Triumphrat

pelipen · 07-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Let's see. Bird dodging, Check. Squirrel dodging, Check. Deer, groundhog, and moss avoidance, Check. Mid-corner gravel pools, potholes, and tree branches, Check. Swiss cheese tar noodle dodging, and should have been retired 15 years ago lane ignoring pickup trucks. CHECK.
True story, all that in just 15 miles. I'm happy I'm alive. So is the wildlife, by an inch. Oh yes, There's that familiar butt tingle when the rear steps out just enough to let you know you're mortal.

All I want is a decent curvy road to get back into the groove of riding quick corners, and these roads are anything but confidence inspiring.

Anyone else consider a job change just to ride? Sheesh. Tell me buying the Striple R was a good idea... Maybe I'll just go sit on it for awhile and smell the rubber.

Maybe I'm older and wiser, or maybe Lehigh/Berks/Bucks roads are rubbish.

Anyone around here have a suggestion?

Catenaccio · 07-28-2009, 08:22 PM

No suggestions but I'll happily share the intrigue.

BigAl8295 · 07-30-2009, 08:55 PM

There's some good stuff in Bucks County.

Come a little west, we have some good stuff in PA!

pelipen · 07-31-2009, 10:52 AM

Saturday is projected to be a good weather day. I'm looking at heading over to hwy 78/hwy 29 and dropping down to New Hope. Head West on 202 over to 309, then up 309 back to 78.

Do you know if the NJ or PA side is better? 29 vs. 32 I think. Never been on either, so I'll be looking at a relaxed pace. Plus I'm still below the first service, but this ride should get me over that point.

Or maybe I'll just go South on one and North on the other instead of going over to 309, which was a complete mess of construction around Cooperburg last time I went through there.

The road where I went two wheel varmint hunting was 863 from beginning to end. In the future I'll avoid shady tree lined roads in the late afternoon. Too risky. I like venison, but not raw. Still bleeting, but not raw.

Edit: Just realized you're in York, so might not be familiar with the above... But yeah, there are some nice roads in PA to be sure. I drove from Indiana up to hwy 80 (had to visit Jimmy Stewart museum), via Punxutawney on my way out when I moved here. Beautiful drive.

Silverado57 · 07-31-2009, 11:37 AM

Nice riding on both sides of the Delaware. Not sure where you're at but take 29 north to Milford, NJ and the River Road, then across the Riegelsville Bridge. Go up 611, and just stay alongside the river until you get the the Delaware Water Gap. Ride safe.

BigAl8295 · 07-31-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelipen

Edit: Just realized you're in York, so might not be familiar with the above... But yeah, there are some nice roads in PA to be sure. I drove from Indiana up to hwy 80 (had to visit Jimmy Stewart museum), via Punxutawney on my way out when I moved here. Beautiful drive.

I grew up in Bucks County and was married in Washington Crossing State Park so I'm familiar with the area.

32 is a great ride.

The mountains to the west of me are even better.

Silverado57 · 08-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Yesterday we were in the area between Doylestown and the Delaware River, unfortunately in a car. There are some real good roads with nice scenery and great road conditions out that way. Don't be afraid to get off the numbered roads and go exploring.

pelipen · 08-03-2009, 11:12 AM

I made it over to 32, eventually, after turning around half a dozen times (no GPS, going from memory of a google map, and I've never been out there). Who labeled the signs for 412/212!? At one point I swear I was going East, and one said South the other said North, on the same road. I come to a "T", and there are no signs... Sigh. I'm getting good at U-turns.

Anyhow, 32 was a nice ride. Lots of HD bikes. Definitely a good Saturday afternoon stroll down the (muddy from rain) river. Before New Hope there were a few detours, then more, then somehow I ended up 10 miles further inland than I expected, going up 413 to 611. Not being concerned with time, I remembered 611 connected to 78 eventually, so figured I would take that back to where I started and branch off West through Saucon Valley. That worked, eventually, but was also where things went slightly wrong.

I got to an intersection far off the beaten path, by this time more than a bit annoyed that I couldn't find a street sign that pointed me in the right direction. It was a T, and there was a car on the left. My stop was slightly uphill and banked a little to the right. I saw the car start to go, thinking maybe he didn't have a stop, so I re-stopped, but I didn't stop so much as stall while leaned, and stepped off as my bike tipped over to the right. Bah. At least It was a gentle set down, not a thud. Needed a longer leg. Rookie mistake not setting up better for that corner.

Anyway, glad this thing (Striple R) is light, because my scrawny self was able to pick it up (in gear, stand down, grunt). Damage? nothing, ego maybe as I waved to the kids in the backseat now glued to the window. I took a look and didn't see anything broken, so I rode home and checked it out there. It looks like it balanced on the front and rear tires, the right bar end, and the passenger peg mount. So there is a little scuff on the peg mount, and one pinhead ding in the bar end. Cool. I got lucky. Off to buy sliders incase I get stupid again.

So, dumb end to a 3.25 hour ride, but it was a good day, and I'm up to my service interval.

Cheers.