Polar Bear grand Tour Schedule - 2011/2012

[BigBen]

Polar bear Stop #4

November 20, 2011
BARNSIDER TAVERN, 1372 Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf, NY 10918
From Rte 94 North to Warwick, NY  http://www.barnsider.net

This is a new stop this year, I don't think the Tavern management was fully prepared for the event. There were at least 300 bikes on this beautiful sunday afternoon. The place was filled beyond capacity, not a enough room to accommodate all the bikers. I can't tell you if the food was good or not, because my group was not able to eat there as the wait was up to an hour to get seated. I plan to go back another day and sample the food.

Here are a few pictures from the parking lot.


The might KLR marking it's spot

A nice looking R100 RT

Leo getting help zipping up his jacket.... not bad for 95 years old and still riding. What will you be doing when you're 95?


Leo chatting with some of the young men from Ramapo MC.

My Connie, the Queen of Sheba looking as beautiful as ever...

Who said HDs and Goldwings don't get along...

KLR making a grand entrance

A Connie C-10 and a Triumph Tiger got priority parking... right in front of the Barn Sider


I think I need new rear tire. The "Angel" has disappeared from my rear Pirelle Angel ST.





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The Polar Bear Grand Tour starts this Sunday with Cap May, NJ as the first stop. The wife and I will be heading out to Cap May Saturday morning, weather permitting. Hopefully I will see some of you there. Below is a link to the 2011/12 Polar Bear schedule.
http://www.polarbeargrandtour.com/rides.htm

Here is a link to pics from last year's first Polar Bear ride. The young man in the goatee, about 11 pictures down is Leo and I believe is now 93 years old and still riding. Use to ride a Honda PC, but recently changed to Honda Shadow 750 Trike. When I grow-up I wanna be just like him.... ride til am 90++

http://www.polarbeargrandtour.com/cm10b.htm

[BigBen]

updated

[cole]

Wow I did not realize this was going on in Sugar Loaf today. I was out estimating jobs with the bike today and went into sugar loaf coming from Chester but I beared right after the train tracks so I never saw anything, to bad I could have stopped in and met some new riders. I was also in Pine bush around noon and saw a decent size group of bikes at stewarts, wonder if they were heading that way.

[BigBen]

The barn Sider in Suger Loaf replaced the old Cornucopia Restaurant stop in Port Jervis. I think it's a better location than Cornucopia.

[Spanky]

Nice pictures Ben. I hope to attend one or two of these this year. Looks like a fun time.

[GearedUp]

Didn't realize I made such a grand entrance, although my KLR does stand out a bit in that crowd.  

[tthompsr]

I think I need new rear tire. The "Angel" has disappeared from my rear Pirelle Angel ST.


Hi Ben, Just curious how many miles did you get out of that Angel ST?

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The Polar Bear Grand Tour starts this Sunday with Cap May, NJ as the first stop. The wife and I will be heading out to Cap May Saturday morning, weather permitting. Hopefully I will see some of you there. Below is a link to the 2011/12 Polar Bear schedule.
http://www.polarbeargrandtour.com/rides.htm

Here is a link to pics from last year's first Polar Bear ride. The young man in the goatee, about 11 pictures down is Leo and I believe is now 93 years old and still riding. Use to ride a Honda PC, but recently changed to Honda Shadow 750 Trike. When I grow-up I wanna be just like him.... ride til am 90++

http://www.polarbeargrandtour.com/cm10b.htm

[/quote]

[BigBen]

Hi Ben, Just curious how many miles did you get out of that Angel ST?

I got 7962 miles riding two-up at least 50% of the time at spirited pace.  The front looks like it could go another 3k, but I will replace both with Michelin Pilot Power 2CT. I got a combo deal from http://www.motosport.comfor $247 plus $25 for shipping. The Michelin should last me til June or about 6K , then I will go back to the Angel ST for my trip to Eureka Springs AK for the Concours Nationals.

[BigBen]

Didn't realize I made such a grand entrance,   

Or yes you did... at least for people like me who have been dieing to get a KLR. One of these days it will happen....  I'll see if George Washington university can give my daughter a tution break for half a semester so I get a KLR. That would be enough to hook me up with a new one with panniers and lights.

[BigBen]

Polar Bear #6

Destination:
December 4, 2011
MONTGOMERYVILLE CYCLE, 2901 Bethlehem Pike Hatfield, PA 19440 Ph 215-712-7433.
Take Rt #202 into PA. to Rt #309. Make right on Rt #309. Go approx. 5 miles and bear right at fork. www.montgomeryvillecc.com

[BigBen]

Polar Bear Ride #7 - "The Xmas Party" ride to THE CABIN, 984 Route #33 Howell, NJ is official in the books.
Destination: The Cabin in Howell, NJ
Round trip Distance: 282 miles
Temp at Start: 20 degrees (weather station on top of the mountain indicated 13 degrees)
Temp at End: 30 degrees

This ride was attend by close to 500 riders, many with gifts in-hand for The Valerie Fund. My club, the Ramapo Motorcycle Club donated a generous $1400 to the charity.

The next Polar Bear Ride is on:
December 18, 2011
SCHOCH'S HARLEY DAVIDSON, Rte. 33 Snydersville, PA 18360 Ph# 570-992-7500.
Take Rt #22 through Easton to Rt #33 North to Snydersville exit, at stop turn left, go over Rt #33 Schoch's Harley on right. schochharleydavidson.com









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Here are a few pics from Polar Bear Ride #6 to MONTGOMERYVILLE CYCLE in Montgomeryivlle, PA. My ride started at 7:15am with the temperature at about 25 degrees... thanks to heated gear. As we headed south, the weather slowly got warmer,  by the time we arrived at MONTGOMERYVILLE CYCLE the temps was already in the mid 40's. Turn out for the event was great, constant coming and going of bikes. There must have been at least 300plus bike...all brands.  

The next ride is December 11, 2011
THE CABIN, 984 Route #33 Howell, NJ 07731 Ph.# 732 462-3090.
On Rt. 33 Howell Twsp. Approx. 5 miles west of Rt. #34 (east of Freehold, NJ).
CHRISTMAS PARTY. BRING A TOY FOR THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (do NOT wrap present). www.thecabinrestaurant.net

[BigBen]

Polar Bear Ride #8
December 18, 2011
SCHOCH'S HARLEY DAVIDSON, Rte. 33 Snydersville, PA 18360 Ph# 570-992-7500.

Roundtrip milage: 242 miles


It was so cold to day that the ride turned into a mini adventure, for while I thought I was going to need a tow truck to get my Connie home. It all started about 8am this morning when I stopped at a gas station about 20 miles from my house. I shut the bike down and went to remove the key from the ignition, but it just would not come out. Tried for about 10 minutes and it still would not come out. Luckily I have the spare key in one the many pockets of my Aerostich. Inserted the spare into the gas tank cap, tried to turn, but this too would not work. I started wondering what the hell was going on with my keys! None of them was working, and time was running out for me to meet up with the rest of the Ramapo Polar Bear Team. Then I remember that I washed the bike last weekend and water might have gone into the key holes, both ignition and gastank. The water must have frozen during the ride to the gas station in 13 degree temperature. I bought a can WD-40 and sprayed a little in both key holes and waited about 10 minutes and everything worked just fine! Fueled up the bike and jumped on I-84 and headed to Snydersville, PA. The highest temperature for the day was bout 32 degrees.

Temperature at the start







Temperature at the end



The next Polar Bear ride is on January 8, 2012 to:
De THOMASI's EAST 5 POINTS INN, 580 Tuckahoe Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360 Ph.# 856-691-6080.
Take Rt. 206 South to the end. Continue straight to Rt. 54 South to the end (12 miles); make left on Rt. 40. Go 0.1 mile. Make right on Rt. 557. Go 2.5 miles to DeThomasi's on right. http://www.fivepointsinn.com  The Ramapo MC Polar Bear Team will be leaving at 8:30am
from:
The Fireplace Restaurant‎
718 New Jersey 17
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 444-2362
thefireplacerestaurant.com‎

See Road Capt Dick if you decide to join use.

[BigBen]

Polar Bear Ride #9
January 8, 2012
To:   De THOMASI's EAST 5 POINTS INN, 580 Tuckahoe Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360 Ph.# 856-691-6080.
Take Rt. 206 South to the end. Continue straight to Rt. 54 South to the end (12 miles); make left on Rt. 40. Go 0.1 mile. Make right on Rt. 557. Go 2.5 miles to DeThomasi's on right. http://www.fivepointsinn.com  

The Ramapo MC Polar Bear Team will be leaving at 8:30am
from:
The Fireplace Restaurant
718 New Jersey 17
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 444-2362
thefireplacerestaurant.com‎


See Road Capt Dick if you decide to join use.

[WSikorski]

Looks like a warm one for the PBof the year.

[BigBen]

Looks like a warm one for the PBof the year.

I am ready to be happy!  It will be a 400 mile round trip for me with a lunch stop at Sebastian's German Schnitzel haus near Fort Dix.

[Kendoo]

I am ready to be happy!  It will be a 400 mile round trip for me with a lunch stop at Sebastian's German Schnitzel haus near Fort Dix.

How did it go?  I took a quick (80mile) ride up to Monticello today and temp was 34* up there.  Without heated gear, I was chilly.  If I get my stuff back from Gerbings (getting repaired) and the roads are clear, I may attend the Jan 22 event.  Looks like fun.

[BigBen]

How did it go?  

It went well. We took a mix of backroads and slab on the way down and all slab on the way back. Sebastian's German Schnitzel haus  was ok, but the food was too salty for me.

[BigBen]

Polar Bear Ride #9
January 8, 2012

My round trip milage for this polar bear ride was 400 miles, with temperature ranging from low 30's to low 50's. I did not hang around to take a rough count, but as always, good weather brings out more bikes.  Here are a few pics from De THOMASI's EAST 5 POINTS INN.



"Cigarski" Wayan

A spanking brand new C-14 next and Yamaha something???

The Classic Silver Connie sharing space with HD and Victory big boys and still looking good at 26plus years.

A closeup of "Cigarski" Wayan looking cool!!!

A BMW rider and Wingman comparing notes

A C-14 with Police Tip-over bars in the front and rear

[BigBen]

Polar Bear Ride #10
January 15, 2012

Roundtrip milage: 230 miles


Today's ride was to the WEARHOUSE GRILL, 161 Rte. 181, Lake Hopatcong, NJ. All I can say is that it was coooooooooooooooooold, even with the heated gear. I left my house at around 8:30am with the temperature at 7 degrees, returned home at 3:30pm and temperature had jumped to a dramatic 19 degrees. Below are a couple of picture from our launch stop at Hooters. The camera died after taking only two pictures.... sorry guys no Hooter girls.

[st2sam]

 

Geeze Ben, I live, eat, and sleep motorcycles but thats just insane riding in those temperatures!
How many bikes showed?

[BigBen]

 

Geeze Ben, I live, eat, and sleep motorcycles but thats just insane riding in those temperatures!
How many bikes showed?

There were about 60 bikes when we left around 12pm, but we kept on seeing more coming in as we were heading out.  The Polar bear Club has about 500 members in the NY, NJ, CT, PA & DE area. Insane?  Yes, but fun with safety first.

[BigBen]

More pictures from the Polar Bear Grand Tour site: http://polarbeargrandtour.com/wear12.htm

[WSikorski]

Some not so polar weather, on tap for tomorrow.  

[WSikorski]

Well attended meet on Sunday. The pleasant weather always draws a larger group.

Some pics:
The venue

My bike

Me, on the left

Diverse group of bikes

[BigBen]

Wayne, thanks for the pics, I was out last Sunday.... will be out this Sunday as well due to the Crotona Midnight Run.

[WSikorski]

I'll post some pics. This one will be a 4 pointer for me.

[Kendoo]

How did it go Wayne?  I was BSing with you at the bar at last week's run in Rockaway.  I wanted to make it this week, but had an event to attend last night that kept me out late, and with an open bar I was in no shape to get up early  

[WSikorski]

Good weather and another big turnout! Here's some pics guys.

Me.


New Venue


 
Bikes, bikes and more bikes. Good weather = lot's of riders.






 
Bank next door.

 
Museum a couple of doors down.

[WSikorski]

Well, we are at the end of the Polar Bear season once again; with only one ride left to do.

I'll be riding down to Cape May in the morning, as I need the points to hit 45 and the gold rocker. Would've had it 3 weeks ago, but, a damaged front tire and susequent backorder of the new one conspired against me.

I'll post some pics when I get back home.