. It is bad. And, if you are relatively n i id you are entitled to. been r healthy, you will more than likely survive – although the COVID trail is a rough one indeed – even for KrypNo fee unless a recovery is made. tonians. Testimonials available. Even those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, a serious heart condition, or have suffered from cancer can get past this virus too, but should be ever vigilant about their situation at all times to avoid this dragon. Heading across this nation in June I saw first-hand Call the Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. how so many counties and states were dealing with this for a free consult and evaluation of your case. and it was interesting to note that many times the response ran with people’s general feelings in life and societal issues. I would know, even before talking to some friends
NEW YORK MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo, P.C.
ar s. 25 ye
The One to Call in New York State (914) 421-0905 www.whiteplainsaccidentlawyer.com
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
WHATCHATHINKIN’ Shira KaMiL
Taking a Turn wiTh Tony Each year Brian and I, and as many folks as we can get to join us, attempt to better our riding skills with some form of motorcycle education course. For the past I don’t know how many, we have headed south to Virginia International Raceway to join Reg Pridmore and crew for his two-day CLASS. This is always a wonderful experience but would be so much better if we could get the experience earlier in the season. This year we had the opportunity to get some early-season training with Tony’s Track Days at the Palmer Motorsports Park. It was originally scheduled for Memorial Day but, like so many other events, had to be postponed until July. But, with most people’s riding seasons being postponed as well, it worked out just fine. This was Tony’s NonSportbike Track Training so there were a variety of rides on in attendance – from full dress HarleyDavidsons to smaller ADV motos to big BMW tourers to some questionably close to sportbikes. There was even a Yamaha Niken, which was cranking through the tightest of turns. I opted for my oldie but goody Honda 919, which has served me well on many a track. Although my Suzuki V-Strom is more of my day-to-day ride and worthy of a good romp around the track, I find I can concentrate more on my skills when riding the Honda as the Suzuki tends to get very close, if not over, redline when on the track. Tony and wife Renee Iannarelli have been running Tony’s Track Days since 1996, encouraging average street riders to hone their skills in an environment void of typical road hazards. Events are held at Thompson Speedway, CT, New York Safety Track, NY and Palmer Motorsports Park, MA throughout the summer months. An average day consists of a rotation of 20 minutes of track time with classroom instruction following, one-on-one coaching available, advice and instruction from the many expert coaches, break for lunch and lots of fun and learning. You can find out the full skinny here: www.tonystrackdays.com Ken Condon, motorcyclist extraordinaire, super instructor and general all round nice guy, was on hand this day, as was his daughter Janine, to add to the learning experience. Ken has his own one-on-one and group instructional
courses, Riding in the Zone, and his easy-going manner and font of motorcycling knowledge will have you leaving the day with an overload of potential skills to add to your riding toolbox. Check him out here: www.ridinginthezone.com July 20 was a hot one, so we came prepared with a top case filled with ice and cold water. Hydration was the key to having better concentration both on track and during outdoor class room instruction. Tony offered a track walk the evening before, but we opted to sit out the 90+ degree, uphill both way trek for an indoor airconditioned dinner. Riders were separated into three groups: Red for those who had never been to an instructional track course and newer riders, Yellow for those who had but wanted to take it at a more moderate pace and Blue for riders with more experience and a faster pace. Of course, you can move to any of the groups during the day should you find one too fast or too slow. I put myself in the middle group for, as Goldilocks, that seemed just right. The first lap out was for follow the leader and to get a feel and knowledge of the track. Palmer is a fun course, with lots of quick turns and elevation change. Being used to VIR, which is a bit wider and more open, Palmer was a bit tricky to learn. A nice touch that Tony has adopted is to put an X mark at the correct turning points as well as a cone at the apex. Yes, there is one correct line to these turns and doing them over and over during the day, you will find that these marks eventually come as second nature and you may even overlook them later in the day. After the first educational lap set and class room time, we were let loose on our own to tackle the track. As with so many things in life, I started out slowly, concentrating on hitting my marks and trying to take each turn as smoothly as I could. I found myself picking up my pace with each track time, practicing the body positioning that was taught and testing the waters of leaning off the bike and sticking out a knee to gain Continued on Page 7
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020
ON THE MARK MarK ByerS
The ConversaTion I see riders almost every day. Recently, I saw a young man and his girlfriend on a sportbike, attired in shorts and sneakers and short-sleeved shirts. It’s such a common sight that I’m not surprised. I was picking up a bike from a dealer and a young man came to collect his Yamaha R6 from service. He was attired in sneakers, shorts, and a tank top. I’m sure he was only wearing the full-face helmet because: 1) it was fashionable, with interesting graphics, and 2) a helmet is required here. I frequently see them unfastened, rolled back on the rider’s head so the face is exposed. When two guys on bikes pull up at a light together, they will roll their helmets back so they can talk over the din of their exhausts. One day at an intersection, two guys pulled up next to me in the left-turn lane and rolled their helmets back so they could be heard over their Akrapovics. They chatted while waiting for the light, bikes in neutral. I know the latter because when the green arrow came on for their lane, they both had to roll their helmets down, clutch in, and search for first before they could pull away. The lead rider then proceeded to turn left in such a way that he almost ran over the traffic island dividing the lanes on the road onto which he was turning. Only a last-minute correction allowed him to make the turn successfully. Thankfully, his mate didn’t follow him immediately: he was still trying to get into first gear. One time I was returning from a trip on a rural Virginia road that I frequently take on my moto because it’s a shady, curvy alternative to a fourlane, divided highway. I was in my truck and pulling a trailer, so I wasn’t exactly moving at a pace that would challenge a motorcyclist, or at least I
Page 5 didn’t think so. Eventually, I came upon an older gentleman riding a Harley. At first, I was peeved because he was going so slowly that he was getting in my way and costing me time; however, that peevishness soon turned into concern. He was clearly not prepared to ride that machine: he was “fiftypencing” turns, the term our English brethren use to describe someone who turns by making a series of straight lines, connecting them with tiny, tenuous changes in direction. I began praying that the man would make it home alive. There’s a soliloquy by Morgan Freeman in “The Shawshank Redemption” that comes to mind: “There’s not a day goes by I don’t feel regret…I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try to talk some sense to him. Tell him the way things are. But I can’t. That kid’s long gone and this old man is all that’s left. I got to live with that.” I want to talk to those riders. I feel the regret of a fellow rider who is witnessing a possible fatal or grievous accident in the making, but I’m helpless to influence their behavior, at least in that environment. I want to show them Brittany Morrow’s web site, but chances are, even if I got the opportunity to have a careful discussion with them, my words would be met with everything from indifference to anger. As Norman Maclean said, “Either we don’t know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted.” I want to talk to them. I write this in hopes that maybe someone will read it and be influenced by an old man. Maybe someone will copy it and leave it on a desk or post it: you have my permission. This is all the conversation we’re likely to have. Maybe someone will fasten his helmet properly (or wear one). Maybe they’ll get some pants and a jacket and gloves to go with their stylishly-decorated helmet. Or wear boots. Maybe they’ll forgo the purchase of some performance upgrade and spend the money on training so they can control the performance they have. In the meantime, I’ll keep seeing them on the road, untucked t-shirts climbing up their backs and untied shoes clinging to their feet. I’ll hope they don’t become the next half-assed roadside memorial, replete with teddy bears and other mementos. I’ll hope they keep their skin. ,
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THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD The sirens answer The Call! • reTurn The Favor This is a happy, bittersweet story about a motorcycle club, a Milk Bank, and a reality show. The motorcycle club is ‘my’ club: Sirens NYCMC founded in 1986 and the one I have been a member of for 34 years. We are an LBGTQ club open to ALL women. Our members range from 25 to 77 years young. We are Black, White, Brown, Latino, Asian, Straight, Gay, Trans, Cis, Them, They, and everything in between. We are sisters who support each other, love each other and LOVE TO RIDE! I am honored, humbled, and blessed to be a member. Besides leading the NYC gay pride parade every year since 1986 we fundraise for organizations that focus on health care for women and the LBGQT community who are often underserved and underfunded.
In 2016 the then president of The Sirens, Jen Baquial, received a phone call from Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, executive VP of the New York Milk Bank. What kind of bank? Right, Milk Bank. Que, you ask? Their mission: “To improve the health and survival of infants in need by providing them with safely pasteurized human milk when their mothers own milk is unavailable or insufficient.” Apparently while stuck in traffic heading to Manhattan Julie noticed all the motorcycles passing her by “weaving in and out of traffic.” Lightning struck and a partnership was born.
SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
Helene Darvick News outlets and magazines could not resist this partnership: “Badass women bikers deliver baby milk” and The Sirens obliged with many interviews and videos publicizing us delivering baby milk to both hospitals and individual mothers for the Milk Bank. It was a win-win. Perishable milk delivered quickly by women on motorcycles (inspiring little girls everywhere, we hope). Now I could end this lovely story about yet another motorcycle club riding for a charitable cause but I did say it was bittersweet. Didn’t I? In late February COVID-19 came along and it hit our club hard. In less than 72 hours we lost one of the most beloved souls of our club, Kim Wetzel, aka Kimasaki. None of us have yet quite come to terms with this loss. Kim’s mother aka Mamasaki decided to set up a memorial fund in her name at the Milk Bank, a cause that was dear to Kim’s heart. So far more than $13,000 has been donated in her honor. Returning the Favor is a Facebook reality show starring Mike Rowe (of Dirty Job fame) who travels the country in search of “remarkable people who are serving their community” and then rewards them by “returning the favor.” Unbeknownst to The Sirens, RTF had us on their radar for some time but needed an ‘in’ for: The Setup. They contacted Julie from The Milk Bank who contacted Jen Baquial to set up “just one last shoot” for the Milk Bank.
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020
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And so it came to pass that Jen found herself on a zoom call “with some dude named Mike” in a parking lot with Sirens members besides her. And then, just like on TV, a pickup truck from Bergen County Harley Davidson rolls up behind Jen with a beautiful 2020 HD Softail Standard in its bed and proceeds to unload it as Julie from the Milk Bank appears and that dude Mike who is still interviewing Jen tells Jen that the Harley is for the Sirens. He was “returning the favor.” Now I could end this story here and you would think that the best part of the story is the Harley Davidson. But not for the Sirens. The VERY BEST part of this story is the custom flag that RTF had made that was flying so freely from the back of the Harley. The flag was our Sirens ‘Colors’ a turquoise mermaid with red wings raising a Labrys against a black backFree wheelin’
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town. You stayed at home, had mom take care of you and feed your chicken soup, watched Wonderama and the Wacky Races and you stayed away from your grandparents. There were no government mandates, no executive orders or people shaming others, or worse, on the street. We were all cautious, but not petrified. We were civil. We still lived our lives without unyielding fear and fright. For what good is life without living? This will end. In 1968, the Hong Kong Flu burned for just 6 months, stopped by the quick actions of one man, Maurice Hilleman, chief of respiratory diseases at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C., who saw the early writing on the walls of Hong Kong and quickly moved to begin work on a vaccine. When the new flu strain hit the United States in September, just as Hilleman had predicted it would, the country was ready with a vaccine. The virus, dubbed the “Asian flu,” killed an estimated 70,000 to 116,000 Americans and one to four million people worldwide, but experts suggest it would have killed many more if not for the vaccine. whaTChaThinkin’
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ground clearance in the turns. By the end of the day I came off the track with a grin on my face and a sense of accomplishment. I now had some renewed skills in my head to keep me focused and help me to be a better riding through this, and future, riding seasons. But, with all knowledge, it must be practiced and repeated to stay fresh. If this year’s riding season has you off to a late start, perhaps a refresher course is in your future. Whether it’s a Tony’s Track Days, Reg Pridmore’s CLASS, Ken Condon’s Riding in the Zone, or an MSF or other instructional course, do yourself and those you ride with a favor and sharpen your riding skills. It will make a huge difference in your enjoyment of this wonderful pastime we all enjoy so much. PS: If you’d like to see one of my laps videoed by Ed Conde here’s the link on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZfarykxd_Q&fbclid=i war1sQF7Z3ry76071yQiuvtdsksv2QeDgmyrDF 5FqwDlvTB3XXqhsl_lCa8
Ed Conde’s New England Riders is an online, as well as riding, community which dishes out a HUGE amount of information – from routes to training and much more – and I thank him very much for taking the time to share his on-track video. I found it very useful in seeing my good and bad points and will learn from it. Please take the time to visit his site – you may become hooked: www.newenglandriders.org ,
ground. But in place of SIRENSNYC MC was written… KIMASAKI. I know she would be humbled and maybe flattered – but I am sure she would have been proud too. You will find The Milk Bank at www.nymilkbank.org and can watch this episode at www.facebook.com/watch/?v=592481651674006 , The choice of how you deal with this pandemic is yours and yours alone. For me, I will remember these particular words spoken some 87 years ago… So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. Anyone up for a ride? ,
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD The soul oF MoTorCyCling When you hear the word “soul” bandied about in motorcycle circles it’s usually in reference to an older or classic bike. As if the only way to have soul in motorcycling is to have a bike with primitive suspension, iffy brakes, and high-resistance electrical connections. There is nothing wrong with vintage motorcycles and I own several myself, but there is all kinds of other soul in motorcycling. How about the time I was at a friend’s house three hours from home on a monsoon-like Sunday when it rained so I hard I decided to miss a day at work rather than ride home in the wet. Then when it continued raining all day Monday I had no choice but to ride anyway. Halfway home I was so wet that when I farted it ran up my soaked back – I could literally feel it, like a kid in a bathtub – and exited out my collar and then into my helmet. That’s the definition of being soaked. I was so wet a guy in a truck offered to put the bike in the back and drive me the rest of the way, but at that point I couldn’t get any wetter so I turned him down. Being that soaked while out on a motorcycle has soul. Another time I engaged in a riding contest with a guy at work. This resulted in me taking the long way home every night just to make sure I packed on the miles. One night I overestimated what was prudent, and wound up not getting home until it was way dark and way cold. My fingers were so frozen stiff I couldn’t straighten them out fully until a day after. To this day my fingers hurt in the cold from that ride, like when I’m snow-blowing my driveway at 0F. My doctor says it’s nerve damage and will never get any better. Having nerve damage in your fingers from trying to win a riding contest has soul. For a while we had a sidecar outfit which was a lot of fun. Only got rid of it because it took up too much space in the garage. My wife, a church organist, is also a rider. One time she rode the outfit to church, and then after the service put a handicapped kid in the chair and rode him around the parking
Frank L. Palmeri lot. You would have thought this kid won the lottery and went to Disneyland, he was so happy. Riding handicapped kids around in a sidecar rig has soul. I live in upstate New York, which has no shortage of wonderful roads to ride. Most times it’s all about the ride but every now and then it’s more about the destination. When I need to relax and recharge my batteries, there is one tree off of Route 30 in the beautiful Adirondack park for which I always head. When I lean against it to sit and read, have lunch and/or smoke a cigar, the trunk of this tree fits my body perfectly. There is a view of the water to add to the beauty as well. I sure hope “my tree” will always be there for me. Having your own tree to ride to just to chill out now and then has soul. I’m not a mechanic but I work on my own bikes just to learn and save a little money. Plus when you do it yourself there’s no one to blame but you if you screw it up. One time I did a top end job on my bike, the first time I had ever done anything liked that. When I fired that bike up and it actually ran, with no oil coming out of the wrong places and everything working right, that was a real thrill. Working on your own motorcycle has soul. When I hit the Mother of all Ruts on a rural back road in Vermont a couple of years ago my K1200RS went down hard on its left side. It cost me hundreds of dollars to get the left plastic side panel repainted. Then this year I was making a tight left turn on a gravel driveway. I put my foot down while tapping those powerful brakes and just like that I’m down hard on the left side again. Should I spend hundreds of dollars more to have the side panel repainted again, on a bike where you can’t even buy crash guards? Or should I take all the Tupperware off and ride it naked, with all the wires, hoses and components showing, “Mad Max” style? There is definitely no soul when you drop or crash your bike. I could go on but you get the drift. You don’t need an old bike to have soul in motorcycling. You just need to do motorcycling. If you do it right there will be soul all over the place. Ride on. ,
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020
BACKLASH Brian and Shira, I would like to first apologize for the long email. Shira, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I lost both of my parents in 2008, however, not because of something as terrible as we are all going through right now. I am glad that you both are feeling better and have been able to get out on the scoots! While we have never met, I am a long time subscriber of the magazine. Congratulations on 25 years, by the way. I am a retired motor officer of 30+ years and, unfortunately live closer to the “what exit” area of Bergen County. Because of that, I enjoyed the little cop poking in this morning’s Backroads Report. However, I usually head out, immediately to the backroads and frequently ride in your area. I have never been on any of your rallies, even though I have wanted to. Schedules have always precluded that from happening. I just finished reading the 25th edition and that brought up a couple of questions. I am not very technologically savvy but, my kids can help me. I would very much like to know how to get a link for the 250 Backroads Tour to download on my Garmin Nuvi. If you can help me with that, I would very much appreciate it. I very much hope to actually meet you someday, ride on and stay well. Two wheels up!! Charlie haffler Charles, Thank you for your service, your kind words and support of the magazine. You can find the Backroads 250, as well as a slew of other .gpx route files, in our Backroads Vault: www.backroadsusa.com/gpsdownloads.html. I’m sure your kids will be able to get this going for you, they are so much smarter than we are when it comes to technology. Hope to see you on the road one day soon. Eureka & Mazel Tov to both of you. I am very proud of your accomplishments and expansion of your northeast riding base(s). It is always great when you can monetize your passion and share those adventure experiences with like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts! My hat is off to you for bringing pleasure on 2 wheels to many who would never be able to enjoy international travel without your contribution to their next adventure! Burt richmond Brian and Shira , Congratulations on your 25th year of publishing Backroads. And sorry for your loss of Shira’s mom. I just read of your outing to Van Sant Airport. I went there a couple of weeks earlier. I’ve been to Van Sant many times, but was never treated to an airshow by 3 Pitts Specials and a Cristen Eagle. Everyone was celebrating their freedom from boredom! Really enjoyed your x country trip vicariously. Thanks for your wonderful publication! ernie vaupel Thank you for expressing your support for our police departments. It just proves to me once again what a quality organization this is. Deb Baker Brian-Shira, I just wanted to thank you guys for a fantastic cover and article in the August 2020 issue. It is absolutely perfect. It’s great to have support like this during our troubled times and this helps more than you know. It’s great to have people like you in this world thinking of others. I notice things like that. As long as I am standing, we will keep this place alive for all machines...old and new. Oh yes sorry, people too...and animals. Bar & Dannie eisenhauer • van sant airport
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Letters to the Editor Dear Shira and Brian, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for pulling off the Graduate Great Escape in State College! With so many events being cancelled, you managed to host a fabulous event, providing a getaway, an escape, that we all needed. It was great to see so many old friends and make some new ones, with appropriate social distancing and precautions. Diane and I enjoyed the ice cream route on Saturday, great roads through the Pennsylvania mountains with lunch and some delicious ice cream in the middle. Perfect timing as the short-lived downpour lasted about as long as my ice cream cone while sitting in the covered pavilion. Then back on the bikes for more curvy roads. Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the Backroads family in Vermont in a few weeks. Regards, Paul T. Donoghue I just hate when I have to eat my words let alone gag on them. I am of course referring to my past sentiments regarding Pennsylvania and their ‘crappy’ roads. Well this past Graduate weekend left me choking. Great roads, even better company. Thank you SO much for making these Backroads adventures happen. And in a pandemic no less!!!! helene D. Next Page
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
IN DU STRY INFOBITES REvEL SCOOTERS SHUTS DOWN IN NYC AFTER JOURNALIST’S FATALITY Nina Kapur, a 26-year-old reporter in New York City, died after she fell from a moped that had been rented from Revel, a popular moped sharing service. She was a passenger. A week later 32-year-old Jeremy Malave lost control of a Revel scooter and hit a light post in the center median, suffering severe head trauma that proved fatal. In the first incident, Kapur was riding on the back of a Revel rental scooter that was being driven by a 26-year-old man when he “swerved for an unknown reason” Saturday evening in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, according to NYPD spokeswoman Denise Moroney. Kapur and the driver fell to the roadway, and while the driver sustained minor injuries, Kapur was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing, Moroney said. Neither were wearing helmets.
News from the Inside Similar to the electric scooter rentals that have popped up nationwide, people can use a Revel moped by simply downloading an app and unlocking the nearest one for $1. They’re currently available in New York, Austin, Texas, Miami, Oakland, California, and Washington D.C. Anyone over 21 and with a valid license can drive one. Revels only go up to 30 miles per hour and riding on highways and major bridges is not allowed. Editor’s Note: Seriously, why don’t we just have an app to rent a Glock-19, or to play with a Bengal Tiger for the evening. No skills, no idea, no thinking required! When things like this happen, we motorcycles eventually pay the price.
SPECTRO PERFORMANCE OILS BECOMES THE OFFICIAL OIL OF COBRA MOTO Powersports lubricant manufacturer, Spectro Performance Oils would like to announce its newest partnership. Effective immediately, Spectro Performance Oils becomes the Official Oil of Cobra Moto. With this partnership, Spectro also becomes a major sponsor of Cobra Moto factory’s youth race team. Countless motocross stars have started their careers riding Cobra Moto bikes as well as using Spectro Performance Oils products. A winning tradition runs deep within both of these companies, making this partnership a perfect fit. Spectro will be the factory fill and recommended replacement oil for all Cobra Moto bikes. Spectro engineers and blends some of the highest quality oils in the world, which will give the young Cobra Moto riders the
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Shira: I enjoyed riding with you and Brian and very much like the swift pace. It’s quite a dedicated following you have among the readers. Regards, andrew • MachineartMoto Dear Brian & Shira: Woo Hoo - I got the 25th Anniversary T-Shirt. It will put it to service for its intended use tomorrow. BTW it’s awesome. Thank you both. All the best and I hope things will stabilize so I can finally join up for one of the rides outside of VIR. John J. Chagnon Hi Shira: Better than being on the cover of the ROLLING STONE, IMO, is the full page cover on Aerostich’s Catalog. Super! Dr. g
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020 edge they need to get to the next level like many did before them. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Cobra Moto, their rich history and proven track record.” said Spectro’s Marketing Director, Luke Calzone. “Our visions will align as one as we can now supply young aspiring motocross stars with all the tools they need to succeed; a quality machine and a quality oil.” Spectro and Cobra share another trait, one that is possibly the most important. Family owned, operated and Made in the USA. Although states apart, Spectro Oils and Cobra Moto are cut from the same cloth, both representing hard work, pride and a championship mentality will seamlessly unite these two household brands. “Spectro is a classic American brand, and like Cobra, they are nimble and dedicated to pushing the state of the art in everything they do. The Cobra team is really looking forward to a relationship that goes well beyond our race team and into making future products better” said Cobra Moto President, Shawn Hilbert.
MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY SEE BEST SPRING IN YEARS The Motorcycle Industry Council reported that year-to-date retail powersports sales were better than they’d been in the past three years. “The powersports industry is in a much more positive place than where we thought we’d be earlier this year, when the full impact of the pandemic began to come into focus,” MIC President and CEO Erik Pritchard said. Of course, powersports includes ATVs, side-by-sides, and motorcycles, but in fact, off-road sales were up 18.9 percent year-to-date through March 2020, according to the MIC’s Retail Sales Reporting System, which gathers newmotorcycle retail sales data from the 14 leading manufacturers and distributors in the US. In sum, sales were relatively strong from January through April, and May was a great month for most. Pritchard also pointed out, “The first four months of 2020, it’s the second-best performance only to 2016— in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of really high unemployment. And so, if you feel like your company’s been having a good, sort of surprising first four months, you’re not alone.” Keep it going – spend that government money on a bike to stimulate yourself – why do you think they call it a stimulus check?
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MOTOGP SHAKEUP • POL ESPARGARó IN; CRUTCHLOW OUT In a move that was not unexpected after he departed from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP team after a three-year run, Pol Espargaró has signed a two-year contract with the Repsol Honda Team starting in 2021. Espargaró will be joining reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez. That started a domino effect, as Álex Márquez has lost his Repsol Honda Team ride before a single lap of competition in 2020. Márquez has signed with the LCR Honda Team, and retains a contract with HRC as he rides the Honda RC213V for the satellite team. Márquez’s teammate at LCR will be Takaaki Nakagami, a former rival of both Márquez brothers in Moto2.
AMSAF AWARDED $50,000 FOR STATE’S NEW HELMET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Foundation (AMSAF) announces the award of a $50,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (AZGOHS) to help promote a helmet assistance program that will help individuals garner a quality DOT full face or modular helmet. “We want to thank AZGOHS Director Alberto Gutier for his continued support for motorcycle safety in Arizona,” says Mick Degn, AMSAF executive director. “This helmet program will help individuals garner a quality DOT helmet with some financial assistance from AMSAF and a discount from AMSAFcertified dealers. AMSAF believes the program will afford people the opportunity to purchase a good full-face or modular DOT helmet at a reduced cost. The applicant must fill out an application and donate $50 to AMSAF, which is tax-deductible. For full details visit AMSAF’s website: www.amsaf.org/helmets Continued on Page 20
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Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s MYSTER IOU S A MERICA CaMP MerriT • ForgoTTen PanDeMiC oF The PasT Pvt. Bobby McCormack awoke feeling like crap. Just a day or two before some new recruits were shipped in from the mid-west to Camp Merritt in the northeast corner of New Jersey, on the way “over there.” A few of them didn’t look so good he had thought, but today neither did McCormack. The first case of the virus made itself known just days earlier on the other side of the Garden State at Fort Dix, but it was here at Camp Merritt that it would run its deadly track. Within a matter of days, the once vibrant, young, and healthy McCormack would be dead along with dozens more of his fellow soldiers. Hundreds more would perish in quick order. Although you might be thinking that we have heard many of these stories during this summer of COVID, know that this is not from today’s headline at all. Pvt. Bobby McCormack died over 108 years ago. Let me tell you the not-told-enough tale of Camp Merritt. As you ride north on Knickerbocker Road in Bergen County, New Jersey you will pass through many small suburban towns that run into each other – now part of the sprawl that has come to surround the Big Apple. There is a traffic circle where Cresskill meets Dumont and in the middle of this circle stands a most impressive monument. A 65-foot obelisk, a smaller replica of the one in Washington D.C. It is created from Stony Creek granite and it features a large carved relief sculpted by Robert Ingersoll Aitken, which portrays a World War I doughboy with an eagle above him. An inscription on the south side states that the obelisk
“marks the center of the camp and faces the highway over which more than a million American soldiers passed on their way to and from the World War, 1917–1919.” Near the monument on a large boulder is a copper plaque designed by Katherine Lamb Tait which has a relief of the Palisades, and in the ground is a dimensional stone carving of a map of Camp Merritt, the key to this small piece of Mysterious America. When dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1924, General John “Black Jack” Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Force, gave the dedication address to an estimated audience of 20,000 people. It was huge in deal and in stature… then. Today hundreds of cars ride around it on their way to the mall, the Palisades Parkway or grandma’s house, and barely take notice of this wonderfully created monument, much less why the names of 578 men and women are inscribed along its sides. The story of the camp is amazing in itself. Upon the United States’ entry into World War I on April 6, 1917, the Army needed a series of embarkation camps near railroads and near the departure port
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of Hoboken as a final stop for soldiers before being shipped off to Europe to “fight the Kaiser”. The Camp Merritt, originally named Camp Tenafly, location was ideal. The area was a flat plain about 10 miles from NYC. Come down off the plain to the East and you find the Erie (Northern) Railroad in Cresskill. Go West and you find the West Shore Railroad in Dumont. And just over the Palisades was the ferry pier at Alpine Landing. The camp was nicknamed “The Camp Beautiful”. Soldiers had been training at bases all across the country. These bases were typically flat, barren locales with buildings made of raw unfinished wood. During construction at Camp Merritt, many of the old trees in the area were spared and even some existing orchards remained. The camp quartermaster was even able to do the impossible: obtaining funds to paint the exterior of the buildings in the camp.
Page 13 Imagine how the troops felt upon arrival at this very different looking camp. The camp was also considered “glamorous”. The area of the Palisades in Fort Lee was the location for shooting the popular silent movie films being produced by the motion picture companies in New York. And adding to the glamor of the movie locations, New York City was relatively close by and the destination of anyone fortunate enough to get a 24-hour pass before departing for Europe, could catch a train to Fort Lee and then on the ferry to 125th Street pier. On their day off, nurses from the hospital would visit Coney Island. Over a million servicemen passed through this camp including Sgt. Alvin York, Harry S. Truman, and Hank Gowdy were just some of our doughboys who headed to the Western Front via New Jersey. But Camp Merritt was anything but glamorous that summer when what would become known as the Spanish Flu burned through our servicemen and women, doctors and nurses in Bergen County, NJ. This pandemic raged through the world and to ring a familiar bell… Montclair resident Martin Synnott was an Army major and the chief of the Medical Service at Fort Dix when the virus took hold on the base, killing 863 people between September and October 1918. In a report at a conference of state and local health officials in Trenton in January 1919, Synnott noted the uniqueness of this virus: “The extraordinary toxicity, the marked prostration, the extreme cyanosis, and the rapidity of development stamp this disease a distinct clinical entity heretofore not fully described.” Sound familiar, does it not? If traveling through Bergen County the monument is well worth seeking out. The county has put up a superb grouping of signs telling the story to anyone who cares to park and spend a little time reading and digesting what had happened then and what is happening now – maybe we are all part of Mysterious America. O’Life Out! ,
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G REAT A LL AMERICA N DINE R RUN Park resTauranT 95 E WASHINGTON ST, S, SHENANDOAH, PA 17976 570-462-1143 • OPEN 9 AM – CLOSED EVENINGS & MONDAYS
Route 739 • Dingmans Ferry, PA • 570.828.1920
OUTDOOR SEATING AVAILABLE
WE ARE
BACK!
Dontcha just love it when things all fall into place? Every now and again it seems like the Road Gods are looking down on us and smiling! We were on our way to Knoebels Amusement Park, near the Susquehanna River, and were passing through the town of Shenandoah – known for its coal mining history, famed strike and occupation by the National Guard, as well as the Molly Maguires, and the proud fact that once upon a time this Pennsylvanian coal town offered more bars per thousand people than any other location in the world. We had stopped to see the impressive memorial and monument to the coal miners and had been discussing the idea of lunch before we got to Knoebels. Looking up Shira asked, “Is that a restaurant?” Behind the trees, almost out of sight, sat a small, one-story, two-tone green building. A faded two-font sign said Park Restaurant. The bright red neon sign said OPEN. We have learned long past not to judge a book by its cover. But, rather by how many people have read it. Their small lot looked full and we parked on the grass. While we were parking the bikes, a gentleman walked by and nodded hello. I asked how the food was. He replied, “This place is your classic greasy spoon… but, the food is outstanding and done from scratch.” We were already walking in.
tasty places to take your bike
Few restaurants have a feel like the Park. If Hollywood was going to create a throwback diner where time has stood still – they would be better off just renting this place.
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A long formica counter ran opposite the very busy, and very good, cook. The booths were cozy (read into this). The seats – well they might have seen better days. We moved from one to another seeking out a bit more comfort, yet I still managed to bash my leg each time I stood up. The shiny metal backsplash showed years of service. Less adventurous readers might wish to pass and find something new, spacious and boring. You might wonder why we’d feature such a place. Because, it is exactly what it is… and carries an ambiance we have not felt in a long time. The Park Restaurant is family-owned and the waitress was as nice as could be. Her dad was the man behind the counter and when we ordered our meal – which was a bit different - we saw him prepare it all. Yep, the Park Restaurant is not modern, roomy or even all that comfortable, but the food was wicked good. Looking around the grease-stained kitchen and dated décor we looked at the menu and rolled the dice. Shira ordering an egg salad and I went for the broiled liver with fried onions and gravy. What we won’t do for our readers. We watched as the cook started these from scratch, actually peeling some hardboiled eggs of titanic size and prepping the liver as well. While there we got to talking to the owner, Violet, and she pointed out the rest of her clan. When I asked her how long the Park had been there the answer was what I expected…Forever. Later, as I looked at some reviews online I found one that stood out… ‘Believe it or not, I washed dishes here one summer in 1956 when I was 12 years old. We went back yesterday to eat for the first time since 1956 and found nothing has changed, including the decor. The family who owns the restaurant all work there and are very friendly. It was great catching up on the local gossip, etc. If you like nostalgia and a throwback to the past, this is the place to visit; there might be varnish on the grill and vent from a burger I ate in 1956 but don’t let that stop you because the food is tasty and abundant!’ – Joe P We looked around at some of the other plates coming by our table and there was not one that did not look perfect. When ours appeared, it was of a serious size and wondrously flavorful as well. In today’s world of shiny, sharp and big - The Park Restaurant is very, very different. If you are not persnickety, overly OCD and can deal with a bit of wear and tear then seek out the Park Restaurant in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. It will be a serious change of pace, interesting and delicious. ,
OUTDOOR SEATING NOW AVAILABLE SEE WEB FOR MENU • CALL IN ORDER • CURB DELIVERY
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WE’RE OUTTA HER E The river inn aT rolPhs wharF 1008 ROLPHS WHARF RD, CHESTERTOWN, MD 21620-2012 410-778-6389 • rolphswharfmarina.com • ROOMS $125/NIGHT This column, We’re Outta Here!, was first created to seek out places, inns, hotels, B & Bs, and the like that were a bit off the beaten path. Maybe a place you might miss if you blinked or were not aware that there could be something stupendous just down that tiny road. Many times we’d hit the mark right on, other places might fit the bill with varying success. This month we would like to offer a small inn that truly does lie off the beaten path – unless you boat on a small river feeding into the northern Chesapeake Bay. Welcome to The River Inn. Chestertown, founded back 1706, quickly gained social and economic stature as one of five British Ports of Entry in Maryland. The shipping boom that followed this designation made the town at the navigable head of the Chester River wealthy. In the mid-eighteenth century, Chestertown was considered Maryland’s second-leading port. A burgeoning merchant class infused riches into the town, reflected in the many brick mansions and townhouses that sprang up along the waterfront. Another area in which Chestertown is second only to Annapolis is in its number of existing eighteenthcentury homes. As of the 1790 census, Chestertown was the “geographical center” of the population of the United States. Who knew? The town itself, with its amazing historic flavor, is well worth
a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads the visit but this month we would like to bring you just to the south and on the other side of the Chester River to a small wharf named Rolphs. If Jimmy Buffett decided to hideaway along The Bay – we think this place would be the perfect choice for the calypso poet. The wharf has several slips and many locals keep their boats here. Close enough for easy access to the lower bay and the Atlantic and far enough away to offer shelter in a storm. Across from the pier and under the watchful eyes of the formidable Ospreys that have nested along the docks you will find the sandy beach and, more importantly, The Sand Bar. A large cupola offers cover to the old beached boat that has been transformed into a very Chesapeaky tiki-bar. Beer, wine, and cocktails along the water cannot be beaten after a long day’s ride, or on the water. The Sand Bar offers decent bar food as well with a light menu of shrimp, crab cakes, hot dogs, or hot wings. The burgers and cheesesteaks were fantastic. Should you like a non-fishy swimming experience, there is a large pool with seating for sunning, reading and relaxing.
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Just up the hill, you will find the very stately River Inn. Built back in the mid-1800s, the house offers guests a look back to an easier going and certainly different time. The River Inn has six rooms – all named after the different owners of this historical home. Rooms have queen or king beds and some have an extra twin, all with private baths. We stayed in the Dreibelbis Room – with its high ceilings, ultra-comfortable king bed, and private bath. There was also a twin bed,which makes for a great place for motorcycle gear to rest. In the morning we had coffee on the wide porch and took turns being masseuse to Friday the 13th – the resident large black cat that was demanding in that insistent and feline way. A full breakfast does come with each overnight stay. The parlor was very comfortable and we spent some time with Sandy, the owner, and talked
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about the inn, and the beautiful region that she and husband Chip now call home. Sandy gave us a tour of the rest of the inn and we are always impressed with the wonderful style and architecture of these old places and The River Inn had nooks, crannies, and details that were simply marvelous. We also love that they have a very large collection of books sprinkled around the inn. We think parking the motorcycles for a day, finding a good read, and settling in on the porch with Friday the 13th is an excellent plan if you are really looking to escape the world. Back at the Sand Bar later that day – all was right with the world and there was just one thing that could make for a seamless We’re Outta Here – and it arrived right on schedule. The sunset was about as magnificent as you will find and added the perfect finish to a great day of riding, exploring, and discovering this part of the Delmarva. Enjoy your stay! ,
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Frontline Eurosports Presents
B IG CITY GETAWAY words + images: Pamela Collins
MeMories, MoTorCyCles anD More Pennsylvania MuseuM DeBuTs a never-seen-BeFore ColleCTion oF MoTorCyCles Do you remember your first motorcycle? Silly question, of course you do. Are you smiling as you think about that bike and memories associated with it, the places visited, the people who rode along, the scenery, the excitement (as well as the challenges) of the open road? Would you want that motorcycle back? Two Pennsylvania-based brothers answered that question “yes,” and their affirmative response has morphed into a motorcycle collection featuring bikes from the last 80 years. On display at the Taber Museum in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the exhibit, called “Harley-Davidson vs. Indian Wars” features fine examples of those two marques, and other manufacturers as well. It also relates the story of love…for family, for two brothers, and for motorcycling. Area resident Duane VanFleet and his brother Keith, from Scranton, PA are the pair behind the collection, with Duane buying and Keith restoring the bikes. “Duane’s goal is to get back a lot of the stuff we had in “the day,” says Keith, “he wants ‘that bike.’” Many of their previously-owned motorcycles stand proudly as part of the collection. One H-D model in the collection tells a special story. The 1942 Knucklehead EL replicates exactly the bike the VanFleet’s father, Ernie, had owned and then sold when he started his young family. Duane and Keith found and restored the bike, then presented it to Ernie and mom Florence (Floss) two years before Ernie died. With its shiny paint and springer front-end, the motorcycle tells a story far greater than a simple restoration, or a fast machine, or an expensive racer. It tells a tale of history, of family, of lost love, found love, and enduring love.
daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020 Keith began racing motocross at age 14, and his little brother often tagged along when Keith visited his mentor who worked on bikes. Fast-forward 50 years and the brothers’ love of the sport keeps rolling, with both of them still racing, but on these vintage motorcycles. Duane enjoys ice racing, and they both compete in The Race of Gentlemen, a vintage motorcycle drag race run on the New Jersey shore sand by every fall. Keith usually rides a 1937 80 cubic-inch Indian factory racer with twin carbs and a Bonneville cam for that race. Duane rides a 1942 Harley-Davidson WR TT Factory Racer (of which there are fewer than ten known examples), once raced by the legendary Al Knapp. Both bikes are in the exhibit.
“It’s the perfect mix of crazy,” says Keith, “you have to know where to draw the line. I get beat every year, but only by a wheel.” Keeping an elderly machine in racing form presents challenges, but “there’s nothing I like better than grabbing a 70-year old machine that’s worn out and run, and you can make it new and competitive. I just love this old stuff,” Keith says.
Page 19 The exhibit features beautiful examples of Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles from throughout the years, illustrating how those two companies, using advancing technology of those times, fought (and still compete) for the hearts and wallets of American motorcyclists. Some examples in the collection from Indian include a 1941 441 Indian four-cylinder. Boasting 77 cubic inches, the squarish four-cylinder motor looks unconventional, but beautiful, perched underneath the burgandy-colored tank with matching swooping fenders and camel-tan leather seat. A 1945 Indian Sport Scout used 45 cubic inches to make 25 horsepower and reached speeds up to 85 miles per hour. Another Sport Scout, this one from 1940, once belonged to local racing legend and AMA Hall of Fame Member “Fast” Eddie Fisher, whom Duane calls “one of my idols”, a former Indian factory racer turned Triumph factory racer (he won Laconia in 1953), who, at 95 years old, still rides. Bikes representing Harley-Davidson include a 1941 G-model Servi-car three-wheeled delivery vehicle; a 1937 UL side-valve Flathead; a 1946 Knucklehead; a 1960 blue and white Duo Glide (bought and sold by Duane three times); and a “peas and carrots” 1981 Heritage AMF Shovelhead enrobed in a green and orange paint scheme.
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A 1920 Cleveland, resplendent in red and gold with its 220ci single cylinder engine, wears the honor as the exhibit’s oldest motorcycle, and some machines from across the pond, Triumphs and a BSA, add sBritish Isles’ flair.
with its yellow, chrome and red tank, is one of the last four-stroke off-road bikes made by BSA. A selection of various antique motorcycle memorabilia rounds out the displays. The HarleyDavidson vs Indian Wars exhibit will be rumbling through visitors’ memory lanes until September 20 at the Taber Museum, 858 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701. Museum hours are Tue-Fri: 9:30am to 4:00pm, Sat: 11:00am to 4:00pm and Sun 1:00 to 4:00 pm • Closed Monday. Admission: $9.50 adults, 65+: $7.50 and 3-12: $6. For more information, visit www.TaberMuseum.org. , inDusTry inFoBiTes
Only eleven known examples exist of the original 112 built of the 1956 Triumph TR5 “R Trophy Special,” a pure racing bike rebuilt to original condition. Another Triumph, an extremely rare 1974 Avenger, represents that company’s last effort to build an MX-style bike. The 1970 BSA 441 Victor,
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BMW GS TURNS 40! In autumn 1980 BMW Motorrad presented the R 80 G/S, a motorcycle which combined two very special areas of riding for the first time: Off-road and on-road. Thanks to its unique combination of road, touring and off-road capability – without compromising on everyday use – the R 80 G/S became
1269 DOLSONTOWN RD MIDDLETOWN NY 10940
845-343-2552 • WWW.CYCLEMOTIONINC.COM Cycle Motion is your provider of motorcycles, atVs, scooters, and utility vehicles by Kawasaki, Suzuki, Polaris, yamaha and Can-am. With a large parts department, qualified service technicians and a full shop of parts and accessories, we're here to meet all your power sport needs. For every rider - on or off road, whether they like doing it in the dirt, carving the twisties, or cruising the backroads, we have their weapon of choice.
the conceptual forerunner of the new motorcycle category of touring enduros and BMW Motorrad has sold more than 1.2 million BMW GS models over the year (2 million being both bought and destroyed by Backroads publisher Brian Rathjen).
I-SPY DUCATI MULTISTRADA v4 Our men Scotty and Kelly grabbed this image while the new V-4 was being tested in near-finished form; the Multistrada V4 isn’t a secret anymore. Ducati officially announced its plans to make the bike last September,
confirming it to be an addition to the Multistrada range rather than a replacement for either the 950cc or the 1,260cc V-Twin models. In a one-line statement, the firm said: “Development is ongoing, and in 2021 the Multistrada family will expand to see the twin-cylinder 1260 and 950 motorcycles joined by a version with a new, specific V-4 engine.” For a crappy year it is looking like fun for us riders! ,
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MiTChell’s hoMeMaDe serving ClevelanD anD iTs suBurBs sinCe 1999 www.mitchellshomemade.com On our Break Out cross-country tour in June, I obviously did my best to find some special ice cream shops along the way. That may sound like a no-brainer to all of you, but given our trajectory, these spots were few and very far between. Sure there were your basic ice cream chains or, in a pinch, gas station purchases, but a fresh batch of home churned ice cream was a tough find. I peruse the emails listing ‘the BEST ice cream from each state’ or ‘this year’s ice cream trail’ which has taken on a great following in many states. I like to see how many I have actually visited and, since they do change annually, I have a pretty good track record. Looking through one such list, I came across a very highly touted shop, actually a group of shops, in Ohio. Well, great, we’d be going through Ohio, let’s see if that’s doable. It surely was, and Mitchell’s Homemade in Avon, Ohio, was put into our routing. Pete and Mike Mitchell, brothers from University Heights area of Ohio, had always enjoyed their ice cream. Said brother Mike, ‘It follows us through our lives from when we were young kids all the way up until we’re on a bus full of senior citizens coming for a treat. It’s for after happy times like ball games, graduation, on a date or with Grandma.’ On a trip in the late 1990s to Seattle to visit his brother Pete, they were looking for a good ice cream and simply couldn’t find any so they decided to make some, together. They opted for their home state of Ohio to set up shop. They set out to learn as much as they could about the ice cream business, with neither one of them having any culinary background whatsoever. Mike learned the ropes of ice cream making at Penn State University (my ice cream alma mater). They took out loans, set up shop in mom’s living and dining room and opened their first shop in Westlake, Ohio on Oct. 6, 1999. (Mom was worried and asked, ‘Is that a good business to get into? What about the steel business?’ Moms are all the same). It was slow going but, in a couple of years, they opened their second shop in Solon and today, 20 years later, they have 9 shops in northeast Ohio and a huge following. Not only do the Mitchells
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT We hope to see you soon!
OPEN FOR DINE-IN or TAKEOUT. Visit webpage for menu See daily specials on Facebook. Curbside Delivery Available. Tues: 4-9 • Wed: 12-9 • Thurs-Sat: Noon-10 Sun: Breakfast 9-1/ Lunch-dinner Noon-8
RivertonHotelandRestaurant
The riverton hotel and restaurant At Belvidere-Riverton Free Bridge, Riverton, PA
610-498-4241 • www.rivertonhotel.net
Member of
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make their own small batch ice cream in a large variety of very creative flavors, they are all about giving back to the community and donate generously to many charities including the Susan G. Komen Fund, as their mom passed in 2004 of breast cancer. They source as much as possible from nearby farmer-friends and, when the best is a bit further away, they source from there such as vanilla from Madagascar or Sumatran coffee. So, now on to the important part – the taste test. We had stayed the night in Painesville, Ohio at the Rider’s Inn (see upcoming We’re Outta Here). Our route had us visiting several sites in and around Cleveland but before that we had a good early lunch base of ice cream. Mike has been busy developing 50 or so flavors, which makes for a very difficult decision. Brian went for
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his litmus of cookies and cream and he said it quite possibly was the best he had ever tasted. I was in need of a little jolt so got a double scoop of dark roast coffee and coconut, both of which were superb. You can get your ice cream served up in cup or cone, in a shake, malt or float or spruced up in some very filling sundaes such as the Buckeye: peanut butter chocolate chunk ice cream, hot fudge, homemade whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a Bordeaux cherry topper. If you are vegan or watching your sugar intake, they have you covered, as well as offering sorbets and yogurts. What I’ve decided makes for an exceptional ice cream, IMHO, is smooth texture, creaminess, strong flavor and not too much sugar. Mitchell’s has hit that on the head, which is why they have become the most popular and best selling ice cream brand in Ohio, available not only in their own shops but in many grocers and restaurants statewide. Should you find yourself traveling in this part of Ohio, put Mitchell’s Homemade on your radar – you certainly won’t be disappointed. ,
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O Planting
the
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Plan
kay, the title might seem a bit more dramatic than the actual escape. But, after three months of following (more or less) what the Powers that Be had demanded, having our household sick for a month regardless and losing a mom to this fiery virus, Shira and i were done. Full of antibodies and a bit miffed at how things went down, we needed to escape, get going and do what Backroads does. ride. escaping the tight grip of trenton, which seemed to be very slow in opening up the state, was needed out in a big way. in late May, with both of us now well and back on the bikes, we rode to hancock, ny to overnight for my 62nd birthday. On the way up Shira stated that it felt so good to be riding somewhere… anywhere. i asked where she’d like to ride. She said she felt like she could ride to the Pacific Ocean. thus the wheels began to turn on a very quickly planned road trip. honda’s 2019 new york Media Fleet was due to be swapped out for the new 2020 models. What if we took the Gold Wing and brought it back to honda in-person, to California. to us, it sounded like a nobrainer. By that evening we had gotten a text back from our friend jon at honda. the Wing was ours, but jon – who always looks out for Shira – sweetened the deal and offered a new 2020 nC750X for her to ride across the nation as well. it would be brought out with the new 2020 fleet. how could we say no?
words: Brian Rathjen images: Brian Rathjen + Shira Kamil
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BackrOadS central
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PaineSville, OhiO
Not two weeks later we were packing up the two Hondas and getting ready for an early launch the next day. Much like Space-X we were delayed by a band of heavy rain, some of the remnants of Tropical Storm Christobal, that pushed back our early morning launch window till mid-morning. No worries, even with the detour encountered on I-80 as we tried to blast west, which had us find our first meal of the trip at the Unicorn Cafe in Nescopeck, PA. Great base for a long road trip. We made our way to the Susquehanna and then motored along the beautiful backroads of the Allegheny National Forest. As we neared the border with Ohio we stopped by the PENN DOT Roadside Sculpture Garden on Route 322. We had been here before, but our route brought us right by it and it seems to get bigger each time we see it.
The highway department’s art display, fed by an, apparently, limitless supply of old metal reflective signs, continues to add more sculptures, making it worth the quick stop.
Not far from here we crossed into Linesville – Where the Ducks Walk on Fish. Long story – perhaps you should take a ride out to the Allegheny National Forest and discover what this is all about for yourself. By evening we crossed into Ohio on U.S. 6, The Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and one of the great All-American Roads that stretches from Cape Cod, Mass to Long Beach, Cali. Although we thought we’d wing much of this trip (no pun intended), this first night Shira had found a very rider-friendly place in the town of Painesville, Ohio, just south of Lake Erie… remarkably called The Rider’s Inn. The place was stately and had a regal feel to it. Jennifer, the day manager, was wonderful and the owner, Elaine Crane, sat with us for a while and had the most amazing stories while we dined on some incredible food. Walleye with melted honey butter, straight from the lake, and Shira’s Prime Rib was as good as it gets. I love it when she shares. The rooms were what one would expect in an old and beautiful house and, like many places like this, it was reportedly haunted by the original owner’s wife who died from, let’s say, unusual circumstances. We did not meet Suzanne that night. But it did add some more flavor to an already delicious stay. Since we crossed the Delaware River attitudes, as far as COVID, seemed to have changed. Far less fear and more getting on with life seemed the order of the day. I met a fellow named Bob, who had joined in our conversation during dinner, and he eagerly reached out to grasp my hand and shake it. I forgot how good something as simple as that could feel. Looking at Shira laughing with Elaine and the two bikes cooling in the gathering dusk… it finally felt like we were sorta, kinda, maybe, almost back to normal. Time would tell on the trip.
PaineSvlle, OhiO
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chicagO, illinOiS
Unlike the previous day’s launch from New Jersey, this day was stellar, with cooler temperatures and bright sunshine. After loading up the bikes we found some coffee (Finnish coffee - wow) and Elaine whipped up a delicious breakfast that we ate near the bar in the 200-year-old mansion. We had miles to go this day so we said our goodbyes and I made a deep mental note to always remember The Rider’s Inn when in northeast Ohio. We rode north to Lake Erie. Along this part of the shore of the Great Lake (and they are all really great,0 as the President might say – really inland freshwater seas), there are two lighthouses; one out along the breakwater and the other on the shore. One just 95 years old, but the other called simply the Fairport Lighthouse. Built in 1971 out of Berea Sandstone it is a stunning work of old-style know-how and engineering. Very beautiful and - haunted. We’re not talking scary human poltergeists here kiddies – nope, we are
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On the east side of Cleveland, there was a Historical Marker that we simply had to see. Along the way, we rode through the Cultural Gardens at Rockefeller Park. Started in 1916 these gardens were created to represent the diversity and multiculturalism that is Cleveland, and bring to life the Gardens’ mission, “peace through mutual understanding.” Today there are 33 small gardens. Detalking ghostly kitty. Yes… a Ghost Cat! This one is for O’Life. We did make some time to the Windy City that night, as we had planned to stay with our friends Janet and Michael at the simply wonderful, should be in a magazine, townhouse in Lincoln Park right off Lake Michigan. We ran straight west and just before Cleveland we rode past a place that we knew needed a U-turn and at least a stop for a digital moment. Duck Tape World headquarters. If you can’t fix it – duck it!
This exit also brought us to a great ice cream shop called Mitchell’s (see this month’s Inside Scoop for details). This is a small chain of creameries and they make all their own ice cream. Following COVID Rules (add visual finger quotes here) we had to order outside and it was brought out to the bikes. Seriously... the best Cookies and Cream I have ever had. Ahh, I love being fully sugared and caffeinated.
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS picted in the gardens are the poets, philosophers, peacemakers, composers, scientists, and others who have contributed to world culture. The Gardens are home to Yeats (Irish Garden), Chopin (Polish Garden), Dante (Italian Garden), Nikola Tesla (Serbian Garden), Mark Twain (American Garden) and many others - including a great Russian offering featuring the first man in space Yuri Gargarin. Sticking with the outer space theme, we had vectored towards the Historical Marker that brought us to this part of the city in the first place.
Although Kal-El is always associated with Smallville and Metropolis, he really had his off-world start, not on far away Krypton, but right outside downtown Cleveland. Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster were unpopular geeks when they were seniors at Glenville High School. But together they created Superman, and decades later Cleveland unveiled a historical marker honoring them in a small park outside the neighborhood where they’d both lived. In 2011 the marker was stolen by thieves who thought they could sell it for scrap metal. Obviously not Brainiac.
chicagO, illinOiS
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MuScatine, iOwa
We rode through the center of the Windy City on the way out of town, passing the Farmer’s Market with folks waiting their 6 feet apart in line to enter and, even in the middle of this pandemic and unrest, the city still looked pretty good – certainly one of the most handsome towns in the USA. We motored south, along old Route 66 (or what we could find of the original) to the small town of Odell, where we met Susie Newkirk for an early lunch. Just south of Odell is the great town of Pontiac, Illinois. Although Backroads is created in New Jersey it is here in Illinois that each and every copy of Backroads is actually printed. Remarkably this is the town where Dean Winchester returned from Hell in the television show Supernatural. Yes, TV was just another of the reasons we had to get out of New Jersey and away from the dreaded binge-watching.
We have been working with Susie, who is our rep from JPA, for many years and it was phenomenal to finally meet her and spend some time with a woman that is so important to this publication. When it was learned that the plaque was made of inexpensive aluminum, it was returned and re-anchored into the park with a base that even Superman would probably have difficultly ripping out of the ground. Images of Supe’s marker complete, we continued in a westerly direction, cutting through the Hoosier State and then along the bottom of Lake Michigan. By evening we were passing Soldier Field and minutes later were getting hugs and greetings from Mike and Janet. We have traveled a lot with this great couple in different places around the planet and it was more than excellent to spend a night with old friends.
We did lunch and then she took us on a local’s tour of the town of Pontiac, riding along Route 66. We scooted through the museum dedicated to Gilding and then spent far more time at the town’s auto museum. Firebirds, a bunch of GTOs, a prototype Fiero…
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Yes - all these cars were from one manufacturer. Whom? Pontiac, of course! The town of Pontiac looks and feels like all American towns should. We could see why Susie and the folks at JPA love this place. Our plan was to head west along the backroads of the Land of Lincoln and then cross the Mississippi into Iowa at Muscatine. Although this part of the state had many long straight miles, we still were able to find some interesting twists among the miles of corn and wind turbines. As we were riding through the small burg of Washburn, we saw gatherings of local townspeople lining the road. Near the American Legion hall were about 50 or 60 folks all standing and looking down the road in a happy and expectant manner. I slowed to a stop and asked what was going on. As if in one voice a number of them said… “Our High School Graduation!” How excellent, we thought, and we parked the bikes to cheer the small graduating Class of 2020 parade entering the town - with fire engines blaring and leading the way. Each student rode by, sitting like royalty, in the back of individual pick-up trucks,all to the cheers of the townspeople of Washburn and two semi-lost moto-journalists from New Jersey. At a time when it seemed our nation had turned itself upside down and lost a happy direction, the people of Washburn reminded Shira and me how kind and
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS playing baseball (Thank God!), we walked the riverfront and the town’s main streets discovering that Muscatine, Iowa was not only a neat river town, but was once the Pearl Button Capital of the World. Yes, kids… the world! In truth, this was a huge business back in the days before Velcro.This part of the river was known for its mussels and clams. Across from the hotel stands a huge statue entitled Mississippi Harvest, some 23 feet tall, of a Mississippi Clammer – a tribute to a past that made this part of the river so special and so appealing today.
MuScatine, iOwa
wonderful and solid our country really is despite what you would see on 24-Hour News channels or your choice of political persuasion. Graduating parade over we fueled up and made the run west through the rest of Illinois and over the Big Muddy into Iowa. Our plan that day was to go to the small town of Riverside for reasons that would become clear on our next day’s ride. But, crossing the river we spotted a great riverside section with river view pubs, breweries, and a superb four-star hotel – the Merrill. We pulled into the hotel, parked the bikes and splurge on a wonderful room overlooking the river. After dinner, where we got to talk with Little Leaguers who were actually
tO
neBraSka city, neBraSka
taylor: Don’t tell me! you’re from outer space. Kirk: no, i’m from iowa. i only work in outer space. Star Trek – The Voyage Home I awoke as the sun was beginning to rise along the Mississippi River painting the sky with shades of reds, orange and blue. Morning coffee was taken watching the barges work the river and then we loaded both machines and continued west; this day with a very specific stop in mind. Riverside, Iowa – The Future Birthplace of James Tiberius Kirk. When? March 22, 2228. Kirk is an Aries by a day. Yes, kids – it is official and as real as sci-fi gets. In fact, it got the official nod from Mr. Roddenberry himself. Each year the town celebrates its little piece of Trekdom. There are a few monuments and a statue of Kirk, along with a large model of the Enterprise herself. The small museum has some really great Star Trek tchotchkes and swag and, arriving early, we killed an hour having a surprisingly good breakfast pizza made fresh for us at one of the hundreds of Casey’s Fuel Stations that fill the mid-west. All Star Trek upped and with a new “Live Fast, Die Red” and a Local Union tee shirt from the Starfleet Shipyard that would be in Riverside a couple of hundred years from now, we fired up the Drive Engines and laid in a course for the Nebraska System. Warp speed, Shira. “First star on the left, then straight on ‘til morning.” As most of us are aware, when riding through the heartland, it is all about farming, small towns, the occasional 15 miles of gravel – and a lot of straight. A lot of straight. But, even on the backroads and avoiding anything remotely looking like an Interstate we still maintained a serious pace, as everybody drives at Warp Speed here. By evening time, we crossed over the Missouri River and into the Corn Husker State. We found a room and then a Mexican restaurant with a fairly short wait. By this time, few people were thinking masks or social distancing. It seemed most of this summer’s required fashion fad had disappeared somewhere in Pennsylvania. Even in Illinois, the workers were wearing protection, although most customers were moving on. Tonight it seemed like the good old days of 2019. Remember those?
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neBraSka city, neBraSka
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Oakley, kanSaS
Years back we rode across the nation on a more northerly route. I remember hundreds of miles of pure flat with just a slight and gentle rolling of the never-ending fields of golden wheat. Here in southern Nebraska corn was the crop, but the roads, although still more or less straight, followed a far hillier terrain for the first part of the day. West of the town of Beatrice, we rode to the National Homesteaders Monument. For those of you who do not know of the Homestead Act of 1862 – it was the United State greatest stimulus package ever. It allowed any qualified person, both American and immigrant, to claim up to 160 acres of federally owned land in exchange for five years of residence and the cultivation and improvement of the property. The Act eventually transferred 270,000,000 acres from public to private ownership. It also displaced and stole (I do think that is the correct term here) much territory from the native tribes who made treaties in good faith only to have the treaties ignored or worse. Still, this act created the American Dream and it was in effect until the 1980s as folks continued to ‘Homestead’ in the wilds of Alaska. The Homesteaders faced so much and their story is truly remarkable. The monument and the museum are well worth seeking out. By this time the winds had really picked up and we spent most of the day fighting this unseen, but very real, nemesis on the long, straight road of the Cornhusker State. We made a left and headed south into Kansas and to one of the stops we knew we would be making from
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
the very start. Just north of the tiny town of Lebanon atop a hill and at the end of a long straight and hilly road, you will find the geographic center of the United States of America. Well, the 48 states – but it worked for Shira and me. There were some markers, a small chapel and a wonderful gift of a Lebanese Cedar tree planted exactly one year to the day that we arrived – a gift from a Lebanese traveler as he was moved by some scripture in the tiny chapel. What a great thought. Moving along we were forced from our planned route (and the numerous fuel stops along with it) with a 60mile detour ride to nowhere and, adding in the headwind, we were gobbling up suddenly precious fuel. The first gas station we found had not pumped gas since Reagan was in office and the second was closed as well. On the way to “The Third is a Charm” Shira called out over the Sena that she was out, as she glided to a stop along a desolate part of a Kansas highway. The Gold Wing was in the same situation but rather than stop she told me to keep going, save myself and try to get to the station we hoped would be open 12 miles down the road. The Gold Wing’s gauge that showed miles left had stopped showing anything miles back and the blinking fuel light just made it seem worse. With fumes to spare I rolled into the open station. While fueling, a fellow pulled in with a pick-up truck. He seemed to be in his mid-70’s with a rugged but kind look. He asked if I was with the other rider back down the road. I said I was and was going to bring fuel back.
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Page 31 He said he knew where we could get a fuel can and I gave him $20 bucks and off he went. Inside the fuel station, I also found a one-gallon can and with our new friend Mike returning, we now had two gallons of GoGo Juice in the back of the truck for the thirsty NC750X. I think Shira was just a bit happy to see me return, although for a second she wondered where the gas was. Introductions were made and we hope Mike knows he has friends in New Jersey. With fresh gas in her machine, we said thanks to Mike for all his help and got going in search of a room for the night, which we found right along the route that would take us, the next day, into The Centennial State of Colorado. See how the rest of our cross-country tour worked out, the beautiful country and roads we experienced and the people we met, in the October issue. ,
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
HONDA GOLD WING
The Cross-CounTry sTarship When I mention or have been asked about our trip, even the most nonriding, never getting on a bike ever civilian would ask if I rode that big Honda bike? Why head cross-country, on just a few days notice, on anything else but Honda’s flagship tourer the GL1800, especially when one such bike was just killing time in the New York region and was in need of transport back to American Honda in Torrance, California? Although the original plan was to have Shira ride pillion, I ended up soloing on this 2019 machine, which is identical in every major way to the 2020 model.
This particular Wing came with Honda’s Dual Clutch transmission. Let me be very clear on this – although the machine will run through the gears in a methodical and, depending on mode, slightly ho-hum manner, you need not let that happen. One push of a button and the DCT paddles found on the left switchgear allow for Formula 1-style upshifts and downshifts in a very Lewis Hamilton manner. Once mastered DCT is quick, sharp, and precise. The Gold Wing comes with a radio and Bluetooth capabilities and Apple Car Play as well so you can get both XM Radio, Mp3 music, navigation, and phone through your Sena, Cardo or the like headsets. Although Honda has its own GPS system built into the machine, I preferred my own routes created with Garmin’s BaseCamp program and I found that these GPX files would not play with Honda’s unit; so I added a Zumo 590 onto the prepackaged farkles of the Wing. In my opinion, I would like to see the entire radio being offered as an option as
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020 I am not a fan of motorcycles with loudspeaker systems. It might impress the non-riders, but if I want music or information fed to me I’d like it softly through my headsets. First off all that electronic and speaker space could be used for more storage and secondly - I don’t need the gal in the F-350 smirking at me while I am boogying to the Starlight Vocal Band waiting for the light to change. One ‘sizable complaint’ that has been cited by the faithful Wingsters about this newest incarnation of the GL 1800 is that the bags are a bit smaller. Indeed this is so, but that all came about when the machine was sent to the Honda gym and came out lighter, faster, and with near sport-bike handling. We’ll take this any day. In truth, half the crap some of us bring on a ride is redundant and unnecessary. I had one bag for clothes, one bag for my Nikon and lenses, and the top case for the laptop, some other items, and I added a small tank bag for quick to grab items. We still shipped shirts, souvenirs, and stuff home. On the road, the Gold Wing, arguably one of the finest long-haul motorcycles ever built, is more than that. On our way across the continent, we made a stop at Riverside, Iowa – future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. (March 22, 2228 – Kirk’s an Aries known for their fiery and passionate personality) While I was there, I hoped to score a sticker that said NCC-1701, for if any motorcycle is part Starship it is certainly the new Gold Wing. From a start, the 7-speed DCT will let you run up the gears in a blistering pace.
Page 33 The bike has four ride modes. Economy (really?), Rain – useful, especially in parking lots, hard u-turns, and the ultra-tight hairpins of the Rockies and Sport - which was far too twitchy and ill-tempered for my taste. But, like Goldilocks, I found the Gold Wing’s Touring-mode to be just right for almost every situation. The electronically controlled suspension worked like a charm and this machine was rock steady even hands-free for a marked mile at 90 mph. In the twisties this machined handles like a big sportbike. A sizable machine, but quick and responsive… It fooled several sport riders on one Sunday morning. These days so many machines have gauges and instrument clusters that are seemingly more and more complicated to operate. The Honda Africa Twin has a manual over 100 pages on its instruments and settings. Thankfully the Wing’s gauge package was very un-Hondalike and the digital side was fairly easy to figure out – I love the analog gauges. Although on her own ride – the 2020 Honda NC 750X - Shira would usually park her bike at the hotel and ride pillion with me to dinner or short rides. To put it simply her quote was along the line of … “Wow! I could have just sat here for this entire romp.” The bottom line? Honda’s GL 1800 Gold Wing is still the “King of the Long Range Tourer”. Sure, there are other big touring machines to be found, but none that have this almost magical combination of handling, power, technology, comfort, and spirit that the Gold Wing has. Whether on a 100-mile straight in the strong crosswinds of Kansas or snapping up passes in the Colorado Rockies, the Gold Wing is still in a league of its own. ,
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PRODUCT REVIEW
SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
CARDO SYSTEMS PACKTALK BOLD - WITH PREMIUM SOUND BY JBL
We have always been impressed with Cardo Bluetooth Communication Systems. From our very first review we found them easy to operate and offering good, clear sound. Over the years each incarnation has gotten a bit better and their latest offering, the Cardo Packtalk Bold, takes their systems to a new level. Both the Packtalk Bold, and the Packtalk Slim (the slimmest Bluetooth device available) come with JBL headsets which come through with rich, crisp and very clear sound, music and communication. Installation was easy, and we had installed them on a few different helmets over the last few months, so have gotten very good at it. Both models offer ground-breaking Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) technology together with Cardo’s all-new, natural voice operation feature. The DMCpowered devices allow up to 15 riders to wirelessly communicate with the same ease of connecting just two, while also allowing riders to seamlessly join, leave or change positions at a distance of up to five miles without causing a breakdown in communication. It was like Star Trek’s sub-space communications and worked as promised. In addition to the superb range Cardo offers natural voice-command, which allows riders to simply say, “Hey Cardo” and the always-on system reacts instantaneously. Our one test rider had a cue card with all the commands on it so he could try them all. Activating the device no longer requires a specific action such as push-to-talk, so riders can keep their hands on the bars at all times. We like that! Cardo also has listened to their customers over the years.
“Through intensive research and rider feedback over the past 15 years, we discovered that performance, ease-of-use and sound quality are the most important factors for riders when looking for a communications system,” said Dan Emodi, Cardo VP marketing. “We’ve been able to take performance and ease-of-use to industry-leading levels thanks to our innovative Dynamic Mesh Communication and one-step natural voice commands. Now with the addition of premium sound by JBL, we are taking audio quality and clarity to the highest level as well.” We have to agree, a number of Backroads staff gave the Packtalk Bold some serious miles and each of us thought the sound was absolutely superb. Crisp, clear and with the Ramones – loud! Taking a look at our old Cardo headsets and the new 40mm JBL units you know the sound is going to be far superior even before powering the Packtalk Bold up, they are nearly twice the diameter. The entire system is easily controlled by Cardo connect app that you can download to your smartphone and it makes things very easy to work or make changes to the settings – especially when on the road. Pairing to our GPS unit and phone was fairly straight forward and, for a few of us that really do not want to talk to anyone while riding, we appreciate the GPS to keep our route flowing smoothly. As most devices like these, there is a learning curve, but the more you use the Packtalk Bold, the easier and more natural the device is to operate. Another huge plus for the new Cardo Packtalk was the incredible battery powering them. Not once, and we mean on some very long 12-hour plus days, did either of our unit’s battery run out of juice.
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Very impressive indeed. All Cardo devices are very durable and IP67-waterproof, not simply water-resistant like other communicators, and all feature a two-year warranty and a U.S.-based customer-support system. On the Road with Woodward and Bernstein: Packaging and overall quality of product was impressive, it started you off with a good feeling about the unit and installation was easy enough just using the clips, and no stickers or anything more permanent was needed. We were very thankful for the little yellow triangle that told you the mic was facing the right was. The previous intercom involved two people standing in a garage wearing their helmets and shouting “How about now?” while fiddling with the mic setup. Bluetooth pairing was simple and straight forward and never failed to reconnect after powering up after a shutdown. On the road we were very impressive that these Cardo units being completely water proof and not just resistant. The speakers were much louder and clearer than our previous setup, even when we had molded earplugs in, and had a much better bass sound. When using wired monitors to the unit, sound quality was much better than the previous Cardo Scala unit. Not all was perfect - as one benefit of the older Cardo Scala Rider was that the jack for the earbuds (audio out) was integrated into the base making a much cleaner attachment point for the wired earphone. We’d rather not have another dangling portion of wire, which can get caught up on clothing. Listening to music or an audiobook was no problem with just the music engaged. This was, initially, not the case. It seemed to work fine standing in the garage but, once on the road, the music volume dropped too low as soon as the music was connected. We read the manual that came with the unit and watched a ton of YouTube videos sitting in the hotel room, but to no avail. Once we had that figured out, the systems worked great. Not having to yell or push a button to activate the mic was great - just start talking and you are immediately connected. Suddenly there is time to tell your friend behind that there is roadkill on the racing line instead of “Hello! Hello! Oh...too late...” Perhaps one of the best features was the phone connection. I had people call me while I was riding at speed and we had a perfectly normal conversation. At one point I was up around 70mph and told the caller that I was out riding the motorcycle. He said, “I literally had no idea - I don’t hear any wind noise or anything”. Impressive. Both PACKTALK models with JBL are available with an MSRP of $339.95 for single units and $599.95 for a DUO set. See your local Cardo dealer or www.cardosystems.com for more information.,
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PRODUCT REVIEW
SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
BRIDGESTONE’S BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31 TIRES Newest Limb in Family Tree Promises Traction and Mileage Improvements
The lineage of a motorcycle tire brand often resembles that of us humans. Like looking at our ancestors’ photos and tracing the family traits through the ages—the strong chin, the red hair, dimples—similarities carry through one generation of motorcycle tires to another. Therefore, as consumers, we receive a product that continually evolves and improves (as motorcycles evolve and change) while keeping the tires’ features that worked well from the start. The Bridgestone Battlax sport touring radial tires are a prime example. I’ve been using this family of tires on my Honda 919 and Yamaha FZ6r since 2006 (the Honda came stock with Battlax BT020 tires which lasted me 9,000 miles). Since then I’ve used the Battlax BT 021, BT T30, and BT T30EVO’s between the two motorcycles with increasingly happier results each iteration. Now I’ve recently shoed the Honda with the Bridgestone’s latest Battlax sport touring tires, the BT T31’s.
These Battlax maintain the DNA and genetic traits that evolved with the tire family. As I reread my prior notes, I see where Bridgestone would increase emphasis on one characteristic like handling, then in the next version focus on something else, such as better ride or wet weather traction, adding benefits to the tire family’s behavior rather than shifting focus onto different traits. The T31’s keep that family tradition. For this version, Bridgestone claims it delivers its best ever wet weather performance while keeping the T30 EVO’s popular dry handling, riding comfort, and long wear life. According to Bridgestone, it achieved this in several ways, including through a new tread pattern. More grooves on the tire’s shoulder allow for better water displacement and drainage, while fewer and shorter grooves on the middle part of the tread allow for shorter braking distances and improved rainy-day performance and grip. Bridgestone tackled improving dry condition handling through groove placement as well, by putting higher angled grooves in the tire’s center to increase tread rigidity and give a larger contact patch. In fact, Bridgestone says the tires provide a larger contact patch at all lean angles compared to its T30 EVO parent. But these tires receive improvements beyond just tread placement. The front single compound tires of the T31’s have more grip-grabbing silica than before for better hold in not just wet weather but cold temperatures, too, or when the tires aren’t yet warm (like when just beginning a ride). The rear hoop receives a newer blend of materials Bridgestone calls 3LC Cap & Base to improve the tire’s cornering stability. The upper part of the tire’s shoulder has a high-grip silica-rich compound, while the lower and central shoulder
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BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020
Page 37 sections get a high-stability abrasion-resistant material mix to give the tire better performance and tread wear. As in the previous generations, the T31’s use Bridgestone’s Mono-Spiral Belt Construction (MSB) that allows the tires to track well in a straight line while simultaneously offering sporty handling. Bridgestone continually refers to the T30 EVO’s long life, and I can personally attest to that, having used them for 17,000 miles before my 919 required new shoes. Though the several hundred miles I rode on the T31’s through late fall in Pennsylvania didn’t give me an extended introduction to their capabilities, I was able to feel even better, slipperier handling and flicking ability than with the prior generations of that family. I always appreciated the surefootedness I felt underneath, and this iteration just upped my confidence while riding the Keystone State’s twisty backroads. Unfortunately (for this review) I did not have the opportunity to test the rainy weather performance, but I’m sure Pennsylvania’s autumn will help me with that. The Bridgestone Battlax T31 Sport Touring tires come in a variety of sizes, including a “GT” spec in 4 sizes for heavy-weight motorcycles. For more information on the Battlax family visit the website at www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires. , ~ Pamela Collins
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT CRUZTOOLS:
EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND NOTHING YOU DON’T
We have all heard the phrase, “The right tool for the job!” Born out of personal necessity, CruzTOOLS was launched with a tool kit for Harley-Davidson motorcycles over twenty years ago. Since then they have developed hand tools and tool kits for most powersports vehicles: street bikes, dual-sport, adventure and off-road motorcycles, ATV’s, UTV’s, snowmobiles, and personal watercraft. These tools and tool kits are designed by riders who know just how important quality and reliability is during roadside or trailside repairs. You can count on CruzTOOLS when you need them most and, believe us, you will need them eventually. We have carried a CruzTool bag on every ride for years.
These tools are backed with a Lifetime Guarantee, “No Questions Asked,” and they are professional-grade tools at consumer-friendly prices. Iain Glynn, from CruzTool’s Product Development, said, “We approach each tool and tool kit from the mindset of a rider. Our kits are brand specific, compact, durable, highly functional and perfect for trailside or roadside repairs and adjustments” They now offer kits tailored to specific brands Harley Davidson, BMW, Indian, KTM/Husqvarna, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Triumph – with tools matched for the different brands and for different tasks. Like we said … the right tool. Tool Kit prices range from $34.95 to $139.95 depending on bike and application. Log onto cruztools.com for more information.,
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
All in the Family
We asked our readers on a Backroads Facebook post (What? You don’t “LIKE” us yet… sniff) to let us know who, as parents, have ridden motorcycles with their kids, and how it came about or where they went. The response was impressive and it is heartening to see young people falling in love with the sport and parents passing on the throttle, as it were. How about you? Have you gotten the wonderful experience of riding down the backroads with your kids?
Joe and Thomas Hughes
My son Thomas and I started riding together as soon as his feet could reach the foot pegs. He was 5 years old. It was just a one hour ride around town but he was on top of the world. He had his own SHOEI helmet with his name on the side and all his skateboard-rollerblade pads. We got a Buddy Belt the next day. Otherwise, he’d spend the whole ride looking up in the air due to the chin bar on the helmet. We did our first 100 mile day about one year after that. Since then, we have done many day rides to upstate New York, PA and countless trips up through Harriman State Park. Thomas got his first bike when he turned18, a gently used Ducati Monster. Actually a very good first bike. Today, 20 some years later, Thomas rides a Yamaha R1 and has become quite an accomplished rider. We still go riding together whenever we get the chance. Life gets in the way many weekends. Sometimes a ride up to Harriman and a round trip on Tiorati Brook Road is the best we can do. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though.
John and Mike O’Leary
My son has ridden with me on bikes of his own in the past. But his bike was totaled when a cap came off a pickup on either 287 or 95, I can’t remember which, a few years ago. We still ride together on occasion but I will be on one of my bikes and he will take another of my bikes. We did a trip to Spain together last year. We caught a MotoGP and spent a week riding around. That was a lot of fun. I purchased a Kawasaki Z 125 Pro for my daughter on which to learn the basics. I was hoping to do more with her but she really hasn’t taken to it. Which is a real shame as she loves to travel and can be quite adventurous.
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Scott and Nick Tucker (submitted by Mom Geri Tucker)
Firstly - love Backroads. Thanks for riding and writing! We are local here in Branchville. My son and husband have been riding together for almost fifteen years. Nick started on a Suzuki, and after getting an older HD Dyna, purchased a Road Glide in 2016. Scott, my husband, returned to riding when Nick graduated from college in 2006 - purchasing a new HD Road King Classic. It cost as much as a year of college, so seemed like the thing to do without that payment. Nick moved to Charlotte in 2007, and thus the yearly ride to Charlotte, then back to WV to ride with the RRRR (Range Rover Rough Riders, established 1988). So they have made it a hairy leg adventure every year except this one, thank you COVID-19, and that Nick has moved to Queen Creek, AZ for his job, although once good to go I expect there to be a cross country excursion. Scott was riding when we were teens, and I actually took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course back in its initial year in Maryland, so started riding just after we were married and before the kids, in the early 80’s. We moved to southern CA in the mid-90’s, where Scott sold his Silver Wing. He was without a bike until after our son graduated from college. I rode until Nick was born, and plan to be back on the road, but it has been a long time for me.
William and Kenneth Denton
My son Kenneth and I have been riding together since he was eight years old. Back then he sat behind me on my Vmax and/or my GPZ until he was old enough to get his license. We then took the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Foundation course together and he got his motorcycle endorsement on his license. Ken is now 27, so for the last 11 years we’ve been riding together on separate bikes. Now I’m 61 and I hope we continue to ride together for as long as I can do it.
Jeff, Charlie & Matthew Hamberg
Good afternoon, my name is Jeff Hamberg. My father, Charlie Hamberg, has been riding motorcycles since the early 60’s and was involved with the development of MX338 in Southwick, MA, during the infancy of motor cross racing. We both grew up in that town and have ridden together side by side for the last 30 years and have even expanded to my son, Matthew, who is 10 years old and rides his own dirt bike now. I am a Firefighter/Paramedic and hold the rank of Shift Captain and we all belong to the Red Knights Motorcycle Club. We are very actively involved in group rides including some of yours as well as holding our own “skills drill yard” every spring and many charity and benefit rides. I also work part time for Wagner Motorsports in Worcester MA in the service department caring for BMW, Ducati, KTM and Indian motorcycles. I can’t emphasize enough how passionate my family is about riding and how critical it is for our survival and mental stability.
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
Dmitry and Andrew Milman
It has been a pleasant surprise when my son Andrew came to me and asked to take him for a ride. Despite me being a little anxious, he was a natural pillion and loved every minute of our first outing on the local Jersey shore roads. Soon came the parking lot learning sessions and shortly after, a cold and windy MSF course. But before he could ride his own bike, I took him along on my annual pilgrimage to the mountains of Western North Carolina - The Dragon area. Slowly and tentatively at first, we ended up chewing through a set of brand new tires in just a couple of days on some of the best backroads the area has to offer. During our debrief on the way back home, he has developed an appreciation for the art of turning, for the beauty, which one can only discover while riding the backroads and for the type of people one only gets to meet while riding. ‘Were you scared at all?’ I asked, because I sure was at times. ‘Nope,’ was his answer, which honestly surprised me. What he didn’t care much for was being on the back of the bike and seeing a constant blur of greenery passing by on the sides. This meant his own bike and spending time on the back roads rather than on highways. These days we are riding with STMC group on our VFR800 and DR650 set up for road duty. We often switch bikes mid-ride and I must say that this gives me the best of both worlds - I get to ride the sportier VFR in the beginning of the day and then switch to the comfortable couch which is the DR once the egos of VFR become a bit much to bare. He, of course, loves both. And finally, as many who ride with kids will attest to, the time we get to spend together is beyond priceless for both of us. We are only beginning this journey together and are looking forward to many more years of sharing this wonderful sport.
Ken Condon, Jeannine Condon and mom, Caroline White
It’s easy for a young girl whose mom and dad both ride motorcycles to want to be a motorcyclist when she grows up. In fact, our little girl, Jeannine, went on to follow in her parents’ footsteps as an avid rider and instructor. It started when we began taking family motorcycle camping trips. First, to nearby state parks, then on moto-excursions many days from home, and then out West to visit several of the nation’s National Parks with her as pillion. At 9 years of age, she mastered a PW50 and eventually moved to a XR100 and before we knew it, Jeannine was old enough to become a solo street rider. But before we would let her ride on the road, I put her on the racetrack on my MuZ Scorpion roadracer where she could experience highway speeds in an environment that kept her safe from street hazards. Soon after, there were three motorcycles on our family trips with Jeannine piloting her 2001 ZX6R alongside Mom’s z750s and Dad’s Triumph Sprint RS. Over the years, Jeannine became such a proficient rider that she was hired as a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor for Rhode Island and as an instructor for Tony’s Track Days. Now, she is a grown woman with a husband who rides, meaning our future grandchildren will likely carry on the Condon/White motolegacy into a new era. How lucky are we? ,
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Packin’, Snackin’, and Washin’ • Painless Multi-Week Moto Touring without a laundry and could have gone indefinitely. 5) Get a haircut. It seems simple, but if you’re wearing a helmet all day, the big hair will have helmet head. No hair dryer required and you don’t have to carry grooming products. Combs pack flat 6) When you get to the room, undress and throw your clothes in the shower. Get in the shower and clean yourself, then wash your clothes using soap and running water. Gently wring the stuff out and toss on the floor. When you are dry, lay your clothes flat on the towel and roll them up in it (see photos). Tightly twist the towel to wring the clothes and when you unroll the towel, they’ll be all but dry. Hang the damp stuff by the air conditioner and when you get back from dinner, it’ll be dry. Wear the clothes you wore to dinner on the bike the next day and repeat the cycle indefinitely. The front desk has extra towels.. 7) Get the same cell phone and tablet so you can share chargers. Same thing for cameras if you don’t use your phone. Chargers are heavy and take up room. Cameras that take AA batteries allow you to “recharge” at any store. 8) Get little toothpastes from the travel-size aisle and rob the dentist of the sample-size flosses: ours can’t give them away fast enough. If you stay in a hotel, you don’t need soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or mouthwash. 9) Buy a lightweight set of running shoes to wear when not on the bike - they weigh nothing and they pack small. Pack inside the shoes: I put my glasses and contact lens case and solution and toothbrush inside my shoes. In
words + images: Mark and Betsy Byers Maybe you’re new to moto touring. Maybe you’ve been touring solo, but acquired a passenger. Or maybe you’re just a clothes horse who has trouble finding the bike once your stuff is onboard. When I was single, I had two saddlebags, a topcase, a rear seat, and a tankbag in which to pack my stuff. That changed when I got a passenger who was not a rider: I lost the real estate on the rear seat and half of everything else. Getting married was like getting divorced from my packing areas - I lost half of everything! I am fortunate, however, in having a wife who is intelligent, resourceful, and low-maintenance. The first time we went somewhere, she didn’t have to sit on her saddlebag to close it like I did, she had room for a paperback, and glibly offered to carry anything else I needed in her bag. Here are some of the things we’ve learned in the past 18 years about how to make long-distance, long-term, two-up touring work. 1) Use saddlebag liners: they’re light and easy to carry. If the sidecase comes open, the zipped-up liner will keep your unmentionables from scattering all over US-30! 2) Pack heavy stuff low and light stuff high to avoid having your bike handle like a pig. Don’t put stuff on top of your top case, where it has lots of inertia. When in doubt, leave it out! 3) Buy lightweight, non-cotton, sweat-wicking, poly clothes. Columbia fishing shirts are a favorite, but brands like Under Armour and others make great poly clothes that will keep you cool under moto gear and wash easily. Wool/poly or poly socks are a must. 4) Take two, maximum three, sets of clothes and wash out every night or so. Laundromats are a waste of time - wash stuff out in your room. We have gone for 17 days straight During this time, we remain OPEN for SERVICE and REPAIR. Please call/email for an appointment.
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
Ecuador, I got dust in my eye and my shoe with the contact lens stuff was easy to find in the bag liner. If you are flying to a moto trip, pack inside your boots and helmet: socks inside the boots and gloves inside the helmet. 10) Layer your clothes. Pack a fleece jacket or pullover to wear at night or layer with if you get cold on the road. Most electric jackets actually look good enough to wear off the bike in the evening. Carry the fleece or electrics in the top case along with your waterproof gloves, because they’re light and you need to get to them easily. Plus, the fleece makes great padding for the cameras that are also in the top case. 11) Roll your own…clothes. Rolled clothes don’t wrinkle as much and take up less space on average than folded ones. They stack inside the bag liners like little logs. 12) We’re big fans of maps, but if we’re doing a round robin, we’ll take a few manila envelopes and mail the ones we don’t need home, along with any guidebooks or brochures. We’ll mail anything else we acquire along the way too. It’s nice to get home and have “presents” to open. If you buy gifts, most places ship. 13) Gore-Tex riding gear: why carry a complete set of waterproofs into which you have to struggle on the side of the road if it rains? When we went to the Alps during a sometimes-wet September, everyone else in the group was
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squirming into rainsuits on the roadside and we…changed gloves. My Klim stuff has enough vents to stay cool, but they zipper closed quickly without even stopping should it begin to rain. If you HAVE to carry a rainsuit, the ones by FroggToggs are the lightest I have seen. 14) Wal-Mart glasses cleaner comes in a little kit with a microfiber cloth and they will refill the little bottle of spritzer for free. It takes the bugs off a visor like nothing else. I’ll spray it on the visor while riding and just wipe with a glove. At rest, I’ll use the cloth. 15) Look for a motel within walking distance of a restaurant. Once we de-gear and shower, we don’t want to get back on the bike. If we have drinks with dinner, we will not get back on, so a restaurant within walking distance is golden. We will Uber if necessary. 16) No reservations. This makes people nervous, but unless we’re going someplace really popular on a holiday weekend (a personal hatred of mine), we don’t have reservations. If we see something we like along the way, we stop. In Scotland, we’d pull into a park-and-pay and walk around, asking at B&B’s. If we couldn’t connect, sometimes the innkeepers would call another place. On the Isle of Sky, a lady at a hotel that was full called another one and got us their last room…on the harbor, and when we showed up, they handed us a dram of whiskey. Slainte!
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BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020 17) If the flowers outside the motel are nice, chances are so is the room. We go by curb appeal and haven’t missed yet. If we come into a new town, we’ll drive all the way through town and out the other side, turn around, and come back. We learned to do this when we found adequate lodging someplace, only to see a great alternative on the way out of town the next morning. 18) Be open to new things. We stayed in the upstairs of a guy’s house in Scotland before anyone had a notion of what an “AirBnB” was. The breakfast was outstanding. We stayed in an attic on the harbor in Portree, but the room was clean and the bed was good and the best pub was 200 meters away. It’s not about the room! You’re going to spend 8-10 hours there, mostly sleeping, and then go away. If it’s clean, it’s green! 19) Dinner in the room: some days, after a long, hot ride, all you want to do is get off the bike and relax. Riding up coastal Maine, we noticed that the towns were all crowded, with lines outside the restaurants. We chose a really nice mom & pop motel between Rockport and Camden overlooking a bay…and ordered Domino’s. The innkeeper sold us some sodas and we ate with our feet up on the balcony rail overlooking a beautiful bay, no lines, no crowds, no stress…ahhhh. In Long Lake, NY, we had a room with a screen porch, so a quick run to town netted sandwiches and a sixpack of Saranac. Sometimes even the busy places deliver and in less time than it would have taken to wait in line. 20) Eat at odd times. Get up, have a coffee, and ride an hour or so before breakfast or sleep in, eat a late breakfast and then have a late lunch to avoid the times that everyone ELSE is crowding into the restaurants. It’s vacation: don’t bring your schedule with you. 21) Lay out what you think you need on the bed. Put half of it away. Then put half of THAT away and you’re just about right. Our mantra is, if we need it and don’t have it, we can buy it. Another technique is to analyze what you took last time and see if there is anything you didn’t use. If you didn’t, it’s a good candidate to leave out next time. ,
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SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
NOT SO SECRET SECRET STASH It is hard to miss American Honda’s corporate headquarters in Torrance, California – it’s so big you can see it from space. Okay, maybe not, but it is huge and difficult to pass without noticing it. But, not far from there, in a not quite as large but still big facility on Van Nuys Boulevard, there is something that every motorhead and Honda fan should see. After returning the machines we used for our little cross-country trek in June (Honda Gold Wing and NC750X – thank you very much Honda), we were in the company of Honda’s media maven Jon Siedel who was giving us a lift to LAX.
Earlier in the day, we had stopped at a morning car show - California-style – which was a lot like Northeast-style. Nice cars and mostly men of a certain age talking BS about their beloved rides and quietly wishing for an open Porta-John or that the corner gas station would let them pee. The show was decent, and we all had our picks - Jon’s being a 1958 Chrysler Imperial, Shira’s an International Scout 4X4, and me a very clean silver Olds 442, but I also appreciated some of the bikes there - especially the old Honda SL-125. Simple, fun, and the bigger brother to the SL-70, a bike my parents refused to let me have. No way. No how. End of story. Jon saw my interest in the old dirt bike and reminded us we would have one more stop on the way to the airport. A short while later he pulled into the nondescript parking lot along Van Nuys. Jon, with Honda’s version of the U.S. Military’s Top Secret Black Ops
Clearance, deactivated the security, swung open the door, and ushered us inside what looked to be your run-of-the-mill office… well, except for the giant backlit Japanese character with the familiar signature of Soichiro Honda underneath. The symbol simply meant “Dream.” Jon told us of a trip to Japan in 2009 for the introduction of the 2010 VFR1200F. At the factory, he spotted this large piece of paper discarded on the side. Seeing it was done by Soichiro Honda himself he asked if American Honda could have it.
It now greets the lucky visitors who pass through the doors of Honda’s greatest non-secret secret! Jon swiped another security card and the door unlocked with a click. He swung it open and hit the lights. What was inside was most impressive. In the large room sat just about every model the Honda Company has put on the road. Maybe not all – but most of the ones that counted.
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The first CIVIC and Accords – far different from today’s offerings on today’s showrooms. There was a small red two-seater S800 sports car which never came to the United States, but Shira wanted it regardless. On the far side, standing in pairs, one above the other, were Honda’s Formula 1 and other race machines – an incredible display of horsepower and racing prowess. Large DO NOT TOUCH signs were clearly stated. We obeyed. As we walked around the large open building the models became newer and Acura’s began to appear – the original NSX grabbing my eye. Then there were the futuristic concepts and design one-offs that would never see a showroom - but were amazing to see in person.
Along another wall were various engines that had been developed over the years as well as some of the smaller, yet significant, Honda products including the smallest generator I have ever seen. But, as expected, we were drawn to the long promenade that rose towards the ceiling and the motorcycles we’d find there.
The original Honda 750, a loaded CBX, a CB 350, and a Honda Interceptor 750. We took in the small ‘60s RC110 50cc race machine with that ungodly redline and the bike that brought Honda to the Isle of Man, along with one of the more semi-successful and beautiful of the turbo-charged ‘80s – the CX650 Turbo. At the end of the line-up was a pristine RC51.
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Well, they were all pristine of course. Okay, the three-wheel ATC had a flat, probably motorcycle karma for all the feet these machines crushed over the years before Congress pulled the plug on them – bastards! But then I looked to the right and…IT was there. The one bike I had been talking about to Shira for decades. Bright red, with a wide white stripe and blue and red white outlined badge decal on the side cover. SL-70! Far smaller than my mind, still stuck in 13 year old-mode, remembered it being. Still - It was a Honda SL-70! I walked up, drinking it in. I signaled to Shira for a diversion. She glared at me and shook her head no.
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No? NO? C’mon Red… help a guy out here! Faint. Say you need an emergency appendectomy. Point in the other direction and say “Is that Danielle Robay!?” She refused. I desperately cried “Holy Crap” and pointed to the back of the collection and Jon just shook his head as I tried to roll the tiny mini-motorcycle away. I could hear my dad… “No Way. No how.” We began to leave and Jon locked the doors to this incredible collection. That was amazing and a great opportunity... “What, follow you? Okay, Jon.” Another card was swiped and the double doors swung open to the most amazing sight. It was the Honda motorcycle version of the warehouse at the end of Indian Jones. The museum was big – this building was colossal. Steel racks rose to the ceiling holding dozens and dozens of Honda motorcycles from the past. Street bikes, dirt bikes, and some recognizable race machines from Honda’s storied racing history all there under clear plastic coverings. Oh, my word… Was that World Superbike Champion Flyin’ Fred Merkel’s bike? Freddy
SePteMBer 2020 • BACKROADS
Spencer’s machine? Look… Nicky Hayden’s Flat Track ride! On a palette sat a number of World Championship Trophies that this not-so-humble correspondent was never worthy to hold. But, I did. “Look…it’s Danielle Robay!?” Jon did blink a few times, but never flinched from his hawk-like gaze. While he was doing that, Shira tried to roll one of two, never run, RC51 track bikes out the door. She did not make it. It was time to head to LAX and, in truth, we were very grateful to Jon Seidel for getting a look at the greatest collection of Honda horsepower and technology in the United States. It is an amazing assemblage and legacy for a man and his company that had its start in the humble wooden shack of his father’s bicycle company to become one of the most impressive motor and technology companies on the planet. ,
BACKROADS • SePteMBer 2020
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The Law Office of Paul G. Gargiulo Presents
Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival
Social Distancing Man, are we all tired of that word? I know I am. For months now we have been bombarded with these two words and I think it has surpassed “ummm and “like” as the most tedious phrasing in the English language - Social Distancing. But, I like to make lemonade. Let’s etch-a-sketch our minds when it comes to these two words and use these with a different paradigm. The running joke with most of us was that motorcycling was the most Socially Distant sport and activity you could find. And, while riding with friends, the phrase Social Distancing should really come into play. For decades I have been calling this “Space Cushioning”, but these days Social Distancing might work a bit better. The idea is simple… when you are riding with another motorcyclist and especially when in a larger group, all the riders space themselves out a decent amount of distance. We think more distance than time. Time is relative to your speed and, the faster you are going, the greater the following distance should be. When Shira and I are out on the road we let the lead bike scoot far ahead and follow about an 1/8 of a mile, or more, behind - again depending on velocity. When riding with our usual friends the same unspoken rule applies. We are spaced out, always keeping an eye on the rider ahead and glancing in the mirror to make sure the rider behind is still with us. There is a lot of Situational Awareness happening when we ride. Yet, I constantly see large groups of riders following each other insanely close, staring straight ahead and perhaps not picking up the cues and ‘Potentials’ that are happening around them. The only riders that should not be the COVID six feet apart should be MotoGP or MotoAmerica racers – certainly not motorcyclists riding with others. On May 23 of this year retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen West was involved in a multi-bike crash while riding outside the town of West, Texas – a coincidence that made Lt. Col. West chuckle on a recent interview. In this interview, he asked riders to always wear their protective gear. A good thing and appropriate to say, but the circumstances of West’s accident and how it could have been avoided seem very clear. According to Lt. Col. West’s own report, it was 96 degrees that day and he chose to take off his jacket and gloves – but had on his jeans,
boots, and helmet. He had another vehicle cut into his lane just in front of him. He got on the brakes, decelerating, and then was struck from behind by a fellow rider with which he was traveling; this at 75 mph on an interstate. It had to have been brutal. Looking at his injuries - separated shoulder, miles of road rash on his arms, and heavy rash on his face - I am fairly confident he was not wearing much gear at all. Jeans, tee-shirt and half-helmet. Sadly, the typical cruiser gear I see so many riders wearing here in New Jersey. A full-face helmet, or modular, would have made so much difference, as would a vented riding jacket in the hot Texas sun that day. But West stated there were four riders – and most likely riding closely together. When West got on the brakes the other rider had no chance to react in time and avoid him. Social Distancing would have saved the day… and a lot of pain. Let me bring up another incident. This occurred in June of last year in New Hampshire. It involved many machines and, unfortunately, many lives. They have come to be known as the ‘Fallen 7’. In this sorrowful incident, a group of veteran Marine bikers called ‘The Jarheads’ were riding on Route 2 near Randolph, NH when the violent multimachine crash occurred. The accident was wide-spread in the news and the outpouring of sorrow from fellow riders was amazing. A beautiful memorial can now be seen – Five Harleys depicted along the road at the scene of the crash. As of now, there are two distinctly different details on what actually occurred this day – but in both the riders of the Jarheads were riding in a close-knit staggered formation, with little or any lifesparing space-cushioning in play. ‘This report came from the Berlin Sun, a New Hampshire newspaper, as reported by Barbara Tetreault: The state hired The Crash Lab Inc. of Hampton to examine the 2016 Dodge 2500 pickup with attached flatbed trailer driven by Zhukovskyy when the accident occurred on Route 2 in Randolph. N.H. State Police C.A.R team had initially determined that the trailer, as Zhukovskyy was traveling west, was 1.5 feet over the center line into the eastbound lane at the time of impact. The state police report said there was no evidence the motorcycles were on the wrong side of the road. The defense’s motion states the Crash Lab report found the initial assessment flawed and incorrect. The report concludes that the initial impact occurred between the left side of Mr. Mazza’s motorcycle and the left front tire of Mr. Zhukovskyy’s truck. Critically, they determined that the impact occurred directly over the center line and that Mr. Mazza’s motorcycle was in fact protruding over onto the centerline when it struck the truck,” the motion states. The defense said information provided by the state in discovery showed Mazza had been turned around looking at his fellow motorcyclists just before the accident. Furthermore, the autopsy report showed Mazza’s blood-alcohol level was .135, well over the statutory limit of .08.’ So, you have two different versions of what caused the original accident of Mazza’s bike and the pick-up coming together. But, in either scenario – Albert Mazza would, sadly, have died. Continued on Page 48
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MOTORCYCLE SPOTLIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 2020 • BACKROADS
SOME SPECIAL EDITIONS TO TICKLE YOUR FANCY
2020 TIGER 1200 DESERT AND ALPINE SPECIAL EDITIONS Triumph has announced two new very special Tiger 1200s, the Tiger 1200 Desert edition and Tiger 1200 Alpine edition. Inspired by some of the most thrilling motorcycle adventures, these new motorcycles incorporate a unique high specification set-up and dedicated paint schemes to deliver even greater adventure capability, style and value for money. The new Tiger 1200 Special Editions both add to the mid-spec Tiger XRx and Tiger XCx specification set-up with an even higher level of equipment, designed to enhance the ride and deliver even greater value for money including a lightweight Arrow titanium silencer, Triumph’s Shift Assist as well as TFT instruments, four ridermodes and keyless ignition. Find out more online or at your local Triumph dealer. triumphmotorcycles.com LIMITED EDITION HYPER NAKED MV AGUSTA RUSH 1000 This “drag strip-inspired” bike will be rolling out of the Lake Varese hangars, ready for the privileged owners who pre-ordered their Rush 1000 online and through MV Agusta’s worldwide dealers network. The mean looking Rush 1000, with its 4-inline-cylinder engine, 208 HP (212 HP with the Racing Kit) and a top speed of over 300 km/h, is a model aimed at those who do not fear to stand out from the crowd, as the style and components are appropriately focused on emphasizing the concept of a hyper naked “beast”. The aerodynamic rear wheel cover, a technical solution used in drag races to reduce the coefficient of drag, represents a clear statement of this attitude. The design of the Rush 1000 lives up to everything one would expect from an MV Agusta limited series, starting from the many unique details such as the specially designed headlight unit, spoke front wheel, the minimalist rear subframe and passenger seat as well as the unique side exit exhausts. The livery of the MV Agusta Rush 1000 is a pure statement of style and elegance, with dark metallic matt grey, Mamba red matt carbon and metallic bronze. www.mvagusta.com
Welcome to the Jungle Continued from Page 47 But his riding companions need not have perished as well if they had been spaced out at a reasonable distance. Bad enough one rider was destined to be involved, but the close-knit riding style of many groups almost begs for this scenario to happen again and again. If there were Social Distancing – Space Cushioning – practiced here, with a good amount of distance between these riders, I dare say the carnage would have been far less. In both Lt. Col. West’s case and the Fallen 7 – the ability, time, and distance between riders would have been the difference between seeing a bad situation and having time to process and then react to it and avoid it or quickly being part of the mayhem. A little Social Distancing would greatly put the odds of survival in the rest of the group’s favor. How do you and your riding companions handle your rides? Next time out try a bit more Social Distancing – you might find it makes for a more fun, focused and better riding experience. ~ Brian Rathjen