JUST RETURNED FROM A GREAT MOTORCYCLE TRIP TO THE ADIRONDACK'S

[chief38]

My riding buddy's and I just returned home yesterday from a 5 day motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains. We based ourselves out of Lake George where the Americade Motorcycle rally is held every June. This was my 6th time attending but was the best so far! The weather was spectacular for riding - in the 60's and low 70's every day, not a drop of rain, and very low humidity (not typically the case). We rode into rural Vermont, around Lake Champlain and took a relaxing ferry ride across it. We spent another day riding up to where the Hudson Headwaters are in NY. There is a great museum there (The Adirondack Experience) located in Blue Mountain NY that we spend half the day at. There were nice collections of antique firearms, stuffed wildlife, real hunting cabins from the early days, and living quarters of all types including Fur Trapping Camp shelters. Quite educational and interesting! We also rode up to Lake Placid and enjoyed some terrific scenery.

We stayed at a great Hotel located right on Lake George and we were 50 feet from the Lake. The hotel we stayed at was within walking distance of the main part of town where all the activities, music and restaurants are located. One thing we NEVER do is ride to dinner - because we will not ride after drinking! We walked the rest of the evenings since it was clear and cool out, and the safe way to travel after enjoying some adult beverages.

We enjoyed a few nice Cigars, some fine Bourbon's and had no issue with any of the Bike's during the 1,000 mile adventure. There were 9 of us in total, although some are not in the picture below.

The great part about Americade (at least for us) is that it is not as wild as the other Bike Rally's I've been to - in fact it's probably the most subdued and the average rider that attends is closer to my age (64). Mostly regular family guys, self employed, upstanding and just a really nice bunch of people.

Pictures from right to left:

1) a view from my room
2) the town filling up with riders
3) a view from our table while eating lunch in VT
4) some of the Guy's and Gal
5) on the Ferry from VT back to NY

 

[wittmeba]

Sounds like an awesome trip. One thing about motorcycles -- when riding you seem to leave all your worries at home.

 

[chief38]

Sounds like an awesome trip. One thing about motorcycles -- when riding you seem to leave all your worries at home.

You certainly got that right!

 

[NYlakesider]

My riding buddy's and I just returned home yesterday from a 5 day motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains. We based ourselves out of Lake George where the Americade Motorcycle rally is held every June. This was my 6th time attending but was the best so far! The weather was spectacular for riding - in the 60's and low 70's every day, not a drop of rain, and very low humidity (not typically the case). We rode into rural Vermont, around Lake Champlain and took a relaxing ferry ride across it. We spent another day riding up to where the Hudson Headwaters are in NY. There is a great museum there (The Adirondack Experience) located in Blue Mountain NY that we spend half the day at. There were nice collections of antique firearms, stuffed wildlife, real hunting cabins from the early days, and living quarters of all types including Fur Trapping Camp shelters. Quite educational and interesting! We also rode up to Lake Placid and enjoyed some terrific scenery.

We stayed at a great Hotel located right on Lake George and we were 50 feet from the Lake. The hotel we stayed at was within walking distance of the main part of town where all the activities, music and restaurants are located. One thing we NEVER do is ride to dinner - because we will not ride after drinking! We walked the rest of the evenings since it was clear and cool out, and the safe way to travel after enjoying some adult beverages.

We enjoyed a few nice Cigars, some fine Bourbon's and had no issue with any of the Bike's during the 1,000 mile adventure. There were 9 of us in total, although some are not in the picture below.

The great part about Americade (at least for us) is that it is not as wild as the other Bike Rally's I've been to - in fact it's probably the most subdued and the average rider that attends is closer to my age (64). Mostly regular family guys, self employed, upstanding and just a really nice bunch of people.

Pictures from right to left:

1) a view from my room
2) the town filling up with riders
3) a view from our table while eating lunch in VT
4) some of the Guy's and Gal
5) on the Ferry from VT back to NY

Nice Chief!



I live on the Sacandaga Reservoir and we get hundreds of you guys over here. Its a very nice ride coming from Lake G. A couple Jin mills and restaurants in my area and your crew does spend a lot of money.

Many just do the route up one side of the Reservoir cross the 7/8 mile long bridge and come down the other side. The more adventurous do the whole lake circle (we have a 129 miles of shoreline)

 

[sureshotbob]

I've been up that way many a time. It's a very nice area.
Sadly last year I sold my Ultra Classic being I can't ride anymore do to leg problems.

 

[chief38]

I've been up that way many a time. It's a very nice area.
Sadly last year I sold my Ultra Classic being I can't ride anymore do to leg problems.

Sorry to hear that. Especially if you enjoyed it half as much as I do.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Glad you had a safe and enjoyable ride. If it were up to my husband, all the vacations would be on a bike.

We enjoy it there but I have to pry my husband away from the vendors. Helmets, highway pegs, rain gear, tires, Etc.


Hubby likes to stay a little bit outside of town so he gets a bit of a ride in on the way to town. Been staying in Pownal VT lately.

 

[ontheroad20]

Went up to the 10,000 islands area from n.w ohio last year with intentions of heading east from there.
After being soaked to the bone every day, with more rain in the forecast we cut it short. Sounds like a good area to ride and put it on the bucket list.

 

[Whitwabit]

I miss riding but can't due to a back injury .. permanently dislocated tailbone ..

another good ride is the Natchez Trace .. a restricted road where no truck traffic is allowed .. look into it if your looking for another very good trip .. was a great trip just before I was hurt and had to give riding up ..

 

[chief38]

This year I did not even go to the Vendor area! I've been riding for many many years now and have all the chaps, gloves, vests, hats, helmets, accessories, and gadgets one could even need. My main focus on this rally was to RIDE and have fun! Unless something drastically goes wrong with my Ultra Classic, I have no intentions of buying a new Bike and so I did not even bother to go do the test rides either. I love my 2008 Ultra Classic and it has just over 27,000 miles on it.

 

[chief38]

It took me hours to clean the bugs off when I got home. That's the only part of the trip I hate!

 

[Faulkner]

Sounds like you guys had a good time. Riding in the Adirondack Mountains is on my short list.

I just got back last week with 5 riding buddies from a week riding the Appalachians in the tri-state area of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, with one day down in North Carolina. Lots of fun.

 

[Golddollar]

It took me hours to clean the bugs off when I got home. That's the only part of the trip I hate!

I hope you kept your mouth closed, or have a fantastic dental hygienist.

 

[chief38]

I hope you kept your mouth closed, or have a fantastic dental hygienist.

Actually I wear a 3/4 helmet with a flip up/down shield, however my Harley Ultra Classic has a full windshield that keeps 99% of the bugs off my face and helmet shield.

About 8 years ago while riding on the highway locally, a truck carrying tree spray in a huge 500 gallon tank was in front of me and unbeknownst to me it was leaking. I got sprayed in the face and almost crashed - how I managed to stop from 65 mph and pull off the road with my eyes closed was a miracle. It took me over an hour of washing my eyes out with water to recover and since that time I wear a helmet with the flip down shield and sun glasses under that that seal around my face with foam. At night time I wear clear glasses instead of sunglasses - but no more opened face helmets on the highway for me!!

 

[chief38]

Just a note on helmets for the Motorcycle enthusiasts here:

Last year I bought my third 3/4 helmet and this one is by far and wide the best I've ever experienced! It is an Arai XC 3/4 helmet with a flip up face shield. It is SUPER comfortable, cool even on the hottest summer days, has vents on the face shield itself (eyebrow vents) vents on the top and rear which really keep your head well ventilated and stops your scalp from itching. Plenty of room for ear speakers if you want music or a communications devise like a CB radio. I installed a JBL unit which works and fits perfectly in this Arai XC. While this helmet does not cover your chin like a full face helmet, it does come closer than a normal 3/4 model from other Company's.

The BEST part is that not only does it carry a DOT rating, but it also carries a SNELL rating which is even a higher rating than DOT. This helmet is so comfortable and designed so well, I am actually mad at myself for not getting it sooner. The shield is also treated with an anti fog coating that actually works - especially in the winter time. The down side is that it's $469.00 however my head is worth the price. If anyone here is looking for what I will call the worlds best 3/4 helmet - this is it!!

Revzilla (on line) has them for the best price around with free shipping. I bought two sizes to see which one fit better and returned the one I did not keep a few days later - no restocking fee, no hassles. Seriously - an incredible helmet!

 

[chief38]

One last word on helmets if I may........

The reason I do NOT use a full face helmet is because when I tried a few I felt WAY WAY too restricted in my field of vision. Having a small field of vision is in itself a danger! From time to time I have tried on different full face helmets and I've now given up on them and will just file them under too much vision restriction and lack of air. So being into as much safety as I feel is really practical, that is why I have chosen the 3/4 helmets all of my riding years and not the full face models.