Where are you going this riding season?

Hi All,

Spring is tomorrow. You wouldn't know it here in Chicago. We have had 6 days of record breaking temps in the 80's and still are predicting 3 more days in the 80's. Great riding!

Bob and I are going back down to Knoxville, TN in June.
Southeastern, OH and West Virginia in July.

Possibly the Black Hills, SD in August. Not during the Sturgis Rally.

Where are you thinking of riding to?

I have trips to the UK planned - all X9OC rides:

One-day rideout in the West Country taking in Stonehenge, Salisbury and Wells.
Weekend in Lincolnshire - Club Anniversary Bash.

There'll be a couple more 'regulars' as well - Kent, Stamford.
I'll stay with my scootering friends in Windsor before and after as it takes a while to get across the Channel.

I shall go over on the Silverwing for my College Reunion in July - that's near Oxford.

I'm meeting a group of Muppets in Dunkirk (France) next Monday for a day's riding and sight-seeing.

Hopefully, there'll be another long weekend in Brittany - six nights for me - overnight stops on the way down and back.

last two weeks in July.
Edmonton Alberta Canada to Anchorage Alaska U S of A
3200 km one way.
7000 return.
Travelling with a good friend. He rides a Harley Davidson Road King.
I forgive him because he is a good friend.
Weather here still not suitable to ride but soon I hope.

[quote="MikeO"
I'll stay with my scootering friends in Windsor.[/quote]

I never realised 'they' rode scooters!!!
You obviously move in regal circles Mike - I must remember to bow when we meet up in May!! :not worthy:

Mike,

What is a X90C ride.? Sounds interesting.

Winger61 wrote:

[quote="MikeO"
I'll stay with my scootering friends in Windsor.

I never realised 'they' rode scooters!!!
You obviously move in regal circles Mike - I must remember to bow when we meet up in May!! :not worthy: [/quote]]

'they' don't!

'they' ride motor cycles. It used to be a R1 but he's dropped that and has a Ducati these days.

As for riding out this year. Nah!!!! My beast is for traffic busting, ie, commuting!!!!

Cathy, it's the X9 Owners Club.
Some years ago (2003, IIRC) a chap in England started an online club for the owners of Piaggio X9s with a view to meeting up and riding together.
It was one of those things a bit like Yahoo Groups.
As the numbers grew a proper forum was set up and continues to this day although there have been the usual 'moves' as providers have ceased to exist.
Many members have moved on from X9s to Burgers, Silverwings, Tmaxs, X8s and so on, partly because the X9 is no longer in production and spares are becoming increasingly difficult to find...as are dealers to service and repair them - Piaggio were never very good with dealer- and customer relations.
A group of London X9ers have been meeting for breakfast on Saturdays at the Ace Café with barely a week missed out since the club was established.
There's a hardy 'chapter' in the Manchester area who also meet regularly and ride.
The Annual Bash usually takes place equidistant from North and South so we can get together once a year.
I've made some very good friends through the club, one reason why I go over for rideouts.
Some have been over here, too.

There you have it!

Not quite so posh, Doug, but the friend I stay with is a sound-engineer, ex-BBC, now of Sky, who worked on many well-known programmes including Doctor Who.
He's definitely Upper-class BBC!

Now that it's starting to cool down a bit, I will be off for a weekend at Dongara at end of April and a couple of weeks in June at Broome

KurtPerthWA wrote:

Now that it's starting to cool down a bit, I will be off for a weekend at Dongara at end of April and a couple of weeks in June at Broome

That'll be a clean sweep then Kurt!

I'm going to Mühlhausen for a few days, it's an old walled town in the 'new' federal state of Thüringen or Thuringia in Germany. From there I can ride into the nearby bikers playground of the Harz which I'm quite familiar with, or nearer still the bendy bits of the lesser known Kyffhäuser and the nice little town of Bad Frankenhausen.

If I want history and culture there's Erfurt, Weimar, and Eisenach nearby, I'm hoping my hotel in Mülhausen will be somewhere this bloke Goethe didn't stay at. Judging by all the references to him in the guide books he seems to have stayed everywhere else.

I'm not going away to blast round roads all day long, as I'm just as happy wandering round towns getting brain-freeze from eating too much ice cream, enjoying a currywurst, shopping, browsing a shelf full of German bike mags or maps, and relaxing with a coffee or a beer once the riding is over for the day.

Sadly Mrs M is too busy to come with me this time, and I'll have all the storage space on the Silver Wing to myself.

Always Germany, Meldrew, whats the attraction??

It's a great place, the scenery in the Harz is terrific, they are biker friendly, the small towns are very pretty and very clean and the prices are good value.
Meldrew, I'm free all summer apart from July, have you got any vacancies ???

Old Limey wrote:

Always Germany, Meldrew, whats the attraction??

It isn't always Germany, I've ridden to other European countries over the years including Spain, Sweden, and ones that were once behind the Iron Curtain and the country I enjoy most is Germany. I tend to go back to places I've been before and get to know them better, or pick a new area that interests me. In the past I used to go there to attend bike and scooter rallies, but nowadays I can't be bothered lugging a tent round, and prefer hotels or self-catering. I'm also familiar with their shops, stores, and restaurants, and I just feel comfortable and at home there.

I've tried the Alpine Passes thing in Austria, which is just riding up and down a load of hairpin bends, then doing it somwhere else to say you have, it bored me so I'm not interested in doing the same in Switzerland. I've never been to Italy apart from a brief excursion over a Pass that time in Austria, I'm going to Milan later this year so maybe I'll do some riding in Italy when I retire.

Living up North, an overnight ferry from North Shields or Hull to Belgium or Holland then onwards to Germany is far better than having a long slog down South for a Channel ferry to France. I have toured in France but it does nothing for me at all.

MikeO wrote:

Cathy, it's the X9 Owners Club.
Some years ago (2003, IIRC) a chap in England started an online club for the owners of Piaggio X9s with a view to meeting up and riding together.

2002 Mike!!!

Laurie

Indeed - much has happened since then, Laurie.

Isle of Man TT, should get 3 days of practice and 3 days of racing. Never been before as I normally go to France but felt like a change this year.

I was planning on a trip to The isle of Man this year. Just for a couple of days to ride the roads and enjoy the views. Iam not interested in racing or watching the TT, so i plan to go outside the racing season. Any idea what it costs on the ferry?? I didn't know they had Scooter races.

I O M Ferry:

http://www.steam-packet.com/

Cheers MikeO

old limey
try and get on the isle of man boat manannan its a faster crossing than on the ben-my-cree boat
from heysham on the ben-my-cree three and a half hours crossing
from heysham on manannan two hours crossing
from liverpool approx half hour longer crossings

I have to go to upstate NY in June; if things work out I hope to ride the SWing. If I do, I plan to ride the entire BRP, from Front Royal to the Smokies.

I had plans on riding to Lake Placid (Adrionacks, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec and back home to Halton Hills.
We were going to travel approx. 400-500 kilometers a day so that we could get this done within 9 days, however, we decided doing this won't allow us to have much time off the bike to explore and wander by foot and actually relax.
So we are back in the planning stages of which state or province we will spend 2 nights in and one riding throughout the 9 days rather than 9 days of riding. I'm leaning towards Adrionacks, Maine and possibly part of the Gaspisie circuit in Quebec. Just have to figure out how to lump it all together. Planning on getting together next weekend with my two riding buddies to make a decision. We won't be leaving till June 29th and I have a few more rides out of town before then. Hoping to get to Pennsylvannia for a weekend ride.
If any of you have rode through any of the above regions would love to get your thoughts on those areas. I have been through P.A. before so am more interested in hearing about the places for my July trip.

Last August I rode to Newfoundland (Atlantic Canada). Got as far north as St Anthony on the tip of the northwest peninsula and saw some very impressive ice bergs there in the harbor.

Newfoundland has got to be Canada's best kept secret --truly an awesome place geographically and great friendly folks. Kinda spendy when it comes to gas prices though.

Given the opportunity I'll be going back again this year too.

CSN that is quite a ride you ave loosly planned! The Adirondacks and Lake Placid are close to each other. I was going to suggest the lake George area and RT 2 across VT, NH & ME. The north side of the the mtns and the presidential range are quite nice. That may be too far south and east if your destination is Gaspisie. Crossing Vt you could use RT 100 at Waterbury to head north to the border @ Newport. Crossing NH and into ME you could use RT 201 at Skowheagan to head north to the border @ Sandy Bay. Rt 100 is very scenic and RT 2 along the north slope of the presidential range is a trip I plan on doing again!

Have a great trip planning meeting and let us know what you and your friends decide!

The only official rally for me is the Maxi-Scoot-Rally September 2012, Lewisburg, PA.

The wife and I will also be doing a couple of overnights this summer. She wants to try taking 1-3 day trips on the scoot so weekends are great for getting the feel for this kind of travel for her.

In SAn AntonioTexas we have started the season.
Port Aransas fishing trip - 3 days.
Brownwood TX to hook up with Kawa rider - 3 days.
Planning trip to MI in July - 10 to 14 days?

Thanks for the info Paul.
We are suppose to get together tomorrow to plan.
I think what might end up happening is that we will book our first 3 nights, June 30, July 1st and 2nd and then see where we go from there.
Right now we are booked for the first night in Baldwinsville, NY but that is just to sleep as our stopping point for our first night. I'm think Lake George as a possiblity so second night will either be Lake George or Lake Placid. At this point I'm just so excited to do the ride that I don't care where we end as long as we have some great roads, scenery, and hopefully good weather. I could meet up with my friends tomorrow and they can totally change that plan. lol

Much depends on time and weather. The state is broke and not clearing some of the roads, like up to Artist Point on Mt. Baker. They are waiting for the snow to melt on its own.

But still, a trip up to Mt. Baker, down to Mt. St. Helens, and around Mt. Rainier are in order. I'll probably scoot through the North Cascades Highway again also. Each are long day trips, but the scenery is great and the roads nice too.

Chris

In April of this year, I plan to ride to Phoenix and back. Be gone 17 days.

In July I am going to Glacier National Park, by way of along the Colombia River and then across Lolo Pass then on to Highway to the Sun. Be gone 14 days.

In August, I am doing a meetup from a Goldwing site in the California Redwoods. Be gone 7 days

All of these trips will be moto-camping on my Goldwing.

Chris, hope they get your roads fixed soon.
Larry, sounds like you have some amazing riding ahead of you! Enjoy.
My trip ride now that we have decided on but not happening till end of June so of course it may change another thousand times but looks like we will go through Niagara Falls in Canada, head through Buffalo, stay in New York (Baldwinsville) the first night, then head to Lake Placid and spend two nights there and ride through the Adronacks. From there we head to Quebec and ride the Gaspesie circuit for a few days and then I think its another 2 days to get back home. We wanted to do Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and possibly New Brunswick but just too time constrained and we want to be able to get off the bikes and enjoy the sites as well. Even though we have narrowed it down it still will be around 4000 kilometers or so and when you are with friends its always a good road trip!

Kim and I are planning a ride to Hannibal, MO. Hope that our youngest and his wife can join us for the ride up. We'll ride one SilverWing and they can ride our other. will meet my brother and his girl friend as well as an aunt and possibly a cousin and her husband.

Four days exploring the area around the Mississippi River area made famous by 'Mark Twain' (Samuel Clemons).

Did the Muppets' Ugly Bunch trip to Dunkirk the other weekend. Met MikeO with his very nice blue Silverwing.
Only other trip arranged so far is in June for two weeks in the Picos de Europa in northern Spain. Two weeks of twisties and mountains = heaven on wheels!
Possible two weeks in September to ride the Pyrenees in Spain.

Cheers,

jdeereanton wrote:

Kim and I are planning a ride to Hannibal, MO. Hope that our youngest and his wife can join us for the ride up. We'll ride one SilverWing and they can ride our other. will meet my brother and his girl friend as well as an aunt and possibly a cousin and her husband.

Four days exploring the area around the Mississippi River area made famous by 'Mark Twain' (Samuel Clemons).

I know you will find all that you need there for fun. Hopefully you will find it in perfect weather. I love the Ozarks.

tarmacburner2 wrote:

Did the Muppets' Ugly Bunch trip to Dunkirk the other weekend. Met MikeO with his very nice blue Silverwing.
Only other trip arranged so far is in June for two weeks in the Picos de Europa in northern Spain. Two weeks of twisties and mountains = heaven on wheels!
Possible two weeks in September to ride the Pyrenees in Spain.

Cheers,

One word: "Envy"

CSN wrote:

Chris, hope they get your roads fixed soon.
Larry, sounds like you have some amazing riding ahead of you! Enjoy.
My trip ride now that we have decided on but not happening till end of June so of course it may change another thousand times but looks like we will go through Niagara Falls in Canada, head through Buffalo, stay in New York (Baldwinsville) the first night, then head to Lake Placid and spend two nights there and ride through the Adronacks. From there we head to Quebec and ride the Gaspesie circuit for a few days and then I think its another 2 days to get back home. We wanted to do Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and possibly New Brunswick but just too time constrained and we want to be able to get off the bikes and enjoy the sites as well. Even though we have narrowed it down it still will be around 4000 kilometers or so and when you are with friends its always a good road trip!

I just have to get my passport. There is so much riding so close to Seattle on your side of the border. Used to be, we didn't need it to get back in our country, but that has all changed.

larryinseattle wrote:

I know you will find all that you need there for fun. Hopefully you will find it in perfect weather. I love the Ozarks.

I also love the Ozarks, have been many times. But, all of this riding will occur north of St. Louis NOT in the geographic area of the Ozarks, but thanks.

jdeereanton wrote:

larryinseattle wrote:

I know you will find all that you need there for fun. Hopefully you will find it in perfect weather. I love the Ozarks.

I also love the Ozarks, have been many times. But, all of this riding will occur north of St. Louis NOT in the geographic area of the Ozarks, but thanks.

In 1974 to 77 I was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood MO & Ft. Leavenworth, KS and I am originally from eastern South Dakota. In those days I had a 650 Yamaha..... I understand the area as I rode all over those areas. Very nice country. I still love the Ozarks! I have not been back there since they built up Branson.

larryinseattle wrote:

jdeereanton wrote:

larryinseattle wrote:

I know you will find all that you need there for fun. Hopefully you will find it in perfect weather. I love the Ozarks.

I also love the Ozarks, have been many times. But, all of this riding will occur north of St. Louis NOT in the geographic area of the Ozarks, but thanks.

In 1974 to 77 I was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood MO & Ft. Leavenworth, KS and I am originally from eastern South Dakota. In those days I had a 650 Yamaha..... I understand the area as I rode all over those areas. Very nice country. I still love the Ozarks! I have not been back there since they built up Branson.

I understand all too well. I'll enjoy myself in the Ozarks even though I will not be going there. You are (as you know) correct.

[/quote]
One word: "Envy" [/quote]

One of the benefits of being retired and not having to worry about kids.

Cheers,

Hi Dale,

Bob and I stayed a night in Hannibal, MO last September on our way down to the STO. Nice town and nice riding. Hwy 19 south of I-70 is nice and it is even better south of I-44 at Cuba all the way down to US 60. I don't know if you will get a chance to get there but it is great road. You should enjoy yourselves.

Bob and I are heading back to Knoxville, TN in June. Going to do some different roads this time around.

Coolsoupy: I rode to San Antonio a few years ago in July when my youngest graduated from A. F. basic. Hot but comfortable on the scoot. I noticed how much "heavier" the atmosphere seemed going thru northern Wisc and then into Michigan. Seemed much more humid and uncomfortable. See if you notice the same sensation. Also, the roads seemed rougher in Mich. Hoping to hear of your experience.

CathyN wrote:

Hi Dale,

Bob and I stayed a night in Hannibal, MO last September on our way down to the STO. Nice town and nice riding. Hwy 19 south of I-70 is nice and it is even better south of I-44 at Cuba all the way down to US 60. I don't know if you will get a chance to get there but it is great road. You should enjoy yourselves.

(snip)
Cathy,

Thanks I believe we will enjoy ourselves. Probably won't deviate much from the routes we have identified in the map. but, our ride up from Huntsville will allow us to ride US-61 north out of St. Louis, MO. (Have a personal connection with this particular road.)

In the past we have ridden routes diagrammed by the company that suggested this ride and always have enjoyed them. Check them out - RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring and Travel Magazine http://www.roadrunner.travel/ they have suggested routes around Knoxville. Great magazine. It is the only periodical we subscribe to at our home and has been the only magazine we read over and over. Great photography and really good writing, they have editorial standards!

Dale,

Sounds like your all set. Hope weather is good for you. Bob has been getting RoadRunner Magazine for a few years now. We even won a subscription at the STO last year. I agree with you it is my favorite riding magazine. We have met Florian Neuhauser a couple of times at the motorcycle show. Nice guy.

Well, in theory, my first "proper" run was/is going to be Galloway on the 13/14 this month. Camping by Loch Ken and meeting up with some old mates.

Followed by 2nd June when I am off for 7/8 days around France, camping again, with a friend, possibly 2.

Followed by late June, to the Highlands with SWMBO to see my daughter whom is on a 4 week field trip on Ardnamurchan again. Janice and I will be taking a Red Cross parcel for her and maybe taking her out for a meal at the VERY expensive Hotel at the end of the Peninsular! To avoid a sore bum, Janice will probably train to Glasgow, and I will pick her up for the fun bits... Posh trip this, as it'll be B&B, no expense spared as you can see.

Later in the year, if plans gel, possibly a run over to Tipperary and I would also love to get into the Ardennnes, if the Scottish trip with Her ladyship pans out... Mind, the Norway trip by Si and Dave on the Hairy Bikers have really whetted my appetite, followed by Coast doing a programme on Norway, but geez is it expensive!!!!

I intend to see some road miles this Summer after a poor year in 2011

steveR wrote:

the Norway trip by Si and Dave on the Hairy Bikers have really whetted my appetite, followed by Coast doing a programme on Norway, but geez is it expensive!!!!

Nice to see a bit more riding from the Hairy Bikers on this latest series, on a pair of KTM's too. I noticed Dave Myers was riding a SMT 990 in Norway, but in the second programme in the Low Countries he was riding an Adventure 990 like Si King.

Meldrew wrote:

Nice to see a bit more riding from the Hairy Bikers on this latest series, on a pair of KTM's too. I noticed Dave Myers was riding a SMT 990 in Norway, but in the second programme in the Low Countries he was riding an Adventure 990 like Si King.

I thought that there had been a change, but had not noticed properly. I reckon KTM must besides themselves at the good publicity, which has got to be good after they turned down Ewan and Charlie before their original RTW ride, and we know what that did to Beemer sales in subsequent years!!

I did ponder a look at an Adventure as being a pretty roomy bike, but cannot get my head round the looks somehow, and there are no dealers nearby anyway

I'm definitely doing the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire this year.

Did the Muppets' Ugly Bunch trip to Dunkirk the other weekend. Met MikeO with his very nice blue Silverwing.

I had a great day - the highlight for me was meeting everyone I have met so far only on the Internet.
I was made very welcome indeed.

The weather was good riding-weather although I got a bit hot towards the end as the temperature rose from what was a chilly start to the day.

I confess to having washed and polished the Silverwing specially for the day!

Errr... I've jumped the gun a bit, I'm in Boston MA with Mrs M, not on the Silver Wing of course. Arriving early at Heathrow to check in for our late morning flight with BA we were asked if we would mind being "bumped off" our flight onto a late afternoon flight, and offered us both £502 as an incentive to make a quick decision.

Yes of course we did, and after later collecting our money we enjoyed a very nice lunch at Wagamama in Terminal 5 and wandered around the shops before catching our flight.

So here we are in Boston, we've already been on a Duck Tour, and to Quincy Market. If I'd have known earlier I'd have bought some soup bowls with me, the poor Bostonians have to eat soup out of a hollowed out bread loaf.