Motorcycling | The Beauty Around Us

Posts tagged ‘Motorcycling’

An Overnight Getaway and Motorcycle Sale

On Thursday, March 30th, Bob placed an ad on Facebook Marketplace to sell his motorcycle. One day later Tomas, who lives in the Poconos, told Bob that he had cash and wanted to buy the motorcycle. Agreement was made to meet in Wellsboro PA to consummate the sale. Bob marked the motorcycle as “sale pending”.

We left home around noon on Thursday, April 6th, en route Wellsboro. We traveled with two vehicles. I drove the car, and Bob rode the motorcycle. We arrived in Wellsboro around 3:00 pm and checked into Sherwood Motel for the night. Bob wore chaps and a leather coat, but he said that the ride from Warren to Wellsboro was chilly. The temperature hovered in the low 50s. Thankfully there were only a few drops of rain during the ride to Wellsboro.

Shortly after checking in and getting settled in our room we walked the short distance (0.3 miles) to Timeless Destination, where we ate dinner. Timeless Destination is an Italian and all world cuisine restaurant. Bob ordered a Mushroom and Swiss Burger with salad and two beers. I ordered lasagna, which was accompanied with salad and bread. The restaurant wasn’t busy, most probably owing to the fact it was only 4:00 pm. The service was good; the food was delicious. I brought back to our hotel room half of my lasagna and some of the bread. Staying at Sherwood Motel earned us a 15% discount on our dinner order.

Back at Sherwood Motel we made use of the whirlpool tub, individually. It would be nice if the whirlpool bath was large enough for two people. Bob wasn’t impressed. He would rather make use of a hot tub. I would agree, but still found the whirlpool bath relaxing. Neither of us would want a whirlpool bath installed in our home.

This morning we walked across the street from Sherwood Motel and ate breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts. After breakfast we returned to our room, where we relaxed for a few hours.

Around 10:40 am we met Tomas at Mountain Notary & Tag Service, which was located just around the corner from Sherwood Motel. Tomas gave Bob the agreed-upon cash to purchase the motorcycle. He, then, loaded the motorcycle into his trailer, while I counted the cash. After the motorcycle was loaded, Bob and Tomas went inside the notary & tag service building to effect the transfer of title. The sale and transfer of the motorcycle went smoothly. It surprised me that Tomas didn’t want to take the motorcycle for a test ride. Bob said Tomas didn’t have to, as he knows the motorcycle. Bob said Tomas was the perfect buyer.

The motorcycle Bob sold today was purchased new in April 2014. It is the first time since 1997 that Bob does not own a motorcycle.

From Mountain Notary & Tag Service we drove to Leonard Harrison State Park for a quick peek at Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.

Leonard Harrison State Park
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Bob took this picture of me at Leonard Harrison State Park.

From Leonard Harrison State Park we made our way back home. We stopped for lunch at Kaytee’s Family Restaurant in Coudersport. We both ordered fish ‘n chips. We have eaten in this restaurant a few times over the years. The service and food never disappoint.

We returned home around 3:00 pm. It was a quick visit, but enjoyable and productive.

Labor Day Motorcycle Ride

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.

We stopped briefly at Sheetz in Port Allegheny, PA.

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.

Donna and Scott at Colton Point State Park

Bob and our friends at Colton Point 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.

A very nice young couple took a picture of all of us at 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!

Paul cheated at the Port Allegheny stop.
He put up the soft top on the jeep.
The jeep was pretending to be a motorcycle.

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!

Memorial Day 2017 Ride

This past Tuesday an announcement about a Memorial Day ride was posted on the 2 Scoop Cycletherapy Facebook group page. The announcement read that we would meet at the Tractor Supply parking lot at about 11:00 am and ride to The Farmers Inn in Sigel for chicken BBQ. Our return route would include an ice cream stop.

As planned, we met at Tractor Supply in North Warren at 11:00 am yesterday morning.

We left en route Farmers Inn at 11:30 am. Our riding group was made up of five motorcycles, nine riders and Bob and I riding shotgun in our car.

We arrived at The Farmers Inn at 12:30 pm.

I think everyone, except for Bob and me, ordered BBQ chicken. Bob and I ordered burgers and onion rings. We ate outside the ice cream parlor, the building in which we ordered our lunches.

We spent about two hours at The Farmers Inn…eating, shopping, chatting and watching the goats.

This is Mark; he planned our Memorial Day ride.
He is shopping at the Bulk Foods and Candy Store.

This is Debbie.
It looks like she had a successful shopping experience.

I found Scott checking out the melons at the Bulk Foods and Candy Store.

There are lots of goats at Farmers Inn, and they were fun to watch.

We left The Farmers Inn around 2:50 pm, en route Tidioute where we stopped for ice cream.

Everyone wondered why Mark hadn’t made an ice cream stop sooner. We passed by a couple ice cream stands before arriving in Tidioute. We jokingly said that Mark’s backside must be made of iron.

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Shortly before 7:00 this morning I saw a post shared on a friend’s Facebook page “Friend just texted me about a fire at FI. What is going on and how bad. She didn’t know which building.” A quick search uncovered the fact that there had been a fire at The Farmers Inn early this morning. The restaurant and gift shop, as well as the ice cream shop, are gone. Thankfully, no animals or people were harmed. This loss saddens me greatly. Bob and I go to The Farmers Inn at least once a year, most years more than once. We took our granddaughters there last year and planned to take them again this year. I hope that the owners are able to rebuild.

Motorcycle Ride to Austin Dam

Bob and I belong to a local motorcycle riding group called 2 Scoop Cycletherapy. Bob and I and some of our motorcycle riding group friends went on an all-day motorcycle ride on Sunday, July 17. The ride was planned and led by our friend Mark. Our destination was the Austin Dam in Austin, PA.

According to its website the Austin Dam broke in 1911 “and water engulfed much of the town of Austin and claimed over 78 lives. In 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association was formed and they since have worked diligently to preserve the dam remains and to create a beautiful natural park.” Bob and I visited the dam ruins a few years ago. Our friends had never been there.

Sykes Vista

The view of the dam ruins from Sykes Vista was overgrown with weeds. I had to stand on top of a wooden rail to get a picture of the dam ruins.

From Sykes Vista we rode into the Austin Dam Memorial Park. The entrance to the park was on the left a short distance from Sykes Vista. I should mention that the park entrance road, which I believe is a mile in length, is a narrow, gravel road that is steep in places. The road is especially steep on the descent into the memorial park.

Mark, Bob, Scott and Paul and Debbie making the descent
into Austin Dam Memorial Park.
Faye, Donna and I walked down the steep gravel road.

We did ride 2-up on our way out of the memorial park and up the gravel road. I asked Bob if it was a wise choice for me not to ride down that steep gravel road with him. He said yes, as he was able to handle the motorcycle better without a passenger when driving at a very low speed.

Paul at the Flood Victims Memorial

Austin Dam Ruins

The eight of us at Austin Dam Ruins

The Nutschke Pavilion contains pictures and accounts
about the flood of 1911 on its walls and on a couple of tables.

I mentioned earlier that Bob and I visited Austin Dam one time before. That visit as in October 2013, which you may read about here. I noted improvements since our earlier visit. There were informative maps located under glass on picnic tables in the pavilion. A park attendant was on hand, who talked about the tragedy that occurred in that area on September 30, 1911. There were permanent bathroom facilities available, rather than a port-a-john. The Austin Dam Memorial Association newsletters found on its website are full of information pertaining to the past, present and future of the Austin Dam. The Bayless Pulp & Paper Co. Mill ruins are also nearby. We passed by the ruins, while riding on State Route 872. We didn’t stop, as Mark did not see anywhere to pull off. According to one of the newsletters, there is a place on State Route 872, along Freeman Run, to stop and observe the ruins of the paper mill. The park attendant informed us that a trail is being planned that will link the Austin Dam ruins with those of the paper mill ruins. One of our friends remarked that he likes the kind of motorcycle rides that stay in your head for a while. Our visit to Austin Dam was that kind of ride.

Ride to Benezette, PA

Bob and I went for a motorcycle ride on Saturday, June 25. We departed home at 9:30 am, en route Benezette PA. Our first stop was in Ridgway PA.

We parked on South Broad Street, beside the courthouse.

Parked on South Broad Street in Ridgway, PA

Elk County Courthouse
Ridgway, PA

As I do whenever we pass through Ridgway and have no time constraints, I telephoned a friend who lives in Ridgway. Gretchen answered my call, AND she was in Ridgway. She wasn’t at her house, though. She was at her parents’ house, which is in Ridgway as well. Gretchen gave us directions to her parents’ house. A few minutes later we crashed her dad’s birthday BBQ.

I LOVE this picture of Baby “A”, Bob and me. Baby “A” is Gretchen’s granddaughter. We crashed Gretchen’s father’s birthday BBQ so that we could meet this beautiful and precious baby girl and, of course, to see our friend. Baby “A” is 6 weeks old in this picture. Thank you, Gretchen, for taking this picture of the three of us!

After a short visit with Gretchen and her family, we left for our next destination, lunch at Rose’s Hilltop Diner in Weedville, PA.

Rose’s Hilltop Diner

This diner was Dad’s favorite place to eat, while at his cabin in the “mountains”. I had hoped to see my cousin, Chrystle, who waitresses at the diner. We didn’t see Chrystle, as she wasn’t working that weekend. Bob ordered a Reuben sandwich with onion rings. I ordered a club sandwich. The food and service were excellent.

After lunch, we rode to Walmart in St. Marys. I purchased a lightning cable to charge my iPhone, while riding the motorcycle. I had forgotten to charge my iPhone before leaving on our ride. I am sure that the lightning cable will come in handy on other rides too.

From Walmart we rode to Benezette, to the old schoolhouse pavilion. We stopped at the pavilion to wish Cora and Dave congratulations on their marriage, which had taken place earlier in the day. Family and friends were gathered at the pavilion to celebrate their wedding.

Cora and I knew each other only via Facebook, via the Benezette Elk Camera Club group. We became Facebook friends in May 2012. We met in person for the first time at her wedding celebration. I walked up to Cora, soon after she arrived at the old schoolhouse pavilion. I said hello to Cora and asked if she knew who I was. It didn’t help Cora identify who I was, when I said that I was a member of the Benezette Elk Camera Club. The camera club has over 300 members, and Cora has not met everyone in the club. When I said that I lived in Warren, I could tell there was recognition on Cora’s part. She asked tentatively “Brenda?”. I said close enough, that my name is Linda Gross. It was nice to finally meet Cora in person, after 4 years of being Facebook friends.

Congratulations Dave and Cora!

Bob and I spent about an hour at the pavilion. We visited with a few other camera club group members in addition to Cora. Some of the club members we met 3 years ago at a club picnic in Benezette at the same location as the wedding celebration. Some of the club members were new to us, known until then only via Facebook. I am hoping that Bob and I can attend the next Benezette Elk Camera Club picnic, which will be held in late September.

From the old schoolhouse pavilion we rode to the Elk Country Visitor Center and to the elk viewing site on Winslow Hill. We didn’t expect to see any elk, given the time of day and how hot it was. We didn’t see any elk, as expected.

Oh WAIT!
We did see one elk, this one, while at the Elk Country Visitor Center.

I guess we should have stuck around for a longer time at Cora and Dave’s wedding celebration. Cora said that two deer and a elk came to visit!

We returned home around 5:00 pm, after a stop at Bob’s Trading Post in Kane, PA for pizza and ice cream.

Four Rides

My husband and I belong to a local motorcycle riding group. We call ourselves 2 Scoop Cycletherapy. Frequently our rides include a stop for ice cream. Since June 26 we have ridden four times with some of our 2 Scoop Cycletherapy friends. Two rides included lunch; one ride was for ice cream; and the latest ride began in the early morning and included breakfast.

On June 26 at 7:15 am I received the following Facebook message from Paul, one of our group members:

“Short notice! We’re meeting Scott and Donna at 9Am at their house … then riding to Corry to meet my brother at the flea market in the parking lot by McDonald’s. From there we will just ride…”

At 8:00 am Bob and I decided to ride with our friends. Paul, Debbie, Bob and I met up with Donna and Scott at their house.

Preparing to leave from Scott and Donna’s House

At 9:00 am we rode to Corry, where we met up with six more riders: Paul’s brother John, Robin, George, Trudy, John and Carol. The ten of us departed Corry en route Woodcock Creek Lake around 10:30 am.

Preparing to leave from Corry, PA

Woodcock Dam, located a few miles southeast of Saegertown PA, was within an hour’s ride of Corry. We stopped at an overlook of Woodcock Creek Lake Dam.

We arrived at the Woodcock Creek Lake Dam around 11:30 am.

Woodcock Creek Lake Dam Overlook

I would like to make a return trip to Woodcock Creek Lake. The pathway across the dam is around 1 mile in length. I’m sure that there are some picturesque views from that pathway. Across the street from the overlook was a sign for a nature trail. The trail interests me as well.

We departed Woodcock Dam around noon and rode to Fat Willie’s Wing House in Edinboro PA.

Fat Willie’s Wing House

After lunch at Fat Willie’s Wing House, we departed for Corry.

We stopped at TJ’s in Corry for ice cream.

We stopped for ice cream at TJ’s in Corry.

One of our friends asked for ice cream in a cup.
His ice cream was scooped onto a cone.
What a mess!

From Corry we made our way back to Warren and home.

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On June 29 at 6:00 pm five motorcycles and eight riders departed from the North Warren playground parking lot en route Peaches & Cream in Randolph, NY. We rode through Scandia and along the Allegheny Reservoir to Route 394 into Randolph, NY.

We rode by the Onoville Marina (NY) on the Allegheny Reservoir.

Arriving at Randolph Peaches & Cream

Peaches & Cream is a popular destination for our ice cream rides. It was the first time ice cream there was a disappointment. The hard ice cream was a bit soft.

We made it back home before 9:00 pm.

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On July 2 at 10:00 am we departed from the North Warren playground parking lot en route Bob’s Trading Post in Kane, PA.

Bob’s Trading Post

As I was preparing to take this photograph of everyone at Bob’s Trading Post, a man asked if I wanted him to take our picture. Sometimes I carry a tripod, when we ride with our 2 Scoop Cycletherapy group friends. I didn’t carry the tripod with us on any of these four rides. A great big THANK YOU to this nice man at Bob’s Trading Post, as I was able to be included in our group photo.

The twelve of us enjoyed lunch, while sitting on the front patio (located behind us in the above photograph). Thank you, Shawn, for suggesting a lunch ride. It was wonderful sharing lunch with our friends!

After lunch, we rode around the Allegheny Reservoir to Marilla Reservoir and back home. We made two stops, the first at Sugar Bay and the second at Marilla Reservoir.

Sugar Bay is located in McKean County, PA on the Allegheny Reservoir.

Sugar Bay

Marilla Reservoir is located along Rt. 346, approximately 12 miles west of Bradford, PA.

Marilla Reservoir Covered Bridge

There were eight of us for this portion of the ride. Four riders had prior commitments and weren’t able to join us.

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On July 3 at 6:00 am four motorcycles and seven riders departed the North Warren playground parking lot on an early morning ride.

Preparing to leave on our early morning ride

We rode counter clockwise around the Allegheny Reservoir. We made two stops, one at Sugar Bay and the other at the Riverview-Corydon-Cornplanter Cemetery.

The fog was lifting off the water, while at Sugar Bay.

A bonus sighting, while at Sugar Bay, was a beaver.
I took this photograph with a short focus lens.
I hurried back to our motorcycle to change camera lenses.
When I returned with my long focus telesphoto lens, the beaver decided it was camera shy.

In addition to the beaver we saw five deer cross the road and two foxes (one alive along the side of the road and one dead on the road), while on our ride.

The fog lifting off the water at Sugar Bay made for a breathtaking picture.

Our next stop was at the Riverview-Corydon-Cornplanter Cemetery, located on a bluff overlooking the Allegheny Reservoir. The individual cemeteries were moved here in 1964 before they were flooded by the Allegheny Reservoir, which was created when Kinzua Dam was completed in 1965. The Riverview-Corydon-Cornplanter Cemetery contains the remains of relatives and descendants of Seneca Chief Cornplanter, along with residents of Corydon and the surrounding area.

Riverview Cemetery

Corydon Cemetery

This is the Cornplanter Cemetery. The tall structure is Cornplanter Monument.
The remains of Chief Cornplanter are supposedly buried under the monument.

Our final stop, before returning home, was at the Route 62 Diner in Russell, PA.

Our arrival at the Route 62 Diner

Another 2 Scoop Cycletherary group friend, Bill, met us there. So we had a party of 8 for breakfast. Bill’s timing was impeccable. He had arrived within moments of our arrival.

This was Bob and my first time eating at the Route 62 Diner. Our breakfast entrees were very good; the price was good; and service was great.

We returned home around 10:00 am. It was a chilly, but great, ride. The temperature was in the mid 40s for the most part during our ride. We want to go on another sunrise ride, but on a morning with warmer temperatures!

I wonder where our next ride will take us?

Dinner Ride

We went for a motorcycle dinner ride with friends yesterday evening. We met Paul and Debbie and Scott and Donna at the North Warren playground parking lot, departing from there at 6:00 pm. We rode to The Pad in Kennedy, NY for dinner. If you click on the link, you will note that The Pad has many positive reviews.

Our arrival at The Pad

The Pad sits by itself along a country road. It has indoor/outdoor seating and bars, a good amount of parking and a pond with a fountain. We sat outside on the patio. Debbie, Paul and Donna ordered burgers; Bob ordered a Reuben sandwich; Scott ordered wings; and I ordered a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Service was somewhat on the slow side. When we received our meals I discovered that my grilled ham and cheese sandwich was delivered without the ham. How could they forget the ham on a grilled ham and cheese sandwich! I told our waitress the grilled cheese sandwich was was OK but to change the order slip to reflect what was served, a savings of $1.00. Everyone else got what they ordered.

Paul said his experience last year wasn’t great either. He waited over 2 hours for a taco on taco night and still didn’t get it.

Although I wasn’t impressed with The Pad, the ride and being with our friends was great!