October 3, 2010

Gypsy Stats:
9 hr 19 min elapsed time
5 hr 0 min riding time
186 Miles
37.2 Ave MPH

Beemer Stats:
193.3 miles
38 ave MPH
45 MPG

Tim: ’00 Triumph Sprint ST 955 Triple

Dave: ’99 Triumph Sprint ST 955 Triple (aka Smokin’ Red)

Lindsey: ’07 BWM R1200R (grin)

What a day for a motorcycle ride! Early October in SE Pennsylvania at its best! The day started out crisp(ly) as the sun was rising with temperatures in the mid-40's and a clear blue sky. I put on the Gerbing liner: think Dylan, Newport, '64 - plugged in - it's electric! With winter gloves and hand grips on half heat, the long sleeve, two piece, custom made, motorcycle underwear from LD and some sweat pants under the RevIt suit, I was toasty.

Grabbed some $$ at the ATM in Oley, some gas at Redners Quick Stop, and ready to ride. First Sunday, so we set out for Kutztown Fire Company. Last time we tried this, we found the parking lot empty and had to move on to Letterman's Silk City Diner, but today the parking lot was full of cars - fire house buffet breakfast - $8 all you can eat. I had to check what county I was in when I found the cake was served in little triangles instead big Berks County sized squares.

We decide to go see is the recent rains following our end-of-summer drought had filled the river, so we headed east towards the Delaware. Temperatures were running right around 60 degrees so the Gerbing liner was welcome for its thinsulate but did not need to be plugged in. Summer gloves were comfortable with the grip heaters on half power. The rains had left gravel patches in the road, often in the middle of curves, so riding care was in order. Excessive slowing in curves lead to excessive accel on the out-turn. Smoklin' Red was living up to its name on the hard accels.

The recent rains really greened up the country side bar the corn and early beans which were dried brown and being made, but not much color yet.

We headed east across the north end of Berks County into Montgomery and the Bucks, coming to the river at New Hope. What a place! These people wanted $10 just for the privilege of getting off of the bike and looking around! I don't think so. We went once around the block looking at the circus, then headed North up the river. We made a quick stop to look at one of the old canal locks. Repairs to the canal continue in-progress but no serious filling with water yet. The river, however, was brown and above average level. Looks like a lot of the 12" of rain is running off, but it's good to see the streams full.

We stopped in at Van Sant airport. This place is a happening on the weekends. There is usually a line of motorcycles, sport and classic cars and folks hanging around for no apparent reason. The attraction is the classic biplanes and gliders which call Van Sant home field.

From there it was just a quick run around Lake Nockamixon, up Old Bethlehem Pike to Pleasant Valley, and across the counties to Boyertown. By this time the temp had risen to the mid-60's - perfect biking weather. Home around 3:00 o'clock with not quite 200 miles on the tires and plans for two days to the south and west next weekend.