The crunch of gravel beneath my adventure bike grows quieter as I ease the tall bike up to the guardrail next to the tranquil mountain lake. The arrival of summer always lures me to explore unpaved lanes, especially if they lead to hidden waterfalls or secluded lakes. One of my favorite loops takes me to Cascade Lake in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Not far from … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Zen and the art of roadside loafing
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Notes from the road: Enjoy the night
The darkness sweeps beside me broken only by the single headlamp and the glow from the gauge cluster. Traffic disappears and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 seems a bit more eager thanks to the cool night air it’s inhaling. Sometimes I become so accustomed to the flying sensation of riding a motorcycle I fail to take a moment to enjoy it, especially when you ride nearly … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Enjoy the night
Notes from the road: Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride returns this spring
For one day each year, a determined group of motorcycle riders cinch up their neckties and join their fellow enthusiasts for a worldwide benefit ride. Hordes of motorcyclists — both men and women — wearing suits and formal wear take to the roads in the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The event, normally held in September but now scheduled for May 22, brings together … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride returns this spring
Notes from the road: Winter dreams can be found in your favorite jacket
Daylight fades quickly this time of year, making my evening motorcycle commute a dark and chilly one. My Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 seems to like this season, with the denser cold air giving the parallel twin a bit of extra responsiveness to the throttle. This winter, it will be two years since I purchased the little café racer. The odometer shows 12,000-plus miles, and … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Winter dreams can be found in your favorite jacket
Notes from the road: Get dapper and ride for a cause
After a very long year of event cancellations and COVID restrictions, the summer riding returns along with larger motorcycle gatherings, rides and rallies. One of my favorite charity rides returns this May — The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The DGR looks like no other charity ride. Participants are encouraged to dress up and look dapper in suits, ties and other formal … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Get dapper and ride for a cause