Suggestions for trip from Palmer MA to Dallastown, PA

[brimfieldbeemer]

I can entertain myself endlessly in the hills and forest of western Mass CT & Vermont but once I get out of my area of familiarity I tend to end up on boring slab or claustrophobic urban byways.

That being said, I'd appreciate any input to roads worth riding or avoiding during my ride from Palmer Ma to Dallastown, PA. I'll be going in the beginning of May and will be in Dallastown for a week or so with plenty of spare time to ride during the day.

I hope to be able to "borrow" some of your more seasoned riders experience. I'd hate to find out that I was close to a great ride area and missed it because I didn't ask.

Thanks,

Mike

(There are no stupid questions; only stupid people who ask questions.)

[cealbrecht]

I have not traveled these routes with a motorcycle but I have been through the area in my car.

If you are crossing through NY by way of I-84 then you may want to stop in to see Paul Sr., Pauly and Mikey of Orange County Choppers just off I-87 in Newburgh, next to the Stewart Air Force Base. After that, I would continue on I-84 to the PA border and then follow Rt. 209 through the Delaware Water Gap. Once you hit Stroudsburg, I can't recommend anything else until you get past Allentown at which point I would choose Rt-222 and follow it into the Amish country and then take Rt 30 from there.

I grew up in Hanover, PA so I can suggest that you spend a day or so touring the battlefields in Gettysburg (just down Rt 30 but a better motorcycle route would be E. Berlin Rd aka. Rt-234 into Biglerville and then make a left onto Rt-34 south and follow it right into the Gettysburg square) I've never toured the battlefields on a bike, but I would think that it would be the best way to do it, especially the Little/Big Roundtop and Devil's Den areas.

In the opposite direction on Rt 30 there is the Amish country on the Eastern side of Lancaster. One of my relatives founded Paradise, PA which is near Intercourse and Blue Ball, Eden, and Fertility. That entire area should be great motorcycle territory, just watch for the horse droppings along the road.

Going north of York you will run into Harrisburg. If you can get above I-81 try to jump on Rt-15 and follow the Susquehanna River. If you wish, you could follow it all the way to Williamsport and see where the Little League world series is held each year. Above Williamsburg is some beautiful mountain riding, you may even see some bear, elk, or other wildlife.

South of York is Baltimore, ehh. Check out the inner harbor and Ft. McHenry. If you go that far, you may as well hit Washington DC, but you better time the traffic. If you are in DC past 3:30pm on a weekday, you may as well stay and have dinner before trying to head out. Don't bother leaving until 7:30 if you get stuck.

Good luck, ride safe,
Chad