Maine, motorcycles, late October

A front is fast approaching. A significant nor’easter is predicted, and it’s only October 29. What’s in store for us this winter?

I decided to try to get in a good ride. Problem. It was only about 38° when I set out but the high was only supposed to reach 45°. I suited up with long underwear, wool socks, my fire hose jeans, and a LL Bean wool sweater that zips up into a turtle neck beneath my jacket. The Olympia Windtex gloves along with my heated grips kept my hands warm, until perspiration produced a cooling effect. Same with the feet, toasty warm for a while, then bone chilling cold. If ever I resort to heated clothing, I’ll start with electric socks.

My goal was to reach Wag It. Suzie was there with Skye for a rally competition. I thought I’d surprise them and pop in. She would have loved the pop in. I knew the approximate location and I got close but couldn’t find it. I didn’t look hard because that’s about when the cold was setting in and the needle on my fuel gauge was well below E. I headed for home and got gas and coffee in Belfast, lingering in McDonald’s with my coffee waiting for my feet to thaw.

The ride had started out sunny, and the direct rays of sunlight helped warm the body in spite of the cool temperatures. Even at 11 AM, the shadows are long here in October. Oaks are the only trees with leaves, brown leaves with minor hints of orange and yellow. As the day progressed it reminded me more and more of my youth in Ohio as it became overcast, gray and brown. There were many other signs of autumn. Men raking leaves, others splitting wood, the smell of wood burning stoves.

When I returned home I tidied up the garage, the Burgman and snowblower exchanging places, the latter near the door.

Back Roads

Last weekend, while Suzie and I were out for a ride, we discovered some great, two lane, low traffic, country roads that enable one to go from Brewer to Bucksport. We did take state route 15 south from Brewer to Orrington, but that wasn’t necessary. The road was so peaceful. Restricted speed limits, lack of traffic, crisp autumn weather, the road less traveled.

The sky was a mix of sun and clouds as we went east on Center Drive in Orrington, past the Old Fair Grounds, the Orrington Public Library, and the Center Drive school. Many private homes also lined the road. Temperatures only rose to the upper 50‘s but we were both prepared for the chilly conditions as we dressed in layers. Center Drive is pretty straight with a minimum of turns but has some modest elevation changes. Mother Nature cheated us this year as the fall foliage lacked the bright reds that we are accustomed to seeing in the autumn. Aside from a few farms the land is wooded but on a few of the rises, clearings afforded views of distant mountains. One of these is the turn out at King Mountain Christmas tree farms. On a clear day you can see Mt. Katahdin in the distance. If only I had taken my camera. After about four miles there are some large sweeping turn and here you need to keep your eyes open as you don’t want to miss the turn on East Bucksport Road.

This thoroughfare, with it’s gently sweeping turns, crosses several hills and valleys with small streams. We passed a small flock of wild turkeys, but little else. East Bucksport Road becomes Buck Mills Road as it passes a few gravel quarries. Farms become more numerous and then less so as one approaches Bucksport. Traffic picked up as we approached the town. The road name changes to Central Street and private homes abound. Eventually we entered Bucksport proper and Central Street ended at Main Street where we turned left. About a half mile down the road we reached Dunkin Donuts and we each had a small coffee and split a pumpkin donut. The latter should be a fixture on their menu, not just an autumn specialty item.

Knowing that the temperature drops rapidly at sundown at this time of the year, we concluded that it was prudent to take route 15 back, just to save time. Though we reached Veazie by 5 pm, the shadows were already long and the temperature was falling. Note to self, next ride be back before 5.

The rest of Columbus Day weekend

This Columbus Day weekend has been filled with motorcycle adventures. The Saturday ride has been documented. Today is golf which should be interesting as I haven’t touched a club in weeks. Arrgh, but that’s for some other blog.

Sunday was yet another fantastic day in vacationland, high pressure dominating the weather. Temperatures peaked in the mid-80s, unheard of in middle October. While the bride worked I headed to Monson for Bar-B-Q at Spring Creek.I went up 43 to East Corinth where I caught 15 and took it all the way to Monson. Both roads were in good shape but each contained a few bumpy stretches. On the way home I took 150 towards Skowhegan. This takes you to little towns like Harmony, Athens, Hartland and St Albans. The roads were fun to ride and I’ll go back there again soon

I can’t figure why such a good barbeque establishment is located in Monson, Maine. At one time it was a vibrant town where the economy was based on quarrying slate. Hundreds of men worked the quarries. The high school teams were known as the slaters. Later Moosehead Furniture was located there. Now the population isn’t sufficient to require a high school and Monson is little more than a stop on the road between Guilford and Greenville and a stop on the Appalachian Trail. The slaters are no more.

At Spring Creek, I couldn’t decide between the beef and pork for my sandwich, so she made it half and half. The coleslaw came in a generous portion and the only beverage to have with such a meal is Moxie.

I was a little disappointed with the fall foliage. It seems as though the many trees have lost their leave before the bright colors appeared. I think the cause is a blight that affect maple trees and all the rain we had in August and September.

Monday I took Skye and Ailsa to doggy day care and got an early start on my ride. It was west on I-95 to Newport, then US 2 to Skowhegan where I enjoyed a coffee and a single sour cream glazed donut at Tim Horton’s. Then off to Kingfield via Madison, North Anson and North New Portland. As I approached Kingfield the views of Sugarloaf Mountain were spectacular. I poked around the Carrabassett Valley a little before heading down route 27 to Farmington where I failed to meet up with my friend Dave Gibson.

On my way to Skowhegan, I stopped at Old Oak Cemetery near Norridgewock. I’m intrigued by old tombstones. I’ve found a weeping willow with or without an urn that is common on slatetombstones but rare on marble or other stones. This was the jackpot, including one that decorated the grave of a revolutionary war veteran. I’ll be going back there to spend a little more time.

I have to admit that my lunch was a #1 value meal at McDonald’s with medium fries and diet Coke. Then back to Newport and the interstate home from there.

Moody's Diner

When it rains it pours. I go forever without a post and now a second post in little more than a week.

Last week it rained and poured duringthe trip to Freeport. This week couldn’t bemoredifferent. A high pressure cell dominates the weather in New England. Yesterday there wasn’t a cloud to be seen and we flirted with record high temperatures in Bangor, Maine. So Suzie and I mounted our steeds and set out for a ride. The best part of this was that she rode her new Honda Shadow 600 VLX, a 2006 with only 2950 miles. A week ago two friends of mine who go by the names MAC and Karl, recommended this bike for her as a step up from the Suzuki Savage 650. I walked in to see my friends at Bangor Motor Sports to ask their professional opinion about this matter. It so happens that the had just taken one in on a trade. Silver, saddle bags, sissy bar, “Hell Cat” windshield; striking. I chit chatted and went home to see what Craigslist had to offer. Two late model VLX’s. Humph.
To make long story short, after a few offers, denials, counter offers, etc, we got the silver VLX at Bangor Motor Sports. These guys are good to work with, fair, and the take care of you at the service department.
We headed down to Hampden went west on 202 all the way to Unity Pond. The US highway is well maintained except for a short section near Troy. It offers views of trees, farm fields and distant mountains. The rate of travel is 50 to 60 mph over sweeping curves, up and down hills. Easy riding today except for a few wind gusts that moved the bikes a little.
A left on Maine 220 takes you down to Waldoboro. The road is narrow, typical of rural highways in Maine, with significant elevation changes. Tight curves abound, as do dangerous intersections where 220 crosses roads with higher traffic volumes, which isn’t saying much. Road conditions are pretty good for the most part.

On the corner of 220 and US 1 is found Moody’s Diner, an icon of the mid coast area. Interestingly I’d never been there before. Their fare is basic, nothing fancy, just good food. I had the cheese burger platter, with onion rings and coleslaw. Delicious. I was most happy when a woman approached Suzie admiring her new bike. I think that made her feel pretty special.
Our route was 1 to 235 to 131 to 3 to get to Belfast. 235 and 131 are narrow Maine State highways. Plenty of tight, blind curves and hills with blind crests. This means fun. Near Union we stopped at a boat ramp on Seven Tree Pond to stretch our legs an snap a few pictures. This time it was my turn to accept some compliments. We saw a couple admiring the bikes and the guy asked about the NT and told me of a friend who also has one and likes it very much.
In Belfast we caught Maine State highways 141 to Monroe where we got 139 to Winterport were we stopped at Hillcrest Orchard to acquire two bags of McCoun apples. I know that the late Steve Jobs named their premium computer the Macintosh because it was the best Apple, but I disagree. I’d a called it a McCoun. It was then back to Veazie to tend to the dogs.

I checked my odometer as we arrived home. I knew I was getting close. The reading was 10009 miles and today was one year to the day that I purchased the bike. Hurray!

LL Bean in the Rain

Since the purchase of my Honda NT700, I became an active member of a web-based forum dedicated to that model bike. Actually, reading members posts prior to my purchase helped me decide that the NT was for me and I haven't looked back. The members are dispersed around the country and it is truly a great group people. Some of the New Englanders have now held two "mini" rallies in Maine. The most recent was last Saturday, October 1.
The event was planned well in advance and we decided to go rain or shine. It was rain.
I left the house about 7:45 in a light drizzle which turned into a downpour before I got to Winterport. It came down in buckets, cats and dogs. I met my friend and fellow NT owner, Alex, in Belfast and we headed east on Route 3. The rain had let up when we first departed. Our reprieve continued as we headed south on 131 through Appleton to Union, where we caught 235 south Waldoboro. The rain began again in earnest as we took US route 1 to Brunswick then US 201 to Topsham. Here we visited Tri-Sports and perused motorcycles and motorcycle gear. They're in the process of preparing for winter and bringing out the snow sleds and snowmobile gear so it was a bit disappointing. There was a 20011 Triumph America that was a bit over priced but was very pretty.
We jumped on I-95 and went the 10 or 15 miles to Freeport where we met Mac and Karl. Linking up with them was harder than it should have been. I had lost Mac cell phone number and failed to feel my phone vibrate during his first call. We shared some stories, eyed each other's bikes and had lunch. It was then down route 1 to Falmouth and Street Cycles. Here I drooled on a couple of Triumph Americas and Bonnevilles.
Our departure up US 1 to I-295 occurred in a light, steady rain. As we headed north the rain eased up and the dry pavement enabled us to go a bit faster. We exited I-295 at Gardiner and followed route 126/9 to Bridge Street where we crossed the Kennebec River and continued to follow route 9 to route 3 which led us to Belfast. The rain returned making for a soggy ride. I got some much needed fuel in Belfast as I parted ways with Alex. It was then up 1A to Bangor and on up route 2 to Veazie, retracing my path from earlier in the day. I got back at dusk.
What did I take away from the trip. My waterproof boots are no longer waterproof. My socks were soaking wet and as the sun went down and temperature dropped by feet go really cold. My waterproof gloves are no longer waterproof. My hands got wet. I took 3 pairs of gloves, so that helped as did my heated grips. My Frogg Toggs rain suit performed perfectly, except my crotch got wet. Can't figure that one out. Maybe the zipper leaked. I need a little better rain gear but with it, riding all day in the rain ain't so bad.
Finally learned that route 131 and 235 are great roads, fun to ride, and I'm going to visit the again as soon as I can so I can lean into the turns and roll on the throttle.