The Backroads Report April 22 2023 #263

Published: Sat, 04/22/23

The Backroads Report

Motorcycle, Travel & Adventure News

From Around The World

Mark Byers

On the Mark

Helmet Head

I keep my hair short. It’s ironic, because in the 70’s, I wanted to grow long hair like other kids, but my parents wouldn’t let me. It was a source of teasing and tweenage angst. Eventually they relented, resulting in some of my worst hairstyles ever. Don’t ask about the afro phase and the black-fist pick I carried to fluff my fro. If the term “cultural appropriation” existed before this “age of offendedism,” I was in the thick of it.

On the Mark

2023 Ducati Streetfighter

https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/ducati-streetfighter-v4-s-first-ride-2023/?utm_source=Cycle+World+MC&utm_campaign=5da757ab10-CW_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_040223_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a16588fbb-5da757ab10-453224685

Two things you should know about the Ducati Streetfighter V4 are that it makes a claimed 208 hp and that its seat is just 10mm thinner than the cushy perch of the Multistrada. Of the bikes in Ducati’s lineup, this one walks the tightest line between performance and practicality. Mess the formula up and you have a bike that feels overly refined or unnecessarily raw.

Fortunately for Ducati—and you, dear enthusiast—significant work was already done to refine the Panigale V4 that acts as a base for the Streetfighter. Carry those updates over to this naked superbike and you have a motorcycle that’s intended to be as easy to ride as before but with more performance on tap. Ducati calls it the “enhanced Fight Formula.” You might call it having the best of both worlds. At least, that’s the intention.

Cycle World

Blame Canada!

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/09/09/bcst-books-thread-canada-invasion

Surrender Pronto; or We'll Level Toronto!

Canada's secret plan to invade the U.S. - in 1921...

Canada and the United States might seem like the best of friends now, but that hasn't always been the case. Tensions once ran so high between the U.S. and its northern cousin that each country created their own invasion plan — just in case.

Blame Canada

New Garmin zūmo XT2

Garmin has announced the zūmo XT2, the newest and most advanced addition to its popular series of rugged, purpose-built motorcycle navigators. The zūmo XT2 stands out from the pack, offering a size-able 6”, ultra-bright display giving riders a noticeably bigger and brighter screen than the previous model.
Designed to withstand extreme weather and rough terrain, it’s built to an IPX7 water-resistance rating and is equipped to operate with handlebar vibration, unlike most cell phones. For riders who enjoy traveling with friends, the Group Ride Mobile feature1 allows them to track everyone’s location via the Tread app or use the Group Ride Radio accessory2 (sold separately) to track and talk with friends when no cellular coverage is available.

Garmin

Progressive

BMWMOA

CT Day Rides

Blasting the Nutmeg State

Our buddy Joe Niemec passed this along to us....

These are the best motorcycle rides in Connecticut for 2023! All these motorcycle trip destinations can be found on https://greatmotorcycleroads.com/conn...
There they have New England motorcycle ride maps, route descriptions, and links to the direct Google maps route - all of which you can get on the go, right on your device! Discover the best motorcycle rides in the Northeast U.S.!

Great MC Roads

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 Rally!

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...

IF YOU ARE COMING AND WANT TO ATTEND THE BASEBALL GAME IN CINCINNATI YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW NOW!

Grand Tour

Antique Swap Meet

The Central Jersey Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (CJAMCA) was formed in 2019. Their chapter lives by the motto “The perfect number of club members, is one more than we already have. We find this to be true for motorcycles as well.”
The national club that they are affiliated with was founded in 1954 by a group of antique bike enthusiast living in New England. They are one of approximately 80 chapters spread throughout the US and countries abroad. All members are dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of antique motorcycles, which are defined as motorcycles of at least 35 years of age.

CJAMC

Where the Jaws Story Really Began

You Can Visit The Actual Spot Where The Vicious Shark Attacks Occurred In New Jersey That Inspired ‘Jaws’
New Jersey has an interesting history, with Revolutionary War battles, famous duels, unique inventions, scientific discoveries, and more all happening in the state. One of the darkest events that’s happened in New Jersey though was so strange and terrifying, it inspired one of the most famous horror films of all time.

It's possible you haven't seen "Jaws," but you've definitely heard of it.

We Need a Bigger Boat

Bluebird of Bitterness

This Sunday!

Gathering of the Nortons

Song of the Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3lJg07u4w

Joni Mitchell

Me & My Uncle

The origin story of this song is well documented. John Phillips, of The Mamas and the Papas, wrote it in a tequila-soaked haze after a Judy Collins concert, in roughly 1964, best as I can ascertain, in a hotel room with Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and some others. He woke up with no memory of writing the song, but fortunately, someone had run a cassette tape, and Judy Collins kept it, later recording the song. The liner notes to Phillips’s Phillips 66 album say that “John used to joke that, little by little, with each royalty check, the memory of writing the song would come back to him.”

Here is Joni Mitchell's cover...

Speaking as a guy who identifies as a guy - she is so smokin'' here!
Watching the male back-up bands eyes - they feel the same way.

God bless male toxicity!

Me & My Uncle

Arriving This Week...

The May edition of Backroads is a special one...

Destination: Sullivan County.

Just north of NYC, in the foothills of the Catskills - Sullivan County is a superb place to ride, explore and enjoy your bike to the fullest.

This issue is chock full of places to go and things to do.

Spring is here - get goin'!

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

Backroads

Nolan Helmets presents:

The Escape of the Week

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15025313?source_impression_id=p3_1681829763_CHzWrSNHjbX%2BwhY%2F&modal=DESCRIPTION

La Calavera Casita
Austin, Texas

La Calavera Casita is situated in the heart of South Austin. The house has an eclectic atmosphere full of Mexican curios, beach treasures, vintage cameras, purple glass, rocks and fossils. It is adorned with 1 lazy cat, Sordu, he has full rein of the property via a cat door. The backyard garden paths lead to covered seating areas, including a fire pit, a barbeque grill and an outdoor dining patio.

This is Backroads Austin Home Base each year for MotoGP!

La Calavera Casita