Next Group Weekend: Oct. 3-5, Adirondacks!

[Hulked Up]

I heard the calls and listened…it’s time to close out the 2008 riding season with one more group riding weekend.  This time the destination is the Adirondacks.  No frost heaves this time!

Dates:
Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5

Lodging:

Art Devlin’s Olympic Motor Inn, Lake Placid, NY
Cost for rooms are $122 a night (2 queen-sized beds), $132 or $166 a night (not sure what the difference is).  Post up if you need a room-mate or PM me and I’ll play matchmaker.

Book your room ASAP as it’s high season and rooms will disappear quickly.  Right now they say they have about 10 rooms left.  Call today.  There is a 2 week cancellation policy, so even if you are not sure, you might want to book one anyway.

The Plan:
We usually take Friday off from work and ride up to the motel in the afternoon.  If it’s early enough there may be time to take a short ride around the area or just head to a restaurant/bar or go sightseeing.  The motel is in the downtown area, very close to the Olympic Ice Arena and within walking distance of everything else.  Saturday is riding day.  Ride all day and go out to dinner, hang out all night.  Sunday, we all ride home.

The Riding:
With the help of Scott-sts a route will be put together containing all the best roads the Adirondacks has to offer.  You will not be disappointed.

In keeping with the theme of trying something different each time we do a weekend, I would like to change the organization of the group-riding.  We’ll have one route for Saturday, with a known lunch spot, but there won’t be one big group of riders.  I’ve noticed in the past that there is a lot of variation in the pace of riders.  To keep my sanity I am proposing that we have smaller groups made up of people who ride at a similar pace.  It gets to be too much work for me to keep a big group together.  Find people you like to ride with and we’ll meet up for breaks and lunch.  In that way it’s kind of like an ESTN-meet.  People break into smaller groups to ride and meet up during the day.  Bring a map as you may need to find your way back to the motel by the end of the afternoon (you can buy a good one at local convenience stores for only $5 if you don't have one already).

I encourage anyone who would like to try a group ride to join us.  This year we usually have about 10 people come out for these things.  There is every type of personality, skill level and riding style you can imagine.  You’ll fit in fine and make some new friends before the weekend is out.  

[garry]

That sounds like fun, but Pittsburgh to Lake Placid is a LONG day on the road (nearly 600 miles), even with slab. Hmmm..... Sure would be nice to visit the Dacks again. Used to drive up there a few times a year to backpack in the High Peaks region around Lake Placid and then have a good night on the town before driving back home.

[scott-sts]

My room is booked.

[JETSET]

Sounds great the roads up there are awesome I don't think I can make it but if I do I will meet you guys up there on Fri I love riding in that area.

[Hulked Up]

That would be cool Trevor.  Haven't ridden with you since Meet & Greet 2005 in Waterbury.

[docrider]

Keith;
Having experienced the Rangeley ride, I can attest to the fact that it far exceeded the travel brochure's description (ha,ha).  Anyone who goes on your ride will be in for a treat.  I, unfortunately will not be able to make it, as I have to do the "turn your head and cough" thing that weekend.   Enjoy.  Charlie

[CPB]

Room is booked.  

[Long:Haul]

I'm booked.    

[RussianBear]

Booked  

[ctbandit]

This sounds great. I have a Fri AM class but should be able to get there late afternoon. I'm really crunched for cash right now though, and I need tires. Oh, and my back is majorly F'd up at the moment, so if it persists I'll have to go to the doc to see if I'll be able to do anything, even walking as it hurts to do so now.

If you guys don't mind a young guy with no cash coming along, there's a good chance that I could make this trip. I'd have to split a room though, no way I can afford those rates. I'd even take a couch if someone has one available.

I'll post back about this in a few days to see how my work sched, cash flow, and health are. I guess that's a lot of variables..

[ST3Andy]

Keith;
Having experienced the Rangeley ride, I can attest to the fact that it far exceeded the travel brochure's description (ha,ha).  Anyone who goes on your ride will be in for a treat.  I, unfortunately will not be able to make it, as I have to do the "turn your head and cough" thing that weekend.   Enjoy.  Charlie

Charlie, your a Dr. for crying out loud! Give yourself the exam. I'm sure you've done it before. Probably hundreds of times

Sorry to say I can't make this trip either. I'm sure it will be another epic weekend.

[chas]

Greetings Mr. Hulked Up.  This is Chas a member of your first Maine expedition with the Blue Suzuki V-Strom.  I see you are coming up my way,(I'm about 1 hour north of Lake Placid).  I have found myself in a position to have those days off and I think I would like to meet up with you.  Maybe I could show you some of my favorite "Local Roads" and dining spots.  Maybe even for the  cash strapped as myself we might offer some free room... no board, to the needy of us.  I could accomodate maybe 7 or so.  Put the Red Tavern Road on as a possible trip.  The weather is a factor as there may be frost on your pumkins at night.  It should be full peak foliage.  The areas are remote like Maine, and if you know where to go, minimal policing activity.  I would be happy to show you around.  Check out on a map search,  Malone, N.Y. 12953 and vicinity.  If you got electrics bring-em.

[Hulked Up]

Charlie!  We missed you the last two times in Rangeley.  Glad to hear from you.

That's a great offer.  The roads up your way look awesome and the "minimal policing activity" would be much appreciated.  (My last trip to the 'dacks resulted in a $350 reduction in my net worth.)  I'm open for whatever people want to do.

[Nightflight]

Room's booked, mapped to Art's and time off work.

[chas]

There is plenty of time for adjustments to the plan.  Consider the offer and let me know.  Malone is a small town, 4000 people, but there is a Suzuki and Yamaha dealer in town for emergencies.  We have a good size windfarm going up and it is quite specatular to see.  The main routes in and about Lake Placid will be generally full of leaf peepers.

[chas]

I just checked the events calendar for Whiteface Mountain.  The annual "October Fest" is going on that weekend.  German food/beer/music and dancing.  It usually is well attended, colorful and a good destination ride.  Lake Placid is going to be one busy place if the weather is good.  The gondola ride to the top is worth taking.  Check out their web site.

[fhaze]

..I need to request friday and the weekend off from work.

I just called a buddy w/ a Connie we are going to try and make it. I'll book a room as soon as I know for sure, and hope one is available.

[Fav]

I'm going the weekend before ESTN but wish I could swing both visits plus ESTN  

Have fun and take pics  

[GRN]

Wish I could join ya'll for this one... I grew up in the area and know it pretty well.

In Placid, check out the Caribbean Cowboy for dinner, and Mr. Mikes Pizza is just up the street from Art's place, can't go wrong with either one. On my way back from Ontario a few weeks ago we hammered Rt. 56 from Colton down to Rte. 3... there are a few long straits in the northern stretch that are regularly enjoyed by those in search of top speed potential, and lots of nice high speed sweepers the rest of the way down with great surface conditions and long sight lines. A run up to check for bears in the woods and then back down at a more spirited pace maybe a worthwhile investment of time.

Have fun, speed safe  

[BigBen]

This sounds great, I've been up on those roads many times, including early this summer during Americade. My only concern is icy road conditions especially in the mornings. Do you know the weather for early October up there?

[ctbandit]

I'm out.. no money- work needs me in that weekend. Bleh...

[GRN]

This sounds great, I've been up on those roads many times, including early this summer during Americade. My only concern is icy road conditions especially in the mornings. Do you know the weather for early October up there?

Normally not a problem... freezing temps not very prolific first week in Oct., at average road elevations... top of Whiteface might get a whisker nippley though  

The bigger issue will be the traffic... you couldn't pick a much busier weekend to go to the Dacks... peak leaf peeper weekend, lots of cagers cruising around not looking at the road  

[JETSET]

As of right now I'm still in trying to work it out with the War Dept.Me +1

[JETSET]

As of right now I'm still in trying to work it out with the War Dept.Me +1

Booked
Its a go we will be there!!!!!

[chas]

Any maps or routes planned yet?

[JETSET]

Any maps or routes planned yet?

We might slab it to Lake George then hit the backroads its a good trip from NJ.I would like to meet up with some folk and ride there either way we'll see you there.

[Hulked Up]

No route planned yet.  I've got to get scott-sts off his butt.  

[scott-sts]

No route planned yet.  I've got to get scott-sts off his butt.  

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  WTF?  I'm from LI, what makes you think I know the Adirondacks?
I know the same roads as everyone else.

[JETSET]

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  WTF?  I'm from LI, what makes you think I know the Adirondacks?
I know the same roads as everyone else.

Scott we are leaving fri morn from jersey we could meet up and ride together you'll probally have to leave LI on wen to be in Jersey fri

[GRN]

If you guys want some help with routes let me know... I'll throw you a bunch of good roads and you can put routes together to your liking.

[scott-sts]

Scott we are leaving fri morn from jersey we could meet up and ride together you'll probally have to leave LI on wen to be in Jersey fri

I'll be taking the ferry to Bridgeport, CT and heading up from there.  I'll probably end up in Lake George as well and rape 9N on the way up to Lake Placid.

[GRN]

Keith, in addition to the stuff I sent you earlier...

-8 from 9N all the way to 10 is pretty nice...
-9N north from 86 to CR 1 silver lake rd up to 3, cross 3 and it becomes standish lake rd.
-between 3 and 86, out of Paul Smiths, Jones Pond/Rainbow Lake/ Gabriels-Onchiota rds.
then bang a left on 3, go about a mile +/-, bang a left on CR 99 from 3 to 30.
-to the east, between I87 and the south half of the lake, CR's 2, 4, 6, 7

A few I have been meaning to check out...
-from 9 in Deerhead, head north on Trout Pond Rd, left on Green St, then fielders choice to get back on 9N
-from 9N about 4 miles North of Keene, head east on CR 52 to Luke Glenn Hill Rd, to Wells Hill Rd, to 9 (head north on 9 to Deerhead to try the one above.

Traffic and enforcement on SR's will be heavy... 1st weekend in Oct is prime time for leaf peepers. NYS LEO's are not known for their sense of humor, and make up for it by being exceptionally sneaky. Have a blast, wish I could go.

[LitzerSki]

Dang...sounds like another good time, but I'm not going to be able to make this...I'll be riding out to Chicago that weekend instead.  

[Hulked Up]

Mark, that sucks.  Maybe we'll catch you next season.

Greg, thanks for all the routing information you sent me.  I've got to get some time to sift through it.  Maybe I can send you a tentative route for proofing.

[GRN]

Keith, no sweat, man.

Toss 'em up here, more eyes are better, and you guys are the ones riding them... I'll be real interested in feedback when you get home, I haven't been on some of those in a while. I miss the Dacks...  

[NHFZ1]

A few I have been meaning to check out...
-from 9 in Deerhead, head north on Trout Pond Rd, left on Green St, then fielders choice to get back on 9N
-from 9N about 4 miles North of Keene, head east on CR 52 to Luke Glenn Hill Rd, to Wells Hill Rd, to 9 (head north on 9 to Deerhead to try the one above.

I have never ridden these roads either and was checking them out on some maps.

It looks like Trout Pond Rd from Deerhead to Trout Pond is unpaved.  The section from Trout Pond to Green St looks to be paved.

It also looks like the road between CR 52 and Wells Hill Rd (my info show it as Jay Mouintain Rd) is unpaved also.

Chuck

[chas]

Maybe I can be of some help.  I am a resident of the area and have traveled much of the area.  Alot of the backroads may look good, but between frost heaves, tar snakes, and general lack of maintenance, plus the extra traffic of tourists, you may not get what your looking for.  Depending on the weather for that weekend, and the Octoberfest at Whiteface, maybe I could help.  I traveled about all the roads in question on a CBR1100xx and presently a Suzuki V-Strom.  If you want me to looking at the possible routing and maybe a get together, I would be interested.  Please send me your itinerary.

[Hulked Up]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone, particularly Greg (GRN)...

I put together a tentative 260 mile loop, which might be a little ambitous:



I've attached the Mapsource file for editing.  

For those without the software, here are the rough directions:

- Lake Placid west to Saranac Lake to CR-18
- south on 30 to west on 3 past Tupper Lake to 56
- north on 56 to Stark, north on Joe Indian/White HIll Road to Pickettville, north on 72
- east on 458 to St. Regis Falls
- east on Cr-14, past 30 to Cr-26, past Loon Lake to 3
- Cr-60 (Rainbow Lake Road) to 86 (Gabriels) to Cr-55 to Bloomingdale
- Cr-18 to Franklin Falls, continue east on Cr-72
- 431 to 86 east to Jay
- 9N to Rome, west on Silver Lake Road through Swastika (?!) to Strackville
- north on 3 to Chazy Lake Road to Route 374
- 374 west to Standish, back south to 3 in Clayburg
- Silver Lake/Bonnie View Roads south to 86, south to Lake Placid

Your suggestions are appreciated!

[scott-sts]

I've done alot of that but there are roads thrown in that I am not familiar with.
Looks good to me.
286 miles is ambitious.

[GRN]

Hey man, that looks like a nice mix, keeps you out of the busy stuff as well as can be done. With an early start that's real doable mileage... the diner right by Arts place is good too... and there was this waitress  , total MILF... hope she's still there! I'll bet chas has some good input since he's local and current.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone, particularly Greg (GRN)...

I put together a tentative 260 mile loop, which might be a little ambitous:



I've attached the Mapsource file for editing.  

For those without the software, here are the rough directions:

- Lake Placid west to Saranac Lake to CR-18
- south on 30 to west on 3 past Tupper Lake to 56
- north on 56 to Stark, north on Joe Indian/White HIll Road to Pickettville, north on 72
- east on 458 to St. Regis Falls
- east on Cr-14, past 30 to Cr-26, past Loon Lake to 3
- Cr-60 (Rainbow Lake Road) to 86 (Gabriels) to Cr-55 to Bloomingdale
- Cr-18 to Franklin Falls, continue east on Cr-72
- 431 to 86 east to Jay
- 9N to Rome, west on Silver Lake Road through Swastika (?!) to Strackville
- north on 3 to Chazy Lake Road to Route 374
- 374 west to Standish, back south to 3 in Clayburg
- Silver Lake/Bonnie View Roads south to 86, south to Lake Placid

Your suggestions are appreciated!

[Hulked Up]

Ah, where's that diner?  A few of the guys might be into that kind of thing.  

[chas]

Looks pretty good, been on all those roads.  The section from Saranac Lake to 56 is pretty much a main route with traffic and patrols.  The section from Duane to Loon Lake is beautiful, a "real backroad".  I don't recognize some of the CR designations, they are not signed that way.  I would tend to focus East of 30 and to the north a bit more.  Some of my locals are planning a ride that weekend also.  286 miles is a bit ambitious due to the fact that your average speed is going to be lower due to the tighter road conditions. Plus you stand a good chance of getting lost.  The more mountainous terrain and interesting riding is in the High Peaks region.  Let's hope the weather co-operates.

[GRN]

Ah, where's that diner?  A few of the guys might be into that kind of thing.  

It's one or two doors up the hill (left) from Arts... Mr. Mikes is right there too. Mikes started as a pizza place just before the '80 Olympics, and has grown to a fuller general Italian menu - the calzones rock. I grew up with that family in Potsdam, Mike & Dave played football with my brother, their mom was my dads secretary, and their sister Ruthy was my babysitter (hubba hubba... ). The fact that they have had such staying power and growth is testament to the quality of the product and service. During my two years at Northwwod school in Placid, I ate quite a few of those pies. If you want top shelf creative cuisine, check out the Caribbean Cowboy... probably not exactly everyones preferred walking distance, but worth the "how many bikers can you fit in a taxi" exercise  to enjoy the bar while there. The food is outstanding.

[revlimitbounce]

We might slab it to Lake George then hit the backroads its a good trip from NJ.I would like to meet up with some folk and ride there either way we'll see you there.

If it's not too late, I might try to get in on this one. I'm in NYC but meet up in Mahwah, NJ (where I keep the bike). I'll stay posted....

[Hulked Up]

This is what I understand the lodging situation to be:

Scott & Joe (long:haul): room
Doug & Mike: room
Keith & Andrei: room
Chris (CPB): room
Trevor (Jetset): room

I'm not sure if Art Devlin's has any more rooms or not.

[JETSET]

If it's not too late, I might try to get in on this one. I'm in NYC but meet up in Mahwah, NJ (where I keep the bike). I'll stay posted....

If this is possible pm me or post up.

[JETSET]

This is what I understand the lodging situation to be:

Scott & Joe (long:haul): room
Doug & Mike: room
Keith & Andrei: room
Chris (CPB): room
Trevor (Jetset): room

I'm not sure if Art Devlin's has any more rooms or not.

I will be lodging with my BIL Gregg

[JETSET]

10-Day Forecast NEW: Larger Radar Maps & No Ads
 

 High /
Low (°F) Precip. %  
Today
Sep 26  PM Showers 61°/50° 30 %
Sat
Sep 27  Showers 64°/53° 60 %
Sun
Sep 28  Showers 65°/49° 60 %
Mon
Sep 29  Few Showers 63°/43° 30 %
Tue
Sep 30  Few Showers 63°/47° 30 %
Wed
Oct 01  Showers 57°/42° 40 %
Thu
Oct 02  Showers 53°/38° 40 %
Fri
Oct 03  Showers 55°/39° 60 %
Sat
Oct 04  Showers 54°/36° 60 %
Sun
Oct 05  Partly Cloudy 58°/42° 20 %
Last Updated Sep 26 10:09 a.m. ET  
 
This is what I got for wx it could all change but we will be there rain or shine.

[Hulked Up]

Thanks for that info. Trevor.  Let's hope the forecast changes, but I know most of us will be there rain or shine anyway.  

[JETSET]

10-Day Forecast NEW: Larger Radar Maps & No Ads
 

 High /
Low (°F) Precip. %  
Today
Sep 26  PM Showers 61°/50° 30 %
Sat
Sep 27  Showers 64°/53° 60 %
Sun
Sep 28  Showers 65°/49° 60 %
Mon
Sep 29  Few Showers 63°/43° 30 %
Tue
Sep 30  Few Showers 63°/47° 30 %
Wed
Oct 01  Showers 57°/42° 40 %
Thu
Oct 02  Showers 53°/38° 40 %
Fri
Oct 03  Showers 55°/39° 60 %
Sat
Oct 04  Showers 54°/36° 60 %
Sun
Oct 05  Partly Cloudy 58°/42° 20 %
Last Updated Sep 26 10:09 a.m. ET  
 
This is what I got for wx it could all change but we will be there rain or shine.

Its looking better everyday looks like its less likley and few showers now
Today
Sep 29  Partly Cloudy 64°/42° 20 %
Tue
Sep 30  Partly Cloudy 67°/50° 20 %
Wed
Oct 01  T-Showers 61°/44° 60 %
Thu
Oct 02  Showers 55°/40° 40 %
Fri
Oct 03  Few Showers 53°/36° 30 %
Sat
Oct 04  Few Showers 56°/39° 30 %
Sun
Oct 05  Few Showers 59°/36° 30 %
Mon
Oct 06  Sunny 52°/35° 20 %
Tue
Oct 07  Sunny 54°/40° 20 %
Wed
Oct 08  Mostly Cloudy 55°/40° 20 %
Last Updated Sep 29 06:08 a.m. ET  

[phaze5]

yeehaw you guys are close to home, real close i wish i had a different bike. then i would also join in.

i seen the weather report and ive had almost 1/2 my rides in the rain so ill sit this one out but maybe catch up on your next ride.
                                               have fun guys -scott

[Hulked Up]

Weekend forecast continues to look good.  Slight chance of rain, temps between mid 30's and 50.  Bring your all-weather gear and electrics.

For the ride up on Friday there is a group coming up from Bridgeport, Conn. and another that is meeting at my house in S. Deerfield, Mass.  The Bridgeport group meets at 8:45am at the ferry and a couple of us are meeting at my house at 10am.  The two groups will meet in Adams, MA at 11:15am.  We're taking state highways through Vermont and into the Adirondacks.  We can meet anyone else off exit 30 of I-87 (Route 6/Tracy Road) at about 4:45.

[JETSET]

Weekend forecast continues to look good.  Slight chance of rain, temps between mid 30's and 50.  Bring your all-weather gear and electrics.

For the ride up on Friday there is a group coming up from Bridgeport, Conn. and another that is meeting at my house in S. Deerfield, Mass.  The Bridgeport group meets at 8:45am at the ferry and a couple of us are meeting at my house at 10am.  The two groups will meet in Adams, MA at 11:15am.  We're taking state highways through Vermont and into the Adirondacks.  We can meet anyone else off exit 30 of I-87 (Route 6/Tracy Road) at about 4:45.

We will need some cell numbers so we can hook up when we get there.Pm me please.
We will be leaving at 8:00 am slabing it to RT 30 off 87 exit27.

[phaze5]

are you guys excited yet hope ya  have fun and be safe

[Hulked Up]

Definitely excited about this one.  How often do you get to ride all day for 3 days and then talk motorcycles all night with your friends?  It's like Christmas to me.

[STalker]

I reeeeaaallly wish I coulda made this one.  

New furnace is coming on Fri., I'll be spending the weekend in the basement. Have fun guys.

[ST3Andy]

Have fun guys and ride safe. Look forward to the ride report. Sorry I couldn't make this one.

[Long:Haul]

The roads & accomodations were just great.   Can't decide what was better - Rangeley or Adirondacks?   Keith, you out did yourself once again!!      I got to meet some new people and I enjoyed seeing everyone again - terrific time+++   Mike and Scott selected several very nice roads on our return trip which I wish could go on for another 3 hours.  No rain, some sun and we made it to the boat by 3:15.  Hope you all made it back safe!

[Hulked Up]

We did some sightseeing and didn't leave the High Peaks region until about 1:30pm.  I got home at 6:20pm.  Andrei & Doug and I had a great time coming back.  No matter where we were, we found a great road.

I hope everyone made it home okay.  I should have some pictures up in the next day or so.

[Nightflight]

I'm in got home at 8:30 Best group ride. Will post up pictures later. Thanks to everyone for a great weekend

[ZZRStew]

Killed my chain,boots and a couple of steaks. Good times good times.

[scott-sts]

Made it back to Summer 5:30 yesterday.
Awesome trip gentlemen.

[CPB]

Made it home in under 5 hours.  Traffic was light and saw few LEOs.  Took a "wicked good" nap.  

Great weekend!  Really enjoyed the riding and BSing with everyone.  

[Hulked Up]

Damn, I'm finding it hard to come back to work today.  We had an awesome weekend and one of the best group rides ever.  Great riders, amazing roads, good weather, peak foliage, nice motel and food, etc.  Everything worked out very well.  

The Adirondacks are so incredible that we could have done 1-2 more riding days up there and not duplicated our routes.  Forget Vermont and Maine, in my mind the Adirondacks have got to be the best place to ride in the Northeast.  It was saying something for Scott & Mike (who have each ridden up there numerous times) to tell me the roads we found on Saturday were incredible.

I have 200+ pictures to sort through when I get home.

[JETSET]

Gregg and I got home around 8:30 pm did some sightseeing at Whiteface and then to Lake George where they were having a Blues fest.Some bee took me down bastich.
We had a great time the trip was well planned and ecellently executed.The rides the food and the company were out of sight.I would ride with you guys anytime! it was a pleasure.

Great job!

I'll post pix later

[Hulked Up]

I need to thank Greg (GRN) and Charlie (Chas) first off for their route suggestions and critiques.  Everything you gave me was spot-on.  Those roads were out of this world and if anyone is interested in riding in the Adirondacks I highly recommend you download the route in reply 37 of this thread.  You can’t go wrong with any part of that route, even if you can’t complete the whole thing.

I also have to thank everyone who gave up a three day weekend to make the ride, all 8 of you.  I always have fun riding with old friends like Doug (Nightflight), Mike (ZZRStew), Scott-sts, Chris (CPB), Andrei (Russian Bear) and Joe (long:haul).  There’s a lot of confidence riding with a group of people you don’t have to worry about.  I also had the pleasure of riding with Trevor (Jetset) and his brother-in-law Gregg.  You guys fit right into the group and I hope we get to ride together again.  

This time I’m going to rely on the pictures to tell most of the story.

Friday

7 of us met at the McDonald’s in Adams, Mass, which is as depressing a place as you’ll find.  We headed north into Vermont and crossed into New York at the Crown Point Bridge.  It rained the first half of the day:  on & off showers, nothing too heavy.  That was the only rain of the weekend.









Once we crossed into New York we hit the fabulous Tracy Road.  3 of us loved it so much we did it back and forth 3 times.  We got into Lake Placid at close to 6pm after a full day of riding.






Doug


Our hotel, was founded by Art Devlin, who was a champion ski jumper in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, a local hero from Lake Placid.


Great motel, very clean and recently updated.  There are many dumps in the area; this one is a winner.




Scott-sts and Doug at dinner Friday night


Mike (ZZRStew)


Chris (CPB)


Fireside Steakhouse, so good we ate there twice

[Hulked Up]

Saturday

I got up at 7am and took an walking tour of Lake Placid


The 400 meter speed skating track


Eric Heiden won gold medals at all distances in ‘80






downtown Lake Placid




looks like an old dorm from the Olympics…note the Harley “dealership” below


a toboggan chute built onto Mirror Lake




Lake Placid from Mirror Lake




1932 arena


1980 Olympic Ice Arena


The Miracle on Ice – Ice



We had breakfast at the “MILF Diner” but there were no MILF’s to be found.  They had a lot of good looking young women all tattooed up however.  We then met up with Trevor and Gregg and hit the road.  Our plan was a loop I put together with input from Greg and Charlie (GRN & Chas).  The route was incredible; we were on amazing roads as soon as we left Lake Placid.  Try CR-33 and 18.  Route 30 south had some of the fastest sweeping turns of the trip.

On Route 56 a long straight-away was too much for some of the guys on the super/super sports to resist and they made a nice full throttle run.  Truly stupid street speeds were reached.  Before we could regroup, the fast group blew the next turn.


waiting to regroup




Stark Road was not the fastest road, but it was very remote















I was having a bit too much fun and let the pace get way out of hand.  The speeds were pretty ridiculous but seemed like a good idea at the time as there was no traffic, LEO’s and the roads were in perfect condition.  The turns were very well marked and accurate.  If you took them at 2x the listed speed you were fine.

The high speeds caused us to burn through a lot of gas very quickly.  The big bikes were sucking wind at about 110 miles.  Unfortunately there weren’t many gas stations out in the boonies, so we limped into Saranac Lake and grabbed some lunch.


Jetset





After lunch we found some more great roads.  The best ones were county routes or just had regular names like Silver Lake, Ore Bend or Guide Board Road.  The state highways had more traffic; the county routes were the best places to play.











Our goal after lunch was to ride up Whiteface Mountain.  They had received 2” of snow the day before and we didn’t know if it was open.  When we got there the road was open but we missed closing time by 10 minutes.

These videos give you a good sense of what the roads were like.  Note the numbers of twists and turns and quality of the pavement:


Hey Mike, you left your turn signal on…




Riding around the front side of Whiteface Mountain




What’s up?










Andrei

We did most of the 280 mile loop.  Had another great dinner at the Fireside.

[Hulked Up]

Sunday

Sunday morning we all split into smaller groups and headed home.  Chris had the longest ride and left early.  Joe, Mike and Scott made their own beeline south.  Trevor and Gregg got a later start.  Sorry we missed you guys in the morning.  Andrei, Doug and I decided to do some tourist sightseeing before leaving Lake Placid.


Gregg’s Concours 14


Trevor’s FJR


Mike’s ZZR1200


Andrei’s R1200RT, soon to be replaced by a dual sport


Doug’s VFR


Mirror Lake is well named




a country road around Lake Placid


This is the actual Lake Placid

After doing a loop of the village we went to the Olympic Ski Jumps, which had just opened.  It’s really an amazing place and worth the time to explore.  We were amazed that people would huck themselves off those jumps.  Andrei said it best, “They had a mountain and then they built a 25 story tower on top of the mountain.”






Art Devlin & me






view from the end of the take-off ramp, you can see our three bikes down at the bottom






Mount Marcy, the highest point in New York


you take off from here and land over the hill




they don’t have to worry about me violating that rule


The bobsled and luge runs are visible on the mountain


Lake Placid from the top of the jump



Our next goal was to get to the top of Whiteface Mountain






After a 10 minute wait to get in we took the road up to the summit.  The snow was still visible but calcium chloride had been used to melt it off the road.




Lake Placid, the lake from the north






Andrei throwing a snowball






This tunnel takes you to an elevator, which you ride to the summit






This is Doug’s friend.  The signs all said, “Save Your Brakes.  Use Low Gear.”  They insisted on using up their brakes anyway.


Heading down the hill from North Pole, NY

After lunch at the A&W we left the High Peaks area.  It was 1:30pm.  We did manage to find a lot of nice roads headed south.






We did Tracy Road one more time.  



Route 7 from Tracy Road was great and then we took 22 south towards Mass. & Conn.  Although there were fewer twists, it was also a very fun road to ride.







I said my goodbyes to Andrei and Doug in Hoosick Falls, crossed into Vermont and took some more twisty roads to get home.

Great way to close out the group riding season guys.  I had one of the best times ever and wanted to thank everyone for showing up and making it great.  It’s a big testament to the riders that we could have so many people and have so few problems.  Don’t know if I’ll be able to do these rides again for a while, but maybe someone can carry the torch next year and plan another trip to the ‘Daks.

[scott-sts]

Great pics from the top of the ski jump Keith.
I'm sorry I didn't get to Whiteface Mtn.  Never been up there in the snow.

[googus]

Greta pictures guys!!

[JETSET]

Great pics from the top of the ski jump Keith.
I'm sorry I didn't get to Whiteface Mtn.  Never been up there in the snow.

Ditto,work sux!

[JETSET]

Lake George

[JETSET]

White Face

[JETSET]

Jetset

[JETSET]

Reg 6 ST.N Adirondacks  Olympic Crew

[googus]

Trev you went fishing?

[CPB]

Plenty been said about what a great weekend of riding it was.  Here are a few more pics.







Keith, Andrei and Doug


Trevor


This pic sums up the wknd nicely......great smiles

[ST3Andy]

My favorite pix. You guys on the podium. Looks like you  had another great weekend. Wish I could have made it. My November schedule is wide open. We might have to head south though.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/hulkedup/Adirondacks/68-medalstand.jpg

[Hulked Up]

Here are Scott's pix:

[Hulked Up]

If you want to get an idea of what it was like at dinner, check this out...

[scott-sts]

Who is that asshole?

Oh wait, it's me.

I'm right, you know.  About the pirates.

[Darkrider]

Amazing pics as usual Keith.

Scott,

Your nature pics show a whole different side of you.

It sounded like everyone was having a great time at dinner.   Especially Scott.  Big surprise.  

Tom.

[Breadman]

  Thanks for sharing those fantastic photos!  Looks like it was a great trip.

[TuffguyF4i]

I gotta get in on the next ride....looks like you guys had a good time.  

[R Doug]

Looks like a great time had by all.  I look forward to meeting some of you at ESTN next year!

[Oilhed]

I recognize the village of Saranac Lake.....my second home (I wish!)

[Hulked Up]

That was such a great trip, still brings a smile to my face a month later.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend any next year (baby on the way in March), but maybe someone else will organize something.

[JETSET]

Congratulation's this will change your life .Is it your first? We were just reminiscing about the ride.

[Hulked Up]

Yes, it's my first.  I'm doing it backwards from everyone else.  Father at 42.  Just when everyone else's kids will be off to college, mine will be entering pre-school.  

[Darkrider]

Not all of us our kids when we were young Keith.

Having kids does not mean all of the motorcycling fun is gone.  It does make it a little harder to do the 3 day trips though.

Just rememember to keep the baby names to yourself until the baby is named.  When it comes to baby names, even the nicest people can be complete aholes.  And they are TRYING to be nice?

Tom.

[DosEquis00]

Great pictures in this thread   Thanks to all who have shared!

[JETSET]

Yes, it's my first.  I'm doing it backwards from everyone else.  Father at 42.  Just when everyone else's kids will be off to college, mine will be entering pre-school.  

I'm forty-something   and I have a 3&7 yr old its not the end of the world or riding.Its my second life begining,I now have the ways and means to support 2 kids.It also has extended my career.

[satz]

Congrats keith i been in the witness protection for the last year with my first one too. But i am hoping next year to get out a bit.

satz

[GRN]

Keith... congratz, man.

I'm about to be 42, mine just turned 5, and I'll squeeze in 15K miles this year (currently at 14.4, just need two more good days  ), even up here on the tundra!