Arcadia / Rhode Island

Today I planned on heading up to a motorcycle shop in Rhode Island to look at jackets and boots. It's right off I-95, but there's no real adventure in that, so I decided to take the long way round. I headed north up 49 to Voluntown and then headed east on 165 (Beach Pond Road). I'd been out this way many months ago in the truck but didn't really know where I was. It's strange how it almost instantly changes when you cross into RI - the trees are taller, more pines, more dense.  A little more wild. I stopped off at Beach Pond (first photo) and shut the bike down to just take in the breeze and the quiet. It was perfect weather today. 

I continued east and saw some small dirt roads going off to the south, into the forest. I pulled a U-turn and headed down one of them. I rode another mile or so and then smaller roads started branching off to the east. I took a couple of these, explored into the darker forest until they'd end at a trail head or fishing hole, and turn around to find another. I think that's the greatest thing about this motorcycle; the versatility. You can smoothly whirr thru the gears on pavement and pull a comfortable 80 or 85 mph; and then you can turn off onto a gravel or pine-covered dirt road and it feels equally at home. It's just incredibly fun.

There's just something indescribable about riding a motorcycle on a beautiful day. Something about it that just feels natural. Here you are, unobstructed by steel and glass, moving through your environment in pleasant harmony with the ground beneath you, the open skies above you, the trees waving beside you, and the air - the ever-present wind, with all it's aromas and temperatures and countless other sensations - flowing over you. You feel alive. And you never want it to end. 

Once I found the motorcycle shop, there was some massive event going on with parking attendants and lines of people everywhere, and I quickly decided I'd rather be riding than dealing with that mess. So I continued on, and looped south down 112 to Charlestown (great twisty road through some incredibly beautiful country). Then I headed west towards Mystic on Route 1, taking little detours to East Beach, RI and Watch Hill, RI. When I got back into town I headed straight for the Snack Shack and had a bacon cheeseburger, onion rings and a Dr. Pepper. Pretty good day. 

Misquamicut

The wrecked beaches of Misquamicut, RI. 

Watch Hill

Ok, I'm not going to flood this blog with photos every time I ride - I'm just still excited, so this is what's happening now. Tonight was going to be spent cramming for the Coast Guard service-wide exam tomorrow, which determines advancement up to the next rank. I was notified today that I'm advancing from the last exam that was in November - which means I'm moving up in rank, and I don't have to take the exam tomorrow. So with this late afternoon wide open, I hopped on the Scrambler and headed over to Watch Hill in Rhode Island. It's a beautiful little beach town, and a great twisty 2-lane road to get there. Not bad for a Monday. 

Knees in the Breeze

These are some more shots from yesterday around eastern Connecticut near the Rhode Island border. Because the sitting position is so similar to that of the little honda, I'm getting the hang of this bike pretty quickly. It handles like a dream. I took on just about any terrain I could find and it was just insanely fun. I took her down some gravel and dirt roads, some grassy fields, some fire trails packed with pine needles, and one particularly rocky trail that had me in over my head - didn't go too far on that one. Nearly dumped my bike the second day I had it haha. I can't really overstate how much fun this bike is. Just pure, old-fashioned motorcycling fun. And that's what it's all about. 

Pachaug

Today I headed north to Pachaug Nat'l Forest. I took the Scrambler down some pretty gnarly trails and fire roads and this bike is indestructible. There could not be a better motorcycle for me. This thing flies on the highway, cruising at 85 like nothing, and still capable of a little off-road exploring. Incredible Sunday. 

Welcome Home.

For a couple of months now, I've been researching all sorts of motorcycles. I decided it was time that I get something quicker, more powerful, and more reliable than the CB360. I went back and forth between a few bikes - even looking at some newer dual sports, but something always led me back to Triumph. I even visited a couple of Harley dealerships, and something there just continues to elude me. The whole thing is just not me. They just don't appeal to me the way Triumphs do. For years, these motorcycles have been whispering to me. In my opinion, they are everything a motorcycle should be. 

One week ago I chased down a used Triumph Scrambler in a dealership up north of Hartford on the Massachusetts line. It was a 2012 going for just under 8 grand. I would have bought even older, but it's near impossible to find used Triumphs around here. I looked it over, my heart beat faster, and I left that day. I could not stop thinking about that bike. A couple days later I called the shop, and dropped a deposit on the Scrambler. This morning, the motorcycle was mine. 

When I first got on the motorcycle, it was downright frightening how powerful and quick off the line it was. I nearly had to relearn how to ride, as all I've ever ridden is a 40-year-old 360cc. After a few laps of the neighborhood however, it felt incredibly right. In no time at all, I was thumping a across town to pick up a cover for the bike, and later tonight, rode out to my boss' kids birthday bbq and back. It just loves twisty roads. It leans effortlessly and responds perfectly to everything. It's a great bike and I've just barely scratched the surface. I'm a little choppy on the thing, but I can't wait to get back on her tomorrow and learn more about what she can do. It's been a good day.