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The subdude Roads of New England
Text and photos by Dr. Richard J. Atkins (#93162) |
October 30, 2007
Page 1 of 4 1234 |
The brutal New York heat and humidity of the greater Metropolitan area worked against personal comfort as I suited up and mounted my fully loaded R1150R. Independence Day week had caught my attention as the ideal time to avoid work and ride around New England, all the while trailing some friends and respected musicians, the subdudes. This is nothing new for me. In August of 2004, I rode with them to three shows around New York - all the while enjoying the glorious Empire State roads on my first BMW Motorcycle, the R1200C.
Amidst memories of that previous journey, and eager anticipation of this current one, I entered the twists and turns of the Hutchinson River Parkway and made my way to Connecticut's Merritt Parkway, exiting at Wallingford to visit with some friends. As tree cover increased and urban sprawl decreased, I felt the temperature moderate. My new summer riding gear - a TourMaster Draft Jacket and First Gear HT Air overpants - was perfectly suited to this more temperate climate above New York.
The next day, local roads away from my friends' home brought me to Route 8, a road I would traverse for two more states as I drove north. Near the top of Massachusetts, I took a diversion, recommended by a recently discovered online hero, www.motorcycleroads.us. After Dalton, I drove west to Route 7 and turned right on North Main Street to take the Mt. Greylock ride. This is 15 miles of challenge! I discovered some all too short-lived enjoyment of this run up past Mt. Greylock, Stony Ledge, and Mt. Williams with its switchbacks and hairpin turns. This was a rugged road, which many would consider as the width of a single lane.
Entering Vermont, the famed and fabled Route 100 was the natural choice. Dotted with quaint historic towns and homes, the machine and I meandered along the path 90 miles up into the state, all the while skirting the Green Mountain National Forest, before heading east on 131 to enter New Hampshire. Routes 103 and 10 brought me to a left turn on Brook Road, the night's place of rest and dining.
Fortunately, I arrived at the Back Side Inn (www.backsideinn.net) to experience the Wednesday Night Homemade Italian Pasta Buffet. After a healthy start of House Italian Salad and Italian-Style Wedding Soup, the Inn's talented executive chef brought out a delicious Calzone with Pepperoni, Peppers, and Onions served with made-on-premises Marinara. Then, I turned to the buffet - a choice of eight pastas including Spaghetti, Meatballs and Sausage, Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli, Pasta Purses Carbonara, Vegetable and Cheese Stuffed Shells, and Cheese Lasagna. Culinary masterpieces completed the dining experience - the chef's own pastries.
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