[Jobber Jim]

Have planned a 3300 mile, ten day run, from South Florida to Meredith, New Hampshire over the Memorial Day holiday, then across Vermont, upstate New York, central Pennsylvania, Washington DC and back south to home. Haven't visited the area in the past twenty years so I'm sure things have changed a lot since then. I was told the black flies are bad in New England during April, May, June. Any advice from the locals? What special places to visit? To eat?

 

[TNace]

June 1st-3rd is Catscade in Woodbourne, NY(home of the infamous Bulldog), June 4th-? is the Americade in Lake George, NY. Lots of roads to ride, so much to do, so little time. Lots of things to see in New York City, and of course there is Cape Cod, Mystic Ct, All the shore towns in New Jersey(Atlantic City is there if you gamble), Too many places to mention. What are you into would be the easiest way to narrow things down.

 

[Wicked]

Dont know if you can adjust your schedule but, Laconia Bike Week starts June 10th at Weirs Beach. Just a stones throw from Meridith (longest running motorcycle get together in the USA), If you cant adjust, go anyway. Take the boat ride evening cruise on the lake or ride the train around the area.
Ride the Kangamangous Loop around the White Mountains Hwy 112 to 302. It makes a nice loop.
Check out the Molly Stark Trail and the Mohawk Trail, see if they fit into your routing. Both are nice rides, up and down with lots of turns and scenery.
Hwy 12, south along the Vermont River is a nice ride also.
I dont know very many really nice places to stop. I mostly stop at gas stations, or hiking trail heads.
Go to Franconia Notch and visit the Flume, and or hike up Layfayette Mountain.
I've heard people talk about the black flies but they have never bothered me. They are no where near as bad as the Love Bugs in Florida!
Enjoy the ride.

 

[Milbear]

Hope this link may help ....

http://www.discovernewengland.org/

If I was going to be around I would try to hook up with you ...but I'll be on a "little" trip myself (post about 36 states)
I hope to be back in the area to swing by Cascade and or Americade

I am sure as time get closer and your plan get more defined, If you shout out, a few New Englanders would meet up with you some where's on your trip up here.

Ride safe.. :biker:

 

[bugsplat]

In the past 20 yrs.... things change... yet stay the same. Good suggestions for Vt and NH highlights have already been made. If you go to Americade, suggest rte 28 west over to 30N to 3 west to Watertown and the 1000 island area. Rte 3 So of watertown along the lake to any of the smaller roads down to the finger lakes region--great twisty roads to enjoy! Maybe to cooperstown or watkins glen...
cant give too many suggestions for PA other than to try and avoid the metro areas and the superslabs.... they are murder in cages, and worse on bikes. (they actually have agressive driver area ahead signs!)
If in PA...gotta go to hershey and Amish country... From there, DC is reachable by some smaller roads.

As for tips for black flies.......... hope for a dry spring, and drive with your mouth closed, even if you have a full face helmet. I know, tough on a wing with our smirking smiles, it takes a couple of miles, practice, and about two or three mouthfuls of the little bas#$!ds to get the nack and importance of it......Also the driver can duck behind the windshield... your rider will not be happy.

Pick up some blackberries and practice spitting out " the crunchy parts" thats about the closest I can suggest. unless they go past your teeth and into your throat..... keep a bottle of water handy.
They are normally in HUGE swarms which you will see hovering over the road... sometimes you can duck and weave......And always worse as the heat of the day increases and towards dinner time. While riding any bug repellants dont really work, but if you are going to be camping, liquid repellents with high levels of DEET are required. Skin so soft has mixed reviews...

Hope you have a good trip!

 

[Matt(BCNV)]

If you could plan to be at Cats-cade for the saturday night bbq you could sample the northeasts version of the best bbq for hundreds of miles plus, meet alot of like minded people whilst touring the Catskill mountains. Then sunday you could go through Troy New York and take RT. 2 east( Mohawk Trail) Through Massachusetts for really nice Country . There are some links to help you out!!

http://www.jimapco.com/

http://www.cats-cade.org

http://www.mohawktrail.com

http://www.hollyeats.com/NewEngland.htm

Good luck!!

Matt(Ashland,MA)

 

[Wicked]

Almost forgot, the Cog Railway up to the top of Mt Washington. You could add it to the loop ride around the area. Hope for a clear day atop the moutain. You can also ride your bike to the top via a slow narrow twisty road.
http://www.thecog.com/

 

[Don Swanburg]

It helps to keep your eyes closed on the way up.

 

[CapeCodWinger]

Vermont Rt 100 and just keep smiling. If you are a GWRRA member look up and contact the Vermont chapter C people. They know the best VT rides.

 

[ford68xl]

Second the vote for the Cog Railway to the top of Mt. Washington. While you are there, climb to the "Highest Spot on the Mountain marker. When you are standing there, you will be higher up then any other human in the northeast. Plymouth, Mass and Fort Ticonderoga on the shore of Lake Champlain on the NY side are always nice trips if you are into history.