| Author | Message | ||
     Tankhead |
I posted this report on Sport-Touring.net. I hope you enjoy..... As much as I love the mountain states I am always asked if I like living so close to the beach? I always answer the same thing...It's OK..I really am not fond of the beach. When I was a kid I loved it. But the older I get it really doesn't do anything for me. So I got to thinking....I think I am going to take a tour down a coastal route called Ocean Drive, take many pics and see how it goes. Many of you who don't get the chance to see the Atlantic Ocean will probably enjoy the pics. Here goes: This is route 559. I crossed over this street to get to a scenic 4 mile drive about 5 minutes from my house.  There is a community at the end of it called "Pig Island. It was mainly a place where well to do african americans in the 1800's came from Pennsylvania to vacation. I couldn't get to the island because when I went to go farther down the street a "BIG" dog that regularly chases my car was out and I wasn't going to take any chances. Here are some pics of the scenery from that road.   This is a house that I found interesting as I searched for a shot of the bay. The back of the house is loaded with solar panels. Scott if you are checking out this post it reminded me of you wanting to build your dream "green" home.  I rode into Ocean City and I kept thinking I really need to take pics of this family place. I actually lived in OC for a year in the early 90's. But pics were not taken and I left OC continuing south on Ocean Drive and came up to this park. I have been here many times.  On the other side of this land strip behind the fisherman is the Atlantic Ocean. Here are some shots       More to come | ||
| Tankhead |
I then crossed over to Strathmere which connects to Sea Isle City. I have never heard of this beach in Strathmere. I wondered how it got it's name.  Right after this next shot was taken I thought I better get off of the bike and take a shot of the beach for y'all.  Watch out! When in doubt.................  Isn't she BUELLtiful  Here is the Atlantic City skyline from afar......Pretty cool.  I continued south and went through Sea Isle and then my old vacation spot when I was a kid. Townsends Inlet. Notice the pier buildings sagging  Tiny house  This is my old house that my family used to rent when I was a little boy. Man did that bring back memories. We rented upstairs one year for one week and downstairs a couple of times for a week. Though it is painted different colors now (it used to be red on top and white on the bottom) it is very nostalgic visting that old house. Good times back in the mid seventies into the eighties. Behind the stairs is a tiny outdoor shower that we would take turns rinsing off in after a day at the beach. I can still smell the sand and shampoo in the shower just thinking about it.  Then I traveled south further still into Avalon.  More to come | ||
| Tankhead |
Here we go. :headscratch: I think I am more tired from workin the photos then the ride today. Anyway back to our program.  This is the first thing that I spotted when I passed this WAWA. Right hand driver.   This was interesting. The driveway is the side of the road, the people who inhabit those homes out there have to walk to the house via the boardwalk. Watch out for high tide!   Made it into Wildwood. North end. Next thing ya know I found this lighthouse. I just read in one of my Backroads mags a tour to find the lighthouses in Jersey. Seemed cool. I have been to three of them now it makes four.   This path leads to the beach.  I see you hiding behind the fence, ya little hooligan. Oh what is a Buell owner to do.  What the Duck!  This pic was taken right after I blew a stop sign by mistake. I spotted the sign and thought that it would make a great shot but as I looked up at the light it just turned red. Locked the back brake which is weird because I am always on the front brake. At the next light I took the shot.  Some wild wood stuff.      This is really amusing...get it amusing....amusement park.....man I am funny    Stopped and tried to test drive the BUELL to get another free messenger bag like the one I got in Frederick MD. They could not get the thing to fire. I said well can I at least get the bag. Sure enough I got it, strapped it on me and now have another one.    well I went to the WAWA to get fuell for my Buell. A turkey and cheese wrap for myself and then headed home on the Garden State Parkway slab. I hope you enjoyed my neck of the woods. Don't be a stranger. If any of you riders are up my way give me a shout and I will show you around. Enjoy. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Nice Tankhead. It's nice to see the coastal areas of the east without all the tall buildings and built up areas. Seems that's mostly what I see over there. Not too many sport-tourers here in Badweb. Say...are there twisty coastal roads out in the East Coast like we do in the West Coast? | ||
| Tankhead |
There are many twisties on the east coast just not in Southern New Jersey. Western MD, WV, Va, Southwestern PA, all have incredible twisty roads in great shape. That is why I do the sport touring thing, because I have to drive a full day to get to any of them. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I live in SoCal so the "twisty bits" of the coast has been taken over and overwhelmed with rich people's homes, or harbors and airports. The twisty section of our coastline is located in the Central and Northern part of the state. There, development was put to a virtual halt, but the roads are still maintained for everyone to enjoy. As you may already know, Highway 1 about 300 mile north of Los Angeles is one of the best and most scenic rides. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Alchemy |
Thanks Tankhead. I spent a few weeks at the shore when I was a child. It was one of the few times I could spend with my favorite cousin. One year we bought these white "Steve Canyon" plastic helmets (like jet pilot helmets) which we thought were the coolest things ever. In the hot sun we wore them for hours playing in the sand. A few years ago I found my mother had saved the remains of mine and it brought a lot of memories back and some chuckles. Seems I still wear helmets after all these years<grin>. | ||
| Tankhead |
Alchemy, I just found one of my old wind up (pseudo) Evel Kneivel motorcycles at my mom's house, that brought back memories. The gears are all chewed up, but it still reminds me of being a boy and loving two wheels way back then. I will post up another trip I did the next day on the bay side of jersey. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
NOw I have that damn John Cougar song, Little Pink Houses, stuck in my head, looks like a great ride. | ||
| Pa47 |
Tankhead- As a new City-X rider, I was wondering what kind of luggage/backpack set-up you have found useful for your outings? I enjoyed your story & pics. |
