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Rhinebeck National Meet: Vintage 1930 Henderson Art Deco Motorcycle

Fuzzygalore — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:40:05 +0000

In June, we visited the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet in Dutchess County, NY. Within the motorcycle timeline there were many beautiful and interesting bikes on display. But, one in particular seemed to draw everyone to it like a moths to a flame.

At the time that I saw it, there were no informational placards and no apparent owner present to tell you what the make or model was. I was left to go home wondering. Apparently I wasn’t the only one.

Fast forward many weeks later. On Twitter, BikeEXIF posted a photo of this bike asking in anyone had any information about it. Through the power of social media, the story of this fascinating motorcycle unfolded… continue reading about this 1930 Henderson Custom on BikeEXIF.

Then and Now: Brick’s Gulf Gas and Service Station

Fuzzygalore — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:33:30 +0000

There is just something that I love about old gas stations and gas pumps. There was often a stylish craftsmanship that we generally don’t see in the new all business, efficient stations of today. Beautiful looking gasoline pumps, decorative building elements, a person manning the station who does more than grunt at you when he gives you change at the register – perfect examples of they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

In many ways I suppose the gas station symbolizes being on the go and traveling. Perhaps that is part of what fuels my interest. If we’re filling up we’re going somewhere!

Brick’s Gulf Gas & Service Station – Then and Now

Then: Brick’s Gulf Gas Station – 1948
582 Sixth Avenue – West 17th Street – New York

So many beautiful vintage elements in this photo. From the construction of the station itself, to the vintage Gulf sign, to the fading ghost ads on the surrounding buildings. It’s hard to believe that this is the same 6th avenue of today.

Image courtesy: NY Public Library

Now: Sixth Avenue & West 17th Street – August 2010

Long Island: Octagon House Stony Brook, New York

Fuzzygalore — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:48:57 +0000

Nestled into a shady Stony Brook lane is a former octagon barn. According to the Three Village Historical Society, the barn was built in the mid to late 1800′s by a member of the Davis family. In the 1930′s the barn was converted to a house and is still lived in today.

Octagon houses and barns are apparently rare structures, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s kind of neat to have one just a hop, skip and a jump from one of my local riding loops.

Photo Credit: The Three Village Historical Society

Links and Information:

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.

Sights from the Road: Zoom in for Zombies

Fuzzygalore — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:39:34 +0000

At first glance nothing really seems out of place here in this photo. It’s nothing more than a road stretching out over a hill. Why would anyone take a photo of something so ordinary?

Well, if you happen to zoom in, my darlings – you’d see that strange things are afoot in this seemingly innocuous house.

In general I find dolls kind of creepy but this takes the cake! It’s like some kind of prison for zombie children. That second one on the right dressed like a pink fairy seems especially menacing. Braaaaaains…

Am I off base here? Does anyone actually find these dolls cute and charming or do you too think they’re hellbent on sucking out your grey matter when you turn your back?

Ride to Eat on Long Island: Flo’s Famous Luncheonette

Fuzzygalore — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:37:54 +0000

Flo’s has fast become a favorite hang for me and my friends. Ride. Eat. Yes, please!

Flo’s Famous Luncheonette has been slinging good eats on Middle Road in Blue Point since 1926. Every night during the summer you find happy people digging in to grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, delicious burgers on white toast (like Mom used to make) and all manner of fried seafood. You can either belly-up to the counter or find a spot at one of their picnic tables to enjoy roadside dining under the stars. It’s a perfect Long Island ride to eat destination.

Flo’s Famous Luncheonette
302 Middle Rd.
Blue Point, NY 11715

10 Awesome Long Island Roadside Attractions

Fuzzygalore — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:17:23 +0000

Looking for a place to ride to on Long Island? Love roadside attractions? Well, then you’re in luck. Long Island is home to an interesting collection of deliciously kitschy roadside awesomeness. Break out the map and string some these great destinations together on a route. Here are 10 of my favorite Long Island Roadside Attractions.

click images to enlarge

The Big Duck

Listed on the National Register of Historic places, the Big Duck of Flanders, NY is Long Island’s most recognizable roadside attraction. It was built in the early 1930′s as an attraction to sell Peking Ducks. Constructed with a frame made of wood, wire mesh was then attached and covered in cement. The Duck’s eyes are made from Ford Model-T taillights.

View the Big Duck in Google Maps Streetview

Riverhead Raceway Muffler Man Indian

This handsome silent sentry stands on the grounds of the Riverhead Raceway. He is Long Island’s only Muffler Man. Many folks will recognize him from an episode of the Sopranos where Tony walks in front of him at the raceway.

Location: Riverhead Raceway – 1797 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY

Mr Millennium – The Giant Snowman

The smiling snowman is nearly 20 feet tall and stands outside of North Sea Auto Radiator on Sandy Hollow Rd. I don’t know why but I totally love his big mittens. They’re so cute! His plaque says he was made in the year 2000 and that his name is Mr. Millenium [sic].

Location: North Sea Auto Radiator-Towing – 25 Sandy Hollow Rd., Southampton, NY 11968

The Giant Rooftop Hotdog

Located on top of First National Franks in Medford, the giant rooftop wiener is a winner! You can ride to eat and see something kitschy in one shot. What’s better than that?

Location: 3147 Route 112 Medford, NY, 11763

The Pirate House

No doubt the neighbors of the Pirate House in Miller Place must get fed up with the gawkers who stop by for a look.

“The Connor Belle”
The local story that I have heard about this house is that the owner built this temple of pirating for his daughter who has a brain injury. It came in the wake of seeing her happy reaction to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride during a trip to Disney World. I cannot say if that is indeed true; it could just be an urban legend.

The house does have a notary public sign out front. Maybe you can get the scoop from the horses mouth while having a document notarized? Hmm…

Casa Basso Restaurant

Nothing says delicious Italian food like a stucco castle with 2 Musketeers, a horse, a two-headed snake and a gold lion in the yard. From what I understand the food is actually quite good. Go for the kitsch, stay for the pasta.

Location: 59 Montauk Highway Westhampton, NY 11977

Home Depot Cemetery

The Home Depot in Commack is now located on what was once a World War I air field called Brindley Field. Prior to that, it was a farm. Today it has an interesting secret “hidden” in plain sight; the Burr Family cemetery plot. As people go shuffling by with their carts full hammers and nails, many do not even realize the tree-lined little square houses a handful of tombstones.

Location: Home Depot 5025 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY

Giant Bull of Calverton

I found this guy by accident one day just cruising around. He stands inside the pen of a private farm. Between you and me, I like him so much more than the oft talked about Smithtown bull.

Location: Wading River Manor Rd. Calverton, NY

Atlantic Seafood

The Shark Mouth door of the Atlantic Seafood restaurant always makes me smile when I ride by. Its amazing how many locals don’t know the name of the place and just call it ‘the shark mouth.’ View on flickr

Location: 125 Main St Center Moriches, NY

The Cement Sphinx

A Long Island landmark since 1911. “She who climbs the Sphinx’s head, a millionaire will surely wed.” Unfortunately ladies, the sphinx gives mixed messages with it’s ‘No Climbing’ sign. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Location: 890 Montauk Hwy, Bayport, NY

Nipper the Dog

This 6ft tall fiberglass Nipper the dog stands at the front door of Plesser’s Appliances in the town of Babylon. He’s a town favorite!

Location: 6 E Main St Babylon, New York 11702

Long Island: Roadside Giant the Mr. Millennium Snowman

Fuzzygalore — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:22:22 +0000

Okay, everybody. Let’s give a nice warm welcome to Mr. Millennium! “Hiiiiii, Mister Millennium.”

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

Sights from the Road: World’s Largest Telephone

Fuzzygalore — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:43:20 +0000

If you’re looking for a 1-2 punch of good riding and interesting roadside attractions, Maine has a lot to offer. Just a hop skip and a jump from a 3 story outhouse, a giant butterfly sculpture and down the road a piece from Rumford’s Paul Bunyan Muffler Man is the World’s Largest Telephone. It is a 14 foot tall statue of a hand-cranked candlestick model.

Plaque Reads:
“This sculpture by Gil Whitman is dedicated to the memory of Barbara & Elden Hathaway owners of the Bryant Pond Telephone Company the very last hand crank magneto telephone system in the U.S.A. They purchased the company in 1951 and operated it from their home as a family business until selling it to the Oxford Network Company in 1981, when it was integrated into the national dial system.”

Antique Cars Participate in 100th Anniversary of the Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Fuzzygalore — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:14:27 +0000

On July 18, 2010 the town of Port Jefferson celebrated the centennial anniversary of one of Long Island’s most famous automobile competitions – the Port Jefferson Hill Climb. Dozens of beautiful antique and vintage cars from 1975 and earlier lined the parking lot of the Village Center. It was a sea of beautiful paint, finely polished brass and beautiful wood grain.

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:

Port Jefferson Centennial Hill Climb Event – Preview

Fuzzygalore — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:12:33 +0000

The town of Port Jefferson celebrated the 100 year anniversary of one of Long Island’s premier historical motorsport events; the Port Jefferson Hill Climb. Dozens of beautiful cars were on hand to participate in the harbor-side show, parade and ultimately the steep hill climb on East Broadway.

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