7 Out-of-the-Way NYS Destinations where Bikers Ride to

The boldness, grittiness, the intensity that is New York State. We might have more people moving out than moving in, but we still have some pretty great destinations that 253 million people visit on vacation. 

Sure we've got the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Niagara Falls that draw the BIG crowds. And if that's where you want to be - following the crowds - then great. Of course they'll be crowded as well as priced accordingly.

But if you're wanting an authentic New York experience AND have a bit of money left over afterwards, then you'll want to ride the same roads and enjoy the destinations that we do.

BBQ

Dinosaur BBQ got their start providing good food to Bikers at motorcycle rallies and festivals all over the northeast before settling down in Syracuse. They now serve some of the best bar-b-que in eight locations across New York, Stamford, Connecticut and Newark, New Jersey. 

Providing fresh, homemade, high-quality BBQ in a great place to have some fun is what runs the Dinosaur and keeps loyal customers coming back for more.

Coffee

Knowledgeable staff, great prices (a cup of coffee & a fresh bagel are under $5!) and delicious coffee and other treats make The Brew Ha Ha in Watertown our pick for the java juice.

Live Music

Celebrate the good things in life -that's what the Lovin' Cup in Rochester is all about.  A comfortable environment, that transforms from morning to night with deliberate attention to detail when it comes to the vibe: handcrafted tables, rotating local art, ambient lighting, and most prominently their beautiful wine rack. A crew of people who not only take care of your needs, but get to know you. A wide-range of events and music every night of the week! 

Their biggest driving force? They truly take pride in their conscious understanding of what a community-driven environment is all about.

Gastronomy

The sense of community, sharing and connecting over food, drink, and oftentimes desserts, keeps us going back to Gram's Diner in Adams week after week.

Their place in the historic row buildings of downtown Adams was carved out many years ago. However, their mission has always been the same: Serving people homemade food, at good prices, that makes them feel like they're eating just like they're at home.

French Onion Chicken -just one of many weekly specials at Gram's

Lakeside

Natural beauty with towering mountains and glistening waters make up Lake George, NY -right along the shores of a lake of the same name. Fun and recreation are always mere minutes away with untouched wilderness that is destined to remain "Forever Wild."

It's also home to Americade -proudly known as "the world's largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally" drawing an estimated 100,000-200,000 visitor days each year. It truly is an event you have to see for yourself, whether as a rider or a spectator.

Outdoor Voices

The name Adirondack is thought to have come from a Mohawk word meaning 'eaters of trees,' and the earliest use of the word to describe the mountains between Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain dates back to the 1700s. The Adirondack Park is a place of great relaxation, which is probably why it is also home to many of the Great Camps.

With GoTourNY.com you can discover scenic country roads that piggyback along mountain ranges, through pristine wilderness areas and travel old logging trails. For a few dollars in gas - the six million acre Adirondack Park is yours to explore. Find quaint towns without stop lights or villages with more cows than people.

Street Party

That award goes to the Thousand Islands River Run -it takes place towards the end of each June in Alexandria Bay. Located in the "Heart" of the Thousand Islands, A-Bay (as we call it) is home to Boldt Castle and a short ride to Canada across the Thousand Islands Bridge -all of which you can see with an Uncle Sam Boat Tour.

During the River Run you can visit the vendor area where custom bikes are displayed, update your Biker Gear with vendor products, enter a "Ma and Pa" Custom Bike Show, and enjoy the "Live Music Fest" throughout the day and into the night on James Street. Not to mention the local flavor of unique gift shops to search for the perfect gift to bring home.

Going Fall Throttle - 5 tips for great Autumn Rides

Anyone who has lived in the Northeast during the three months of Fall knows that Mother Nature puts on one hell of a show! And the predictions for 2018 are that it'll be an Awesome Autumn up in the Adirondacks.

Gazebo in Harrisville, NY

Some of the best riding of the year can be had in the vast Adirondack mountain wilderness to the east of FX Caprara Harley-Davidson. The vistas that now have blazing orange, red and yellow can be breath-taking. 

Looking for New Roads to Ride? Get with the NNY H.O.G. Chapter or check out GoTourNY.com

But before heading out to fall in love with all the Fall colors, here's a few tips to take with you down the road:

Cool roads & tires can affect your traction -make sure you've got the right tire pressure!

• Do your T-CLOCS Inspection

Pay particular attention to your tire pressure (cooler temps can cause the pressure in your tires to go significantly lower!) and your lights (all the better to see and be seen with!).

• Check the Weather

The weather in the valley can differ greatly from what they're getting up on the mountain, so check all the points you plan on riding to know before you go. Plus it never hurts to take your Rain Gear.

FXRG Layers will help keep you warm while looking cool

• Look cool, but stay warm

It might be warm when you start out, but things can quickly change so you'll want to layer up. A good base layer (Harley-Davidson's FXRG line is good to start), wind proof jacket (in a pinch you can use your rain gear b/c waterproof = wind proof), chaps and a good Leather Riding Jacket with a removable liner is just what I've been recommending for years.

Neck gators, 3/4 or full face helmets, and insulated gauntlet gloves will complete your look -plus help fight against the cold. And a 'Hi-Vis' top layer will help you be more visible to the cagers.

• Be aware of the Road Conditions

Leaves gathering on the asphalt and in turns, wet pavement, slick 'tar snakes', frost & fog, etc., etc. -watch for these potential hazards and plan ahead for how you'll ride through or around them as necessary.

Let's not forget increased traffic -thousands of tourists come from all around the world to enjoy Autumn in the Adirondacks. Leave yourself enough of a 'cushion' so that they'll have more time to see you -not that they will... When you see someone waiting to turn left and they're going to cross your path, take that as an immediate threat to you! Slow down, cover your brakes and prepare to take evasive action.

Photo by Scott Jackson on Unsplash

• Please Deer, not tonight

The fall months mean it's that romantic time of year for our furry four-legged friends as well!! That, along with the fact that farmers are out in the fields harvesting their crops, means deer are more active.  

Best advice is to ride during the day only..... but that's not always doable so when you have to ride at night, go at the speed limit or slower (within reason) and stick to the main roads (as opposed to the back country roads for obvious reasons). For more deer avoidance tips, check out this Common Tread Post.

To Biker Wave or Not to Biker Wave -that is the question

I'm getting ready to Ride out to Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 115th Anniversary Celebration over Labor Day Weekend. So, in addition to taking the long way to and from work, I just finished a 3 day trip over to Ticonderoga (check out my pics on Instagram).

Summer Riding in the Adirondacks -this is one of my favorite things!! The way the road just stretches out before me, inviting me to twist the throttle and fly...

From Route 84, between Newcomb and Interstate 87

And the crystal clear lakes -I always feel like I've found a slice of heaven. (These three pictures are from Google Maps -I'm not that technologically advanced to go with a personal camera. But this is from the route I took.)

Route 74 by Eagle Lake

Of course, I'm not the only motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys riding in Northern New York. I saw Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Honda and -my favorite (obviously)- Harley all out and about enjoying the day.

Some bikers waved at me, others didn't...

The tradition of the Biker Wave supposedly goes back to the day Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson passed each other while riding and gave each a friendly wave.

Some think it goes back to the days of Knights on Horseback, lifting their visor to acknowledge each other.

And there are as many styles of biker waves as there are motorcycle manufacturers: two fingers (like ✌) pointed down, pointed up, open handed regular wave, a 'thumbs up', etc., etc.

There are a few Bikers out there who will only wave to other Harley Riders. Sport Bike Riders sometimes fall into this as well. 

As for me, I'm a little different.

At first I wouldn't wave to anyone on a Can-Am Spyder, believing that since they never started out as an actual motorcycle those riding them weren't 'true' Bikers. I wouldn't wave at anyone on a scooter either.

But then I had an 'ah-ha' moment. 

Those that are brave enough to get out of their cage [of their car or truck] and share the road deserve to be recognized. 

There's a whole lot of people in this great wide world, and those of us that ride are truly linked in a special way. 

The Bike doesn't make the Biker. It's the Biker that makes the Bike.

So, I choose to wave. Hoping you'll wave back.

The Best Fall Leaf Peeping Trips are by Motorcycle.

Even though the calendar now says we're into Autumn, Mother Nature (in Northern NY anyways) has deemed it to be Summer - temps in the 70's & 80's with big, white cumulus clouds in the sky.

But regardless, the shorter days and cooler temps are coming and will trigger the

My fav tree in my backyard

leaves to throw on their many coat of colors. That plus the many Fall Festivals & Events going on throughout our area make this the perfect time to jump on the bike and do some Leaf Peeping.

Just some quick tips from FX Caprara Harley-Davidson: 1)Do your T-CLOCS inspection - make sure your bike is ready to go. 2) Dress in layers, especially if you plan to be out for the entire day. 3) Watch for wet leaves in the corners and frost on the road in the early morning. 4) Be sure to bring a camera or that your phone is fully charged so you can take as many pictures of the b-e-a-utiful scenery as you like. 5) Leaf Peeping is really a thing for a lot of folks, and they'll be taking to the roads as well this time of year. Watch out for cagers who aren't paying attention.

Here's my idea of a perfect Fall Ride in the Adirondacks:

Gazebo in Harrisville on the Oswegatchie River

1) Start off with a Good Breakfast: Just like your bike, you'll need a good tank of fuel to get you through the day. My favorite spots are Gram's Diner in Adams (they are on vacation 9/25-10/3) or Lloyd's of Lowville in Lowville of course. 

2) From Lowville (pronounced "Lau-ville" by the locals), take Route 812 up to Bonaparte's Cave State Forest and take a hike in

The Adirondack Hotel is popular with riders & non-riders alike

the region where Napoleon's brother once eluded hired assassins. 

3) Take Route 812 back to Harrisville, then jump on State Route 3 heading East. In Tupper Lake follow Route 30 to Long Lake. Just about now you might be hankering for lunch, and the Adirondack Hotel is a perfect spot to grab some grub.

4) After lunch hop back on Route 30 going South to State Route 28 and head West. Enjoy the views of Raquette, Seventh and the Fulton Chain Lakes as you ride into Old Forge. A stop at the Old Forge Hardware Store is a must because they have everything.

Inside Old Forge Hardware Store

5) Continue West on 28 until you get to Route 12, jump on that heading North. It won't be too long before you'll be in the quaint village of Boonville. If you're wanting dinner, a place to stop for the night, check out the Boonville Hotel - a great place for both.

Or you can ride with Northern New York H.O.G. Chapter on their Fall Foliage Ride, October 7th. Meet at FXCHD at 11am, KSU at 11:30.

Of course you can do your own thing too - check out Go Tour NY for more rides/routes in the Adirondack & 1000 Islands regions. Just as long as you take the time and celebrate Autumn in the Adirondacks the best way possible - by Motorcycle. 

Don't wait for the perfect day - Make It!!!

This is not the first time you've heard that saying (and if it is you've got to get out more!) - but know that you're hearing it again because it's true.

To be sure Bikers know this since we often live in the present - we know that Life is short and we've got to get out to enjoy ourselves while we're here.

So it's with that in mind that this past Mother's Day, despite the cloudy skies and damp weather, I ventured out and had some fun.

The day was far from perfect by most people's standards, and yet the sun was still there and Spring is blooming in Northern New York - albeit a little slowly.

But nonetheless I got out and had some fun while connecting with Mother Nature (even though I didn't ride!).

Once again, you don't have to wait for the perfect day to get out and enjoy yourself and life. You just have to go out and make it perfect & have fun!!

10 Reasons To Ride the Adirondacks this Fall

Me & my Girlfriends on Lake Ontario

I love summer!! I was born in the summer, my zodiac is a "Sun Sign" (Leo), the warmer temperatures, long days, BBQ, backyard camp fires, and everything in bloom. And going for a motorcycle ride 'just to cool off' is sssooo much fun - sometimes riding all the day long with friends and making some great memories along the way. So as the leaves change their colors, and the daylight shortens, I'm a bit sad every year as summer comes to a close.

But on the plus side, Autumn in Northern New York does put on a wonderful show. Here's my top 10 reasons why I love riding in the Adirondacks in the Fall.

1. Crisp Air: the temps drop and usually that means not as many bugs! Although if you're starting out in the early morning hours be wary of frost/ice on the roads.
2. The Light Show: Sunsets are more spectacular in

   

   Autumn Sunset hitting the clouds
   while riding home...

   the Fall (here's the science as to why). Reminder: take an extra set of clear goggles for after the sun sets. 
3. Leather Weather: I love the smell of leather, and this time of year I'm wearing a lot of it. Dressing in layers on a motorcycle is key for rider & passenger comfort! 
4. All The B-E-A-utiful Colors: I grew up in Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area - a place known for it's fog... That means I am truly amazed at the color show that Autumn in New York puts on every year. 
5. Cider Mills & Maple Farms: Hot off the press Apple Cider Donuts with Maple Butter..... *drooling* Need I say more?? If you're in the area, you've got to go to the Burrville Cider Mill - it's the best!!
6. Harvest Time: There's lots of dairy farms up

   

   Harrisville, NY

   where I live, so there are more than a few hay & corn fields to sustain the cows. Riding by a freshly harvested field, the way the earth smells... just spectacular. 
7. MLB Postseason: I love baseball, my SF Giants are in the pennant race this year, and Cooperstown - home of the Baseball Hall Of Fame - is a nice ride to take. Be sure to go through the Ilion Gorge to get there - sort of a very mini Tail of the Dragon. 
8. Fall Festivals: The hills are alive with fall festivals, jazz concerts, corn mazes and farm tours. 
9. Get Your Spook On: Sleepy Hollow is a legendary
   
   ride to take - just don't loose your head over it. 
10. The View: Just take all the above, numbers 1-9, and roll them all up together in one giant package. The light, sounds, smells and colors of it all. Now get out there and find out for yourself.