He stands ever-smiling, braving the elements in front of North Sea Auto Radiator. Hmm. Auto radiators… yea, that seems like a likely place for a 20ft snowman.

When I pulled over on the shoulder to take his picture, I took my helmet off. I don’t usually do that when I stop for a snap-and-go-photo. After taking the picture  I put my camera away in my tailpack and stood momentarily looking at him in all his dirty snow glory. I heard someone say ‘are you okay?’ in the distance and thought nothing of it. Then it came again, ‘Miss, are you okay?’ I turned, smiled and waved and said I was fine.

Now, I’m left to wonder if seeing my un-helmeted head makes people think there is something wrong with me or he didn’t get why anyone would be looking at the giant snowman. Tough call.

• See Mr. Millennium on Google Maps
  

We don’t generally have very much graffiti here where I live on the North Shore of Long Island. When it does pop it, it usually gets whitewashed very quickly. Lately I’ve been seeing a tag showing up all over the place: “Keanu Reeves” or just “Keanu”. I’ve see it along the expressway, on the sides of small stores, underneath overpasses. Keanu has been busy.

Thought it’s obviously not him I just find it comical to think of the actual Keanu Reeves running around Suffolk County all pigeon toed with a rattle can, tagging. Ooh, but he is indeed a motorcyclist. Maybe he’s been zipping around on his Norton with a can of Krylon in his tankbag.

Can’t you just see it now? Keanu stands on the side of the road leaning against his shiny black Norton in a tight white t-shirt and black leather pants. He’s just run out of gas trying to stay one step ahead of the police after a suburban tagging spree. The golden summer sun is setting and there is an evening breeze flowing through his hair. I then pull up next to him on my 996, dressed like Trinity in black patent leather (of course). I flip open my visor and say, “you look like you might need some help there,” and he says…”whoa.”

The course for this event began at the corner of East Broadway & East Main Street and climbed 2000 feet to the top of the hill terminating at the gateway of Belle Terre at Cliff Road. Historically the hill climb race was a measure of a car’s strength and torque.

Cars on display before the climb:

click all photos to enlarge

The car owners were friendly and happy to tell you about their beautiful vehicles. We spent some time talking with the owners of this beautiful Ford. He even let my daughter give his ahooga horn a go. I think I might have enjoyed that more than she did.

He mentioned an interesting fact that I was complete unaware of. The original headlamps were powered by acetylene. He does not run a tank so he only drives the car during daylight hours.

When I first moseyed into the parking area of the Village Center, the first car that I laid eyes on was a long, tough looking racer that bore the number 8 on it’s radiator. For some reason it rung a bell with me but I couldn’t place why I would’ve ever seen it before.

When I came home and started looking for information on the car, I was lead back to Vanderbiltcup.com. As it turns out that was one of the sites I’d used as a source of information when researching the De Dion Bouton tricycle. Ah ha!

This 1909 Alco-6′s pedigree boasts 2 Vanderbilt Cup wins in 1909 and 1910 as well as participation in the very first Indy 500 in 1911. Not too shabby, huh? The car returned to Long Island in 2008, when it was purchased by local motorsport historian and enthusiast Howard Kroplick.

Link and Information on the 1909 Alco-6 “Black Beast”

• The Alco-6 Black Beast Racing History
• Conceptcarz.com – 1909 Alco Six Race Car news, pictures, and information
• If the Alco-6 Racer tickles your fancy as much as it did mine, make sure you stop by the Vanderbilt Cup Races blog and peruse the history and videos of the beautiful Black Beast.

Up, Up, Up We Go!

Port Jefferson Mayor Margo Garant dropped the green flag sending the first cars on their way. It was so exciting to watch them chug up the hill cheered on by onlookers. Admittedly a few cars looked as though they might not make it but most of them powered on steadily up, up, up.

When the beautiful blue Bugatti made it’s way to the starting line I knew we were in for a treat. The driver easily sped his way up the hill past us. The sound of his car zipping by was like a song.

In the line behind the Bugatti was the car that held my fascination for the day; the Black Beast. I was so excited to see him roll away from the line. He began his ascent and then… the big black racer chugged and chugged and slowed… and sputtered to a stop partway up the hill.

Oh no! I could see steam coming out from under the front of car.  Unfortunately I wouldn’t have the opportunity to hear it rumble past me on the hill on this day. I was fortunate enough to see and hear it driving earlier in the day so that would have to do.

Some of the more “modern” vehicles on hand:

Your Help Appreciated
I’m afraid most of the cars did not have signage with their details, so I am short on information on makes, models & years. If anyone knows anything about these beautiful vehicles, please comment below!

We had such a great time at this event. I only hope we don’t have to wait another 100 years to attend it again!

Historical Port Jeff Hill Climb Information:

• Portjeff.com – Port Jefferson Hill Climb Centennial 1910-1929 a re-enactment for cars 1975 & earlier
• Vanderbilt Cup Races Blog – Port Jefferson to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Hill Climb
• New York Times – GETTING READY FOR BIG HILL CLIMB; Port Jefferson to be Scene of Attack on Ralph De Palma’s Record (1911)
• Port Jeff to celebrate 100th anniversary of Hill Climb

This post is just a little teaser; a little something to whet your whistle to come back tomorrow for a huge, photos-galore post about this fabulous event!

Click all photos to enlarge

The Setauket rubber factories provided work for many at the turn of the 20th century. Known locally as the Rubber Factory Houses, these 1 1/2 story structures housed factory workers. The 3 attached units are still intact on Old Town Rd. and are slated to be moved and for preservation.

It’s funny that I’ve ridden by the rubber factory houses and the little post office building hundreds of times never noticing them or knowing their history. It wasn’t until I began looking for information on the Setauket area that their presence was made known to me. The history of the area is like an onion. You peel back one layer only to discover something else. It’s fun to give my inner nerd a workout.

Suburban Exploring – Local Long Island:
As I continue to learn, Long Island has some lovely and interesting places that are rich in history, some of which are hiding in plain sight. What better way to explore these historical gems than by motorcycle? This post is part of a series of motorcycle rides that focus on local Long Island history.

I don’t really understand why anyone would actually want an automatic motorcycle, but… okay. I guess it’s really like a 750cc scooter. I think I might need to re-file this under “there’s room for everyone”.

For More Information:

• Ridley Motorcycles ( be forewarned – their website has lot’s of  404′s)

“..I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by…“

Often as you ride through some of the town’s small shady lanes, you get the distinct feeling that you are somewhere else. This town doesn’t fit the popular Long Island stereotype; strip malls, tons of traffic and women who sound like Fran Drescher on The Nanny.

One of my favorite buildings that I pass when traveling along the North Shore through towns like Saint James, Nissequogue, Stony Brook and on to Port Jefferson is the delightfully tiny Setauket Post Office. Built in 1941, this quaint little Greek revival building was designed by Richard Haviland Smythe. It features 4 columns whose capitals are topped with cornstalks in the spirit of those found in our nation’s Capitol building, designed by Benjamin Latrobe.

For More Information:

• Setauket – East Setauket Wikipedia
• AIA Architectural Guide to Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Long Island

Local Long Island:
As I continue to learn, Long Island has some lovely and interesting places that are rich in history, some of which are hiding in plain sight. What better way to explore these historical gems than by motorcycle? This post is part of a series of motorcycle rides that focus on local Long Island history.

What is Tag-O-Rama?

Tag-O-Rama is a photo-tag game played in the regional forums on ADVRider.com. The first rider rides to a location and takes a photo of a place or thing along with their motorcycle. They then post the picture in the Tag thread with a clue about the location. Players then head out to try to reproduce the photo as closely as possible. The first person to post the correctly duplicated photo tag then has to find a new tag location to post and so on.

It’s really quite fun and as it turns out a great way to learn about the history of an area.

Tag-O-Rama Revisited – The Smithtown Railroad Station House

I have found that on occasion, the game has turned up some interesting places to go back and visit when not playing. One such spot here on Long Island is a private home from around 1900 that was once the Smithtown Railroad Station.

I found it interesting that the home is not currently located near any railroad tracks. I sent a message to the Long Island Railroad Museum to ask if the building had been moved or if the tracks were routed differently over time. I received  a very quick and helpful email response from a gentleman there who said that the home was indeed the former Smithtown Station and that it had been moved in the 1960′s to it’s present address when the new station was built.

There are some great historical photos of the station in it’s former life located on MaggieBlanck.com.

Photo Credit: Robert W. Andersen at lirrhistory.com

Who says riding a motorcycle isn’t educational?

For More Information:

• Newsday Realty Listing – Smithtown Railroad Home
• Smithtown, Long Island, Train Station – MaggieBlanck.com
• Railroad Museum of Long Island
• LIRRHistory.com