The Backroads Report December 7th 2024 #347

Published: Sat, 12/07/24

Updated: Sat, 12/07/24

Brian Rathjen's

Free Wheelin'

Hanging with Andy

On the far western reaches of Superior, the greatest of the Great Lakes, you will find the largest American city on a lake – Duluth.

With the Atlantic Ocean, some 2,300 miles away, this Minnesotan city is the world’s farthest inland port accessible by ocean-going ships on the planet, and products and cargo leaving here reach all parts of the world. But I know of one particular product that not only has reached the far corners of this world, but has done so in style, with ruggedness and tenacity, and more than a thousand smiles.

Just up the hill from the harbor on 18thStreet is a three-story brick factory building that got its start as a candy factory – a century and a bit later it is now the home to Aerostich – and the origins of the textile riding motorcycle suit.

Free Wheelin'

Welcome to the Jungle proudly brought to you by

Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C.

2025 Aprilia Tuono V4

New design with integrated winglets and improved performance from the V4, which now delivers 180 horsepower!

The latest incarnation of one of the most acclaimed bikes by critics and fans alike has now landed. It’s not just any naked bike — it’s the Aprilia Tuono, which has always served as a point of reference in the category, both for its efficiency and the sporty feeling it delivers, both when riding on the road and pushing the limits on the track. Aprilia was the first to understand the advantages of creating a more pared-back version of its sports bike with an elevated riding position, giving each generation of the Tuono unparalleled dynamic qualities. The new Aprilia Tuono V4 is heir to a dynasty of motorcycles that have been hailed over time as among the most adrenaline-filled rides ever, and the level of performance and sophistication that these bikes offer has now reached its peak thanks to Aprilia’s expertise, acquired over years of winning competitions at the highest level.

Aprilia

The Modern Classics Show 2025

Be a Part of the Show!

https://martinmoto.com/Calendar/Event/1b34fa5a-4047-4176-9857-8725ab57b96a?startTC=1743238800&endTC=1743350400

The Modern Classics Show 2025 - The Reunion you've been waiting for. After a five year hiatus your favorite indoor bike show is back and better than ever!
Enjoy a collection of 60s through 90s modern classics. Part motorcycle show, part social event and part pop-up museum, but 100% fun!
The Modern Classics is a motorcycle show not to be missed! From the bikes you grew up with to the rare and exotic, Modern Classics has something for everyone.

Bike NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN... for the 2025 Modern Classics Show!

Here at Martin Moto we are receiving and processing bike nominations on an almost daily basis. But that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped looking for more special bikes (and scooters!) to be part of the 100 machines that will constitute their 2025 Pop-Up Museum!

Join Martin Moto for this two-day event, March 29th and 30th from 9am-4pm both days.
FREE ADMISSION
Located at Martin Moto: 1037 Unger Ln. Boyertown, PA 19512.
Food trucks, entertainment, and more to come!

Modern Classics

Secrets of Ancient Astronomers

https://aeon.co/videos/the-remarkable-innovations-inspired-by-our-need-to-know-the-night-sky

For most of human history, understanding the behaviors of objects in the sky was neither a curiosity nor an academic pursuit, as it is throughout much of the world today. Rather, knowing how celestial objects behaved was vital to navigating land, seas and growing seasons, and therefore deeply intertwined with spirituality. Providing a brief history of astronomy across centuries, this animation touches on how Polynesians’ and Europeans’ sophisticated understanding of the skies helped them spread across the globe, and offers a brief tour of some of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites believed to have been built to trace the movement of the Sun over seasons.

Ancient Astronomers

51st Chilly Chili Run

A New Year's Day Tradition!

There is no better way to start the new year off than by riding for a cause!

Now in its 51st Year the Chilly Chili Run is a neat escorted run through Sussex County New Jersey and is run by the Blue Knights NJIX - one of the most generous and respected motorcycle clubs in the nation.

We hope for an excellent day and turn out, and we hope to see you there!

Chilly Chili Run

Students' Rocket Shatters Records

https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/students-homemade-rocket-soars-faster-and-farther-into-space-than-any-other-amateur-spacecraft-smashing-20-year-records?lrh=6c515e9a7440282e8fd88a4e7e49d3939c84ff90bab9a9e68bbf5c9c383152f8

Students' 'homemade' rocket soars faster and farther into space than any other amateur spacecraft — smashing 20-year records!

Aftershock II, a new rocket built by students at the University of Southern California, recently broke a number of 20-year-old amateur spaceflight records for altitude, power and speed. It reached more than 470,000 feet above Earth's surface and went "hypersonic."

How awesome are these kids!?

Live Science

Doubletake Mirrors

A New Take on a Great Idea

Doubletake Mirrors offer a simple, elegant solution to make your bike's mirrors actually do what they are supposed to do.

Most mirrors are woefully close set.

We like them out there - where they can see everything.

Doubletake Mirrors do just this.

We have seen and used mirrors like this in the past - but Doubletake has taken the design to the next level. The ease of installation and use, and the added safety and usefulness of these mirrors can not be over-stated.

A full review coming in the pages of Backroads!

Doubletake Mirrors

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 Party!

https://www.hudsonvalleymotorcycles.com/

Join Hudson Valley Motorcycles

December 13-14th

HVMC is pleased to invite you to join us in celebrating the arrival of the all new 2025 Ducati Panigale V4.This motorcycle closely mirrors MotoGP models, incorporating technical solutions from a multi-world title-winning team to give riders similar sensations as professional racers.

Friday 3-5PM: Happy Hour at HVMC

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 Viewing
Drinks and Refreshments

Saturday 10AM-3PM: All Day Party

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 Viewing
Coffee 10AM-12PM
Lunch and Drinks 1-2PM

We hope you'll join us!

Hudson Valley Motorcycles
179 N Highland Ave.
Ossining, NY 10562

HCMC Ducati

The Curse of the Do-it-Yourselfer

Early on a Saturday morning I heard a woman’s voice ask, faintly, “what are you doing?”. I was in an uncompromising position. My head was rammed into the fender well of my 15-year-old VW GTI. I retrieved my head and met the eyes of Suzanne, my neighbor. “Wheel bearings and brakes,” I said, as I looked skyward to meet her eyes. Clouds the color of anthracite framed her face. “Wow,” she said, “it’s amazing you know how to do your own work.” I wiped my nose on my sleeve and looked down at the droplets of rain collecting on my tools scattered across the gravel driveway. I offered Suzanne a wan smile. “Well,” I said, choosing my words carefully, “it’s actually more of a curse.” She laughed and resumed seeding the lawn of her newly built home. She didn’t need to know I was dead serious.

ADV

Crazy Motorcycle Racing Moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAX5SQSoVk

Holy S%#t Moments

Sometimes the craziest moments can happen during a race.
These clips from around the world certainly make that fact evident.
Enjoy!

Crazy Racing

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Progressive

Bluebird of Bitterness

The Escape of the Week

Inn on Broadway

Rochester, New York

We discovered the Inn on Broadway while touring through western New York this past summer. Located in downtown Rochester, a walk away from the Strong Museum of Play - the Inn on Broadway was a most excellent stay.

Inn on Broadway

Presents

Song of the Week

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

Fortunate Son - CCR

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, Lord?
But when the taxman come to the door
Lord, the house lookin' like a rummage sale, yeah

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no

Who woulda thunk this?

Fortunate Son

Now on the Backroads...

At Dealers & Mailboxes Now...

December 2024 Edition of Backroads!

As we turn to the last calendar page and head into that crazy Holidaze season, we'll bring you some great gift ideas for everyone on your list, as well as a touching holiday tale.

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

Backroads