Tilted Horizons

Nothin' to see here; move along please!

It's difficult to get photos of oneself in motion on a motorcycle. Below are some from the last few years, mostly shot by event or roadside photogs. You don't really need to see them; I just decided to catalog them in one place for future reference. Yeah, I know a couple are just me standing around...

This and the 2nd below were taken at nearly the exact spot 3 years apart.

Too much civilization; get me outta here!

T'was a slow news day obviously. Posted at my American Legion hall.

Photo by Rod Don

Don't distract me with your camera; I'm trying to not ride into that stream.

Can you can spot the error in this image?

Labels: ADVtouring, Americade, Commuting, Ephrata, Events, Rallying, Ride Reports, Ride-Ins, Sport-Touring, Touring, Vendors

2015 AMCA Meet, Oley, PA

This past Saturday I rode up to the Antique Motorcycle Club of America's annual meet in Oley, Pennsylvania. Two days later, my legs are still sore from repeated crouching down to shoot photos of so much great vintage iron; everything from Concours-quality restorations to bikes that looked as if they were just unearthed from the back of a barn that morning. More than you may think were ridden to the meet, too. Below is a mere sampling; click here to see many more from 2015, and click here to see motorcycles from 2013's meet.

Don't see this brand every day.

Liter bikes aren't new; this model was Lawrence of Arabia's favorite ride.

Beverly Hillbillies meets The Munsters?

This had a number plate autographed by Jack Penton, too.

Labels: History, Orgs, Rallying, Ride Reports, Ride-Ins, Vintage

Americade 2014 parade

Americade holds a parade through town on Saturday, the last day of the rally, each year. This year's was smaller than others I recall, but it still brought out many unique motorcycles, and motorcyclists for that matter. (Clicking on the photo will start the video; it'll default to low def, so click the Auto button to increase resolution.)

Labels: Americade, Events, Rallying, Ride Reports, Touring, Video

Americade 2014 report

Finally getting around to posting a few random scenes from Americade. I took a great two-day all-back road route to Lake George, NY, overnighting in Hancock, then spent six days at the rally followed by a (long, hot) one-day, 387 mile ride home (about 1/3 super slab). Except for one rainy evening, the rally was bone dry; the driest Americade in most folks' memories. I stayed at a small strip motel with a couple of dozen great folks, many of whom I've met at prior Americades, who've been gathering together at (pretty much taking over) this same motel for years. I'm a notorious "lone wolf" on the road, but I had some very enjoyable group rides with this bunch, and it made meals and general hanging out a lot more fun as well.

Route 9G over the mountains north of Lake George is always a good idea.

Lake George from Prospect Mtn.

Americade hosts cruises on two paddlewheelers.

Looks like it IS easy being green.

Some of the diverse gang I hung and rode with.

Quechee Gorge, VT

The main drag in Lake George Village.

Lucky dog.

That'll do pig. That'll do.

Found, and annoyed, a fave vendor of mine at the trade show.

Same here.

As I did in 2011, I had a new faceshield and Pinlock installed by these folks while I waited. Their shop is only 1.5 hours from home, but it's way more fun riding to Lake George to have it done.

This tire had 500-600 miles on it when this screw embedded itself in the only place that wouldn't be expensive. My luck does not usually run this good; should've bought lottery tickets that day.

Primo parking space. The motel owner is cool like that; he doesn't ride but he LOVES riders. Everyone hung lights in front of their rooms. Someone put Harley logo lights in front of mine. No, they didn't leak oil, but I was worried.

We only had one real rain, but my friends came prepared.

Lake George.

A Paul Smart replica, or a Paul Smart replica replica?

Installing farkles purchased at the trade show was a popular down-time activity.

Downtown evening scene. Ain't it great to see only bikes?

Free tire inspection by Dunlop engineers.

Ride to eat, eat to ride.

Haven't ID'd this old BMW clone yet. Chinese? Indian?

The upper Hudson.

Traditional Americade Friday night fireworks; this year launched over the lake.

I always sniff out the railcar diners in my travels, this one in Bolton Landing, NY. My reference sources make it a '46 Worcester.

Morning pre-flight prep.

Labels: Americade, Events, Rallying, Ride Reports, Touring

Registered for Americade 2014

I've registered for my favorite motorcycle rally, Americade, centered on Lake George, New York, which Thomas Jefferson described as the "Queen of American lakes". Americade is the largest touring rally (i.e. a centrally-organized event; not a "Bike Week" type of event) in the world, with 50,000+ registered attendees expected. Many thousand more who choose not to register for the rally will also show up. This will be my 10th Americade since 1998, and 12th bike trip to Lake George. The rally is tremendous fun with tons to do over the course of the 6-day rally, including seminars and talks by noted moto-journalists, world travelers and industry insiders; skills shows; demo rides; bike judging; field events; guided and unguided tours; lighting shows; charity poker runs; scavenger hunts; comedy shows; fireworks; parades; and, much more. It also features a giant motorcycle trade show, TourExpo. Now all that's great, but I tend to spend most of my time riding the excellent twisties and mountain gaps in the Adirondack National Park (the largest in the continental US) and nearby Vermont. I'll also spend a bit of time riding and hanging out with Americade friends (most of which I only see during Americade). Where will you be riding this year?