Road Trips

Heading to Italy: A Crash Course in Traffic Signs

Now that I have my International Driving Permit, I thought I should probably get acquainted with the traffic signs that are used in Italy.  I have been searching the web for a comprehensive listing of basic traffic signs. Overall, they seem to be fairly intuitive. Thanks to the all-knowing Wikipedia, ...

Riding Overseas: Get Your International Driving Permit

Because I wasn't exactly clear on the function of the International Driving Permit, I was unsure of whether or not I needed to have one when we head to Italy. What is an International Driving Permit/License? It is a booklet that translates the type of American license you hold (ie ...

Barber Motorsports Museum: 1974 Hercules W2000 Wankel Rotary Motorcycle

Until I visited the Barber Motorsports Museum, the only rotary engined motorcycle that I'd ever seen or heard was the Suzuki RE-5 owned by my friend Quacka. There's a good reason for that. There were never many production models made using a rotary mill. Like the RE-5, the Hercules was ...

1920′s Board Track Racing Video from Daytona, Florida

Barber Motorsports Museum Board Track Racing Display: Imagine running full speed at 75mph and a 45° angle with nothing but your feet as brakes... Great board track racing video from Daytona, Florida in the 1920's. The intro title is a little long but stick with it. It just serves as ...

Barber Motorcycle Museum: Bimota Tesi and Bimota Tesi 3D

The Tesi with it's hub-steering has become one of those motorcycles that is the stuff of legend. Seeing the unusual Bimota in the wild is a bit like seeing a UFO. Sure some people say they've seen them but I'm usually a little skeptical and never imagined seeing one myself ...

Barber Motorcycle Museum: Cushman Motor Scooters

What started from two cousins, Everett and Clinton Cushman building farming machinery and two-cycle boat engines in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1901 developed into one of the most well known commercial and industrial vehicle companies. Used in factories, the military, airports and even on the links, Cushman vehicles are everywhere. Golf cart, ...

The Barber Museum: 1958 Ariel Square Four with Sidecar

Has there ever been a finer looking sidecar than the one on this 1958 Ariel Square Four? No. No, I don't think so. It doesn't say so on the placard but I'm pretty sure that when you open the door on the sidecar, you are greeted by a snow white ...

Kevin Schwantz School at Barber Motorsports Park

In early May, my better half Kenny spent 2 days at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama doing the Kevin Schwantz 2-Day Track School.  Astride a school-provided Honda 600RR and Suzuki GSX-R 600, he had an absolutely great time riding and learning from the talented riders and instructors. The 2 day school ...

Berkshire Big Adventure Dual Sport Ride

On Saturday afternoon with our tent and sleeping bags packed, Kenny and I hopped on the ferry to cross the Long Island Sound. We headed towards Winsted, Connecticut to the White Pines Campground. Sunday morning we would be joining the LI ADV gang on the Berkshire Big Adventure dual sport ...

The Barber Museum: Harley-Davidson Powered Buell RR 1000 Battletwin

I used to have a big, gray G-shock wristwatch. The band on it was made of a stretchy, elasticized material. Every day after work I would ride my bicycle while wearing that watch. All summer long I would pedal, pedal, pedal - keeping time with my G-Shock watch. The more I ...

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum: 1996 Britten V1000

The first time that I saw the fabled Britten V1000 was in 1998 on the top floor of the Guggenheim Museum at the Art of the Motorcycle exhibit in New York City. As we wound our way up the museum's ramp to the top floor, it sat there like a ...

Visiting the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum – Leeds, Alabama

Last week my honey Kenny flew to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the Kevin Schwantz 2-Day Motorcycle School where he attended classes on Thursday and Friday. On Friday evening I hopped on a plane and flew down to meet up with him and tour the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. For a ...

Barber Motorsports Park: Some Boys Have All The Luck

I blew Kenny a kiss as the black limo drove away from our house last night. The windows were tinted so dark, I couldn't tell if he saw it or not. I went on blind faith that the love was received on the other side of the glass. He was ...

Non-Motorcycle: Photos From Our Trip to Iceland – April 2009

After a few years of saying "someday..." our little family packed our bags and visited Iceland in April of 2009. We left New York in the dark of night and landed at Keflavik airport nearly six hours later under a red sunrise. The landscape on the 40 minute drive from ...

2010 Plans: Dreaming of Motorcycle Riding in Italy

While in Kentucky in May of 2009, Pimmie, Kenny & I chit-chatted over breakfast about what it would be like for us to get together and ride through the Italian Alps. Pimmie is from Holland and has spent some time riding through the serpentine passes that cut through the mountains ...

Memory Lane: Visiting Bodie, California an American Ghost Town

In June of 2008 our time riding with Novos came to a close in the town of Lee Vining just outside of Yosemite National Park. While Kenny, Greg and I checked in to a hotel, Novos peeled off heading towards his home in SoCal. He was going back to real ...

Past Motorcycle Road Trips: Mount Rushmore

In 2005, Kenny and I headed west to visit Mount Rushmore. He on his 3 week old Triumph Speed Triple and me on my 98' Kawasaki ZX6R. We pointed our headlights west to see the monument that had fascinated me for ages. As we rode along route 244 towards the ...

Road Trip: Visiting the Bedford Coffee Pot

My love of traveling around and seeing our corner of the world isn't limited to just doing it on a motorcycle. Sometimes we head out in the car as well. When we hit the road as a family we usually take our A3 which has been named "the Breadbox". This ...

Motorcycle Photos: Pioneer Auto-Murdo, South Dakota

Pioneer Auto in Murdo, South Dakota is like an oasis on the prairie. Kenny and I stopped in on our way to Yellowstone in 2005. It is a curious collection of motorcycles, cars and assorted vehicles.  If you just happen to be on your way to Wall Drug or the ...

On the Road: California to Montana on an Aprilia RSV

Back in July, Novos took the time to share his plans for a week long trip from Southern California to Montana on his Aprilia RSV. Now that the trip is in the books, he is sharing his ride as a series of posts as a guest blogger on my partner ...

Bermuda Scooter: Honda Sonic 125 Repsol Edition

I spotted this guy on a cool Repsol Edition Honda Sonic 125 while in Bermuda. Scooters, Scooters, Everywhere! Bermuda has an island wide speed limit of 30mph and a motorcycle displacement limit of 150ccs.  Importing vehicles and the price of oil/gasoline on the little island must be a small fortune.  ...

A Quick Stop in Newport, Rhode Island: Mansions, Cliff Walk and a 10 Mile Drive

A Great Weekend Destination Beyond the pull of the large Gilded Age mansions that draw so many visitors to Newport, it is a terrific place to spend a Saturday night having a beer and a burger. The Thames Street area is great for strolling. Bars, restaurants and shops line the ...

On the Road: Foggy Photos from the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Waynesboro, Virginia in the north for 469 miles to the border of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. Though it's beautifully paved surface and sweeping lines will beckon you to turn up the gas, you have to be mindful as ...

Moto Photo Blog-o-Rama Meme: Butterflies

Goldenchild asked: "I know everyone’s had pucker moments on their bike, but how many of you have had butterflies?" I can tell you unequivocally that the most frightening ride I've ever been on was going 2-up across the dragon at Deal's Gap and then across the Cherohala Skyway on the ...

Road Trips: What type of lodging do you seek out?

When it comes to traveling for several days on a motorcycle road trip, barring any unforeseen mishaps or frivolous souvenir purchases your lodging costs will most likely make up the bulk of your expenses. Over the last few years I’ve stayed in some dumps while traveling. Most recently, we stayed ...

Memory Lane: Remembering Badlands National Park

Inspired by reading a post on hellforleathermagazine.com, I dug out some photographs from Badlands National Park in South Dakota. In May of 2005, Kenny and I rode from New York with the intention of visiting Mount Rushmore. One of the stops that we simply had to make on the way ...

Remembering California: Discovering the Jewel that is California’s Lost Coast

While out west, we stumbled upon a stretch of road called the King Range National Conservation Area also known as 'The Lost Coast'. Before leaving for California, I had never even heard of it. I discovered the Lost Coast, reading a small local paper during our trip. The Lost Coast ...

Riding the 2009 Ramapo 500 Covered Bridge Tour

For thirty three years now, the Ramapo Motorcycle Club has hosted a road rally that is open to non-member participation called the Ramapo 500. A motorcycle road tour consisting of two nearly 250 mile legs, the 500 takes riders through some of the lesser traveled byways across the New York ...

Day tripping on a sunny Sunday on the coast of Maine

The town of Rockland sits on Midcoast Maine’s Penobscot bay. A perfect strolling town, lined by charming window displays of clever artisan’s works, sparkly baubles and puffin related souvenirs, Rockland brings to mind what a small American town should look like. No strip malls, no Burger King drive thru, no ...

Visiting Kentucky: Natural Bridge State Park

Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park was one of our day ride detours while we were staying in the big k-y. Not far from the Nada Tunnel, it only seemed right to include it on our ride for the day. Up, up and away in to the sky... Kenny takes in ...

Visiting Kentucky: The Nada Tunnel

One of the things that I had on my to-do list on our trip to Kentucky was to take a ride through the Nada Tunnel. At only 12 feet tall and probably not many more feet wide, it felt a bit snug as you made your way through it. Route ...

Sights from the Road: Kentucky Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn

I don't recall ever seeing a Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn in NY, but I guess the do exist. I love seeing them as we cruise through the south. There is something so distinctly American about them. I think I grinned at every single one I saw last week ...

Visiting Kentucky: A Sunday Morning Stroll on the BMW R1150GS in the Daniel Boone National Forest

Last week we left home for points west, heading off to do some riding through the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. My knowledge of the state was and still is pretty limited. I knew that it was not an affluent state, that it's major forest offered lots of lovely ...

Visiting Kentucky: Ya’ll Come back Now, Y’hear?

Just got back from an excellent riding trip to Kentucky. Words and pics coming soon! ...

Iceland: Super-Jeep, Black Sand, Waterfalls and Glaciers

On Easter Sunday we set off with our most excellent guide Haukur (Hawk) from Nature Explorer in his Nissan Patrol which they refer to as a super jeep. One of our first stops that morning was to Seljalandsfoss where we hiked up behind the falls. The tongue of the Sólheimajökull glacier where ...

Visiting Iceland: Photographs from The Blue Lagoon spa outside of Reykjavik

Out in the very lunar-like landscape sits one or Reykjavik most significant tourist draws. The Blue Lagoon spa. A littel slice of hot water heaven that is not to be missed ...

Visiting Iceland: A Day trip to Gullfoss and Geysir

The sheer power of Gullfoss waterfall is something to behold as you walk down the windy spray filled path to stand at the edge of the falls. A bajillion gallons of water go rushing by, clean and blue as you stand just a dozen feet away, wind whipping your face ...

Visiting Iceland: Assorted Photographs from Reykjavik

Okay, let's get these out of the way: No, it wasn't that cold. It was about 40 degrees. No, everything wasn't super cheap because of economic collapse. Food and transportation were still major expenses. They speak Icelandic and yes, most people speak English. Everyone is very friendly. No we didn't ...

Visiting Iceland: Our Arrival at Keflavik and on to Reykjavik

When I let the cat out of the bag that our little family would be spending our spring break vacation by taking a trip to Iceland, I was more than once met with one word. Why? I found it more than a little odd that such a fascinating and unique ...

Visiting Iceland: Day Trip to Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir National Park The drowning pool where sinful women were put to death. Lots of wishes there... Icelandic Ground Heart ...

Iceland: The Fuzz’s Motorbike

I was surprised to see a very large population of motorcycle riders around Reykjavik. It really drove home the idea that people are the same everywhere. Squids, crusty old pirates, adventure guys... all the usual suspects, just waaaaaaay up north. The Reykjavik police have it good, wouldn't you say? Check ...

Non-Moto: The Ice Woman Cometh

We just returned from our vacation in Iceland last night. Pics and words to follow soon. Stay tuned! ...

Some Shots from Wellsboro

Yes, I know that none of these pictures are very good, but for me they are serving a purpose. After witnessing such an awful event in losing Michael and Cindy last week I felt emotionally ragged, raw and ultimately stalled. Most of this week I felt kind of like it ...

California: Missing the Beauty of Big Sur

Tonight I said to Kenny, 'When do we leave for California?' I swear, it already seems like it was 5 years ago that we were there and I haven't even been home for a solid week yet. Though each morning I've gotten to see the giant pinecone I brought back ...

California Dreaming: Willits to San Francisco

June 20, 2008 - Willits to San Francisco There was a little bit of a sting to leaving Willits. This was our final day of riding in California. We had to be back in San Francisco to return our rental bikes by dinner time. Though another beautiful day of riding ...

California Dreaming: Mount Shasta City to Willits

Thursday June 19, 2008 - Mount Shasta City to Willits We left Mount Shasta City early on Thursday morning with the intent of stopping in the city of Redding so that I could visit a bridge built by one of my favorite architects; The Sundial Bridge by Santiago Calatrava. While ...

California Dreaming: Crescent City to Mount Shasta City

Wednesday June 18, 2008 - Crescent City to Mount Shasta City Heading south from Crescent City on 101, we moved through the big trees. There was a layer of fog that seems to hang in their tops. It created a very soft, surreal feeling in the woods. Of course we ...

California Dreaming: Klamath Falls, Or. to Crescent City, Ca.

Tuesday June 17, 2008 - Klamath Falls, Or to Crescent City, Ca. We left our surprisingly plush and unexpected 2 room suite in Klamath Falls on Tuesday morning, heading north to Crater Lake National Park. A good night's sleep realigned my brain and I was happy to be on the ...

California Dreaming: Lee Vining to Klamath Falls, Oregon

Monday June 16, 2008 - Lee Vining to Klamath Falls, Oregon Waving goodbye to Lee Vining, we headed north on 395 towards Bridgeport, California. Not far from Lake Mono, I saw a sign for "Bodie." Seeing as how I might never pass that way again, I made the executive decision ...