New England Sport Touring

It was kind of a warm day, for mid-January that is and in central Massachusetts too. I was walking my dog Bella like we had been doing all winter. Trying hard to keep off those dreaded winter lbs.! Also, I was trying to come up with reasons why I should by this bike. If you know me that isn’t usually a problem I have, why? Well I’ve purchased almost 30 motorcycles now since I fell in love with this sport 38 years ago. Mostly sport bikes or sport touring bikes have come through my life, with a few dual sports and only one v twin cruiser. So why was I…

Cool Change. You’ve all heard the song I’m sure. Well maybe you need to be closer to my age or older to remember, but the beginning goes something like this ” If there is one thing in my life that’s missingits the time I spend aloneSailing on the cool and bright clear waters. “ “Time fora cool changeI know that it’s timefor a cool change” A classic song from the 70s but the Little River Band. Go ahead, fire up Spotify and play it, such a great song. Well, when I hear that song, it reminds me of one thing that is not missing in my life, spending time alone.But…

Why is New England the best place to be a motorcyclist? Easy, because it’s where I find myself! Truth be told, it’s the only region I’ve lived in! I’ve traveled to other places, but I always come home to New England. It’s all I know. It’s easy to think of other places that might be better, especially on mornings like today. It’s a balmy 26° this morning. We received about 8 inches of snow yesterday however it’s a beautiful sunny morning. Just about a week ago the temps were close to 60 degrees with beautiful sunshine. I was riding my motorcycle almost every day last week. Now, Southern California or…

One of the few route numbers that crosses state lines, however this one is unique because it crosses a water border. Although not by bridge but by ferry! As you watch NY drift away behind you cross over into the green mountain state of Vermont on route 74. The Ticonderoga ferry will only cost you a few dollars and is a fun way to cross over the mighty Lake Champlain. Leaving the little village of Ticonderoga NY where there are plenty of cafes, museums and other very interesting historical spots. One such spot to check out is Kings Garden. In an area full of battlefields and Military history it’s a…

“it’s impossible,” said pride. ‘it’s risky,” said experience. “it’s pointless,” said reason. “Give it a try” whispered my heart. We all need to listen to our hearts just a little more and do what it says! I am! I just happen to be going by as the setting sun was putting on this amazing show! It’s a popular spot to stop and watch such an event. It was a warm summer day; I had spent the day riding around Central MA on my motorcycle. However, I was pretty much alone at this spot on this day. It was one of those healing days we all need time and again. A…

Music, movement and girls. Those three go together, don’t they? How? You may be asking but let me tell you how they do for me. I have these memories in my head that live there forever, like little movies that I can watch anytime I want. Sometimes they come up when I hear a certain song, see a photo of motorcycle I owned and often if I think of a past love in my life. Like the time I met a girl at a Wrestling Tournament way back in 1984, she was from a few towns away and when she invited me to come to her house for a party,…

It was a cold and damp winter morning. I was sitting with my 1st cup of coffee for the day. My iPad out, scrolling thru motorcycle photos, messages boards and classifieds. Something I always do, I’m never not in the market for a bike. I seem to have a list of maybe 5 or 6 bikes that I would buy if I ever saw one for sale. Thankfully I very hardly see one of these “sacred cows” for sale. This day would be different! But let’s back track a bit first…all the way back to 1985! I had just discovered MotoGP racing (it was called 500gps back then) and started…

One of my fav spots local to me. This photo was taken a few years ago while on a ride with my old friend the KLR. Such a great motorcycle, sometimes called the mule, donkey or tractor. Why? Well this bike is about as simple as they come, single cylinder and carbureted, but also liquid cooled. Basically, unchanged since its Inception back in 1987, for 20 years that bike remained unchanged and was one of Kawasaki‘s bestselling models. I owed two over the years! Back to the spot, I’m sure many of you have been by here. For those who don’t know its location you can find this big heart…

I’ve watched the sunset from many different spots in my life. When I’m out exploring, and I happen to be in a spot to catch it I always stop and watch. Something so simple and so easy to do. It happens every night, all around the world. It’s just another little moment to fall in love with. All these individual moments will add up to a lifetime of love. Earlier in the day I was on a lonely dirt back road, only a couple houses on this road for miles. I came around a corner and noticed a sign hung up on a tree, I was going a little to…

When does the journey end? Not knowing what’s around the corner is one of the best reasons to keep going down that road. The world is a great big place with so many amazing views to see. When you lose the desire to keep exploring, to keep moving and to find more of those views then that may be the end. There are times I think about the end of my journey. Will it come soon or do I have many more roads to explore? Does it go slowly or do you wake up one day and it’s done? I still have that Insatiable lust to find out what is…