WEAU Channel 13 News in Eau Claire, Wisconsin recently posted an article on its website titled 'Tall grass along highways could make roads more dangerous.'.
In the article Sheriff Gene Cary explains that "the long grass along the highways may have a role in the increase" of motorcycle accidents along the Mississippi River as riders have no warning of deer in the grass.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation limits mowing along highways to once a year in September. Thanks to Sheriff Cary's concern, Vernon County got permission to do additional mowings.
Kudos to Sheriff Gene Cary and Vernon County, Wisconsin for looking after motorcycle riders and other drivers.
July 12, 2009
July 07, 2009
Ride to Cumberland, MD
Taking advantage of excellent weather over the 4th of July holiday, my wife and I took an overnight ride to Cumberland, MD. This was the first chance I had to ride in the Western Mountains of Maryland and it was worth the trip.
The ride down took in many 2-lane state and US highways and the weather was perfect for riding, cool with overcast skies. The longest road on the route (70 miles) was PA 35. SR 35 from Selinsgrove to Mifflinburg, is for the most part straight and somewhat boring, however, beyond Mifflinburg, the road has more curves, elevation changes, and less traffic. Still a better alternative to US 522.
We arrived in Hancock, MD by early afternoon. There we found an excellent place to eat, Weaver's Restaurant & Bakery. From Hancock we took US 40 and I-68 to Cumberland, and I must say, that portion of I-68 was very scenic.
Our overnight stay in Cumberland turned out to be a good choice. That night the city featured 'Friday After Five', a popular outdoor event with free entertainment, dining, and shopping on the Centre City Outdoor Mall, which is for pedestrians only.
Leaving Cumberland, I found two excellent roads, MD 51 and WV 9. Both roads get '2 thumbs up'. MD 51 generally follows the Potomac and provides some nice scenery. It dumps you out at Paw Paw, WV and becomes WV 9. SR 9 is a great mountain road for this area with numerous curves, substantial elevation change, and breathtaking vistas. Below is a photo of the Panorama Overlook, a few miles west of Berkeley Springs.
In Pennsylvania, due to some detours, I ended up on a couple of other great roads, PA 641 and PA 997. Both turned out to be excellent choices to go around the detours.
All in all this trip provided 2 days of wonderful riding and a nice stay in Cumberland, MD. Maps of routes to Cumberland and return. Total mileage was 540 miles.
The ride down took in many 2-lane state and US highways and the weather was perfect for riding, cool with overcast skies. The longest road on the route (70 miles) was PA 35. SR 35 from Selinsgrove to Mifflinburg, is for the most part straight and somewhat boring, however, beyond Mifflinburg, the road has more curves, elevation changes, and less traffic. Still a better alternative to US 522.
We arrived in Hancock, MD by early afternoon. There we found an excellent place to eat, Weaver's Restaurant & Bakery. From Hancock we took US 40 and I-68 to Cumberland, and I must say, that portion of I-68 was very scenic.
Our overnight stay in Cumberland turned out to be a good choice. That night the city featured 'Friday After Five', a popular outdoor event with free entertainment, dining, and shopping on the Centre City Outdoor Mall, which is for pedestrians only.
Leaving Cumberland, I found two excellent roads, MD 51 and WV 9. Both roads get '2 thumbs up'. MD 51 generally follows the Potomac and provides some nice scenery. It dumps you out at Paw Paw, WV and becomes WV 9. SR 9 is a great mountain road for this area with numerous curves, substantial elevation change, and breathtaking vistas. Below is a photo of the Panorama Overlook, a few miles west of Berkeley Springs.
In Pennsylvania, due to some detours, I ended up on a couple of other great roads, PA 641 and PA 997. Both turned out to be excellent choices to go around the detours.
All in all this trip provided 2 days of wonderful riding and a nice stay in Cumberland, MD. Maps of routes to Cumberland and return. Total mileage was 540 miles.
June 30, 2009
One Man's Trash, Another Man's Treasure
On occasion we get very different views of a road. A recent example is CR 539 in New Jersey. One rider made the comment that 539 is "Totally boring. Road never turns. Scrub pines after scrub pines.".
Recently, however, Don Eilenberger submitted comments in which he said that 539 "...is a singular beauty in heavily urban NJ". Don goes on to describe the beauty of the Pine Barrens of NJ including the Pygmy Pine Forest, an area where the pine trees never grow more than 4 foot high.
Don also provides some interesting information on towns along CR 539 such as Allentown, Warren Grove, and Tuckerton.
Don is a BMW-MOA Ambassador and belongs to the New Jersey Shore BMW Riders and the New Sweden BMW Riders. We thank Don for his commentary and information.
Note: I have ridden CR 539 a few times as a good road to get from the Trenton area to the South Jersey shore. Frankly I didn't pay that much attention to the scenery. The next time I ride CR 539 I will spend some time checking out Don's observations and recommendations.
Recently, however, Don Eilenberger submitted comments in which he said that 539 "...is a singular beauty in heavily urban NJ". Don goes on to describe the beauty of the Pine Barrens of NJ including the Pygmy Pine Forest, an area where the pine trees never grow more than 4 foot high.
Don also provides some interesting information on towns along CR 539 such as Allentown, Warren Grove, and Tuckerton.
Don is a BMW-MOA Ambassador and belongs to the New Jersey Shore BMW Riders and the New Sweden BMW Riders. We thank Don for his commentary and information.
Note: I have ridden CR 539 a few times as a good road to get from the Trenton area to the South Jersey shore. Frankly I didn't pay that much attention to the scenery. The next time I ride CR 539 I will spend some time checking out Don's observations and recommendations.
June 27, 2009
Motorcycle Touring in Pennsylvania
Brad Morgan of Carlisle, PA recently started a blog titled Motorcycle Touring in Pennsylvania. Brad provides "...a vital (and praiseworthy) public service by highlighting some Pennsylvania roads that are worthy of your time in the saddle – roads that provide a solid combination of scenery and a significant amount of fun factor!". He provides narratives, photos, and maps of roads in Central Pennsylvania which he calls Pennsylvania's "sweet spot".
A must read if you plan on riding or touring in Central Pennsylvania.
A must read if you plan on riding or touring in Central Pennsylvania.
June 24, 2009
Cross Keys & Grange Road, Pennsylvania
In an efforts to avoid some traffic and lights, I quickly made a turn off of PA 61 and ended on Cross Keys Road. A good decision! It turned out to be a gem of a road, particularly since it is close to the city of Reading, PA. Short but sweet, it had some very tight turns, traffic was light for a metropolitan area on a Sunday afternoon, the tarmac was smooth, and the scenery was nice. The road name changes to Grange Road and it ends close to PA 183. It's amazing what you can find when you explore new roads.
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