Riding in Amish country PA

Had some time and wanted to scoot somewhere I was familiar with but never rode (motorized) before so headed east to the next county Lancaster.
Weather was perfect also SW was purring. Took the back roads to take in the scenery and try to a get some pictures of the Amish harvest. ​
You may have heard they're not fond of having their image captured, probably true although I have quite a few and never had a problem. Especially from younger Amish, they seemed pleased.​
On the SW, I had the advantage getting much closer to the action and came upon two guys harvesting an entire corn field with a single row small diesel engine. Other Amishmen cut then load the stalks onto a wagon take them back to the barn, separate the ears and grind the stalks for forage. Do you notice the labor needed in my description?​
My neighbor has an enormous John Deere that processes 6-8 rows at a time,  separates it, stores and is probably home before lunch!​
Anyway I was pleased with photos, my ride and of course my SW.
Sure we all have an eye for shinny new two wheel toys, me too. But I can't imagine having more fun than on my SW, plus I keep the dough in the bank!​
​
Glad to share, ride safe!

My wife and I were up there back in June.  We took the camper up and stayed at a state park. We towed the Spyder behind us and cruised around from Lancaster to Gettysburg.  Real pretty country, lots of fun to ride around.  

Freddie and EvilTwin, thanks for the info and pics. You probably had a great ride, and the Amish are really a great storied people. Some town names in Lancaster County are interesting (Bird in Hand, Paradise, Intercourse). Their industry is amazing. The strong shed in my back yard that houses my Swing was built by local Amish. Some Amish groups have ways to allow technology to leak into their equipment, but still maintain their strict "rules." Some still ride push bicycles without pedals; some use pedals, but with only one gear. Some justify internal combustion engines to power their saw mills, but remain off the electric grid. Many use public phone booths, but no independent phones to conduct their business. My wife used to live in Amish country, and when her brother was in his teens and practicing at home with his little rock band, she noticed a few young Amish guys across the highway lingering at the phone booth and enjoying the rock music spilling out of her house. Freddie, I think the younger Amish will be finding more ways to let technology encroach on their religion, sadly or not.

One caution to new riders in Amish country: Although increase in PA gas tax has allowed for improvements in the local highways that are great for flickable scooting, you really need to be cautious and not get too giddy with speed, especially around corners and over hillocks where visibility is blinded. Although those black horse and buggies require 4-way blinking lights, they may suddenly appear just 50 feet on the other side of that hill over which you may be happily flying. I have personally experienced that description at least twice in a car. There have been some bad accidents reported in Amish country involving Amish buggies.

However, Amish country is still beautiful in our eastern states, and I hope it lasts as one of the greatest living vestiges of human independence and self-sustinance. A great option for Swing riding enjoyment.

Don't forget those little brown piles those Amish horses tend to leave in the most precarious places. lol

easlingn wrote:

Don't forget those little brown piles those Amish horses tend to leave in the most precarious places. lol

Point well taken. No bulls**t there.

easlingn wrote:

Don't forget those little brown piles those Amish horses tend to leave in the most precarious places. lol

Biodegradable exhaust Middlefield o-HI-o passed a law that they have to have exhaust catchers installed inside city limits, AND clean up the parking areas. Here you can follow the trail for miles on a Sunday morning.

Horse S**t . Many nice roads down that way.
Traffic can be busy in the summer Tourists, weekends are worse. I give those buggies a lot of space when passing. Slow down and enjoy the country side. Country air will curl your noise hair at times.

bikehiker NO flashing lights here to warn one, some have the highly reflective tape none have the SMV signs. Fortunately they don't go near the better riding areas but one still has to be VERY aware when riding. I give them a lot of room when passing.

bikehiker wrote:

Freddie and EvilTwin, thanks for the info and pics.  You probably had a great ride, and the Amish are really a great storied people.  Some town names in Lancaster County are interesting (Bird in Hand, Paradise, Intercourse). Their industry is amazing.  The strong shed in my back yard that houses my Swing was built by local Amish.  Some Amish groups have ways to allow technology to leak into their equipment, but still maintain their strict "rules."  Some still ride push bicycles without pedals; some use pedals, but with only one gear.  Some justify internal combustion engines to power their saw mills, but remain off the electric grid.  Many use public phone booths, but no independent phones to conduct their business.  My wife used to live in Amish country, and when her brother was in his teens and practicing at home with his little rock band, she noticed a few young Amish guys across the highway lingering at the phone booth and enjoying the rock music spilling out of her house.  Freddie, I think the younger Amish  will be finding more ways to let technology encroach on their religion, sadly or not.

One caution to new riders in Amish country:  Although increase in PA gas tax has allowed for improvements in the local highways that are great for flickable scooting, you really need to be cautious and not get too giddy with speed, especially around corners and over hillocks where visibility is blinded.  Although those black horse and buggies require 4-way blinking lights, they may suddenly appear just 50 feet on the other side of that hill over which you may be happily flying.  I have personally experienced that description at least twice in a car. There have been some bad accidents reported in Amish country involving Amish buggies.

However, Amish country is still beautiful in our eastern states, and I hope it lasts as one of the greatest living vestiges of human independence and self-sustinance.  A great option for Swing riding enjoyment.

You dont recall the TV series a couple years ago on the "History" channel i think titled "Amish Mafia"?

You dont recall the TV series a couple years ago on the "History" channel i think titled "Amish Mafia"?

[/quote]

Sorry, I don't get cable TV (save about $2,000 a year), so I didn't see the Discovery Channel's "documentary." The show was probably interesting, but it seems that it has been debunked by so many scholars of the Amish community and dismissed as a "bigoted and inaccurate portrayal of the Amish." The TV series was suddenly cancelled, maybe after "former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett called for the show's cancellation and said it was 'bigoted' and 'an affront to all people of faith and all secular people with moral principles.' " (Wikipedia)

Not having cable/dish TV, I do miss a lot of good documentaries from History and Discovery channels, but try to keep up via Roku and Amazon Prime.

bikehiker wrote:

You dont recall the TV series a couple years ago on the "History" channel i think titled "Amish Mafia"?

Sorry, I don't get cable TV (save about $2,000 a year), so I didn't see the Discovery Channel's "documentary." The show was probably interesting, but it seems that it has been debunked by so many scholars of the Amish community and dismissed as a "bigoted and inaccurate portrayal of the Amish." The TV series was suddenly cancelled, maybe after "former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett called for the show's cancellation and said it was 'bigoted' and 'an affront to all people of faith and all secular people with moral principles.' " (Wikipedia)

Not having cable/dish TV, I do miss a lot of good documentaries from History and Discovery chqannels, but try to keep up via Roku and Amazon Prime.  [/quote]

bikehiker, you likely miss The Mystery Of Oak Island on Histroy channel then, I assume.  Maybe it is interesting to me as Oak Island is only about a 45 minute drive from my place.  Took the island tour this past summer and see great (read : interesting) things for the series this year which begins on Nov 13th.  They find gold this year and use a lot of technology for the dig.

Mike

Curious to note that "we" had several maxi scooter rallies in New Holland / Blue Ball area of Lancaster County. It began, and was organized by a guy from Pittsburgh, in 2004 as the 'Silverwing Scooter Get Together' via the old Yahoo Silverwing forum with ~7-8 scooters attending; including riders from as far away as Toledo, Ohio, central Virginia and one Burgman 650 from Toronto. As maxi scooters became more popular the event grew larger and became a Rally. About 2013 we had a total of 123 maxi scooters (including a couple of Can-Am Spyders) on a hazardous 60 mile follow-the-leader parade dodging road-apples thru the countryside.

That evening we all gathered at a local PA Dutch AYCE buffet for a grand feast & door prizes.

It all fell apart after that. Too big, and ill planned. But it was a great event while it lasted.

Needless to say, the Amish weren't impressed.

Wow, that scooter get together looks as if it was fun. Would be great to re-enact. Good thought about the road apples--taking in the local color, flavors, and smells.

Maxi-scooters meet in UP-STATE NY. next fall. I'm thinking of going but its almost a year away.

Williamsport PA. would be a nice spot also. I know some great roads up that way.

Problem with large groups is the traffic jams and group getting split up. A better way is 4-5 smaller groups with a leader who knows where the next stop will be. 10 minute intervals avoids so many problems mostly??? So many different riders and skills there always some issues.

It takes a lot of planning and time for the meet to happen. Hotels, ride planning, Etc.