Making My Way Toward Route 6

By Fuzzygalore | August 25, 2016 | Comments 6 comments

When I woke up and looked out the window, there was a cool fog hanging over everything. The world around me was still asleep when I set off for the day. Because it’s August I had only my mesh jacket – which I suffered with for the next hour. I never would have imagined that even in the mountains it would have been cool enough in the 6 o’clock hour to feel like I might need to switch on my heated grips. But… it was. As my engine thumped, I gave the occasional shudder as a result of the cold.

While you’re in the thick of things, you assume that your circumstances will be same everywhere. But often, if you just keep moving forward you can rise above the clouds and out in to a big hug of sunshine.

Riding out of the valley, I was treated to an incredible cloudless sky. Just behind me, the fog-covered valley along the river looked like the Maloja Snake.

There are so many lovely dirt roads that skirt the aprons of farms throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. I have persistent romantic notions about the lives lived in such places. It’s probably best that I never investigate the truth and carry on with my naïve and wistful ideas. They help to shape my perception of the good life.

A year ago, I talked about how it seems that once you see something, it becomes easier to do it again. Over the last few weeks I’ve experienced more examples of this being true. After never having seen the Starucca Viaduct until a few weeks ago, I found myself once more passing below its arches.

Could it just be that my brain subconsciously moved me through an area that was “familiar”? Probably. But I like to think it’s some sort of magic. Life is more fun that way.

This gorgeous dairy farm was along the way towards Route 6. My romantic imaginings have it occupied by an overall-wearing farmer who drives a tractor with heart shaped smoke that puffs from its exhaust stack. The cows with flower-crowns sing in their stalls. Every day a scarecrow waves good morning.

When I finally made it to Route 6, my first stop was the tiny old Meshoppen Fire Department building. It looked like you could pick it up and put it in your pocket. Instead, I left it where it was for the next person to enjoy and kept going west.

New Jersey Pine Barrens: Scenes from the Firetower

By Fuzzygalore | October 21, 2014 | Comments 0 Comment

On Sunday we spent the afternoon dirt riding in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Our friend Jeff took us to one of the firetowers that are out in the woods. Being the chicken that I am, I didn’t make it more than two levels up before I decided that I was better suited to being on the ground.

Though I was safely back on the ground, I still had to worry about Kenny taking a header down the stairs. Then who would’ve helped me load my bike back in the truck? 😉

The view from up there:

Once again with a hat tip to seeing signs – this was scribbled on the gate we passed to get to the tower:

I try to be a good human but sometimes I stumble. It was a good reminder for me to see that sign.

Sunday Funday in the New Jersey Pine Barrens

By Fuzzygalore | October 2, 2014 | Comments 1 comment

On Sunday Kenny and I packed our little dirty bikes into the truck and set of for the pine barrens in New Jersey.

Our destination was Wharton State Forest. But not before stopping by Might Joe’s for a quick picture. I’d been there once before but it was after dark and I couldn’t get a good look at the big monkey. He’s pretty awesome.

It’s always fun to ride with my favorite fellow unicorn hunters 🙂

For people not familiar with New Jersey and it’s diverse natural areas, I bet this isn’t what you think of:

The pine barrens are super sugar sandy and yet, as the name implies are a pine forest. It is a pretty interesting landscape.

Mixed in with the sandy roads are also some giganto puddles. What lies beneath is often nasty stuff that might suction your bike in.

This pic of our friend from a couple years ago illustrates that quite nicely 🙂

This motorcycle girl goes ’round the outside, ’round the outside, ’round the outside…Say whaaaaaat?

Big Kids Playing in the Puddles

By Fuzzygalore | July 14, 2014 | Comments 9 comments

At some point you just come to terms with your shortcomings. I will never be a confident dirt rider. There is something about the looseness of it that I cannot give myself over to. That and the fact that I don’t do it nearly enough to become good at it.

Riding dirt roads, gravel roads, dirt trails – I’m fine. As soon as I see water and mud? Forget about it. I freeze. When the answer is often to keep your momentum going to carry you through I end up shooting myself in the foot and slowing down to collect my thoughts before tackling whatever sopping mess is in front of me.

When we were riding in Berkshires this spring, things were…. damp. I tentatively putt-putted my way through some big, long puddles.

My dude and fellow unicorn spotter Gary directing me to avoid a big rock under the water.

He must’ve been looking out for me after witnessing me fling both me and my bike down an embankment about 10 minutes earlier. Judging by the look on his face when I came back to Earth and looked at him, it must’ve been quite the spectacular wipeout. Oopsie.

I’ll just keep tagging along on these dual sport rides when I can. If nothing else, the scenery is always great! 🙂

Trailside Snapshots – Meeting Some Four Legged Friends

By Fuzzygalore | November 15, 2013 | Comments 1 comment

We’re From the Internet. We Come in Peace.

You make me feel like sayin’… FOXY

On our last dirt ride, while I was standing around having a drink I saw something scuttling across the field. It was a couple hundred yards away so I couldn’t make out what it was. At first I thought it was a dog. But as it skulked closer to us, I realized it was a fox.

It sure was a mangey lookin’ bugger. Even so, it was still cute in an I might have rabies kind of way. I had no idea at the time but apparently Long Island has a booming fox population.

Neigh Baby, Neigh!

Look at this cool guy. Isn’t he cute?

He totally looks like he’s smiling. I think Kenny had just told him that old joke ~ “A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, why the long face?”

Cool Guy here just might be giving Rockstar Horse a run for his money in the awesome horse department.

Having a motorcycle that can go anywhere really opens you up to seeing parts of the world that are hidden from the road. That is my favorite part of riding the Husky.

Tag: dual sport