The Backroads Report January 20th 2024 #301

Published: Sat, 01/20/24

The Backroads Report

Motorcycle, Travel & Adventure News

From Around The World

Mark Byers'

On the Mark

The Recipe

Everything we cook requires a recipe: a list of ingredients in precise amounts along with step-by-step instructions on how to combine them. It is more than an exercise in muddling components - the sequence of adding ingredients is vital. You wouldn’t add the pizza sauce to the dough before it was tossed into shape. This is analogous to riding a motorcycle with skill and speed. Like cooking, the amount and sequencing of the ingredients is crucial, with a lot more attention and care needed in the preparation of the skill before the garnish of speed is applied.

On the Mark

Welcome to the Jungle proudly brought to you by

Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C.

Top Ten Bikes at Mecum 2024

Motorcycles, how do we love thee? Well, thousands of us are willing to sit in an indoor rodeo arena in Las Vegas for days, listening to the drone of a professional cattle auctioneer’s callout as hundreds of motorcycles pass under the hammer every day. 2024 is another banner year for Mecum’s Las Vegas mega-auction, with over 1400 motorcycles ready to roll across the auction podium at the South Point Hotel and Casino, with the action commencing at 9am Wed Jan 24, and running till about 4pm on Saturday Jan 27. The amazing variety of motorcycles on offer come from individual sellers, professional restorers, and this year from a record 18 special collections, ranging from John Goldman’s superb Museo Moto Italia collection to the Classic Motorcycles Austria collection to the Bud Ekins Family Trust.

The Vintagent

Chigee AIO-5 Smart riding System

This device allows for Smart Phone mirroring, front and rear camera (We like the rear idea), blind-spot detection, message notification, tire pressure, music, and the ability to use the mapping program of your choice.
For those of you who start and finish their day with your phone in hand, and want to give you machine the latest in "sharing" technology ... this is for you.

Chiagoe

2024 H-D Homecoming™ Festival

https://www.hdhomecoming.com/?source_cd=Email_US_20240116_Homecoming_PreSale_General&camp_id=16&sf_hid=ef700ccf564eca85e84bcdaa0ea479b8cf26d432f2551f92503239595be8a2f6

The 2024 H-D Homecoming™ Festival lineup is here.

Don't miss the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll, HARDY, The Offspring, Warren Zeiders, Cypress Hill, and many more acts in Milwaukee this July. Their presale begins this Thursday, January 18th at 10 AM CT. A general on-sale will follow if tickets are still available. Sign up now for the presale passcode and gain early access to tickets at the lowest prices.

HD Homecoming

Setting Out Solo...

What you really learn on the road...

Cait Maher

My time as a solo long-distance rider was born from impatience. I was loaded up and ready to start the thousand-mile route home, my friends were looking for breakfast, and off I went.

I remember calling my dad a few hours down the road and he asked who I was with. I said, "Nope, it's just me! I think I'll be OK." And that was it. I had a taste of that freedom: that choice to move as fast or as slow as I wanted, and the option to push my limits as a rider, as well. While my motivations for long-distance riding have evolved over the years, the thrill has stayed constant.

Common Tread

Triumph's British Invasion takes NYC!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triumph-motorcycles-british-invasion-tour-new-york-tickets-775932674517?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thursday, January 25th

Racket NYC 431 West 16th Street

Join Triumph Thursday, Jan 25th in New York City for entertainment, food, drinks, and an exclusive first look at the all-new 2024 Triumph models. Guests must register to attend.

Click on link to register...

British Invasion

The 2024 MotoGP Grid

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2023/11/27/2024-motogp-silly-season-what-we-know-so-far/433075

After a lengthy silly season, we finally know the complete make up of the 2024 MotoGP grid. There have been plenty of movers and shakers through the year, and you can check out the full list of riders on the link.

MotoGP Grid

Pennsylvania 'Mystery Notes'

This is a weird one...even for us

Pennsylvania 'Mystery Notes' Case Expands Exponentially:
The mystery surrounding a curious note found in a Pennsylvania man's cereal has expanded exponentially over the past few weeks as dozens of people say that they have also discovered unsettling missives inside the packaging of various products. The truly odd phenomenon first came to light last month when Joe Miller opened a sealed box of Lucky Charms and spotted a small piece of paper amid the cereal. The unexpected note was said to contain "a mash-up of words and references to current events and conspiracy theories." When word of the weird incident reached the public, the proverbial floodgates opened to reveal that there is a much bigger mystery unfolding in the area

Coast to Coast

Inside the Fender Custom Shop

https://www.fender.com/articles/gear/custom-shop-terry-kath-telecaster

Terry Kath's Telecaster

Straight from the Fender Custom Shop, this tribute to the legendary Chicago guitarist is limited to only 60 units worldwide.
A scratch-by-scratch replication of the Chicago powerhouse’s beloved 1966 Tele, Master Builder Dennis Galuszka created a perfect tribute to one of the first truly “custom” guitars, from the unique hybrid bridge to the pickups and iconic sticker adornments.

Terry's Telecaster

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

Another USA/Canada Border Story?

Most People Have No Idea This Unmarked International Border In Vermont Even Exists

Let’s be clear about one thing right off the bat: Border crossings are no joke. There are many formal crossing checkpoints throughout the USA and Canadian border, but there is something we found that we thought you might find interesting and wanted to share. There is a road in Northern Vermont – East Richford Slide Road in Richford, Vermont – where it crosses into Canada for a bit, and then dips back into the United States.

East Richford Slide Road

Progressive

Bluebird of Bitterness

Presents

Escape of the Week

TNT Factory

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

West Virginia is home to an eerie abandoned TNT facility that was opened during WWII just north of Point Pleasant. During the height of the war, the effort, known as The West Virginia Ordinance Works, employed some 3,500 workers and manufactured 500,000 pounds of TNT every day. The factory closed soon after the war ended, leaving the more than 8,000 acres it occupied to be repurposed for other uses. Take a look at one of the most fascinating abandoned places in West Virginia.

TNT

Presents

Song of the Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Yv8cmzA74

A South Pacific Sojourn
Tikiyaki Orchestra

We love this band, and this easy Tiki Music.

The middle of winter is the perfect time for this sort of thing.
This is from their latest album...

A South Pacific Sojourn

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