Well, we are baaaaaack. We now know that Nia gara means thundering water in Seneca language. We are just not sure which part is thundering which is water. But the trip was awesome. For the S. Florida riders this was about 1875 miles of riding plus 1700 miles of train travel for a total of almost 3600 miles. Surprisingly, with six months in the planning and notice, only six motorcycles signed up. Three (Doug J, Rodney H. and Morten L.).left from S. Florida five days earlier to explore once again the Carolina twisties. Then Carlos G. and Mark H joined Jeffrey and Hanne for the train trip to Lorton on Saturday 5/3. The train was on time and a good time was had by all. Dinner was fit for a four star restaurant. On arrival in Lorton on Sunday a.m. we took the scenic route along the Potomac to DC and were surprised to find parking just North of the Washington monument (the obelisk).
After three hours of exploring the Vietnam and WWII memorials, the rest of the obligatory pictures by the reflecting pool we headed for the Capital building where we parking right up front for another picture. The plan was to go to Gettysburg after a stop at Ben’s famous Chili (featured on the travel channel and guaranteed to give you a major heart burn). However, for lack of secure parking it was decided to get on to Gettysburg. Since I had the route planned on my laptop and downloaded to the Zumo, we had to try and get near the starting point of the route. Well, if you ever navigated your way thru DC you know the rest of the story. Although we were heading in the right general direction (NW) we did not get on the route for another two hours. DC is a tough place to navigate even with a GPS. So was the expressway to Fredrick MD which we originally planned to avoid. We did make it to Gettysburg well before dark, passing thru Cemetery hill and a line of civil war cannons. Instead of the 90 mile trip, we added another 35. On the recommendation of the front desk at the hotel we went to an Irish restaurant. Disaster struck in the form of Irish dishes, none of which would reasonably qualify as edible. However, we chewed thru the stuff and hit the sack preparing for the next exciting day en route Couderspot PA. Monday was a great riding day, very scenic and fairly easy in great weather. Carlos investigated Coudersport and discovered that this was a Family Value town with high tech enterprises. Well, the lack of massage parlours qualified the town on the first claim, and having cable TV and perhaps dial telephones was the basis for the high tech claim. Actually, that is where John J. Rigas, federal prisoner # 53983-054 to be released in 2020 at the age of 95 started Adelphia Cable which he eventually fleeced for some 400 million buckaroos. Now you know this important detail. We were waiting for Doug, Rodney and Morten to arrive from the South and join us. Their arrival time got pushed later and later so we saddled up and went, once again, on the recommendation of the front desk to the “best restaurant in town”. Well, nothing came out of the kitchen correctly, the chef was crying, the waiters were cussing, the bartender was yelling and the food was about the worst I had in years of traveling. Absolutely the worst. Probably a minus 5 star on the Michelin rating. Coudersport has been declared by Carlos as the arm pit of Pennsylvania. Doug , Rodney and Morten arrived at about 9 p.m. after dodging deer herds en route.
Next day the group rode to Buffalo NY. Great ride, 100 miles or so, but Buffalo…..open the dictionary and look for pot hole capital of the US - you will see a picture of Buffalo. The suspensions got some major exercise on the tail of that ride. Next morning we saddled up for Canada and the falls. Crossing the border is a cinch if you keep a low profile. Do not make wise cracks, ask if it is ok to transport nuclear material, guns, ammunition, germs or other contraband. For some reason, both Rodney and Doug were singled out for special treatment while the rest of the group waited past the checkpoint. The Canadian officials at the border absolutely refused to stamp our passports. We did a very scenic ride along the gorge and the St. Lawrence seaway. Rode in a historic section of “Niagara on the Lake”. Some very beautiful homes on the water and stopped at the Canadian falls which, I must say, are larger, more impressive than the American falls. Doug was able to negotiate a discounted parking fee (instead of 12 $ per bike, 12 $ for all five bikes !!!). After some hot chocolate and picture taking we headed back to the good old USA and reentered without much difficulty. The next morning we were on our way to board the “Maid of the Mist”, an exciting 30 minute boat ride right up to the falls. This required protection from the mist and the water spray was provided by our rain gear and a poncho included in the boart ticket. Afterwards we went to see an IMAX movie which was about as IMAX as my bike is a space ship. But 45 minutes later we were more edumakated about the falls and some interesting accidents and events such as people being accidentally swept and people intentionally riding the falls in barrels or walking a tight wire from one side to the other. I was going to do the barrel thing but common sense prevailed. Again we went into Canada and again Rodney and Doug were singled out (but not for a strip search!!!). Once again we loitered in Canada (this time my insistence on a passport stamp was successful as I advised I would otherwise complain to the prime minister about this matter). Dinner was an Outback sit down with all the trimming. Still great weather. The next morning, Doug and Rodney headed West while the rest of the group went South to Tannersville PA where Carlos’ friend owns a ski lodge. Great dinner at a local spot capped a nice riding day.
Friday morning the weather was crummy. Rain, rain and more rain. Morten decided to head straight for South Florida. Carlos, Mark and myself headed South to Virginia. Somehow we got separated in the heavy rain. Hanne and I slogged 200 miles for six hours in heavy rain, and I mean heavy. It finally eased up when we got to Washington DC. However, on the South side of the city, from the Woodrow Wilson bridge to Lorton (12 miles) we spent 3 hours of stop and go. Carlos and Mark ended up again in Gettysburg. We ended up a block and a half from the Lorton train station. After long long long hot showers and a great dinner we got up on Saturday at 11 a.m. and made it to the train by 2 p.m. So did Mark and Carlos after riding in from Gettysburg. Train ride back was uneventful other than another great dinner and a lousy movie.
All in all this was a great trip. I am adding a Canadian flag sticker to my helmet, aye. I will be combining everyone’s picture on a single CD (if it will fit). Greg will post the pictures on the webpage and probably on some picture sight.
Bottom line - You all shoulda been there.
niagara video
ride-on-the-amtrak-auto-train
Coast-2-Coast Ride 2008
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