Bear Mountain New York Triples Ride, March 16, 2001

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WOLF~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rob, Joy, even Jim (who was only there for a quick jaunt), how often was Wolf behind us? Almost never!! He's a madman on that 400!! I heard that engine screaming for mercy, and it was given NONE. :) We were having fun on those roads, though. All of us were putting our iron through its paces, especially Rob and Joy, who were screaming two-up on a CB750. That bike, by the way, is the CB750 that Wolf got for $100. It's in GREAT shape. That might have been the best bargain bike ever.

It was a beautiful ride along the Taconic, and I have to thank Wolf for not stopping us after we had missed the exit. The extra two miles we went was beautiful. Just after we got off the highway, I noticed I had a little oil on my windshield. Being that I was right behind Wolf, I figured it was that poor XS400 slowly dripping its life away... but after looking down and noticing I was going 0 mph, I figured I might want to a) reconnect my speedometer and b) trust the 400 a little more. Wolf's line: "See, that's why you shouldn't go too fast. The speedometer breaks."

So anyway, after another mile or two, we met up with Jim (who spotted us instantly) and warmed our frozen assets in front of the fire for a while. Rob and Joy should have a good picture or two of us... Wolf and I definitely arrived a bit underdressed at this relatively upscale country-club-style lodge. He had on his chaps and do-wrap, I had ripped, oil-covered jeans and a shirt from some Swedish industrial band... I hope the pictures catch one or two of the pastel-clad elders behind us, looking suspiciously. The meal was exactly what we all needed, what with our various delays and all. A couple of us messily devoured bacon cheeseburgers... Jim and I had a great discussion about what constitutes a good bacon cheeseburger, so we have all the more reason to go out for another ride now. Wolf wisely chose to keep himself warm with corned beef and cabbage. I suppose that's a good idea if you're riding 50 miles in 38 degrees with no shield, a half helmet and goggles. Did I mention he's a madman? I did? Oh. Anyway, if there was one universal truth that came out of our conversation, it would have to be "we're motorcyclists more than we are bikers." I think my favorite part of the whole thing is how we were all able to leave that alone after it was said. Meal finished, we head out to the lot to stand around our idling bikes and snap a few more pictures. I hope one or two of them come out, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're all bright white, with the glare that was coming off of Jim's chrome. I've definitely never seen a cleaner 750 special! Everything was immaculate, and he deserves many accolades for keeping his father's baby in such perfect shape. We had hoped to toss the bikes around a few of the winding roads in the area, but it was already pretty dark when we were done eating, and we all knew the temperature was going to drop about 15 degrees, so we decided to postpone. We stopped and got gas, at which point we all decided we should have peed before we left... I got the key to the restroom, and accidentally dropped it in the bathroom before walking out and letting the door lock. My apologies again to Rob and Wolf, who were forced to find some nice shrubbery. Don't worry, the bathroom was disgusting anyway.

After gassing up we all hit the parkway, and then Jim and I split off (I actually should have stayed with everyone else, I would have saved 15 miles). I have to say, there was something really satisfying about riding tandem with another Special, even if it was only for a mile or so. All in all it was a great ride with some great people. It was great to finally meet some more triplers, and I'm ALMOST convinced to make the trip to Shenandoah based on what Rob told me.

The moral of the story is, "more northeast rides!!"

If you would like more information about bacon cheeseburger assembly/preparation/consumption, please look for my forthcoming reference, "The Bacon Cheeseburger - an Enthusiast's Companion." Soon to hit a coffee table near you. If anyone wants to critique my rough draft, let me know.

:)

-Rich

A chronicle of my Saturday... I got a phone call from Al at about 9:00 am. We discussed the particulars and planned on meeting up at Bear Mountain lodge at about 2:00. As soon as I got off the phone with Al, I strolled out onto my deck in a pair of boxers and a T-shirt and thought to myself.."humm, it's not bad out...a little cloudy, but pretty warm". 

Well...sometime between 9:00 am and 1:00 PM, things drastically changed. After getting showered, eating lunch, and collecting all of my gear, I stuck my head out my kitchen door once again. This time, I was greeted by gale force winds as I saw my garbage cans blowing across my driveway. Oh, and the temperature had dropped about 20 degrees. "Humm..." I thought. So I decided to give Rob a call to see what his thoughts were. After being accused by Rob of trying to "wuss out", I knew that I must go...to defend my honor if nothing else. So, back into my room I wend and out came the long johns, thermal socks, and my favorite sweater. Also had to spend 1/2 hour digging through my closet, trying to find my riding jacket liner...it was in the garage all along...DOH!

Looking something like the Michelin man, I hopped on the ol' triple, engaged my "marbles in a blender starter", and headed north on I 287 bound for Harriman, NY. On a normal day, for some sort of cosmic reason, 287 North between Rt. 23 and the Thruway is ALWAYS windy...VERY windy. Even my car gets tossed around when I drive that stretch. Well, Saturday was no exception. It was a little blustery on that stretch. That's when the chill set in. Brrr..... 

I was not very familiar with the area, so I just followed the signs. At one point I stopped to ask a cop for directions. Turns out, I was less than a mile from the lodge at that point so I guess my sense of direction is still pretty good. I pulled into Bear Mountain Lodge at about 2:30. Saw no signs of any triples, so I headed down 9W along the river and did a little bit of exploring. At about 3:10, I checked my cell phone voice mail and found a message from Rich stating their assorted problems including the parade. So, I did a little more put-putting around the greater Havistraw area and took a leisurely ride back up to the lodge where I got socked for $5 to park my bike! (by the time everyone else got there, the parking attendant had gone home! free parking for them...DOH!) Anywhoo...yes, it's true, as this wind blown motley crew made their way up the stairs and into the great room of the lodge, I was discovered contently lounging in front of the fire on a very "lodgy" brown leather couch, enjoying my Irish coffee defrosting my legs. Mmmm, Irish coffee...

Dinner was "utilitarian" as Rich put it. The menu did not include burgers, but our waiter made a special request for us. Apparently it did not go over too well in the kitchen. Therefore, the burgers had no love...no soul...overcooked and tasteless. A little disappointing, but it was food...and we were hungry. Good discussion was had by all at the round table and I learned that Rich is very wise in the way of Bacon Cheese Burgers. I commend his enthusiasm, as I am a burger connoisseur myself... 

Joy's overflowing plate of muscles and pasta proved to be a bit too much for her to handle, so I was forced to come to her aid and valiantly took care of any remaining little critters. They were very yummy, however there is some debate as to whether they created some "problems" the following day. It seems that I came out unscathed...lucky break I guess... When we got down to the parking lot, I got my first glimpse at the machinery of the day. Wow, Al's beautiful $100 Honda CB750. An absolute steal! And Al's chopped & stripped 400 looked like just rolled out of a Mad Max movie...looked pretty mean and IS pretty quick! Rich was just chillin' on his 850. With his highway bar set up and Chip's windshield, he looked pretty comfortable on that thing...like he was riding around on a Lazy-Boy recliner with wheels.

As we headed out, Rich had a little problem with a certain exit ramp and found himself suddenly following me home. A U-turn at the first exit on 287 W solved that little problem. As I peeled off from the group and headed for home, I noticed how much colder is it when you are riding alone. Purely psychological, I know, but true... Guess I missed the "warmth" of the group. My legs were so frozen when I got home that I went to bed just go get warm!

All in all, I'm glad I was able to make it up there for the ride! I was finally able to put a face to Al and Rich, and got to meet Joy as well. And yes of course, Robert, I was happy to see you too. What a haul to come up from Atlanta to take a chilly ride with a bunch of knuckle heads! Good time, good story, good people, good ride...good grief!

Can't wait to get together again once the weather breaks! Think spring!

Jim

Taxi Driver didn't run the fare flag and had a note on the rear seat as to not pay if transit WITHIN Jersey City was maintained. I wrote down all info as requested by city government. The driver got lost and tried to screw me. Charged $12. Wolf poked his head in the cab and said! How much is he charging you? I said $12. Al said $8 and walked away. Al returned to the taxi drivers cries. And told the driver he was still in Jersey City. I gave him $8 to which he cried. I said look guy take the 8 or I will not give you anything and report you to the city taxi commission as it says here. Love that city life (NOT!!!!)

Wolf was just getting the engine buttoned up after installing a borrowed valve adjusting screw and nut. The other was in there I am sure but my memory told me that the old one that had obviously unscrewed itself would be laying safely out of the way in the oil passages of the rocker tray and not go to any damaging areas. So we rode anyways. I told wolf to go get cleaned up (an oily mess he was) and I would finish buttoning the bike up and loading.

Upon his return he said for me to go ahead cause he would loose me in Jersey City and we were running an hour late. I told him.. "YOU CAN'T LOOSE ME!! (he almost did)

This maniac splits cars like nothing (something I am not fond of doing), uses the whole road to make a turn lane appointed turn etc. He rides that rat 400 like the road behind him is falling rapidly to hell and is afraid to get caught up in it. So here I am with a newbie rider / Girlfriend on the back trying to nurture her into the riders lifestyle but keeping Wolf in sight. Fortunately he obeys traffic signals which had a tendency to favor RED than green and I was able to keep up with him that way. He did go through the toll at the tunnel with the prepaid decal lane and I didn't know what it was. I ASSUMED (there's that word!) that he would be considerate enough to pick a lane that I could pay in but trying to keep him in my sights kept me from paying attention to the signs for paying and here I am walking the bike backwards looking for the coin basket in the high speed toll lane. Anyhow the workers told me just to go. So I went and in a 1/2 mile I caught up with him thanks to me weaving lanes in the Lincoln Tunnel and finally got back to him. 

So we meet Rich and ride like HELL out of NYC up 9A (a very pretty road on the Hudson bank of Manhattan) 80mph pace with all the other crazies. Wolf is riding hard and fast and I am AMAZED that that 400 is putting up with that pace. So I figure that is the pace of the day.. . So be it! 80 it is. Wolf let me lead for a while, I let Rich lead... For a little while. Wolf is hard to be seen with hands flailing at 80mph with buzzy mirrors when he's tucked in on a 400 reaming its little guts out. 

We got off 9A which actually merges to Saw Mill Parkway which merges to the Taconic St. Parkway and almost to I-84. From there we split off onto what Wolf calls 303.. I thought it was 301 anyhow it was a calmer 45-60 mph pace through some nice smooth curves till we got back to the Hudson and merged with 9D this time at Cold Springs just in time to deal with Rich's Speedo cable hiding behind a clear fairing (almost inaccessible) with cold fingers. How many triplers does it take to tighten a speedo cable on the speedo??? 3 One to hold the bottom of the cable from dropping.. one to TRY to thread it/tighten it, and one to supervise. 9D was very pretty and then we veered off to meet up with one of the most beautiful sights in my life! The bridge over the Hudson at Bear Mtn. State park. I stood on my pegs to soak in the beauty....

Met up with Jim moments later in the lodge and you have read the rest above.

Thanks for the ride Wolf! I owe you one.