PA to VT - A Recent Retiree's Ramble

[terham]

You have a gift of picking camp sites! A couple of those camp photos
are, as they say in the movie.... "real nice clark"
And, your a lucky guy to have "flagged down" a passing car with what
you had going on.... what did you use, the "neck wiggle, helmet bob" method!?
Thanks for the great report.

"travel'in john" ; 04R1150R

I used a persistent hand wave, and there much have been a certain amount of desperation in it, as the first car I tried it on, stopped.

[Marine By Choice]

Nice ride report. I retire July 1, 2013 and plan to head to the Northeast that fall. Never been north of NYC, so will be a great treat. Thanks again.

[bobs98]

Nice vids, too!

Makes me look forward to that "retirement" thing even more. Of course, that's still a LONG way off for me!

[AKsuited]

Effective September 1, at the ripe old age of 56 and after 23 years of a research career at a large pharma company, I pulled the plug and retired. One of the things I plan to do is ride more, and what better time to do that than in the Fall?

I'm fast approaching age 63 (February) and I am wrestling with the notion of retiring.

Thanks for the great trip report. It really strikes a chord with me because I look back fondly on trips through New England on my bike. I live in Western NY so New England and points NE are some of my favorite places to ride.

I've had some trouble getting any riding in of late, with medical problems some years and family commitments other years. When I take a week off for a family get-together, then I don't have any time for a bike trip.

My career has been in road and bridge construction, which has severely limited my time off during the riding season. Going on bike trips like the one you just presented is one of my main motivations to retire, so wish me luck in taking the plunge and actually retiring. My plan is to retire this winter, after the construction season ends.

Thanks again for the nice pics and trip report. It brings back memories of trips to Laconia, Bar Harbor, Quebec, Nova Scotia, etc. and reminds me I need to retire to do more of these adventures. Let's hope your trip report helps in some small way have me see the light and retire while I am still able to do road trips on the bike.



Harry

[terham]

Harry, I'm certainly a newbie to this whole retirement thing, but so far so good. It feels a little like Groundhog Day - every day's a Saturday.

If you haven't seen this, I found this thread interesting and informative.

Good luck with your decision.

[Artiee]

Great ride report and great pictures. I've been up around Hunter Mountain and have seen some of the sites in your pictures and have a few pictures of them myself.

II turned off past Pepacton Reservoir and headed south and had my only ÔÇ£momentÔÇØ of the trip. The road from the reservoir rises and I saw a view I wanted to take a photo of. Thinking the bike might move backward on the side stand due to the slope of the hill and the shoulder, I thought IÔÇÖd back the bike into the guardrail to hold it. I put the bike in neutral and backed up on an angle slowly, but when the right saddleback contacted the guardrail, the bike tilted to the left, downhill side. I was holding the bike on a downhill, left-leaning angle with my left leg and couldnÔÇÖt straighten the bike up because I was against the guardrail. I couldnÔÇÖt lift my foot to put the bike in gear or try to lower the side stand and I couldnÔÇÖt move the bike forward. I couldnÔÇÖt reach the guardrail to hold myself so I could lift my left foot to put the bike in gear and couldnÔÇÖt get off the bike without it coming over on me. In retrospect, I mightÔÇÖve been able to pull the clutch with my right hand and reach down with my left hand and put it in gear. I practice yoga but have never tried the downward facing SOL man, so balancing precariously and out of options, I flagged down a passing motorist. I had him hold me and the bike up, put the bike in gear with his foot and help me get away from the guardrail so I could be on my way. If it wasnÔÇÖt for that help, I think IÔÇÖd still be there.

.....good recovery on your pedicament however, you did one thing wrong... the first thing you should have done was give your camera to the helpful motorist and ask him to take a picture of you so we could all see your quandary and better share the experience with you....

[Firenailer]

Great ride report! I wish I would stop and take pictures while I'm out touring. I really enjoyed your report!

[henzilla]

Harry, I'm certainly a newbie to this whole retirement thing, but so far so good. It feels a little like Groundhog Day - every day's a Saturday.

If you haven't seen this, I found this thread interesting and informative.

Good luck with your decision.

Great report Terence
It's a part of the US we have not ridden in or thru yet, but planned!

And as someone who retired earlier than most it's worth every day of it. Life's short, don't get caught saying " I wished I had..." There is a way if one wants it bad enough, and that retirement thread linked is a good thought provoker.

[Beemer01]

thanks for taking to time to write this - and the pictures are wonderful!!!!

[AKsuited]

And as someone who retired earlier than most it's worth every day of it. Life's short, don't get caught saying " I wished I had..." There is a way if one wants it bad enough, and that retirement thread linked is a good thought provoker.

Thanks, Steve. Terence, I was in that earlier thread about retirement. I was going to go back in June, but put it off. I'm more comfortable with the idea now and will do it this winter, when I'll cause the least disruption at work. Besides having the "forces" coming together to convince me to retire, I really miss being able to take those long road trips on the bike, and the only way I am going to be able to do them is to retire, so that's what I'll do.

Hunter Mountain is a nice area. I used to take bus trips there in winter from Long Island as a high school student in the HS ski club.

Harry

[john1691]

Terrence, congrats on your retirement! And great ride report, looking forward to the "Frosty Nutz" rally next spring so I can get back up that way. Missed the GMR this year due to the wedding of a riding buddies daughter....... Going to Hermy's Oktoberfest this wekend?

[rdalland]

Terence appears to be out of the office...

[terham]

Terence appears to be out of the office...

I'm baaaack...new ride report to follow. I needed a few more miles before the mileage contest ends this Saturday.

[Visian]

GREAT shot!

That is cover quality...

Ian

[mcover]

well written. thanks for sharing.