The Backroads Report April 19th 2025 #366

Published: Sat, 04/19/25

Updated: Sat, 04/19/25

Welcome to the Jungle

Control. Finishing. Not Dropping It.

Control, Finish… and Not Dropping it

Everything counts. That is a rule I learned long ago – back when I cajoled my mother into driving out to Flushing and the only Modells in the city at the time and bringing home a 110-pound barbell set. Some sort of cement’ish material coated in gold plastic – these weights and dumbbells traveled around with me for a decade or so until I realized an actual gym was an actual idea. Hey, you are what you lift.

Both Shira and I are still gym rats of sorts - and most weekdays, when we are home, you will find us at R &T’s Gym each morning… training for Mister and Miss We’re Still Here!

There is an etiquette of sorts in every gym.

Welcome to the Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle proudly brought to you by

Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C.

Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini

https://www.motorcyclepowersportsnews.com/ducati-presents-the-panigale-v4-lamborghini/?oly_enc_id=4246I1851612J3I

A collector's motorcycle inspired by the Lamborghini Revuelto, available in a limited edition of 630+63 numbered examples.

Ducati has unveiled the new Panigale V4 Lamborghini, a collaboration between the Italian motorcycle manufacturer and super sports car manufacturer.

This opens the third chapter in the partnership between Ducati and Lamborghini, two Italian symbols from the same region. Previously, they collaborated on the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini in 2023 and the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini in 2021.

MPN

Backroads Summer Solstice Rally

https://backroadsusa.com/backroads-events

June 19 - 22nd, 2025

You didn't think we'd NOT be doing some special things in celebration of our three decades exploring the backroads of the USA, did ya?!

The format might be a little different but the riding, the venues, and the things we will toss in during the ride will be pure vintage Backroads Motorcycle Magazine!

We promise a most excellent time, and you should book your rooms now... today - we mean now - as they are ARE ALMOST GONE.

Stay tuned for more news as it rolls around the twisties at us!

Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride the Backroads.

Backroads Summer Solstice Rally

GPX.Studio

BaseCamp for Dummies

We have been asked numerous times for an alternative program to Garmin's BaseCamp. Some of you simply can't grasp this program - you know who you are!
We have come across GPX.Studio, the app is very easy to use, and also includes features not easily accessed with BaseCamp.
This is a superb alternative to Garmin's mostly abhorred program, and seems to be an easy learning curve as well.
Florian from RoadRUNNER Magazine has an excellent video explain how GPX.Studio works.

GPX.Studio

AMA Action Alert for New York State!

https://www.votervoice.net/Motorcyclist/Campaigns/125238/Respond?unregistered=50nbPBw5VB7dovePGCqFsA

New York Needs Rider Training...

The American Motorcyclist Association , representing 230,000 members nationwide and nearly 11,500 in New York, is calling on its members to contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles to address the critical lack of state-approved motorcycle safety training courses.

Currently, no state-approved motorcycle safety training courses are being offered in New York due to delays in awarding the training contract. This situation, ongoing for nearly two months, is unacceptable, especially during the start of riding season, when schools must set their training schedules and hire rider coaches. The absence of these programs—largely funded by the motorcycling community—threatens rider safety and the economic viability of individual training schools. Many schools face severe financial strain, with some potentially facing closure or being unable to hire instructors by the time the contract is awarded.

In 2009, when a similar issue arose, schools were permitted to operate under the previous contract and issue completion cards to the DMV once the issue was resolved. Despite repeated assurances from the DMV that a contract is forthcoming, the lack of a clear timeline and conflicting communication has created uncertainty for both riders and training providers.

We urge AMA members to contact the NY DMV and demand immediate action to restore the availability of motorcycle safety training courses.

Take Action Here - AMA

Team Green Trivia

Do You Know Kawasaki History?

ADV Rider has had several quizzes about the history of motorcycle manufacturers. This week’s quiz is about the history of a well-known Japanese brand known to many as Team Green. Although Kawasaki started as a heavy industries company, it later branched out into motorcycles. This wasn’t as straightforward a task as you might think, and there was some merger-and-acquisitions action that helped Kawasaki’s early progress significantly.

We're going to suggest that this quiz will be one of the more difficult ones you’ve seen from ADVrider. They think you’ll find some of these questions challenging even though they are based on somewhat well-known history. But fear not. As you progress through the questions, the answers should become easier. At least, ADV Rider think they should be.

ADV Rider

Gathering of the Nortons

Sunday - April 27th

10 am to 1 pm

This has become an event that truly starts the region's riding season off in the best way. It is a gathering not just of Nortons, but so many great machines that are all, almost all, ridden to the show that morning.

We'll be there and hope you will be too!

Gathering of Nortons

Dunlop Mutant Tires

https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/tire-line/mutant/

Mutant is what you might expect: A mutation of unique components that create one of the most versatile street tires Dunlop has ever produced.

We have used these for a season worth of long tours, with some track days tossed into the mix too.

Two compounds in the same tread give riders great mileage without sacrificing handling. Because bikes are meant to lean over.

Highly recommended!

Dunlop

Red Knights Battalion 6 Run

Saturday June 7th

Moroney's Harley-Davidson

To Benefit Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp

A truly great event for a very serious cause - to help young burn victims heal and move on.
This ride will benefit the Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp.
Although we have always felt our firefighters are brave and amazing... at the Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp the Kids are the real Super Heroes!

The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp is a safe, natural outdoor environment for kids ages 8 to 17 from around the world who have survived life-altering burn injuries.

We urge you to read about this camp on their site:

https://www.ctburnsfoundation.org/childrens-burn-camp/

Red Knights

Ramapo MC Spring Fling Tour

Date: Saturday, April 26th 2025
Place: VMA Hall, 66 Lake Rd, Congers, NY
Sign In: 9AM – 10:30AM

Light breakfast will be provided at sign-in. Register day of event for $25 per rider + $10 per passenger
This is a charity event – to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation – leading the way in funding childhood brain cancer research to cure the kids, supports families affected by this disease, and advocates for policies that help patients, survivors and their loved ones.

Lunch will be available for purchase at the midpoint. A drawing for door-prizes will take place at the end of the self-guided tour.

Route sheets and .gpx uploads provided.

Ramapo MC

Bluebird of Bitterness

9 Forbidden Places You’re Not Allowed to Visit

Go Away, the Wizard's Not Here!

Have you ever wondered what secrets lie inside the world’s most forbidden places? Government facilities surrounded by conspiracy theories. Islands teeming with deadly warnings.

Sacred grounds off limits due to cultural significance.

While a lucky few—scientists, military personnel, or indigenous inhabitants—might gain access, most of us can only speculate about what happens behind those closed doors. Intrigued? Let’s dive into nine forbidden places you’re not allowed to visit, where mystery and reality blur into something genuinely fascinating.

Forbidden Places

$https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N4492.3492528BACKROADS/B25215450.384955996;dc_trk_aid=549863339;dc_trk_cid=186346052;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};ltd=;dc_tdv=1$

Progressive

https://www.imtbike.com/tours/pyrenees-northern-spain/perfect-pyrenees/

Ride to Work Day

Tuesday, June 10th

Show the world that motorcycles and scooters are great for everyday transportation! On Ride to Work Day, ride your motorcycle or scooter to commute, shop/run errands, or simply to enjoy the experience.

Ride to Work Day

The Escape of the Week

Raptor Trust

Millington, NJ

Did you know The Raptor Trust in New Jersey is a world-class bird rehabilitation center? The staff cares for thousands of birds each year and it's open to the public for tours and educational events all year long, seven days a week. Not only will you learn something about love at the Raptor bird sanctuary, but have your cameras to take some of the most phenomenal pictures of your life in New Jersey.

Raptor Trust

BethelWoods Center for the Arts

Presents

Song of the Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41H8smI0dJI

Prologue

Renaissance

The first album by the '70s and Annie Haslam's version of Renaissance is a transitional work, rooted in more standard hard rock sounds (including psychedelia) than what followed.

One can spot the difference, which may please some listeners and put others off, in the fairly heavy guitar sound of "Prologue," Rob Hendry's electric instrument playing both lead and rhythm parts prominently at various times behind Annie's soaring vocals and adjacent to John Tout's piano.

Prologue

Coming Soon...

May's Edition of Backroads

Let's all get our Spring Focus together with this edition that will travel through ancient Georgian history with the Allman Brothers, dive deep into the Chesapeake Canal, scoot along the Catskills looking for Road Kill, and take in the Modern Classics too!

All in one great Spring edition of Backroads!

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

Backroads