The Beauty Around Us

Labor Day Motorcycle Ride

By Linda G. on September 5, 2017

We enjoyed an all-day motorcycle ride with friends on Labor Day (September 4th).

We met our friends at 7:30 am at the Hog Wild BBQ just outside of Warren.

Our ride began at the Hog Wild BBQ Co.

It was a chilly (and sometimes foggy) ride through lunch time. To prepare for the cold ride I wore the liner in my leather coat and leggings underneath my jeans.  I wore a long sleeved shirt underneath my leather jacket. A pair of gloves completed my cold weather wear.  Everyone else dressed warmly as well.  We removed layers, as it warmed up.  It was very freeing, when the last of the warm weather clothing was removed.  Donna and I were in agreement that doing so was freeing.  We could move freely once again!

We followed Pennsylvania Route 59 and U.S. Route 6 to Wellsboro, making one stop in Port Allegheny.

Debbie was inside Sheetz at the time I took the picture displayed above.  I wasn’t in that picture, because I took the picture.  Scott said I am never in any of our group pictures.  I handed Scott my iPhone, when Debbie came out of Sheetz.

The purpose of our ride to Wellsboro was to see Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. It was the first time three of our friends had ever been there.  We enjoyed the view from both Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park.

We even enjoyed (after the fact) an off-road ride on a slick, muddy trail at Colton Point State Park. The muddy trail was a bit treacherous riding on heavy street motorcycles!   Thankfully, there was no mishaps.  That is why I wrote that we enjoyed the off-road rode AFTER we successfully made it to pavement once again.

From Colton Point State Park we rode to Leonard Harrison State Park.

I reciprocated the favor by taking a picture of the two of them at this overlook.

We ate lunch at the Wellsboro Diner.  The diner was crowded, when we arrived.  It stayed busy for our entire stay.  We had hoped to get the big table in back, but we settled for two booths, one in front of the other.  I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch of an omelet, toast and home fries.  Bob said his roast beef club sandwich was good.  I heard nothing but praise for each lunch selection.

We made three stops on the way back home.  Our first stop was for fuel in Wellsboro.  Our second stop was at Sheetz, once again in Port Allegheny.  It seemed like it took longer to get here on the way home than it did on the way to Wellsboro!  The motorcycle riders sure needed a break to stretch.  A few of us needed caffeine and carbs to alleviate sleepiness!

The wind was bothering Paul’s ears.  I suggested ear muffs next time.  Someone else suggested that Paul wear a helmet.

Our third stop was for ice cream at the Mt. Jewett Family Tastee Freeze.  We call our group “2 Scoop Cycletherapy”, and we always include an ice cream stop on our rides.

We rode about 260 miles, returning home around 6:00 pm. We had a fun day with our friends sharing beautiful vistas, laughs, conversation and food.  The ride was a great way to conclude the unofficial end of summer. I hope, though, that we get in a few more rides before the riding season ends!