living_free
Jul 25th, 2009, 7:20 pm
This may be a little long and little boring for some, but it was one of the best rides I have taken in a long time.
I got to got out today for a ride with an old friend. FIrst time in many years that the two of us have been able to go out, just the two of us. He has been one of my best friends since the fourth grade. Let's just say that we have been through a lot of lifes trials and tribulations together. We have been friends since we were ten years old, have been best man at each others weddings, our kids all call the other "uncle". He is more like a brother than a friend.
He married this woman about twelve years ago. We stopped being able to ride together oh let's see, about twelve years ago. We had been out a few times riding with the wives with us, but not just the two of us like we did for many years prior to him being married to her. Well, she moved out a couple weeks ago. The first thing he said to me after telling me they split up was that he wanted to go for a ride like we used to. You see, she wouldn't "let" him go out on the bike without her, so the bike sat quite a bit. ( My wife has her own bike, and often tells me to go out and ride by myself).
So today was the day. We had a great ride. I met my buddy at his house this morning, we shot the shit and had a cup of coffee, then hit the road. I decided to take him on one my favorite loops, about 250 miles.
So we headed up rt. 126 through Barnstead. This is one of the areas a tornado hit last year. Tornados in New Hampshire are not a common occurance. From here we took rt 28 up past Alton and through Wolfboro. Was a gorgeous day to ride. In Wolfboro we jumped on rt 109. Sure were alot of people out today. The temps were around 80, and it was sunny. We haven't had much of either this summer, so I guess everyone was out enjoying the day.
At some point I took a wrong turn and wound up heading south on 109 instead of north. Not a big deal, just keep heading south till we hit 16. At one point on 109, there was literaly a mile of cars parked along side the road. I would say 95% of them had New York plates, I have no idea what was going on, it just seemed really wierd to me.
We hit 16 and head north. This road is always full of tourists, which is why I wanted to take 109. We stopped for gas, and picked up a couple sandwitches to eat later, then got back on the road. We come to a passing zone a few miles later, I didn't realize till I was already commited that the car was an unmarked cruiser. I figured she alerady had me, so I passed anyway, knowing the blues would come on as soon as I pulled in front of her. The gods were smiling on me today, she didn't do anything, just stayed right behind me for a few miles then turned off. My buddy was smarter than me, he saw the blue lights in the back window and didn't pass.
We turned left onto rt 112, otherwise known as the Kankamangus. This is a great motorcycle road, lots of twisties! We stopped at one of the turn offs on the side, the one with a covered bridge. I always stop here when I ride the Kankamangus. We rode through the bridge, then stopped to use the rest room. This one of those that you see in state parks, just a big pit under neath. A couple years back they found a guy down in one of the pits watching wome use the facilities. He said he dropped his ring down there and was looking for it. Takes all kinds, but really.
Back up the mountain we go. We stop at the top to eat. While there, another LT pulled in. I waved, but the rider was with a couple other folks and seemed disinterested. If it was anyone here, sorry I didn't walk over, but you seemed a bit busy.
Had the usual Harley group stop and look over the LT here. There is always one in the group that knows about the LT and points things out the rest of the group. I normaly just let them talk.
We head down the other side through Lincoln. My buddy has trouble keeping up with me through the corners, he is on a Honda Shadow. So I speed up in the corners and slow down on the straights to let him catch up. The other side of Lincoln we head south on 118. I can't take it anymore, I twist the right grip, I am gone. 118 has some real nice curves! I have a nice "spirited" ride for five or six miles, then pull over to let my buddy catch up, he does a few minutes later. We had back out, this time I slow it down.
A little while later we turn onto rt 25. On some of the straights I give a few people something to talk about later. I set the cruise and hop on the pillion seat, with my feet on the passenger pegs. I go by a couple folks on bicycles and shrug as I go by. I do this a couple times, I love the looks people give me. One thing I can say, I never realized how high up the pillion seat is on the LT!! No wonder she gets nervous in the twisties!
We take rt 3 from 25. My buddy needs gas again, damn shadow! We stop for a few minutes and talk. He is having a great time!! He keeps thanking me for the ride.
You know, I must say, I live in a beautiful part of the country. You juut can't beat a New England summer. The views here are incredible. We take rt 11 past Lake Winnipesaukee and Weirs beech. This is where the big rally is every year. We hit a little traffic in this area, but not too bad. From rt 11 we take 140 in Alton. I love this road. It doesn't have alot of curves, but it is just a pretty ride. We then turn onto 107. 107 has one of my favorite views. Picture an old farmhouse, with a huge field behind it, then views of mountains behind that, absolutley breath taking. This is one of the few places that I actaully slow down. It is here that we catch up to four harleys, or as I call it whenever I see two or more harleys together, a rolling road block. They are wearing the typical jeans, boots and tank tops, no helmets. Two of them match, same bike and same tank top. I start laughing to myself. There is a traffic light coming up, and I want to yell "Wild Hogs" when we stop. But alas, we get seprated before the light, so I am out of luck.
At the light we turn back onto 28, then back onto 126 to my buddies house. I hang for a few minutes, have an ice tea and we talk a bit more. He thanks me a few more times for the ride. I tell him I am always up for a ride, anytime, and that it was great to be riding with him again, and that I hope to do many more rides together, we are getting too old not to be enjoying ourselves. He agrees with this. We chat a little more, then I get back on my bike and head home.
I had a wonderful day.
Oh yeah, I went over 24k today, so next weekend I will be doing my 24k service!! Isn't life grand?
I got to got out today for a ride with an old friend. FIrst time in many years that the two of us have been able to go out, just the two of us. He has been one of my best friends since the fourth grade. Let's just say that we have been through a lot of lifes trials and tribulations together. We have been friends since we were ten years old, have been best man at each others weddings, our kids all call the other "uncle". He is more like a brother than a friend.
He married this woman about twelve years ago. We stopped being able to ride together oh let's see, about twelve years ago. We had been out a few times riding with the wives with us, but not just the two of us like we did for many years prior to him being married to her. Well, she moved out a couple weeks ago. The first thing he said to me after telling me they split up was that he wanted to go for a ride like we used to. You see, she wouldn't "let" him go out on the bike without her, so the bike sat quite a bit. ( My wife has her own bike, and often tells me to go out and ride by myself).
So today was the day. We had a great ride. I met my buddy at his house this morning, we shot the shit and had a cup of coffee, then hit the road. I decided to take him on one my favorite loops, about 250 miles.
So we headed up rt. 126 through Barnstead. This is one of the areas a tornado hit last year. Tornados in New Hampshire are not a common occurance. From here we took rt 28 up past Alton and through Wolfboro. Was a gorgeous day to ride. In Wolfboro we jumped on rt 109. Sure were alot of people out today. The temps were around 80, and it was sunny. We haven't had much of either this summer, so I guess everyone was out enjoying the day.
At some point I took a wrong turn and wound up heading south on 109 instead of north. Not a big deal, just keep heading south till we hit 16. At one point on 109, there was literaly a mile of cars parked along side the road. I would say 95% of them had New York plates, I have no idea what was going on, it just seemed really wierd to me.
We hit 16 and head north. This road is always full of tourists, which is why I wanted to take 109. We stopped for gas, and picked up a couple sandwitches to eat later, then got back on the road. We come to a passing zone a few miles later, I didn't realize till I was already commited that the car was an unmarked cruiser. I figured she alerady had me, so I passed anyway, knowing the blues would come on as soon as I pulled in front of her. The gods were smiling on me today, she didn't do anything, just stayed right behind me for a few miles then turned off. My buddy was smarter than me, he saw the blue lights in the back window and didn't pass.
We turned left onto rt 112, otherwise known as the Kankamangus. This is a great motorcycle road, lots of twisties! We stopped at one of the turn offs on the side, the one with a covered bridge. I always stop here when I ride the Kankamangus. We rode through the bridge, then stopped to use the rest room. This one of those that you see in state parks, just a big pit under neath. A couple years back they found a guy down in one of the pits watching wome use the facilities. He said he dropped his ring down there and was looking for it. Takes all kinds, but really.
Back up the mountain we go. We stop at the top to eat. While there, another LT pulled in. I waved, but the rider was with a couple other folks and seemed disinterested. If it was anyone here, sorry I didn't walk over, but you seemed a bit busy.
Had the usual Harley group stop and look over the LT here. There is always one in the group that knows about the LT and points things out the rest of the group. I normaly just let them talk.
We head down the other side through Lincoln. My buddy has trouble keeping up with me through the corners, he is on a Honda Shadow. So I speed up in the corners and slow down on the straights to let him catch up. The other side of Lincoln we head south on 118. I can't take it anymore, I twist the right grip, I am gone. 118 has some real nice curves! I have a nice "spirited" ride for five or six miles, then pull over to let my buddy catch up, he does a few minutes later. We had back out, this time I slow it down.
A little while later we turn onto rt 25. On some of the straights I give a few people something to talk about later. I set the cruise and hop on the pillion seat, with my feet on the passenger pegs. I go by a couple folks on bicycles and shrug as I go by. I do this a couple times, I love the looks people give me. One thing I can say, I never realized how high up the pillion seat is on the LT!! No wonder she gets nervous in the twisties!
We take rt 3 from 25. My buddy needs gas again, damn shadow! We stop for a few minutes and talk. He is having a great time!! He keeps thanking me for the ride.
You know, I must say, I live in a beautiful part of the country. You juut can't beat a New England summer. The views here are incredible. We take rt 11 past Lake Winnipesaukee and Weirs beech. This is where the big rally is every year. We hit a little traffic in this area, but not too bad. From rt 11 we take 140 in Alton. I love this road. It doesn't have alot of curves, but it is just a pretty ride. We then turn onto 107. 107 has one of my favorite views. Picture an old farmhouse, with a huge field behind it, then views of mountains behind that, absolutley breath taking. This is one of the few places that I actaully slow down. It is here that we catch up to four harleys, or as I call it whenever I see two or more harleys together, a rolling road block. They are wearing the typical jeans, boots and tank tops, no helmets. Two of them match, same bike and same tank top. I start laughing to myself. There is a traffic light coming up, and I want to yell "Wild Hogs" when we stop. But alas, we get seprated before the light, so I am out of luck.
At the light we turn back onto 28, then back onto 126 to my buddies house. I hang for a few minutes, have an ice tea and we talk a bit more. He thanks me a few more times for the ride. I tell him I am always up for a ride, anytime, and that it was great to be riding with him again, and that I hope to do many more rides together, we are getting too old not to be enjoying ourselves. He agrees with this. We chat a little more, then I get back on my bike and head home.
I had a wonderful day.
Oh yeah, I went over 24k today, so next weekend I will be doing my 24k service!! Isn't life grand?