Hey, what's this white stuff?

Well, there is snow on the ground. I thought I was back to riding for sure, but I guess it will be a little longer...

First ride (to work) of 2012

The day started with a mild temperature in the low 30's.
Very nice ride into work. It felt good to be back on the bike.
I shall ride as the weather holds out.

Reflections and Predictions

2011 was not the best year for riding, nor the worst. With business being very busy and the weather being lackluster a good part of 2011, hopes are high for a better 2012 .... for riding.

That being said, Laconia bike week is in my sights this year, and I am making a concerted effort to make it happen (for at least a couple days...).

Hell, this winter has been so mild, and this upcoming week is to be in the high 40s, I may just be rolling the bike back out of the garage. Since there has been little snow, there is very little sign of even sand on the roads.

Rice-o-rama

Nice riding today... out to N. Brookfield and rice-o-rama. Bikes came in and out of this event like waves at the ocean. It was wonderful to see.

and then off to Sunderland and Bub's BBQ (www.bubsbbq.com) for lunch.

Only 83 miles today, but it was a good time.

2-up ride to Huntington, MA

From Belchertown, MA we took Bay Road to rte 47 and then rte 9.

We met up with Dan and Patti just north of Look Park in Leeds, MA.

Drove north on rte 9 to Williamsburg, MA and turned left on rte 143. These were all fairly mild roads and easy driving.

At Worthington, MA we turned south on rte 112. There is a lot of beautiful countryside down this road... at points hilly and sometimes serpentine.

Just in Huntington, MA we turned off on Littleville Road and went to the LittleVille Dam for a scenic break.

Leaving there, we back tracked to Montgomery Road and headed to Montgomery, MA and then on to North Road to the north side of Westfield, MA.

From there we go on to rte 10 North and back tracked thru Southampton, Easthampton and then Northampton, MA ... where we stopped for a bite to eat at Fitzwilly's.

Then it was back to Belchertown the way we came out.
A total of 96 miles over the 5 hours.

Riding up North for a little relaxation time with Dan and the wife

A nice ride up North.

We took Bay Rd to rte 9 in Hadley and met Dan on Damon Road in Northampton by the River. At the end of Damon we went straight on Bridge Road and just kept going.
Nice woods and farm country riding. Small hills.

This brought us past the the Northampton Mountain St Reservoir,then thru Whately and then to the Upper Reservoir.

Up by Conway, we turned right onto rte 116 South. This was hilly and winding and beautiful. Nice riding when you want a little fun on the roads.

We took 116 to South Deerfield and then to Sunderland, where we turned onto rte 47 heading south back to Hadley. This is thru mainly farming community and very spread out. Some winding road, but very minor.

Rte 47 took us back to Bay Road, but not before we parted company with Dan at rte 9.

Overall, from Belchertown and back, it was 64 miles and just over 2 hours.

Normy's new ride

Harley FatBob... nice ride