The Rides Begin...

The last of the missing parts are expected to arrive tomorrow and “Fire Balls” will be reassembled on Tuesday night. This 1995 BMW K75 is the low seat design with a really shitty seat latch. The plastic lock retainers had broken last summer and I ordered new ones from Bob’s BMW. There is no expectation that the replacement parts will be any better than the old ones, nor that they will last much longer, but my new “fat-assed” Russell Day-Long saddle moves a tad when I got on it and the replacement lock will anchor it better. Now that I know how fragile the lock is, I can handle it with kid gloves. This is one part that should have been made of metal as opposed to plastic.

The powder-coated muffler and crash bars were delivered over the weekend and this machine is now predominantly red and black. The bike got a full tune-up in January at the legendary Rubber Chicken Racing Garage. The tires are rock hard at the right pressures. The battery tender is flashing a green “good to go” signal and there is every expectation that my first shake out ride on Wednesday evening will go smoothly. I am planning a short 72-mile roundtrip run up to the rail museum at Strasburg for the test ride. I will do another of these rides on Thursday night as well. My concern is not so much for the bike, but for my knees and hips, which are acting up again since I stressed them last week.

“Fire Balls” will get a thorough wash and wax on Thursday night.

My good friend Michael Cantwell is riding down here from upstate New York on Friday. I took the day off from work and am planning to ride into New Jersey to meet him about a third of the way down. His ride will be close to 400 miles for the day. I’m hoping to do a picturesque cruise up Route 100 in Pennsylvania, to I-78, to I-287 in the “Garden State,” running into my pal somewhere around Parsippany. (This is assuming the new seat is easier on my back and hips.)

Situated here in southeast Pennsylvania, there are a number of varied riding terrains close by. On Saturday, April 18th, I’m planning on showing Michael the salt Marshes of Delaware. For those who are no longer getting my riding list e-mail (due to an unexplained malfunction), the details of that ride are included below. Anyone looking to make this ride should confirm it with me on my private e-mail (JPRiepe@aol.com).

Ride #1
Title: “The Impact of Refineries and Nuclear Discharge on Crabs And Migratory Birds”
Date: Saturday April 18, 2009
Assembly Point: Exton Diner (Route 100 and Ship Road/Diagonally opposite the Drafting Room)
Time: 8am (If you are meeting for breakfast)
Kickstands Up: 8:45am

Routing:
1) Depart Exton Diner via Rt 100 south to Rt. 202 South
2) Pick up Rt. 926 South To Rt. 52 South
3) Take Rt. 52 South to Rt. 141 South
4) Take Rt. 141 South to Rt. 9 South.
5) Take Rt. 9 South to (Parking Lot Opposite Nuclear Power Plant for Group Picture)
6) Take Rt. 9 South to Unmarked Road on map leading into Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge ($4 charge per bike). There are great views of the bay and of the marshes here. However, roads are dirt and gravel, Riders choosing not to do this can wait by the flush toilets and picnic tables at the interpretative center. Bring binoculars and a camera, if you have them.
7) Take Rt. 9 South to Rt. 1
8) Take Rt. 1 South to Bowers Beach Road going into North Bowers Beach
9) Lunch at JP’s on the Wharf -- 12:30pm

• JP’s On The Wharf -- This is a cool seafood and steak joint on the water. North Bowers Beach is a tiny little resort community that looks like recession hit it in 1954 and stayed. The last time I was here, there were two bars here. The other one was a Harley joint. When the tide comes in, it comes up through the storm sewers in the street. There is a full bar at JP’s, for those writing travelogues. Lunch without drinks can run $15 on average. The road to get into this place (Bowers Beach Road) runs through the salt marshes and is very pretty. It’s about 5 miles long, as I recall.

http://www.jpsonthewharf.com/1816189.html

Other lunch options ---

• Sambo’s Tavern (Leipsic, De) just after the federal wildlife refuge. Also on the water, but no view as it is a saloon. I have never been here but there were three reviews. One said the crabcake was average but overpriced. The other two were stooge reviews that were planted.

• Three Cavaliers (Dover, De) Dick, Dave Oehler, and Rogers George have eaten here. Full bar, incredible crab soup, not cheap. Average fried chicken. They will remember us as we stood out in the crowd.

Lunch is going to be $15 - $25. All of these seafood joints are expensive.

If we are going to meet up with folks from Delaware, there is a shitty gas station (Getty, I think) on the left of Rt. 9 (headed south) about a quarter mile from the tall bridge over the canal, in Delaware City. They won’t let you use the horrid bathroom and the coffee machine is all the way in the back. I am bringing a thermos of hot coffee to sip at the nuclear plant, and at the wildlife refuge.

10) Continue South on Rt. 1 to Cape Henlopen State Park at Lewes.
11) Continue South on Rt. 1 to Maryland, where road becomes Rt. 528
12) West on Rt. 90 to Rt. 366.
13) Rt. 336 to US 50 Bypass
14) US 50 to Rt 313 (North)
15) Rt. 313 to Rt. 392
16) Rt. 392 to Rt. 313
17) Rt. 313 to Rt. 213
18) Rt. 213 to Rt. 841 (Pennsylvania)
19) Rt. 841 to US-1

The total distance is about 265 miles.
Please meet at the Exton Diner with a full tank of gas
There is virtually no gas on Rt. 9 and I am not gonna fuck around looking for someone’s brand, or one that is 11¢ cheaper.

Please RSVP if this run appeals to you.

Ride #2
Title: The Amish Horsepile Sample Run
Date: April 19, 2009
Rally Point: The Pottstown Family Diner
Kickstands Up: 9:30- 9:45am (Arrive with a full tank of gas)

This will be a gentle ride through Lancaster County following the Mac-Pac Breakfast at the Pottstown Family Diner, on Sunday, April 18th. Breakfast is at 8am, and we expect to be underway by 9:30 or 9:45am. The ride will run through some very pretty Amish farm and horse country.

Routing:
1) South on Rt. 100 To Rt. 401
2) Right turn onto Rt. 401 at Ludwig’s Corners
3) Left from Rt. 401 onto Rt. 82
4) Right from Rt. 82 onto Rt. 322
5) Left onto Rt. 10 from Rt. 322
6) Right onto Rt. 30 from Rt. 10,
7) Left onto Rt. 41 from Rt. 30.
8) Right over Amtrak tracks at first light, and right again onto Rt. 741
9) Stop for coffee and piss at Strasburg Railroad Museum

10) Zigzag around Pennsylvania Railroad Museum and go left onto Rt. 896
11) Follow Rt. 896 to Rt. 372
12) Go right on Rt. 372 and follow across the Susquehanna River to Rt. 74
13) Go left on Rt. 74 (bad corner) and cross into Maryland, bearing right onto Rt. 136
14) Take Rt. 136 to US-1.
15) Go Left on US-1 and cross Conowingo Dam.

• Deviation: go right onto Rt. 222 and stop at Union Hotel Bar (wild boar on menu). This is a Harley joint.

16) Take US-I to Maryland/Pennsylvania state line. Have picture taken at Mason/Dixon line sign.
17) Turn right from US-1 onto Rt. 10
Turn right from Rt. 10 to Rt. 946
Deviation: Turn left onto Rt. 841 and follow four miles to the Whip Tavern -- Authentic English Pub and great place to look at hot asses of women in jodhpurs. (Not a source of cheap beer.)
20) Follow Rt. 946 to Rt. 202. -- Ride ends

If you are planning to make this ride, let me know at JPRiepe@aol.com. Mark the e-mail "Cantwell Ride."


These details have been posted for my Mac-Pac friends and others in the area who are not getting the regular e-mail at the moment.

©Copyright 2009 jack Riepe
AKA The Lindbergh Baby (Mac-Pac)
AKA Vindak8r (Motorcycle Views)
AKA The Chamberlain -- PS (With A Shrug)