The Backroads Report February 25th 2023 #254

Published: Sat, 02/25/23

The Backroads Report

Motorcycle, Travel & Adventure News

From Around The World

Mark Byers'

On the Mark

Last of the Mohicans

Dangerous Dan and I met two guys at a shop in Culpeper, VA to swap a bike DD had for a couple of theirs. One of them was also picking up a ‘73 Yamaha LT-3 100cc single on which the shop had done some work. There’s a lot to unpack, but the most important - and recently most alien - concept is that there is a shop that will still work on a ‘73 Yamaha. Most shops today will not go near a bike more than seven to ten years old. Two BMW shops near me will, but only if the bike wears a roundel.

As many times as I’ve been through Culpeper, I never knew there was a moto shop there. When we pulled up, I knew it was a promising find because, instead of a marquee full of factory names, the sign outside the smallish building simply said “Cycle Center.” It was a cold, windy January day, but we got a warm welcome from Tom behind the counter and a quick look around told me and DD that we were in a very special place.

On the Mark

ADV Motorcycles Roundup: 2022-2023

https://adventuremotorcycle.com/bikes/adv-motorcycle-roundup-2023?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=2023-02-01%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email

What to Look Forward to: The Current Lineup of ADV Motorcycles
Last year was exciting in the adventure motorcycle world with the likes of the Ducati Desert X and Aprilia Tuareg making a splash in the middleweight category. And rally raid inspiration is now the theme with several manufacturers playing on Dakar nostalgia.

This year’s trends are just as eclectic as 2022’s mix of nostalgia and progress. Brands like Benelli are trying to enter the middleweight category, and MV Agusta is resurrecting a new model of the Cagiva Elefant, and futuristic electric tourers are at the gates. Expect even more interesting ADV options next year for all tastes and riding styles.

Adventure Motorcycle

Vermont is Funny!

These 12 Hysterical Pictures Taken In Vermont Will Have You Laughing Out Loud
Every now and then, we just need to lighten up a little. And so today, we are bringing you some of Vermont’s finest…ok…maybe not finest, but definitely hysterical pictures. After all, Vermonters are known for their excellent sense of humor, so let’s take life a little less seriously for a moment and have a laugh.

VT is Funny

Progressive

Sticking with Vermont

Did you know that there is an abandoned Vermont asbestos mine?

There sure is, and it’s huge!

Asbestos was first discovered on Belvidere Mountain in the Eden/Lowell area of Northern Vermont in 1823. Mining began in 1902 on the southwest side of the mountain, and it continued until the mine was shut down in 1993. Today, large piles of remains are still there totaling about 30 million tons of asbestos tailings. Since its closure, there have been talks, plans, and agreements on how to deal with the former Vermont Asbestos Group’s former mine, although not much appears to have been done. Let’s take a look at this abandoned Vermont asbestos mine, and later we’ll give you some links for further reading.

We’ve also included a fascinating YouTube video by Adventureswithme but please note we do not recommend exploring this place for yourself. The Belvidere Mountain asbestos mine is dangerous to visit, but it sure is an interesting piece of Vermont history.

Asbestos VT

Backroads' Grand Tour!

https://backroadsusa.com/backroads-events

It's Time for Conversation Street...

As Richard Hammond might say on The Grand Tour…

“Let us downshift a gear or two, find a spot, and put the kickstands down on Conversation Street.”

Let's talk about a serious journey.

August 9th through 18 - We will be having one of the biggest Backroads Road rallies ever... over 2,500 miles.

Our Grand Tour! A Grand Finale!

Well, at least for as "Monster Road Tour" like this one...

Fourteen days … Eight States… Eight Hotels… Three Free Days in three separate and awesome motorcycle riding regions! A Major League Baseball Game at THE Great American Ball Park and then a couple of optional days at the races with MotoAmerica!

All the details can be found on the link...

Grand Tour

Southern Alps Weekend 2023

BMW RA

Join a small, good-natured group of fellow motorcyclists for an epic weekend getaway in Western North Carolina! Here you'll find some of the most satisfying, scenic, and abundant riding in the nation—no matter how often you visit, there are always new roads to explore.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
“Home base” will be the historic, newly renovated Big Lynn Lodge perched at 4,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their back yard will take your breath away — a sweeping, glorious vista punctuated with comfy seating and cozy fire pits. Book a room or cabin onsite and get dinners and made-to-order hot breakfasts—all FREE!

BMW RA Rally

RIDER Insider!

Join the editors of Rider magazine for informative, behind-the-scenes podcasts from the world of motorcycling. They get the inside scoop from moto-travelers, industry icons, executives, movers, shakers, and assorted ne’er-do-wells from the motorcycle industry. Their informal, unfiltered conversations bring you “Motorcycling at its Best,” wherever and whenever you want!

RIDER Insider

Bluebird of Bitterness

Horizons Unlimited

Song of the Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG97y8eEjcU

America

Donkey Jaw

Ah, get behind me Satan
Quit ravishing the land
Does it take the children
To make you understand?

Most people do not know that America, the band - were just 17 years old when they hit the studio for the first time. All Air Force brats, in London, they took their home nation's name ...

The rest is wonderful musical history.

Years ago my son was coming in for the holidays and asked that we do some acoustic guitar playing over the week for the family.

He requested America. Then added Donkey Jaw.

I remember Shira saying... "You better get practicing."

I remember my Mom hugging us afterwards and saying we sounded like a band. Excellent.

Love you Mom!

Donkey Jaw

Now at Shops and in Mailboxes...

March forth.... ride right into the new season with our March edition of Backroads - America's #1 Regional Motorcycle Touring Magazine!

This issue is positively packed with information.
So, get ready - here comes 2023.

Ride far, Ride smart...Ride the Backroads!!

Backroads

Nolan Helmets presents:

The Escape of the Week

West Virginia Bigfoot Museum

Sutton, West Virginia

For hundreds of years, he has hovered around the edges of our collective human consciousness, making occasional shadowy appearances. He has stalked loggers, abducted prospectors, and intrigued cryptozoologists for decades. Now, finally, all the local legends about Bigfoot are being assembled and unveiled at the new West Virginia Bigfoot Museum in Sutton.

Bigfoot Museum