06-04-2019, 10:37 PM
(06-04-2019, 01:31 PM)Randy B_imp Wrote:(06-04-2019, 04:07 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: I have ridden almost daily since 1965 and have ridden my motorcycles to 42 states, 2 provinces in Canada, and 5 countries in Europe. Hit most of the popular motorcycle roads and destinations, (and many of the unpopular ones lol). I still needed 6 states to complete the lower 48. 2 in the plains, and 4 of them on the east coast. I had planned on hitting all 6 this year on two trips. One to North & South Dakota, and one to the east coast. With my wife unable to ride long distances any more, and with this colitis I developed 2 years ago and the arthritis that developed in my throttle hand 6 months ago and the 2 bad knees that have been bad for awhile, I'm guessing my days of two week motorcycle trips are over. It was a great run...no.... it was an awesome run!
Anyhow, last week my wife and I decided to take the car and go hit the east coast states I have not ridden in (I know not the same but we do what we can do).
We took St Rt 50 from home over to Ocean City, Maryland then turned north hitting Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, the 4 states I needed on the coast (along with a few others I had already ridden in...West Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania). BTW we drove thru New York City, across the George Washington Bridge, across the Bronx and New Jersey turnpikes and I got to say I will NEVER go that way again...car or motorcycle!!!!. Good night what a nightmare and garbage dump to boot imo. On our way back from RI, thru New York near Albany it was open, clean and gorgeous, but I knew that as I had ridden my bike in that area before when Di and I rode to Bar Harbor, Maine 9 years ago.
In my hunting days I had driven through North and South Dakota on my way to hunt black bear in Canada so with this trip I have BEEN IN all 48 lower states (also been to Alaska Caribou hunting), so the only state I need to have BEEN in all 50 now is Hawaii.
I really, really wanted to do the lower 48 by motorcycle, but it just wasn't to be. I had offers from three great friends (fellow CB1100 forum members) to tow my bike close to each state and then ride thru the states with me, and although the offer touched my heart beyond measure, and will forever be appreciated, that is just not my style. I am (or was) a long distance rider to my core. So it's either ride...or pass. Thanks anyway guys! You have no idea how much the offer meant to me.
Anyhow I am back home now,with the plan to ride short local rides while dealing with the doctors to see if they can get me road worthy again. I have my yearly Men's Fall Trip coming up in a few months with my son and brother, my son's father in law and a nephew, and a rally or two (incl the CB rally in W. Va) that will depend on if I think I am able to make the rides. We shall see. I still have my hotel reservation for the CB rally and have not missed one yet.
My goal has always been to ride until I am 70, I've said that many times before. I have 11 months to go. I think I can make it but not in the style I am used to. One day at a time fellas. One day at a time.
That's all....I'm going for a short ride now.
Mikey 23 years ago I went through NYC in a big truck (48' trailer) and I too did the GW bridge. Talk about a total suck fest. I'm glad that I will NEVER be doing that again.
I spent years living in NJ and Queens and working in Manhattan/Queens. I did the GW bridge frequently. That toll cluster in Fort Lee is horrific. Really, Manhattan is a city that just isn't meant for independant motorized vehicles anymore. I'd be happy if they shut down most of the streets and relegated it to mass transit and foot traffic only. Might go a long way to making that city a much better place. My time living and working in that world is marked by a constant need to plan my day and make sure that everything goes according to schedule, because delays were deadly and unexpected detours were catastrophic.
and you think the GW bridge is bad? try spending every day on the BQE and the Van Wyck on a motorcycle just to get to work and back. you'll be thankful for the 7 train, terrible as it was.