The Backroads Report January 13th 2024 #300

Published: Sat, 01/13/24

The Backroads Report

Motorcycle, Travel & Adventure News

From Around The World

Special 300th Edition!

By Odin's Beard... who'd have thunk it?!

It is amazing that this weekly cacophony of motorcycles, travel, history, the mysterious, weird and off-ball, with a finishing of Rock & Roll, has hit its tercentenary edition.

The idea of the Backroads Report was simply to fill the void between issues of Backroads Motorcycle Touring Magazine.

(You do read the # 1 regional motorcycle publication in the country, don't you?!)

But, TBR has become much more than that; and has far ridden past its original goal - and I think we're all happy it has.

While the main course at Backroads Central will always be the magazine - now in its 30th year - The Backroads Report can be thought of as a plate full of odd appetizers - served up to you each Saturday morning - just in time for that first cup of coffee.

So, grab that cup, settle in and get scrolling... the TBR ride continues...

Backroads

Shira Kamil's

Whatchathinkin'

Crossover from Piano to Motorcycles

For almost a year now, I have been taking piano lessons. I happily began at the beginning - finding middle C, learning the proper fingerings and notes and proudly playing ‘Farmer in the Dell’ flawlessly. I am greatly enjoying them and my teacher Mary is very patient with me. I try to play every day for at least 30 minutes, going over pieces which I have already gotten my ‘good to go’ check mark as well as my new pieces, not yet ‘Mary Approved.’ The lesson books used are well done, building knowledge and skills progressively. I was excited to open my second book which included some melodies which I knew - William Tell Overture, Yankee Doodle and Ode to Joy.

Whatchathinkin'

Welcome to the Jungle proudly brought to you by

Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C.

Triumph Daytona 660

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/sport/daytona-660

ALL-NEW DAYTONA 660

Offering the perfect blend of performance, agility, and pure exhilaration — the Daytona 660 is built to take on any road.

Intuitive sports handling comes courtesy of a focused confidence-inspiring riding position and top-quality components fine-tuned for an engaging road ride.Intuitive, agile sports handling with all-day riding comfort and thrilling triple-powered performance.

Perfectly balanced agility and pure exhilaration - the Daytona 660 is built to take on any road.

Triumph Daytona

MotoGP to come to Tennessee?

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub, a new racing circuit in Tennessee, aims to become “a world-class motorsports destination” that could host IndyCar and MotoGP in future, as ground breaking gets underway ahead of an initial 2023 opening.

Set to be constructed on a 773-acre site just off I-40, some 30 miles west of Knoxville, Flatrock Motorsports Park will feature a 3.50-mile Circuit Club track, a 2.67-mile Grand Prix track that can be linked for nearly six miles of the Endurance circuit. However, the $100 million project is also targeting entertainment options that make it attractive to those who aren’t necessarily keen to drive, as it broke ground last October.

Flatrock Motorsports Park

Intro to Wilderness / First-Aid for Riders

It’s a FREE Workshop!

Join the team at Touratech USA, Brookfield, CT in welcoming

rider and Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid Instructor,

Dr. Ken Hoffman!
We spend lots of money on equipment for riding, riders training, trips and farkles. But when it comes to safety and first aid, many people don’t even carry the basic first aid kit. Riders rely on their cell phones even when there may be no service and basic knowledge of their mini-GPS is lacking. Lots of times people on my riding team say, “We have you Doc, so we are good!” Well, what if your medical person goes down?

First Aid Workshop

United States–Canada Border Slash?

The entire length of the border is marked by a 20-foot-wide slash through the trees.

The United States - Canada border is the longest in the world. It stretches 5,525 miles from Maine to Alaska, traversing land, sea, and untouched wilderness. As such, you might assume this colossal border would be left untouched by humankind, merely an invisible line on a map. But you’d be wrong.

The Slash

In The Zone Seminar with Ken Condon

https://www.ridinginthezone.com/seminar-schedule/

Braking - The Art of Slowing Down

Our friend and motorcycle instructional maven Ken Condon will be doing a Zoom seminar this Wednesday at 6:30.
The topic this week will be braking - something every bit as important as cornering, and skill that needs to be practiced.
Ken's Zoom seminars are always enlightening and fun.
Join us!

Ken Condon

Sargent Seats...

World Class Looks & Comfort!

Sargent Seats

Sargent Cycle Products continues its tradition of innovation, excellence in customer service, and the manufacturing of quality products.

We have been riding on Sargent Seats for years... and other than their awesome looks we never really think about them.

Probably the best comment on a motorcycle saddle that you will ever hear. They have a great MLK Day Sale going on now...

Sargent Seats

Car & Driver?

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a45986709/2023-bmw-k1600-gt-motorcycle-ride/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_cdb&utm_medium=email&date=010424&utm_campaign=nl33881098&GID=6c515e9a7440282e8fd88a4e7e49d3939c84ff90bab9a9e68bbf5c9c383152f8sha256%28email%29%7D&utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens%2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D

We were not expecting this in an auto magazine...
Certain machines are intrinsically linked to specific power sources. Chevrolet Corvettes and small-block V-8s. Ram heavy-duty trucks and Cummins diesels. Joey Chestnut and Nathan's Famous hot dogs. BMW is among this cohort too. For decades, the company was synonymous with the naturally aspirated inline-six, an engine configuration that in the 1980s became the smooth, pulsing heart of the German automaker's lineup.

Car & Driver

Backroads' Book of Useless Knowledge

https://www.willowcreekpress.com/products/49229

We all need to know "Useless Knowledge" and we here at Backroads are full of it... useless knowledge that is.

Each week we will add a bit more to your brainy brain...

Then onward to Jeopardy!

Today I Learned

Riding the Endless Mountains of PA

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/pennsylvania-endless-mountains-rally-june-7-9-2024.1683849/

3-Day ADV Ride • June 7-9, 2024

Come explore the Endless Mountains in Pennsylvania's Northern Tier. This is an inaugural event. The rally will be free (except for the cost of lodging) and will be based at Hills Creek State Park near Mansfield, PA. There will also be camping options at a nearby private campground, Tanglewood. And for those wanting a bit more civilization, there are two hotels close by in Mansfield.

The goal is to share the beautiful forest roads, overlooks and small towns that dot this area of PA. This is not a technical ride. It is suitable for ADV bikes of all sizes. There may be a few technical options thrown in but, by-in-large, this ride will be great for new riders.

For full details and RSVP…

Organized by John Ciribassi

Emmaus MotoTours • emmausmoto@gmail.com

ADV Endless Mountains

21 Life Hacks That Work

We all get sucked into these click-bait websites, but this one from FHM actually has all 21 Life Hacks right here.. and they are pretty good.

Family Handyman

Progressive

Bluebird of Bitterness

Presents

Escape of the Week

National Museum of the Paranormal

Cameron, West Virginia

The Archive of the Afterlife in Cameron, West Virginia, bills itself as the “National Museum of the Paranormal.” It’s packed with oddities that are historical, and in some cases, allegedly haunted or cursed.

You’ll find relics from the former West Virginia State Penitentiary, such as what the museum claims is the lost execution cap to the electric chair “Old Sparky.” There are also battle-damaged artifacts from European battlefields from World War II.

Atlas Obscura

Presents

Song of the Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ9dFeZ5344

The Immigrant Song

Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page turned 80 this week - Okay, so not 300 - but still awesome!

So, we started this 300th edition with the ultimate Viking wishing us a happy 300 - and we finish it with the greatest Viking Rock song...

The Immigrant Song is essentially about the Viking invasions of Britain, from the point of view of the invaders.

The ‘land of the ice and snow… where the hot springs blow’ is Iceland. However, although this was settled by Vikings, it was not a main source of invaders to England, who primarily came from Denmark.

The ‘Hammer of the Gods’ is Thor’s hammer. Thor was a popular deity among invaders of Britain, not only the Vikings, but also the previous Anglo-Saxon invaders, prior to Christianisation.

But the Vikings brought order...

‘So now you better stop… and rebuild all your ruins…

For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing'

It took Marvel four movies to figure this easy one out...

The Immigrant Song

Now at Shops...

Best of Backroads 2023!

A Look Back at the Year that Was...

Each January we like to start the new year off with a look in the mirrors at the riding season that we just rode out of.

The Best of Backroads distills it all down to the very "Best" GAADR, We're outta Here, BCG, Mysterious America - and the ice cream that was worth the ride. Again!

We hope you enjoy it and keep going back to these great places.

We know last months' issue was late, but this year your Backroads will be on time and ATGAAT too. You'll see.

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

Backroads