Day 11 [May 17th] Green Mountains and End of the Road?:
At first when I started going down this street I was going “Okay Garmin, now your really going crazy with “Fastest” route. But I was happy, as the view was really nice..
And then the Australian voice in my ear says “Navigate Off Road to destination.” Do what?!?!? So I stop and look at the maps and figure out apparently I entered the numbers wrong. Figures. But the side route was amazing, I had this real “bridges of Madison County” moment while Lost near boarder of Vermont.
Eventually I found my way back to where I wanted to be, after nearly being killed by a car making a left hand turn from a side road that didn’t bother to wait for me to make my own left turn onto her side street. I swear some people just don’t see motorcycles. Which is odd, because there were a LOT of them out there, even while I was “lost”.
At this point, I should mention this is Vermont...
Gas Stop 1: N42.86561 W72.86408 2.916 gal ($9.04) 9503 (141 miles, 48.4 mpg)
Again even the other pictures I took do not even do this area justice, especially considering the perfect weather. Lets say this is like FM 337, only the grades are between 7% and 10%, some lasting for 2-3 miles, more elevation changes, and well a little bit of annoying construction. But really I can’t complain, it was excellent. Actually it was too perfect, the 30-someodd miles of Vermont took almost 3 hours to enjoy; I think it would be worth coming back for more miles in this state if I ever get the chance.
This just took me off guard. At first when I saw this I thought “a for-profit fire department”? That really struck me as weird, as I worked for years in a volunteer / not-for-profit department. But after looking more closely found out it was a EMS only thing, and they told me that it was a department that serves 14 counties. So it makes sense, to combine and share resources, etc.
I just liked the new bridge that replaces the old bridge right next to it entering into New Hampshire. Apparently a tourist spot too, as there were a number of information signs around it, and people on the old one.
On the way over to Maine I got stuck behind a pretty ratty car with the New Hampsire license plate “Sorberto” (I don’t know why it has an O on the end, but it did). I was stuck behind it for 10 or so minutes. Why do I mention this, because one or both of the occupants were seriously under the influence of a drug that shall remain nameless. Not only under the influence, but still doing it in the car, releasing that sweet (as in “taste” not as in good/nice/etc) smell that gives me a serious headache. I never could stand the stuff, but the fact I could smell it even 200-300 feet back so strong to give me a headache is unbelievable. I don’t care if you want to do it, but please don’t do it while on highways and freeways doing 70+ mph.
Gas Stop 2: N43.23302 W70.80848 2.562 gal ($8.07) 9639 (136 miles, 53.1 mpg)
Dover / South Berwick had INSANE traffic.
And then, I ran out of road..
Dart, I hate when huge bodies of water get in the way for forward progress. :P Guess it’s time to start coming back to the Lone Star State.
Boston was rather interesting. It had two really neat bridges going into it, then there was a tunnel that went under the whole city. I actually liked this tunnel a lot; with the cars moving through it, it was like there was no windage at all, and it was very smooth and nice. I hadn’t been in a tunnel that long on motorcycle.
Gas Stop 3: N41.44172 W71.79993 3.493 gal ($11.52) 9824 (188 miles, 53.8 mpg)
And speaking of trailered bikes.. my beautiful (all be it covered in dust except were my legs and hands rub) that has gone almost 5000 miles in a little more than a week, infront of a sister Dyna that I bet doesn’t even have 5000 miles on the odometer. I couldn’t tell what year dyna it is (typical everything changed for super-high-performance parts, not that a 96 or even 88 cubic inch engine on a 600 lb bike needs any more performance). The bike sported North Carolina Plates, so even at the worst, thats 800 miles from home, or 3 leisurly days, or 1 hard out day and change. I shouldn't be so harsh, just whats the point of having such a nice bike if one isn't riding it? Sadly I know the answer to that question.
Day 11 miles: 416.1 [Albany, NY – Groton, CT]
Total Miles: 4715
Distance made good to York Plant: -23.3 mi [262.1 to go]
Distance to GSNP: -21.3 mi [730.6 mi to go]
Shortest Distance Home: 1525 miles (must average 117 mpd for 13 days)
Current Points:
22 States: OK, KS, NE, IA, MO, SD, MN, ND, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, KY, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, RI, CT
5 City: C, L, N, O, X
1 County: Y
12 Other: Canada, Manitoba, KC-Plant, CH-NF, TH-Plant, Museum(x2), HD-HQ, MF-Plant, USA, CV-NP, GM-NF
At first when I started going down this street I was going “Okay Garmin, now your really going crazy with “Fastest” route. But I was happy, as the view was really nice..
And then the Australian voice in my ear says “Navigate Off Road to destination.” Do what?!?!? So I stop and look at the maps and figure out apparently I entered the numbers wrong. Figures. But the side route was amazing, I had this real “bridges of Madison County” moment while Lost near boarder of Vermont.
Eventually I found my way back to where I wanted to be, after nearly being killed by a car making a left hand turn from a side road that didn’t bother to wait for me to make my own left turn onto her side street. I swear some people just don’t see motorcycles. Which is odd, because there were a LOT of them out there, even while I was “lost”.
At this point, I should mention this is Vermont...
Gas Stop 1: N42.86561 W72.86408 2.916 gal ($9.04) 9503 (141 miles, 48.4 mpg)
Again even the other pictures I took do not even do this area justice, especially considering the perfect weather. Lets say this is like FM 337, only the grades are between 7% and 10%, some lasting for 2-3 miles, more elevation changes, and well a little bit of annoying construction. But really I can’t complain, it was excellent. Actually it was too perfect, the 30-someodd miles of Vermont took almost 3 hours to enjoy; I think it would be worth coming back for more miles in this state if I ever get the chance.
This just took me off guard. At first when I saw this I thought “a for-profit fire department”? That really struck me as weird, as I worked for years in a volunteer / not-for-profit department. But after looking more closely found out it was a EMS only thing, and they told me that it was a department that serves 14 counties. So it makes sense, to combine and share resources, etc.
I just liked the new bridge that replaces the old bridge right next to it entering into New Hampshire. Apparently a tourist spot too, as there were a number of information signs around it, and people on the old one.
On the way over to Maine I got stuck behind a pretty ratty car with the New Hampsire license plate “Sorberto” (I don’t know why it has an O on the end, but it did). I was stuck behind it for 10 or so minutes. Why do I mention this, because one or both of the occupants were seriously under the influence of a drug that shall remain nameless. Not only under the influence, but still doing it in the car, releasing that sweet (as in “taste” not as in good/nice/etc) smell that gives me a serious headache. I never could stand the stuff, but the fact I could smell it even 200-300 feet back so strong to give me a headache is unbelievable. I don’t care if you want to do it, but please don’t do it while on highways and freeways doing 70+ mph.
Gas Stop 2: N43.23302 W70.80848 2.562 gal ($8.07) 9639 (136 miles, 53.1 mpg)
Dover / South Berwick had INSANE traffic.
And then, I ran out of road..
Dart, I hate when huge bodies of water get in the way for forward progress. :P Guess it’s time to start coming back to the Lone Star State.
Boston was rather interesting. It had two really neat bridges going into it, then there was a tunnel that went under the whole city. I actually liked this tunnel a lot; with the cars moving through it, it was like there was no windage at all, and it was very smooth and nice. I hadn’t been in a tunnel that long on motorcycle.
Gas Stop 3: N41.44172 W71.79993 3.493 gal ($11.52) 9824 (188 miles, 53.8 mpg)
And speaking of trailered bikes.. my beautiful (all be it covered in dust except were my legs and hands rub) that has gone almost 5000 miles in a little more than a week, infront of a sister Dyna that I bet doesn’t even have 5000 miles on the odometer. I couldn’t tell what year dyna it is (typical everything changed for super-high-performance parts, not that a 96 or even 88 cubic inch engine on a 600 lb bike needs any more performance). The bike sported North Carolina Plates, so even at the worst, thats 800 miles from home, or 3 leisurly days, or 1 hard out day and change. I shouldn't be so harsh, just whats the point of having such a nice bike if one isn't riding it? Sadly I know the answer to that question.
Day 11 miles: 416.1 [Albany, NY – Groton, CT]
Total Miles: 4715
Distance made good to York Plant: -23.3 mi [262.1 to go]
Distance to GSNP: -21.3 mi [730.6 mi to go]
Shortest Distance Home: 1525 miles (must average 117 mpd for 13 days)
Current Points:
22 States: OK, KS, NE, IA, MO, SD, MN, ND, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, KY, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, RI, CT
5 City: C, L, N, O, X
1 County: Y
12 Other: Canada, Manitoba, KC-Plant, CH-NF, TH-Plant, Museum(x2), HD-HQ, MF-Plant, USA, CV-NP, GM-NF