| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
... NEVER thought you'd be butthurt, John.  | ||
| Ourdee |
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| 86129squids |
Back OT... eat well, travel safe, keep us posted on your travels. Just got done cutting 2/3 of the yard, getting ready for work shortly. That's 4 letter word you don't ever have to say again, color me jealous.  FWIW, do tell when you get to see your Beemer buddy. I'm needing to do some travels on mine. I'd be tempted to do Suches again for the relatively short distance, but I don't want to risk it without a healthy gearbox. Check this out... https://howtospendit.ft.com/vehicles/202722-collec ting-vintage-bmw-motorcycles | ||
| Ourdee |
Butt may be being strained by the highway pegs being back. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Heheheheheheheheh | ||
| Zac4mac |
Gotta add this, and this is a good place. Rebuilt my Uly's forks a couple of months ago. Used the FSM and put the seals in BACKWARDS. Spring ALWAYS goes to the high pressure side. Finally, no fork leak!! Z | ||
| Crusty |
Weedsport I’m sitting in the Dunkin’ Donuts in Weedsport, NY having my morning cup. The weather is flawless and I’m hoping that the racing will be both fast and competitive. My original plan was to have left Thursday morning and taken two days to get here. However, on Wednesday, all the weather forecasters were calling for strong thunderstorms all along my planned route, so I decided to just hold off a day. That turned into a wasted day because all the forecasts turned out to be wrong. Sort of. It did rain all along my route, but it didn’t rain when I would have been there. If I had set out as planned, I would have had smooth riding. Maybe next time, I’ll pay a little less attention to the forecasts. That’s when they’ll be 100% spot on. Like the weather men love to say, “It’s not an exact science.” So I set out yesterday. I was feeling a little bit of pressure to get here and my plans changed as I rolled along. First, I decided to use the Interstate to get up past Columbus, then head east on secondary roads. Then, I decided to use the Interstate, but to head east into Pennsylvania and take secondary roads up to Weedsport. Then, when my butt started hurting, I decided, screw it. I went up to I-90 and paid the tolls. It’s an hour quicker to take the toll road and I just wanted to get here. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the secondary roads; I just wanted to arrive. When I’m traveling, my instincts tend to revert to the way I grew up. My family would take regular trips to North Carolina to visit my Dad’s family, and it was always, Point & Shoot. Whenever we went down or one of the relatives came up to see us, one of the first questions asked was, “How long did it take?” I have to really apply a lot of pressure to not travel that way. All it took to revert was a sore butt. Anyhow, it was almost 600 miles from my house to the Speedway, and I was happy to arrive. I rode over to the camping area and set up my tent. Before I was finished, a lady in a golf cart came by and told me I had to register, so I went over to the office and did. Wow. In years past, I camped here for free. This trip, it’s $24.00 per night. Now I know why my butt hurt; it was anticipating the price of camping. Well; I hope that’s the last major unexpected expense for this trip. It probably won’t be, but I can hope. To add insult to injury, when I went to take a shower this morning, there was no hot water. I was hot and sweaty all day yesterday, and I was stiff and sore from using muscles that haven’t been used in a while this morning. A cold shower was not what I was looking forward to. But I got used to the temperature and I got clean and that’s the important thing. The funny part is the guy who came in after me had no problem; he got a nice hot shower. Practice is supposed to start at 2:30 this afternoon, so I’ve got a little bit of time to kill. Maybe I’ll ride into Syracuse and say hello to Iron Mike. Or maybe I’ll find a Macca’s and get my standard Road Breakfast. I could go to the Original Dinosaur for lunch, but I'll be at the Dinosaur in Troy for lunch tomorrow. I'm not sure if I want to eat at the dinosaur two days in a row. The idea does have its appeal; I could get brisket today and ribs tomorrow...The more I think about it the more I like the idea. Why not? (Message edited by Crusty on July 13, 2019) | ||
| Pwnzor |
Never pass up a chance to eat good BBQ. Carry on. | ||
| 86129squids |
"Then, when my butt started hurting, I decided, screw it." | ||
| Pwnzor |
The classy thing to do would have been to let that slide.... Wait... where am I again? Oh yeah... | ||
| Crusty |
Quick Comments The races were good, but I doubt I’ll return to this track. I really hate tolls. I’m going to take US RT, 20 east, then take I-87 north to Troy. Drunkin’ Doughnuts has gone to hell. | ||
| Ourdee |
Road miles. Need road miles. | ||
| 86129squids |
"Classy"? | ||
| Pwnzor |
Tent camping for $24 per night is a bit rough as well... | ||
| Froggy |
It was good to see you again John! I hoping to take that route you mention one of these next few weekends. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Wish I could have seen more of you at the Museum in June, Frank. Glad I met your girl - you hit the jackpot mister... What an awesome bunch we have here. Z | ||
| Crusty |
On The Ides of July I’m in Hudson. It feels both familiar and strange to me. One thing that I enjoy is that it was light at 5:00 AM. I’m on the eastern edge of the time zone here and the sun rises an hour earlier than it does in Cincinnati. Of course, it also sets an hour earlier, so it’ll be dark by 8:30 tonight. I left Weedsport yesterday morning and headed south to US Rt. 20. I stayed on 20 across the state until I got to the Northway (I-87) then went north to Troy. Upperstate New York is very beautiful in the summer. Lots of rolling hills and farms with occasional towns along the way. Not too crowded, but not the least bit desolate; as close to the term idyllic as I can think of. Definitely worth skipping the Throughway to check out. It took me an hour longer to reach the Dinosaur by going that route, but I got a much better view of the countryside and I didn’t have to shell out $$Nine Dollars$$ for the toll. However; even if it cost more to take Rt.20 than the Thruway, it would be worth it. It’s that much prettier. Taking Rt. 20 across New York is like taking US RT. 36 across Kansas, or Rt.2 across Nebraska; until I took those roads, I never knew just how beautiful both states really were. If you really want to see this incredible country, I highly recommend taking the secondary routes. The Interstates will get you to your destination a lot faster, but you’ll miss a lot. Then again, if you’re really in a hurry, take a jet. You won’t see much between airports, but you’ll get there a lot quicker. I saw a lot of beauty yesterday. I also saw some really good friends at the Dinosaur. I got there a little early, but then everybody started arriving. Steve(Johnnylunchbox ) and Sue, Nate (NateXL1000), Frank (Froggy), George (Griffmeister) and Jim (Damnut ) arrived and we all sat and stuffed ourselves with very enjoyable food and talked about all things Motorcycle for a couple of hours. Jim brought a bunch of EBR hats and gave them out to everybody. I guess he found a dealer who had bought a bunch and was willing to let them go for cheap, so Jim had a bunch of them. I now have a nice new hat! After lunch, we all set out for different destinations. Steve, Sue and Frank all live in the Hudson Valley, so they were headed south from Troy, while Jim, Nate George and I headed east on Rt. 2. Nate had warned us that the pavement on the New York side of the Taconic Trail was rough, and he didn’t exaggerate. Once we crossed over the summit and were in Massachusetts, it improved dramatically. I was feeling a bit of envy for George and the suspension of his Uly over that stretch of road. I also was feeling envious of Steve and the updated suspension on his new Roadster (He’s got Emulators in his forks and Ohlins shocks on the back). He’s also got a new Roadster, though mine is a good one. George dropped off at US Rt. 7 and headed south for Connecticut. Jim, Nate and I continued over the Mohawk Trail. Nate broke off at Rt. 122 and Jim took the exit for Rt. 140. I continued to Hudson. There have been changes in the 3 years I’ve been gone. I saw a new gas station and a Drunkin’s on RT. 70, as well as another new car dealership on Mechanic Street in Lancaster and there’s a bit of housebuilding happening on Rt.85 between Bolton and Hudson. Not major changes, but changes, nonetheless. Gas is considerably cheaper here than in Cincinnati. When I left, it was $2.99 for Regular and $3.59 for Premium. Here, it’s$2.59 and $2.99 respectively. Cincinnati had the highest gas prices I saw, though Pennsylvania, near Erie matched them. New York was cheaper than Ohio by a good bit and Massachusetts is even cheaper. And I haven’t gone by the cheap station yet. I’ll hit that when I go over to Fitchburg, later this morning. I don’t have the WiFi password for the house on this laptop, and I’m not about to disturb Ernie this early in the morning to ask for it. I’m thinking of riding over to either Mickey D’s or Drunkin’s to see what’s on the internet and maybe send this out. I took some pictures in Syracuse and in Troy, but I won’t download the camera until I get back home. I’ll share them then. The Tramp is fully awake and Loving Life! | ||
| Ourdee |
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| Crusty |
Details Over on the XL Forum, ChinCactus replied to my last Snippet, Why the doubt on returning to Weedsport? The camping $$ and cold shower? So I guess I should elaborate. I’m going through a very lean time in my life, financially. In another year, things will be looking a lot better; but for now, money is really tight. I was hit with a new major expense when the Water Works informed me that I had to replace my water line because it’s made of lead. I had to really scramble and juggle, but I figured out how I could do it. It was going to take all my savings, including the money I was going to use to pay the property tax and all my income fo r August, but I could come up with the money. At the same time, I had been planning to attend the Short Track in Weedsport, then head over to Massachusetts for a visit. This trip was definitely in jeopardy. However, I’d already bought the ticket to the race, and I figured that if I came to Mass. I could get by really cheaply. I just wouldn’t be able to buy the things I’d been hoping to buy. I’ve been going to Weedsport for the Short Track races off and on since the early 80s and I camped there for free. So when the lady at the track office told me that it was going to cost me $48.00 to camp, I was surprised; but since I was tired and had the tent mostly set up, I paid. She also bragged about how nice the showers were. So, early Saturday morning, I went to take a shower and the water was cold. I guess they had the water heater on a timer or something. The cold shower, combined with the very high camping cost primed my attitude. The morning did get better; I rode around the area on secondary roads. There was a town that was having a Yard Sale day. All along the main drag, there were tables set up in yards displaying all kinds of things, and traffic was moving along at a very slow pace. I was thoroughly enjoying it. There was a considerable amount of Day Lilies growing wild along the roadside, as well as other colorful wild flowers. I just was enjoying the beauty of rural Upperstate New York. I wound up in Syracuse eventually and found my way to the Niagara Mohawk building. It’s one of my favorite pieces of architecture/sculpture; pure Art Deco at its finest. Then, I rode over to the Dinosaur BBQ for lunch. I have a particular fondness for the Syracuse Dinosaur. It was started by some bikers back in the 80s and it was the first location. It’s tremendously popular; the place gets packed and does a very healthy business. As time went on, the Dinosaur gradually became a small chain of restaurants. I’m not quite sure how it happened, but it has become a regular place for Badweb members to get together for a Meet’n’Eat. The location varies – Syracuse, Troy, Harlem, Stamford, CT have all been locations where Badwebbers have met for a meal and conversation. After a wonderful lunch, I took a different route back to the Speedway. I parked the Roadster by my tent and grabbed my paperback book and went over to the track. By that time, the temperature was up in the 90s. My ankle had been bothering me all day long, so I grabbed my cane when I parked the bike. I don’t like using it, but sometimes the help I get outweighs my distaste for it. I went in to the covered area by the food vendors and sat in the shade, reading. Around 2:15, an Official came by and told me I had to go back outside and wait for the gates to open, so I did. I stood in line in the sun for about 15 minutes, then a big door rolled up and they let us in. I went to find my seat and was walking for a while in front of the stands looking for Section 6. It wasn’t where I thought, but I kept walking and looking at the signs on each section. I had made it to Section 7 when a yahoo wearing a High Viz orange shirt with SECURITY in big, bold, black letters on it stopped me and told me I had to go back the way I came. I pointed out that my seat was right there in Section 6 and there was a short flight of steps that he was standing on that led almost up to it, but he stated in his most authoritative voice that the plastic chain meant that I wasn’t allowed to use it. I guess it was reserved for overstuffed Gestapo wannabes since he had come down it. So I walked back seven sections took a left and walked along the front of the stands parallel to the route I had just taken. I got to the right section, made my way to the top row and parked. The racing was good, and I had checked the schedule of the day’s events. There was going to be a 1 hour break between 8 and 9 o’clock so the racers weren’t riding into a blinding sunset. I figured that during that break, I’d walk back to my tent and grab the camera and leave my sunglasses. I’d forgotten the camera when I walked over to the track earlier. Somewhere around 6:30 or so, the announcer said that after 7:00, you could no longer leave and get back in. That announcement was the last straw. I stayed until the racing was over, then went back to my tent where I got to enjoy the loud pipes and loud sound systems (so that the rider could hear his music over the loud pipes) until things quieted down somewhere around 2:00 AM or so. I got up around 5:30, packed up my gear and headed out. So, I probably won’t go back. It cost me a lot more than I expected and I had to put up with conditions that I found very annoying. That pompous, self-important security clown was a horse's ass and not being able to go to my tent during the break was the cherry on the sundae. There are other races that are closer to home that I get better treatment at. Still; it was a good race in a very beautiful part of the country. Knowing me, I’ll forget the negative, buy a ticket and go back. Then, I’ll remember why I wasn’t going to return. | ||
| Ourdee |
I am going through some of the books that used to be in my library. Here is a newspaper article that was tucked in one.   I think they charge $9 for entrance fee. Camping prices, etc. are on the web site. 2221 Clifty Drive Madison, IN 47250 About 86 miles from you. Look at the roads. | ||
| Crusty |
102 F Today, when I went past the bank in downtown Hudson, the sign said 102 F. I think it was a little high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the actual temp was 100 F; it sure as hell felt like it. It’s summer; it’s supposed to be hot. I don’t care for temps in the high 90s with the humidity over 50%, but I’d rather have this than sub-zero temps with ice and snow. And even with the high temps, I did close to 100 miles running around on the Roadster. It’s been an eventful and enjoyable week. I helped Ernie work on his Suzuki, met Kathryn for brunch (that lasted almost 3 hours we couldn’t stop talking!) Met up with the Wednesday night crew for pizza at the Chateau, went over to the shop for the day and had some fantastic pizza from a new joint called The Bridge. (It’s right across from Hardley-Ableson of Boston). I’ve spent a good bit of time riding around and rekindling memories. I rode past my apartment in Fitchburg, then, I rode past my old house in Leominster. I went by Medtronic today, even though I knew nobody was working. I had an Italian sub for dinner the other night. I got it with oil & vinegar, tomatoes, pickles, onions and hots. That’s the way a good Italian should be made, and it was heavenly. I tried to send five pounds of Kayem Natural Casing Franks back to Cincinnati, but the airline that the USPS was using rejected the package, so it came back. The good news is that I got my postage back. The $20.00 I spent on the dry ice is gone, and so is the money I spent on the hot dogs. UPS wanted $200.00 to ship the package, so I won’t have the Good Stuff waiting for me in Cheviot. I will have five cans of B&M Bacon&Onion Baked Beans along with three 16 oz. jars of Cain’s Sweet Relish, though. That’s what will fit in a medium Priority Mail flat rate box. David received those at his shop on Saturday. I threw my back out the other day and It comes and goes. I’ll be fine for a little while, but then, my lower left back starts locking up. It happened while I was changing oil in the Roadster at the shop, and one of the guys there has been having trouble with his back, so he gave me a little tablet that helped tremendously. I never felt high, but the pain sure dimmed. That allowed me to ride in rush hour traffic for an hour returning to Hudson. I’ve met up with and spent a little time with a bunch of folks; Jackie, Happy Pat, Johnny Donut, Kevin, Roland, Stephanie, Little Carol, Slow Bob and a few more. It was great to see them all. Today, I went to the laundromat and washed my sleeping bag. It really needed a good washing. It’s been so hot, and I’ve been sweating so heavily, that it was developing a pretty strong stink. Hopefully, I’ll have time (and my back won’t stop me) tomorrow to set up the tent and wash it out with the garden hose. I wanted to do it today, but my back was hurting too bad. New England is really pretty in the summertime; kinda like Upperstate New York; but a little nicer. (I’m not biased. Much.) I spent most of my riding today on very back roads. The ones without numbers as well as some with numbers. I went by Erikson’s Ice Cream (now in their 85th year!) and got a Sundae. Their own Strawberry ice cream, hot fudge and marshmallow – nothing else. It was delicious. I also rode over to my favorite waterfall and watched it for a few minutes. I rode past the farm in Sterling that has the Llamas and saw a couple out in the pasture. Went by Central Mass. Powder Coating. They’ve done a few small parts for me in the past and always treated me fairly. In short, I was checking out all the good memories from times past. I was hoping to head out on Tuesday morning, but the weather forecast is for rain showers starting tomorrow afternoon and continuing through Tuesday night. I’ll keep an eye on the various weather sites and make the call as the time gets closer. I could have left Cheviot a day earlier than I did, but I waited because of the forecast. Well; I’ll just have to play it by ear. I’m glad I decided to make the trip. | ||
| Crusty |
Oh; Brad; I talked to Jimmy about a /7 transmission. He sold all his BMW parts to Alan at A-J Cycles in Gill, MA. The phone # there is: 413-863-9543. Alan's a good guy; he's honest and I recommend him. When you talk to him, tell him that John Jackson recommended him. I don't know if it'll get you any kind of a break, but it won't hurt. | ||
| Ourdee |
It rained and cooled off in Indianapolis this evening. I am looking forward to camping with you in Springfield for the Sat. and Sun. miles. Doans over the counter may help with the back. No high, just pain gone. | ||
| 86129squids |
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Thanks, RoadCrust. I'll give him a ring. | ||
| Crusty |
Scattered Showers It’s kind of raining. It rains, then stops. It isn’t drizzling, it’s either raining or not. It’s supposed to do this for a few more hours, then turn into a steady rain through tonight and tomorrow. So I’m doing little things to prepare for my ride back to Cheviot. I washed my sleeping bag yesterday, and I set up the tent in the back yard this morning and washed it out. The sun was shining when I did that, and the tent dried out after a couple of hours. It’s packed up and ready to go. Tomorrow, I’ll do one last load of laundry and I’ll pack the saddlebags and get everything on the bike so that on Wednesday, I’ll be able to head out without a lot of fuss. I’m going to take US RT. 6 across Pennsylvania. I plan to camp in the Red Bridge Campground in the Allegheny National Forest. I don’t know why, but I’ve locked in on that campground. I was going to stay there on my way to Weedsport, originally and now I really have the itch to stay there. I’ve never been there and there are several other campgrounds in the area, but that’s the one I’ve narrowed my focus on. I hope it doesn’t disappoint me. I’m not sure what route I’ll take from the campground to Cheviot. Google wants to route me the quickest way, which is I-80 to I-76 to I 71. I’m thinking that there has to be a more scenic route. Hold everything… I think I just figured out a route. Rt. 66 down to US 322 east to Rt. 68 and stay on 68 until US RT. 22. That’ll bring me right into the Cincinnati area. Hopefully, I’ll get to enjoy some scenic back roads as I head back home. Riding on US Rt. 20 East from Auburn, NY reminded me just how beautiful some places can be. Now I’m hoping to see some beautiful parts of Pennsylvania and eastern/ central Ohio that I haven’t seen yet. I’ve been on US Rt. 6 for a stretch through PA, but not as long a stretch as I’ll be riding this trip. I don’t think I’ve ridden on US Rt. 22 at all. It’ll be interesting. It’s funny how I have to battle my instinct to relax and ride the secondary roads. I’ve been a Point & Shoot kind of traveler for most of my life. But because I’ve made the effort, I’ve gotten to see some very interesting things and I’ve found the beauty of places that I thought were dull. This country is full of fascinating and magnificent places and some roads that are truly memorable. I might as well take the road less traveled and see them. Well; that’s my plan for now. I wonder if I’ll stick to it? | ||
| Tootal |
Rt.6 is one of those old roads that goes across the U.S. I have a friend that's in charge of the Colorado section on the Rt.6 website. There's lot's of history there if nothing else! | ||
| Tootal |
I just jumped on their website and found a tidbit of history. Rt.6, Rt.66 and Rt. 30,(The Lincoln Highway), all converge in Joliet Illinois and here I thought there was nothing but a prison there! | ||
| Tootal |
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| Crusty |
I hitch hiked the length of Rt. 66 - from Chicago to LA back in 1969. I ought to write a Snippet about it, cause it really was one hell of an Adventure! In his book, On The Road, Jack Keroac originally was going to travel the length of US Rt. 6, then he found out that the best way to travel was by using an assortment of routes to cross the country. I've ridden on Rt.6 from Colorado to Ely, Nevada; as well as many segments in other states. I'm looking forward to the ride. I think the rain has passed. I'm going to start packing the Roadster, so I can just jump on it in the morning and head out. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I did route 6 from MA to Chicago before. It was mostly nice. Northern OH went from Farms to "Dorchester" is a matter of miles. Pennsylvania route 6 is just great but you have to watch out for speed trap towns. Speeds go from 60MPH to 40MPH without any real reason or warning. I earned a juicy ticket from that. |
