Never do less then forty miles before breakfast.
-- Biker Wisdom
July 31, 2009
July 28, 2009
New Roads
Added 3 new roads:
1) Colorado: SR 105. "Great ride along the Front Range!" South of the Denver area, it parallels I-25.
2) Florida: Holmes Valley Road. Washington County north of Panama City.
3) Wisconsin: Pierce County Route O. "Nice little country road between two major highways." Follows along the Trimbelle River.
1) Colorado: SR 105. "Great ride along the Front Range!" South of the Denver area, it parallels I-25.
2) Florida: Holmes Valley Road. Washington County north of Panama City.
3) Wisconsin: Pierce County Route O. "Nice little country road between two major highways." Follows along the Trimbelle River.
July 25, 2009
The Right GPS System for your Bike
I've never owned or used a GPS for my motorcycle or 'cage'. I usually rely on road maps, a compass, the Sun, good old 'horse sense', and a bit of luck to get to my destination. Guess this reflects my military training and experience in navigating the jungles of Vietnam.
On occasion I do get 'misoriented'. But, especially on the bike, this misorientation often turns out to be a great adventure and opportunity to explore other roads. And, I might add, asking for directions is a good way to strike up a conversation with the 'locals'. Most people are willing to provide directions and other information and often you get a taste of local 'Americana'. For example if you are looking to find something in Marietta, GA, and ask a local, they will probably tell you how to get there from The Big Chicken. May not work with a map, but it's fun anyway.
Getting back to our subject, GPS! On occasion I've considered buying a GPS, but with all the brands, models, and types of GPS systems out there, it does seem overwhelming to sort through all this and decide what is best for my situation. So I usually forget the whole thing and move on.
Recently I can across an article by Daniel Stouffer titled "Flexible Motorcycle GPS Systems for the Open Road" which helps to clarify some issues. In the article Dan explains the different types of GPS systems suitable for a motorcycle. They are:
1) Systems designed for outdoor use which can be adapted for a cycle.
2) Units designed specifically for a motorcycle. And
3) Hybrids which incorporate PDA functionality.
Dan goes on to give some tips on choosing a GPS which fits your requirements and describes some features you might consider.
The article is relatively short but it is a good place to start if you are, like me, 'GPS Challanged'.
Reference:
Stouffer, Daniel. "Flexible Motorcycle GPS Systems for the Open Road."
YourYogi.com. 17 July 2009. Web. 25 July 2009.
On occasion I do get 'misoriented'. But, especially on the bike, this misorientation often turns out to be a great adventure and opportunity to explore other roads. And, I might add, asking for directions is a good way to strike up a conversation with the 'locals'. Most people are willing to provide directions and other information and often you get a taste of local 'Americana'. For example if you are looking to find something in Marietta, GA, and ask a local, they will probably tell you how to get there from The Big Chicken. May not work with a map, but it's fun anyway.
Getting back to our subject, GPS! On occasion I've considered buying a GPS, but with all the brands, models, and types of GPS systems out there, it does seem overwhelming to sort through all this and decide what is best for my situation. So I usually forget the whole thing and move on.
Recently I can across an article by Daniel Stouffer titled "Flexible Motorcycle GPS Systems for the Open Road" which helps to clarify some issues. In the article Dan explains the different types of GPS systems suitable for a motorcycle. They are:
1) Systems designed for outdoor use which can be adapted for a cycle.
2) Units designed specifically for a motorcycle. And
3) Hybrids which incorporate PDA functionality.
Dan goes on to give some tips on choosing a GPS which fits your requirements and describes some features you might consider.
The article is relatively short but it is a good place to start if you are, like me, 'GPS Challanged'.
Reference:
Stouffer, Daniel. "Flexible Motorcycle GPS Systems for the Open Road."
YourYogi.com. 17 July 2009. Web. 25 July 2009.
July 19, 2009
Quote
"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything."
- Charles Kuralt
- Charles Kuralt
July 12, 2009
Thanks to Vernon County Sheriff Gene Cary
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. Although mowing the grass may sound insignificant, if it saves one life or avoids an accident involving a motorcyclist, its a 'big deal'.
Kudos to Sheriff Gene Cary and Vernon County, Wisconsin for looking after motorcycle riders and other drivers.
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. Although mowing the grass may sound insignificant, if it saves one life or avoids an accident involving a motorcyclist, its a 'big deal'.
Kudos to Sheriff Gene Cary and Vernon County, Wisconsin for looking after motorcycle riders and other drivers.
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.
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