On the road to nowhere

We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
We'll take that ride
I'm feelin' okay this mornin' And you know,
We're on the road to paradise
Here we go, here we go
CHORUS
Maybe you wonder where you are
I don't care
Here is where time is on our side
Take you there...
take you there
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
There's a city in my mind
Come along and take that ride
and it's all right, baby, it's all right
And it's very far away But it's growing day by day
And it's all right, baby, it's all right
They can tell you what to do
But they'll make a fool of you
And it's all right, baby, it's all right
We're on a road to nowhere .....(Talkin Heads On the road to nowhere)

This summer Gail and I have been taking 1 tank rides more. Not so much about the cost of gas these days, although it is relevant. It is more about going places, stopping often to take pictures or just "smell the roses" a bit.

This weekend we were going to ride the raods around Heath Mass. Our intention was to head in the general area and get a room when we saw a place we'd like to stay at. One little problem. You guessed it. No rooms! Apparantly the North Adams/Williamstown area is booked solid when Tanglewood is performing. Oops. We decided to head up the road a bit to Bennington to see if anything was avaialable. We found a tolerable room for ok money right downtown. The roads were terrific, especially Rt 116. We stopped often took pictures and literally "smelled the roses" It was a real nice time.

Shelburne Falls: Is this the last phone booth anywhere? Maybe!


Gail has been a bad, bad girl! I think she likes it. Sculpture of a policeman -
Bennington VT
The literal roses we smelled
Shelburne Falls Bridge of flowers in all it's glory. Absolutely beautifulBig Mohawk indian on Rt 2

Morbid Fascination

What is this morbid fascination with motorcycle fatalities? On the forums I frequent there are often reports of MC fatalities. Members line up and express their sympathies. Then some asshole jumps in and breaks down the accident and expresses his opinion on what he/she could have done different and how that could never happen to them because they are just so awesome on their bike. I have a news flash. Accidents happen whether your riding your MC, commuting in your cage or eating at McDonalds. Sometimes bad things happen no matter how awesome you are. I just happen to be thinking of this because I read a post about an accident in Maine where a cage was stopped taking a legal left and some riders went down when they came up on it. In my minds eye I see a bunch of bikes going this way and that trying to avoid the car stopped after a sharp turn and down they go trying to avoid the cage, other hazards and each other as all hell breaks loose. Many things could have gone different but you know what, they didn't. Bad things happen sometimes and someone got hurt and someone died. Life sucks that way. It's sad, it's a tragedy for the families, the riders and the cage driver in the wrong place at the wrong time. There isn't anything good about it and there isn't any words of wisdom that I could impart that will make it different.

I had a fairly bad high-side about two years ago. It sucked and it hurt. I made some mistakes and I did some things right. I had about 2 seconds to make my decisions and my move. Sure, if I did this or I did that maybe things would have gone different, maybe better, maybe worse...who knows. I don't and I was there. What I do know is you won't see me second guessing someone else's accident and commenting on how that could never happen to me because I'm so awesome.

Laconia "08" It was as fun as I wanted it to be.

Another Laconia bike week is in the books. By all accounts attendance is down this year. I felt the same way last year. All the Monday morning quarterbacks will debate the reasons why this is so. Weather, Police presence, economy, scheduling, same old thing, combination, whatever,

I went up for a couple of nights and had a good time. I camped out at Hawg Hill where the hospitality was great. I partied a bit and I rode a bit. I was ready to go home when I did as I always do. The feeling this year certainly was subdued. I think in general everywhere people are feeling subdued. I know I do every time I pick up the paper or fill my tank. It’s a sign of the times. There were fewer venders in Laconia and the lines were quite a bit smaller. It was a down year for sure. Things I hear about Daytona and Myrtle Beach are similar. It’s just the way it is this year so get out make your fun the best way you can with what is available. Everything really is what you make it anyways.

A few pics :)

A rounder ride?

Partying at "The Spoke"

Ready to go home

Loud Pipes Save Lives?

It’s 1:30 AM on a warm night and I’m sleeping in bed with my windows open. I wake up to hear it coming from what seems like a mile away. Louder... louder... louder! Holy shit I think my windows are actually rattling! What an asshole I’m thinking. Who the hell needs pipes that loud on the street. Loud pipes save lives? If I could have gotten a hand on the jerk with those pipes, they may cost him his. Now I’m not an anti loud pipes guy. It’s not like my bike is particularly quiet. Mine are baffled and pass legal limits in NH at 103db which is fairly loud but my Supertrapps are not un-baffled drag pipes loud. There is a local movement in individual communities to crack down on these bikes. There should be. IMO they are totally ridiculous. The latest is the nearby town of Milford. There is a lot of buzz about their crackdown. Unfortunately if we can't in the biker community show some restraint then local communities will force something much more extreme down our throats. Something along the lines of No exhaust modifications from stock of any kind. Something most of us would prefer not happen. Unfortunately I doubt we can show restraint. So enjoy your mods, I don't think it will be long before they are outlawed.

Mount Washington Auto Road

If you are ever riding in New Hampshire here is a must visit. The Mount Washington Auto Road to the Summit. Last weekend Gail and I decided to go up. I must confess I have never been to the summit. What a mistake. I really need to do this again.... and again.

The day was hot and sunny in the mid 90s at the base. At the summit at 6200+ ft it was a cool and a very comfortable 61 degrees. The ride up was exciting with incredible views. It wasn’t long before we were above the tree line and the excitement level went up dramatically. No shoulder or guard rails with a drop that makes your head spin. Wahoo, what a ride!


The Auto Road. If your not careful the views will draw your eyes away from where you need to be looking


Gail took a lot of pictures



A gentleman from Amsterdam said "If there was one place I had to go when I came to America it was here to see this locomotive" He actually said that. He did of course admit that he was a live steam train nut :) The Cog Railway

The auto road


You don't see many houses chained down so they won't blow away. This is the location of the highest recorded wind in history


The view from the top is incredible
If you want to see what is happening up there now. Here is a link to their Webcam network