February 2026

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 1

Page 2

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

MONTHLY COLUMNS

Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

FREE WHEELIN’ ........................................ 3 WHATCHATHINKIN’ ................................... 4

Publishers

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil

ON THE MARK........................................... 5

Contributors

Mark Byers, Dr. Seymour O’Life

Office

BACKROADS 160 Cty Rd 521, Newton, NJ 07860

phone

973.948.4176

email

editor@backroadsusa.com

online

www.backroadsusa.com

Advertising

973.948.4176

Follow Us

Backroads-Motorcycle-Touring-Magazine

Post Us

@BackroadsGal

See Us

backroadsmagazine

14

BACKLASH ................................................ 6 INDUSTRY INFOBITES ............................... 7 INSIDE SCOOP .......................................... 9 GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN ......... 10 BIG CITY GETAWAY ................................. 12 MYSTERIOUS AMERICA .......................... 14 WE’RE OUTTA HERE ................................ 17 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE .................... 32

FEATURES

20

FALL FIESTA 2025 ................................... 20

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS 2026 BMW R 1300 RT .............................. 26

PRODUCT REVIEWS SIDI PERFORMA BOOTS.......................... 29 SW-MOTECH PRO GS TANK BAG ............ 30

26

BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. BACKROADS™ may not be reproduced in any manner without specific written consent from the publisher. BACKROADS™ welcomes and encourages submissions (text and photos) and suggestions. Include phone number with submissions. BACKROADS™ will only return material with enclosed sufficient postage. The written articles and opinions printed in BACKROADS™ are not necessarily those of the publisher and should not be considered an endorsement. The Rip & Rides® published are ridden on the sole responsibility of the rider. BACKROADS™ is not responsible for the conditions of the public roadways traversed. Please respect the environment, read your owner’s manual and wear proper protective gear and helmet. Ride within your limits, not over them.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 3

FREE WHEELIN Swapping

BRIAN RATHJEN

on other machines. I let the K LR’s speed ( LOL) , and momentum carry itself through the turns; as demanding power to charge out of a curve is usually In early November, after watching met with a muf e of laughter from the engine. didn’t ha e power. But once a very competitive MotoGP Sprint at at speed, I did have momentum, and not scrubbing too much of it off, when Algarve, in Portugal, and the predictsetting up for a curve, allowed me to exit with a bit more authority, and to ed rainy day happily replaced by suneep the pace going. his was wor ing fine for the first part of the loop, but shine and late September temps, we as we headed back, I thought I’d swap bikes, as the K LR had its workout, decided to do the Bigger Better Loop. and the Stabil mixed fuel would keep it happy if it ended up being ignored Shira is a creature of habit and comfor a bit…and I wanted to ride my Z 900. fort, so I knew she’d almost certainly Rolling into the driveway, I tried to make the swap as quickly as I could, choose to ride her Honda 919, as her Suzuki V-Strom plays the perpetual so as not to break the rhythm of the Bigger Better Loop Ride. Although not bridesmaid. For me, I like to circle through things that need to be used. Alas fast as Marc Marquez, I was pretty quick at hopping off one K awasaki though we have a room that has been called the music room, I play guitar and onto another. more often than not in the living room, and the acoustics get swapped out Swapping from one machine to another certainly gives you a chance to every few days. Z aar, Ovation, Guild, Seagull. I try, questionably, to ride clearly see the differences in the bikes, but one needs to take a moment motorcycles the same way, but maybe not as studiously as I should. when you go from one extreme to the other.

This day, being a warmish 60 plus degrees, I rolled the 20 02 K LR650 off More so with stepping up than down, and as I rolled out of the driveway, I the rack, and was pleased when it begrudgingly sputtered into life. had to remind myself that if the K LR was about managing momentum, then I picked up this bike decades ago and, although equipped to be a major the Z 900 w as about managing throttle. world traveler, it never gets ridden nearly as much as she deserves.

The Z runs around 110 horsepower. 73.5 more than the Suited up, we rolled out, this time choosing to K LR - that difference is just a tad below the HP of the Although not as fast as Marc head northeast first. original 900 Z -1.

If you own a K LR, then you are aware of the Marquez, I was pretty quick This bike demands patience, understanding, and restraint. blisteringly strong, and powerful horsepower this at hopping off one Kawasaki Where I seemed to be perpetually WFO with the K LR, I “D esigned in the Reagan E ra” thumper machine would never go there with the Z 900, as I have neither the and onto another. can offer. Okay, that is a lie. prowess nor skill.

E very time I get on my K LR, I am quickly reSetting up for the turns was approached with the idea of getting my downminded of and underwhelmed with its 36.5 ponies. ( D on’t forget that half a shifting and braking ( if really needed) done, and then getting my eyes way horse) The original brakes were a sorry state as well, and long ago I replaced up and down the road, and knowing that the bigger K awi would easily acthe stock rotor with a larger one, and the pitiful single piston caliper with celerate out with just a light twist of the wrist, not the full-on wrench the a far stronger dual piston Tokico, sourced from a wrecked Suzuki SV-650.

650 de manded.

The bike demands patience and understanding. But once up to speed, the hen the BB was finished, we had co ered 1 miles of superb bac K LR does sing; in a back-of-the-choir sort of way. roads, and I got to give both my K awasakis a proper stretch, as we’d be I was leading and trying to keep a pace quick enough to keep Shira from brushing off light snow in just a couple of days. Take ‘ em while you can. , dozing, and that had me setting my riding approach differently than I might

Page 4

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

WHATCHATHINKIN’ BirdS Flock TogeTher E ach winter, when the trees are bare and it’s slim pickings for the feathered and furry creatures we call our neighbors at Backroads Central, we supply an abundance of nut and seed to see them through the D ark D ays.

Yes, it may make a bit of a mess but the entertainment factor far outweighs the spring clean-up. e get the usuals uncos, nuthatch, wrens, finches and titmouse, mourning doves and blue jays, a variety of woodpeckers from downy to pileated and the occasional cardinal, which certainly brightens the feeders. We put up a couple of squirrel box feeders and, after the learning cur e of stic ing their heads in to find the nuts, they a quite comical and extremely voracious. We’ve even been able to train random visitors to take the nuts from our hands, caution show from both ends.

The hierarchy and ‘ pecking order’ are very apparent with all who come to feed.

After filling the bo es and feeders, sit, with coffee in hand, and wait for the arrivals. The little ones will jump on the feeders to snatch up the prize seeds. Next up come the jays, with their aggressive behavior, taking over everything. They will try their best to get into the squirrel boxes after the peanuts, but once the squirrels wake up, they retreat to the nearest branch in hopes of a loose nut. The mourning doves, with their uttering down swoop, send out a forward guard to ma e sure the

SHIRA KAMIL

coast is clear and then descend in droves. The woodpeckers have it easy, as they come one at a time to the suet feeders and seem to respect each other’s turns. Just recently, we had a melanistic, otherwise known as a black squirrel, make its way to our restaurant, but it seems he may have found better hunting grounds. To our dismay, and because we have basically developed a ‘ killing ground’ with our feeding, the random hawk – Redtail or Cooper’s – ha ve swooped in to snatch a bite in the form of a junco or the like.

Oh, Mother Nature can be cruel.

Right, so where is my mind headed with birds and motorcycles? It occurred to me that motorcyclists have their own ‘ pecking order’ and congregational tendencies. Yes, we’ve mentioned that in these pages before, and for as long as there have been more than two of anything, separation will occur. But let’s ta e a loo at the comparison between those ying with wings and those on two wheels.

Most obvious to me would be the Blue Jays and the sportbike riders. Jays, with their bright blue coloring, stand out in a crowd. Their temperament can be aggressive and they are highly intelligent, having good problem-solving skills and a complex social system.

Their calls, while varied, can be quite loud and are adept at mimic ing other birds. nce in ight, they are graceful with a steady wingbeat. The typical sportbike rider is often characterized as thrill-seeking and passionate, with a need for speed and aggressive riding.

Their motorcycles will mimic their need for attention with marques like D ucati or Aprilia, and the accessorizing will often include an aftermarket exhaust to announce their coming and going.

Let’s drop down in size to the sparrow-sized birds like juncos and nuthatch.

These cute little things are quick on the draw, darting from branch to box to Continued on Page 6

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 5

ON THE MARK The Venn diagram Look at us. Think about the people represented by the demographics of Backroads readers and rally attendees. he one definite thing we ha e in common is that we ride motorcycles and read a particular magazine, but the commonalities tend to end there.

We come from a collection of backgrounds and professions that varies so widely that it almost seems contrived, as if someone decided to throw as many types of people and professions at one activity as possible in a grand experiment to see if we’d get along. Perhaps there’s some alien staring at us from outside a bell jar, taking notes on just how we get along. The book “U nder the D ome” by Stephen K ing comes to mind.

Geographically, the majority of our homes range from E astern Canada to the Mid-Atlantic part of the U nited States, as far south as North Carolina and as far west as Ohio. There’s no exclusivity in that Venn D iagram – there are definitely some e ceptions but that’s the bul of the demographic. , Backroads serves the entire electronic universe, but the folded paper in the mailbox and at the motorcycle shops pretty much exists in one of the most densely populated areas of the U S. But it isn’t the geography that di ersifies us most.

Think about the breadth of professions we represent.

Founded by a graphic artist from the publishing industry and a commercial photographer/ salesman/ rogue of all trades, Backroads brings together a vast number of careers. I can think of: architects, engineers ( of several inds , lawyers, law enforcement officers, salespeople ( motorcycle and general) , pharmacists, psychologists, dentists, doctors, teachers, musicians, firefighters, information technologists, motorcycle dealers, suspension technicians, motorcycle accessory makers, used parts suppliers, fi ers, barbers and stylists, restauranteurs and patrons , financial people, dog trainers, counselors, seamstresses, audio component sellers, bartenders, former motorcycle racers and industry professionals, writers, and many more.

If you dig deeper into those professions, you see different levels of participation and ownership. We have e erything from C s and high-ran ing corporate officers, to small business founders and owners, to self-employed technicians and all walks of life between, plus retirees from all of the above. Some have morphed from one mode to another within an industry, like my travel from worker to project manager to supervisor to retiree. Some have changed industries altogether, making big career mo es li e architect to firefighter and back again) .

Then there are the personality types, of which I represent a few: obsessive engineer, caring manager, and now, curmudgeonly retiree ( you got that right - ed.) I am sure those who know me can name a few more, perhaps less attering or deli ered with a smattering of profanity. In general, we’ve got your extroverts and introverts and nerds and artists and every other genre of human weirdness and “alternative normalcy.”

The neologist in me likes that term…

If the aliens observing this cornucopia of characters among Backroads’ readers were taking assiduous notes, they’d find the o erlapping part of the enn iagram is, of course, motorcycling, hence the magazines and the rallies. What they’d also observe is, despite the fact

MARK BYERS that we all ride on two ( sometimes three) wheels and read one of the few surviving print publications dedicated thereunto, we revel in the multitude of differences between our cultures, educations, professions, and other pursuits. E pluribus unum – from many, one. Or in the words of D ale Berra, son of the great Yogi, “Our similarities are different.” What they’d also find is that, when the chips or fellow motorcyclists are down, we all come together as a big, caring family. ne thing about which ’ll warn you, if you ha en’t figured this out already, is that the writer in me is an astute observer and if you aren’t careful, you’ll become what we refer to as a “subject.” Some of you may recognize yourselves from the paragraphs above and that’s no coincidence. I have a saying: “E veryone’s a story.” It doesn’t matter how introverted or seemingly uninteresting someone might appear on the surface, if you scratch that surface, you typically find interesting things beneath they collect trains or build Legos or carve elaborate miniatures out of pencil leads. The great thing about our differences is that you’re a target-rich environment for a story or column, or even just a special conversation over dinner at one of our rallies. No matter what your background or profession or beliefs or personality, however, the ties that bind us are motorcycling…and Backroads. ,

Page 6

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

BACKLASH D ear Brian & Shira, Merry Christmas! I just completed my reservations for Spring Break 206.

I’m so excited that we’re going back to West Virginia! Last summer was my first time in that area, and lo ed it. Can’t wait to get bac there Maybe this time I’ll ride the D R650 ( much easier to deal with in case of feral gravel, or Fords ahead! ) Okay, time to disconnect the exclamation point key on my computer. Hope you both have a happy winter ( and boy, we’re getting one this year, aren’t we? ) Stephanie Feld Brian & Shira, I always read The Backroads Report. Today I read with interest The Wreck of The E dmund Fitzgerald, especially why the lake never gives up her dead.

Occasionally I will sing Gordon Lightfoot song at karaoke, especially if I’ve heard too many 8-minute Rap songs. I’ll nod at D onna and say ,”It’s time for E dmund Fitzgerald .”

Looking forward to May 15-18 and the Backroads Spring Break.

Ernie Vaupel Hello Brian: I enjoyed reading about your 8 day ride from Barber to NJ on the high tech BM 1 . he Bac roads e perience of immersion into the ow of roads, the destinations, and the natural environment are signature elements of your writing ethic. Your articles usually do not delve very deeply into the positive and negative points of the machinery you test ride, however, and I am curious about your experience of having come to know the character of the R1300 R T. I ride an R1300 GS and enjoy several of its unique features like the automatic lowering of the suspension height as the bike rolls toward a stop, and the powered windshield height adjustment feature. However, there are several features that are difficult to learn how to operate, annoying, and unsafe to access on the road at speed. ne pecific feature is what should be an easy thing to access, the and Grip warmer button that exists within easy range of your 1250 GS, but its access is buried deeply within the TFT display of the R130 0 series. It requires taking one’s attention away from the road and onto the display while trying to juggle several keys with the left hand - Very bad! There are other examples of such user interface burials that I don’t access, simply because they are not intuiti e and difficult to do.

I was wondering about your personal experience with these kinds of design idiosyncrasies on the 1300 RT? Is there anything else you could report about the R1300 R T 8 day experience?

Regards, Andrew Funny you should ask, Andrew – R 1300 RT review on page 26

The Backroads Report 1/3/2026 Well, that was a great way to spend some time on a Saturday morning!

You introduced me to Brown Bird and now already I’ve downloaded an album into my music library. The Malle Arctic Rally video was amazing and something that was totally unknown to me. 10 Years of Weather was also interesting and is now bookmarked for future reference. I can’t always keep up with so much stuff available to read and watch, but this is one time I was really glad to not have missed some great content.

Cheers!

Robbo from Tennessee The Backroads Report Archives are available here:

backroads-inc.optin.com/newsletter/awlist4987242

This was the reply to an email to Helen Simonson, author of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. Picked up due to title and cover art, we would recommend it for its historic references, witty banter and character development, and even though Ms. Simonson has no motorcycle experience, she portrays the mechanics and travel very well.

Letters to the Editor D ear Shira, I apologize that my email response time slipped down a chimney with Christmas!

Thank you so much for your kind words. I only wish I could have picked your brain when I was writing the book as I have zero motorcycle experience myself.

This book grew from my very early memories of riding in my grandfather’s handmade sidecar. You didn’t complain about my depictions of riding so sigh of relief my end.

I was also so happy and emotional to read of your connection to Susan K amil. She was such a great woman. She made each author feel like the most important voice and her loss was a huge blow to so many. It was great to stop and think about her in the company of your email.

Happy New Year, Helen Simonson whaTchaThinkin’

Continued from Page 4

grab a snack. Their songs are varied and they are very social creatures. Similarly, those throwing a leg over a 125c c like the Honda Grom, K awasaki Ninja or K TM D uke are often looking for a great deal of fun just scooting along with their pack, hopping from one gathering to another. They can be seen in large oc s, with a wide ariety of customi ation amongst them.

Also, like the sports bikes, their songs can range from melodic to chaotic.

How about the mourning doves? With their plump physique and long, pointed tails, I might be inclined to compare them to the cruisers. The dove is adaptable to open environments, and the cruisers are most likely to be found on the bigger, open roads.

Without a doubt, our squirrel friends are right in line with the AD V/ dirt riders.

The agility and ability to navigate complex environments are interchangeable.

Squirrels communicate with barks, chatter, screams and body language while AD V riders traveling together may utilize the same techniques.

Squirrels may be found running through the woods, up in trees, jumping from boulder to boulder or crossing small streams – yup, just about the same. uirrels e asion techni ues include ig agging and camou age anyone been watching the D akar races?

Next time you are quietly watching the wildlife outside your window, make your own comparisons. ou’ll be surprised how these birds oc together. ,

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

INDUSTRY INFOBITES $40M IN MOTORCYCLES SEIZED FROM OLYMPIAN DRUG LORD

A coalition of U .S., Canadian and Mexican authorities was able to seize million worth of motorcycles belonging to Ryan James Wedding, an Olympic snowboarder turned drug kingpin who is now one of the FBI’s top criminal targets.

The massive bust netted “a large number” of motorcycles believed to belong to Ryan James Wedding, the FBI announced on Social The bikes were discovered as a result of search warrants carried out by Mexican authorities with the help of the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Los Angeles Police D epartment.

Photos posted by the FBI’s Los Angeles office show do ens of motorcycles in what appears to be a warehouse.

Wedding and 15 others were charge in October of 204 with running a transnational drug traffic ing, and murder, ring that transported large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to Canada via Mexico and Southern California. Wedding and other co-conspirators also orchestrated four murders in furtherance of their crimes, federal officials said at a press conference announcing the charges.

Now a drug lord, Wedding formerly competed for Canada in the 20 Winter lympics, finishing 4th in the parallel giant slalom e ent. $40

Page 7

News from the Inside ( probably was distracted by the snow- ed.)

These are not just a collection of any motorcycles, but many racing machine of provenance, including factory team Superbikes and MotoGP machines in addition to a 20 Mercedes CLK -GTR Roadster Worth $13 Million. Wedding is still in the wind and was last seen riding along a Backroads rally route on 1 amaha irago in an attempt to eep a low profile.

ORANGECAT RACING BECOMES OFFICIAL BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT TEAM

BMW Motorrad Motorsport and BMW Motorrad U SA are proud to announce that rangeCat acing becomes an official BM M A MOTORSPORT Team for the 206 MotoAmerica Superbike racing season.

The 206 rider lineup includes 201 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Sean D ylan K elly and returning rider Jayson U ribe.

he newcomer to the team, elly, has had a prolific motorcycle roadracing career. n addition to his 1 title, he finished runner-up in the upersport Class in , raced in F M Moto for two seasons and recorded his first MotoAmerica Superbike win aboard a BMW in 204.

U ribe returns to OrangeCat Racing after an eight-podium season last year, finishing third in the toc 1 standings. After racing o erseas for

Page 8

se eral years, ribe oined rangeCat acing in 4, where he finished runner-up in the Stock 100.

They have the coolest motorhome/ BBQ set-up we saw at the NJ races!

VIR LAND OWNERSHIP UNLOCKS STRATEGIC GROWTH OPPORTUNITY In a major milestone for road course racing in North America, VIRginia International Raceway ( VIR) has officially ac uired full ownership of the land it operates on, ending a decades-long lease and opening new doors for growth and development.

CE O and Co-owner of VIR, Connie Nyholm, announced the news with enthusiasm, stating, “I am immensely pleased to tell all of our dedicated fans, renters, teams, sanctioning bodies, tenants, employees, community stakeholders—e veryone—t hat we recently closed on the purchase of all of the land underlying VIR. VIR can now live on in perpetuity.”

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

MOTOGP TRIES TO BREAK ITALIAN/SPANISH DOMINATION

The MotoGP grid is dominated by Spanish and Italian riders; that’s just a fact. Out of the 2- rider lineup, 15 are from either Spain or Italy, making up 68% of the grid. But Liberty, MotoGP’s new owner, wants to change this, and I couldn’t disagree more with the means the company is going about it—pa ssports over meritocracy. iberty has introduced new financial incenti es that’ll be available from 206 to 208 to teams and riders that meet certain criteria, with the intention of diversifying the nationalities that we see on the grid from Moto3 onwards. he financial incenti e wor s li e this Any teams that hire and win with riders from countries that ha e an officially reported population of more than 100,0 people and have less than 10% representation in the MotoGP paddock—be tween Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP—ge t up to €20,0 ( $233,912) .

That’s a very long-winded way of saying ‘ any nationality that’s not Spanish or Italian’ because they’re the only two nationalities that it excludes.

HONDA EXPANDS E-CLUTCH LINEUP AND ANNOUNCES 15 TOTAL ON-ROAD MODELS

Honda announced 15 on-road motorcycle models for 206, highlighted by the expansion of the company’s groundbreaking E -Clutch technology to the popular CB750 Hornet naked bike. With this move, Honda now offers a total of four E -Clutch-equipped motorcycles—i ncluding the CB650R , CBR650R and the recently announced Rebel 300 E -Clutch cruiser— underscoring the brand’s commitment to combining innovation with rider accessibility and control.

This latest new-model announcement encompasses a full range of categories—f rom adventure and sport to touring and standard—de monstrating the company’s continued leadership and breadth in the motorcycle market. “Honda’s E -Clutch system represents a major step forward in motorcycle technology, offering riders the freedom to enjoy seamless shifting without sacrificing engagement or performance, said Colin Miller, Manager of Public Relations at American Honda.

“E xpanding this technology to the CB750 Hornet for 206—a nd offering an extensive lineup of fun, practical, alue-conscious on-road models re ects our ongoing goal of making the joy of motorcycling more approachable, intuitive and enjoyable for riders of all experience levels.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE LAUNCHES 125TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN

In celebration of its 125t h anniversary, Indian Motorcycle announced “Never Finished,” a yearlong campaign that pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of founders George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom, while declaring that Indian Motorcycle will never stop challenging limits. e er Finished is a re ection of the Indian Motorcycle brand, which has been driven by progress and innovation since 1901.

“The pursuit of innovation that drove our founders continues to drive us today,” Nate Secor, director of marketing for Indian Motorcycle. “Whether through design, engineering or marketing, we push ourselves every day to honor that legacy. The ‘ Never Finished’ campaign isn’t just a celebration of our 125- year history; it’s a commitment to our riders that we are always innovating, always competing and will always be pushing forward.”

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 9

For almost as long as I’ve been alive, there has been an Ice Cream for Breakfast D ay. Celebrated on the first aturday of February, this year we will en oy our frosty delights on aturday, February , the th annual to be specific.

Rochester, New York suffers some pretty dismal winter weather. Florence J. Rappaport of Rochester, New York, mother of six, two of which had winter cabin fever – Ruth and Joe – and was looking for a fun distraction to the snow and ice during the blizzard of 1966. And on that snowy, bleak Saturday, February 1st, Florence scooped out some ice cream into their cereal bowls, delighting them with the ery first ice cream for brea fast. Apparently, sweets such as ice cream and soda pop were rarely eaten in their household, so this was truly a special treat. Ruth and Joe spread the word about their mom’s innovative and much appreciated Ice Cream for Breakfast to friends and other, probably very jealous, young relatives, who told two more who told two more and so on and so on.

Liba K ornfeld, who resides in Riverdale, is the granddaughter of the holiday’s founder and said, ‘ There is so much bad in the world, and this is just a fun, good thing! ’ She describes the harsh winters upstate in the 1960s and after a particularly snowy anuary, the first aturday in February her grandmother offered the two youngest ice cream for breakfast. From that day, they requested it each year ( I would hesitate a guess that it was more often than that) . he said that her mother, fi e siblings and their families too this tradition around the world. er cousin lives in Shanghai and hosts an ice cream party each year. Her uncle in New York invites his guests to come up with creative names for their sundaes. She is very proud to be the granddaughter of the creator of this holiday. he is currently a fifth grade teacher and honors her grandmother by teaching her students about the holiday. Her students celebrate the Friday before, as there is no halachas ( Jewish law or rule) so you can celebrate a day before or two weeks after, as long as it brings you joy – and ice cream – which would make Florence very happy, too.

That is why, if you happen to be in Brooklyn or Lawrence, K ansas, Albuquerque or K ey est, hanghai or erusalem, on the first aturday in February you will find young and old eating ice cream for breakfast.

Since this wonderful tradition got its beginning in Rochester, let’s visit one of the shops that embraces this great day, just a few miles outside of Rochester – Moonlight Creamery. Now entering their 20 th year in business, Moonlight is the brainchild of Heidi Grenek and Jeff Seidel. Heidi, while mowing her large lawn, thought about a ‘ different’ kind of ice cream shop, one which would offer as amazing an experience as the home-churned ice cream, and give back to the community, and its location. Coincidentally, Joe Seidel, her neighbor, was putting the finishing touches on a new building in the illage of Fairport, . hen eidi ran into eff on the sidewal in front of their homes, she shared her thought, Jeff was on the same page, and a solid plan was formed. After a trip to Cornell U niversity D airy, they gleaned the information necessary, and so much more, to bring the idea to fruition. Today, the reigns have been taken over by Mikee Spencer, a long-term, dedicated employee, show is now realizing his own entrepreneurial dream. he options of Moonlight Creamery’s handcrafted a ors are enormous from their signature a ors li e spresso with nglish Toffee and Wicked Chocolate, the imagination of Harry, chief artisan ice cream chef ( and Head Meanie) see no boundaries; just to mention a few which caught my eye and made my mouth water: Berbere - popular in the Horn of Africa, E ritrea, D jibouti, E thiopia, and Somalia, Berbere is a complex blend of chile peppers, black pepper, fenugreek, ginger, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, ajwain, cumin, allspice, nutmeg, and paprika; Maui Wowie Sorbet: straight from Hawaii - Pineapple, Coconut and Banana Sorbet; Norwegian K rokan: Rich, browned butter ice cream with chunks of salty almond brittle. K rokan ( caramelized sugar with butter and almonds) is a common Norwegian dessert and is said to have been the favorite dessert of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author Roald D ahl.

But we’re here to talk about Ice Cream for Breakfast D ay, which is embraced at Moonlight Creamery and benefits oly Childhood, a facility which serves to educate all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Of course, they will ha e their 4 a ailable a ors which include, what would think, are just perfect for this day: U ncle Jimmy’s Secret Breakfast: Bourbon infused ice cream with corn a e coo ies to warm you from the inside out To Sow My Wild Oats: Sweet brown sugar and wholesome whole grain oats; and Panforte: A traditional Tuscan dessert, a cinnamon, honey, nutmeg and clove ice cream with candied oranges and toasted almonds. D ocuments from 1205 show panforte used as a form of tax payment due to the local monastery on February 7th – which happens to be the day Ice Cream for Breakfast is celebrated in . n addition, on tap will be Brea fast-themed a ors, donut ice cream sandwiches, waf e sundaes and more If you happen to be in the Fairport, NY area on Saturday, Feb. 7 I would highly recommend heading to Moonlight Creamery to start your day with a smile – Florence Rappaport will be smiling down on you too. Honestly, anytime you are in Fairport, NY would be a great time to indulge in, what sounds li e, some of the finest ice cream around. ,

Page 10

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Wanamakers General Store presents

GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN The paTio reSTauranT

1133 pleaSanTVille rd # 11, BriarcliFF manor, nY 10510 914-941-4414 • www.ThepaTioreSTauranT.neT We have some great friends of ours who live in the Windy City of Chicago. They have family north of New York City, so once or twice a year they y in to spend time with Mom and company.

We always try to at least grab a meal together.

With this in mind, and knowing we had not featured any eateries on the east side of the Hudson River Valley for a bit, we thought this would be a perfect time for all of us to check out a place we had heard of in Briarcliff Manor, New York, just east of Ossining, and Hudson Valley Motorcycles. It is called The Patio, and sitting right in the middle of Pleasantville Road, The Patio was a happening place on a Friday afternoon, but luckily for us our Chicagoan buds, Janet and Michael, had arrived early and scored a table right in front. his restaurant was once one of the town’s firehouses, but now all the heat is handled by a serious kitchen staff. It looked as if this entire block had been repurposed for food, as in addition to The Patio, there are three other restaurants: D onato’s Trattoria, Maya’s Taqueria, and even an Oyster House called D ive. So, All-American, Italian, Mexican, or Atlantean – you have some choices.

tasty places to take your bike

Today we will stay on The Patio.

We came for lunch, but their breakfast menu seems to be one of the best in the Hudson Valley. Fifteen ways to have your pancakes, and they offer French Toast and Crepes too. A wide array of breakfast sandwiches will be found and their specials, are just - well, special.

The Huevos Mexicanos - Scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, chorizo, and melted muenster cheese and served with tropical cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and refried beans.

Their E ggs Benedict looked awesome with Ham, melted American cheese, hollandaise sauce, and home fries.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

But, if we were there earlier it would have been the Chef’s Special Breakfast for us. hree poached eggs o er an nglish muffin, grilled tomatoes, and spinach topped with hollandaise sauce with fresh fruit. Another tasty item to be found on the breakfast menu was their Florentine E ggs, 2 poached eggs o er spinach, feta cheese, and hollandaise sauce on an nglish muffin.

But maybe you want an Omelet? Ready for this? he atio has twenty-fi e different omelets on its menu. pinach. o .

Broccoli Rabe. Mexican. Greek. Western. Shitake. Goat Cheese. ( Love Goat Cheese! ) Meat Lovers, or the Chef’s Special – and one you might wish to save for Valentine’s D ay – that comes with Muenster cheese, onion, peppers, and mushrooms. This just screams love.

On the lunch side of the menu – t he selection was just as insane. nce again, they had twenty-fi e different salads. hira ordered the Avocado Salad with Grilled Chicken; a deliciously prepared mix of Avocado, grilled eggplant, zucchini, portobello & shiitake mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese over mixed greens tossed with a honey balsamic vinaigrette. I choose a Chef’s Salad, a delightful combination of lettuce, ham, turkey, American and Swiss cheese, tomato wedges, sliced egg, cucumbers and grated sweet carrots.

Our friend Michael was thinking Balboa Wedge – and it would make

Page 11

Rocky Proud! Lean roast beef on garlic bread with melted Swiss cheese, and Janet a seriously good looking Grilled Chicken Caesar.

As far as hand-held go, The Patio keeps the ball rolling with a Boaty McBoatface-load of Super Wraps and Sandwiches with Italian. Philly Cheese.

E gg. Reuben. Turkey Lamb or Chicken Gyro and a bundle of other. The Burgers are SU PE R Burgers too with about a dozen different burgers over which to ponder.

Needless to say, The Patio has so much to offer, that you will have a hard time after you are off the bike.

The bike and the ride are such an important things too – but we know that; so we are going to have a great loop ride that will start from Hudson Valley Motorcycles, and meander around Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties, before it’ll be time to take a seat at The Patio.

D ownload this 100- mile ride here: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/vw2i2v E njoy the ride and the meal! ,

Page 12

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Warren County Tourism presents

BIG CITY GETAWAY

ForT monTgomerY • hudSon’S hidden hiSTorY

Just north of Bear Mountain and the scenic bridge, and a few miles south of the famed West Point, there is another piece of Hudson River history of which you may not be aware.

On an Autumn Sunday that had started out gloomy and chilled but e ploded into a fine golden day to ride, and with the arrival of an unexpectedly strong October sun, I had sudden appetency for a good day’s ride and some awesome barbeque.

To me, that meant a ride east and along the borderlands of New Jersey and New York, to the Hudson River. The destination was Barnstormer BBQ , along Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, just north of Bear Mountain State Park, and south of the Army’s West Point. ere you will find a deep gorge, where the Popelopen Creek enters the Hudson, and at one time, traveling across this sharp ra-

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind vine was an arduous task that took hours. Today, riders are carried over on a steel arch bridge, built in 1936, that crosses over the creek’s saddle on the state road. But, at one time, before modern roads and bridges ( the 101- year-old Bear Mountain Bridge too) it was the river itself that brought locals and travelers to and fro. The river was all-important. So important it became a key piece in the rebellion against E ngland and the British crown. D uring the Revolutionary War, control of the Hudson River was tantamount, and both sides knew whoever ended up controlling the waters would have a far better advantage in the war.

Part of the British grand strategy in 1777 was to separate the New E ngland colonies from the rest of the American colonies by seizing control of the Hudson River south from Lake Champlain to New York City. For much of the American Revolution, American and British strategy was centered in and around New York City, including the Lower Hudson River region from West Point south to New York Harbor. In the Lower Hudson Region, land adjacent to the river on both sides was a veritable no-man’s land. At West Point, the Americans had placed the Hudson River Chain, a long chain that stretched across the river to prevent the British from sailing further north.

D uring the Saratoga Campaign of September and October 1777, much activity took place in the Lower Hudson River Region and in the highlands of the Hudson River valley, close to West Point. ome of the ey American fortifications that had been erected by the Americans were located at Peekskill on the east bank of the Hudson and Forts Montgomery and Clinton on the west bank of the river just below West Point.

As I passed over the bridge and gorge, I spied the sign for Fort Montgomery. We had stopped here years back, but the building and museum were locked tight that day; but on this stunning October Sunday, all was open, and nearly 250 ye ars of Hudson history beckoned.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

On October 6, 1777, British, Loyalist, and Hessian forces attacked Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton. The defending American Patriots, outnumbered 3 to 1, fought desperately until driven out of their forts at the points of the enemy bayonets. More than half of the Patriot forces were killed, wounded, or captured. The captured were sent to the hellish Prison Ships in New York Harbor, where more men died than on the battlefield. Although a defeat for the Continental Army, the battle is still of major note, as the delay here stopped the British in reinforcing their troops to the north. The British lost at Saratoga, the French joined the party, and history took its course.

Luckily for me, I happened upon the museum on its last day of the year, as it is open only from April till October, and found it full of this story and history, much that had been discovered and saved by archaeological digs that were conducted beginning in 1958, and then more extensively from 1967 to 1971, by a team led by Jack Mead, known as “The Father of Fort Montgomery Archaeology.”

Today, two-wheel visitors can tour the remains of the 14-acre fortification, perched on a cliff overlooking the Hudson. The museum which showcases original artifacts and weapons, large-scale models of the fort and the attack, highly detailed mannequins frozen in poses of battle, and an excellent short film of battle. Archaeologists have revealed many of Fort Montgomery’s remains, including the stone foundations of barracks, the gunpowder magazine, and eroded redoubt walls. There

Page 13

is a spectacular view of the Hudson River from the Grand Battery, where reproduction cannons stand guard and are occasionally fired by the fort’s staff.

It was a great and unexpected side-trip this day… made all the better by Geoff Provan and crew’s most excellent barbeque.

When exploring the backroads of the Hudson Valley, make the museum at Fort Montgomery a destination, and finish that ride with the best BBQ on the river, both historic in their own way. , Fort Montgomery 690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, NY 10922 parks.ny.gov/visit/historic-sites/fort-montgomery-state-historic-site Barnstormer BBQ 1076 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, NY 10922 845-446-0912 • barnstormerbbq.com • Closed Tuesdays

Page 14

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Hermy’s BMW / Triumph Motorcycles presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s Vampa

MYSTERIOUS AMERICA

Vampire & paranormal muSeum 3686 uS 202, doYleSTown, pa 18902 215-345-4253 • vampamuseum.com t is a battle. A war that has been going on since our first ancestors reali ed that they had the gift, almost a miracle. They had choice.

The power to choose is, perhaps, the greatest gift the creator, the universe, God gave us. For many day-to-day choices are easy – but it is the hard ones, the choices that we have to be good, or evil, that allows us to reach for the light, or slink to the darkness.

Books from the Holy Bible, to D racula, to The Stand, and modern pop-culture television like E vil, Lucifer, and Supernatural are all based on the choices people make when it comes to good versus evil, and that huge gray area in between. hen first heard of AM A, thought this would be a carnival side-show sort of place; a piece of Coney Island dropped into Bucks County, PA. I was wrong. I was very wrong.

According to the museum: VAMPA strives to create an environment where psychological drama and spiritual conict are gi en free rein for imagination. A place that stimulates learning and understanding on how the magical mystery of the supernatural, fol lore, myth, and faith ha e in uenced the world in sculpture, painting, furniture, and objects of art throughout the ages.

It is hard to miss the museum, as there are a number of large and colorful dinosaurs along the road of U S 20 in D oylestown.

They are part of the antique business that also thrives here, and has allowed the curator E dmondo Crimi to amass what is probably the world’s greatest collection of its kind, and to showcase them in nine rooms of this large and expansive home. It surely houses the largest collection of “Vampire K illing Tools” ever brought to one place in their exhibit, “The Art of the K ill.”

Just to be clear. If these tools, these weapons, can kill vamps, they will kill you too. E asily. They are all real and true relics from our past.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 15

But we are here to understand that bit about choice I spoke of before, and there is much more to evil, the supernatural, and paranormal than just D racula or Nador, Nadja, and Laszlo.

Some believe that objects can hold onto malevolent power, and VAMPA has many such objects.

In one corner, there was an original portrait of E lizabeth Bá thory.

I knew of her. You want evil – he re it is, or was.

Bá thory was a Hungarian Countess who, over decades, sadistically tortured and killed hundreds of young women lured to her castle. She was said to have enjoyed drinking the blood of virgins, believing that it would preserve her beauty and youthfulness. She was so evil that, eventually, being a Countess could not keep her from good men. Her servants who aided her were hanged, and she was walled up in a section of her castle and remained there until she, thankfully, died. Her portrait has a warning to be viewed with caution, as it is said to hold some of the immense evil that was part of her life.

In fact, there are those who will feel the evil which emanates from some of these artifacts. Many have had to leave the premises due to their overwhelming sense of dread.

Speaking Boards, what we call Ouija, were prominent. One in particular had the most wicked past… and reading about this, and seeing it in front of you, with just a thin pane of glass between you and this board, was something to be wary about for sure.

The D oor of Montpelier, from a barn in France where an entire town took refuge from evil, was almost beyond description.

So righteously strong, as so many of the weapons are so mightily deadly.

Page 16

Towards the rear of VAMPA was a hearse from Santorini, where killing vampires was brought to almost an art form.

D isplayed as well is mankind’s powerful line of defense from evil from around the world and so many cultures… protectors of mankind like Garuda, a Hindu and Buddhist, winged demi-god who protected mankind from demons and drinkers of blood. He was ( is? ) so serious a deity that the Indian

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Special Forces is named after him. He is very badass.

But I save the best for last… the ultimate protector of man, and warrior of God, in Christianity, Islam, and Judaic beliefs – t he Archangel Michael.

Crimi has devoted an entire room to Michael. E ntering it, I glanced at familiar words…

“Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the D evil.”

Michael was all-powerful, all good, and our last great strength against evil.

Think of him as our Heavenly Superman.

I came to VAMPA expecting to see some relics of interest, and a place that would keep my interest for at least a bit. It was so much more. A mix of both art and artifact.

A sign in the museum states that VAMPA was not created to glorify demons, but to give a better understanding on how to eradicate them, and to bridge the gap between denial, “There are no D emons,” and that “There is a D emon behind everything! ” Surely there is evil about. But there is good, and we have a choice. O’Life Out! ,

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 17

Wytheville VA Tourism presents

WE’RE OUTTA HERE

Backroads Spring Break Rally 2026

We know who you are. You are the rider who reads about our rallies and says to themselves…

“I am gonna go on one of them. Yes, I am. I am.” Then, in what seems like the blink of an eye, you are reading about yet another Backroads Rally you did not go on. So sad.

Before we go further, let us say there are some of you reading this and saying, “What the H.E . double hockey sticks you talkin’ bout? I have been on almost every one.”

That’s right. But, my dear Backroads’ peeps, there are actually some who want to go, but just never seem to pull the trigger.

This is aimed at them, not you. But you…? D rink is on us in Shippensburg.

Back to you, lazy bones.

This May, Thursday the 14 through Monday the 18th, we are going to have one hell of a rally.

It will both begin and end in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, at the U niversity Hotel + Suites, a hotel and town to which we return, as it is perfectly situated for runs deeper south.

The town has been around for a long time; in fact, it is the second-oldest community in the K eystone State west of the Susquehanna River ( York is a few years older) , and one of the

a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads original founders was E dward Shippen, who was granted the land by the heirs of William Penn.

But Backroads, don’t you have some more obscure history to tell?

Why yes, Mr. and Ms. D awdler, we do.

E dward Shippen’s granddaughter, Peggy Shippen, was historically notable as the wife of General Benedict Arnold. We all know Arnold for the betrayal, but we’re here to tell you that before that, he was one of America’s greatest war heroes, and a friend and confidant of eneral ashington.

Let’s do some math, shall we? Peggy Shippen, 18-year-old, undisputed hottie of Philadelphia. Arnold, a hurt, angry, and increasingly disillusioned warrior who just turned 38 years old a couple of months back. She beguiled him. He saw in her a chance to regain some of what he thought he lost.

He was basically mush in her little hands.

She also had just come off an affair ( when she was 16) , with Major John Andre – another honorable man who had a job to do.

Between Andre and his former mistress, Arnold’s wife, they made a deal with Arnold to turn over West Point and General Washington for £20,0.

There are two things desperate men will do anything for; one is money. If there is a real villain in this famed story of betrayal, it is Peggy – t hat hoochie minx.

Regardless, the town has stuck with the name Shippensburg, and we’ll be there to start this Spring Break Rally and to finish it.

Page 18

The U niversity Hotel + Suites ( formerly Shippen Place Inn) has a great restaurant, a super bar ( great bartenders) , and usually music too. Redemption BBQ is right next door as well and always has some serious offerings. Hey, we’ll be there for two nights, so we can do both ( Redemption BBQ is closed on Mondays) . Shira has two different ice cream stops here as well – one called The Inside Scoop ( not hers) , and Goose Brothers, both excellent.

The route down to E lkins, West Virginia, and the historic Tygart Hotel, will be 235 miles of superior, if at times technical, roadways.

Paved roadways.

There will be a neat lunch to be found in a high school cafeteria, a visit to the C & O Canal Lock #70 ( worth the stop) , and then a most unusual

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

bridge over the north branch of the Potomac River into West “By God” Virginia. 20foot-long and 10- foot-wide, and one of the few remaining privately owned bridges in the U nited States, but only one in Maryland.

By day’s end, we will roll into E lkins.

History time, kids. E lkins is named after Stephen B. E lkins, an industrialist and politician. At one time, he taught school, and one of his students was Cole Younger, a member of the James-Younger Gang. The James Gang, and not the one with Joe Walsh on guitar.

In the American Civil War, E lkins’ father and brother joined the Confederate Army under Sterling Price, but he joined the U nion Army. He was to encounter Q uantrill’s Raiders twice and was spared from being killed because of his father and brother, and being recognized by his once neighbors – one being Cole Younger.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 19

E lkins would go on to be the U S Secretary of War. The Tygart Hotel has been described in just three words - “Timeless. Welcoming. Rooted.” Built in 1906 and opened in 1907, the property was originally known as the Hotel Gassaway—l ater renamed the Hotel Tygart—a nd quickly became the grand lodging option in the region, hosting politicians, businessmen, and guests visiting the E lkins area.

It has now been totally restored, with all the modern amenities, yet retaining those three words.

You are going to love this place, and we will be there for three nights – so things will be happening; but in typical Backroads fashion, we don’t know what just yet. But happening for sure.

We’ll have two free days to explore the Mountain State – and we will provide “paved” .GPX routes… and ones with gravel too. So, pack your adventurous attitude. There will be Great All-American D iner Runs, Inside Scoops, and surely O’Life’s Mysterious America, and at least one or two beasts of the cryptological nature.

What? Are you guys crazy? No. But we’ll have a stop at one of the most infamous Lunatic Asylums in the U nited States.

We’ll see who is crazy then, won’t we?

So, Mr. & Mrs. Slowcoach – book those rooms and ma e your plans. ou will find all the information you’ll need to make this happen on our Backroads E vents webpage: backroadsusa.com/ backroads-events Go. Now. Book Those Rooms.

Ride Smart. Ride Often. Ride the Backroads. ,

Page 20

In the summer of ‘ 24, Shira and I were making our way back from the Maine coast. After a longish day in the Mountains White and Green, and a quick jaunt through the Adirondacks, we rolled up to on overnight stay Shira had come across.

We had heard that this hotel, once an armory for the State of New York, had been refurbished to look a bit more like a castle, and the original armory design was very fortress-esque.

By the time that evening was over we knew three things: The Amsterdam Castle would be a We’re Outta Here in Backroads, probably the #1 on the podium top in the Best of… and that we were bringing our friends ( you guys) back here for a stay.

Thus, we were on a quest… not for the Holy Grail, but for a great Fall Fiesta.

Word quickly spread through the land… and wizards, peasants, knights of all colors ( we don’t judge) , and even the French took up the call in the middle of October.

For us, our journey began a day early, joined by columnist Sir Byers and the huggable Lady Betsy – who had come up from their Maryland E state the previous day.

We like to show off where we live, so we created a route that would run us up and around the High Point region of Jersey, and then scoot north and cross over the Shawangunk Mountains and toward the Catskills.

We stopped for lunch at the Road K ill Grill, in Nanpanoch, New York.

Chrissy and the RK G have been supporting Backroads since we discovered the great eatery, and we had a delicious meal, chatting up with Chrissy and another bike riding couple as well. Super food, and well worth seeking out.

We continued north up along Frost Valley, evidentially a Catskill Valley with a T-Rex problem. Who knew? Although we hoped to see one, we

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

thought they may have already gone south for the upcoming winter.

We rode over Big Indian, marked with an old totem on Route 28, and then into the tip of the E mpire State’s Leatherstocking region.

I think this might be my favorite part of New York – big rolling hills, sprinkled amongst long and very verdant valleys – all shrouded in the colors of full-on autumn. Truly beautiful.

Late that afternoon we rolled through Cooperstown and took a couple of rooms at the Lake ’N Pine Motel, on Otsego Lake – the birthplace of the Susquehanna River.

Truly… at the stream from the lake’s southern end, which crosses under a small bridge on a e treet, you will find historic mar ers telling of Clinton’s D am.

It was one of the most amazing unheard history we have uncovered.

This dam was constructed early in the summer of 1779 by the soldiers under General Clinton, but for the most unusual reasons. In mid-June, 1779 General James Clinton had ordered the outlet of Otsego Lake dammed up in order to pro ide sufficient draft for the heavily laden boats.

The water in the Lake was raised one foot. General Clinton said “at least two,” while another account claims that the surface of the lake was raised as much as three feet.

On the morning of August 9th the dam was opened and the waters began to uic ly ow into the summer dry Susquehanna. The freshet caused by the sudden release of the pent-up water swelled the stream for a distance of more than a hundred miles. When the dam was breached, the rush of water propelled the bateaus a shallow-draft, at-bottomed boat) , many miles downstream on their way to meet up with General Sullivan and his troops, some 125 miles downstream in Tioga, Pennsylvania to move a more substantial force against the British-Allied Iroquois.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

It is said that the Iroquois upon the banks of the Susquehanna, witnessing the extraordinary rise of the river in midsummer, without any apparent cause, were struck with superstitious dread, and in the very outset were disheartened at the apparent interposition of the Great Spirit in favor of their foes. This event is described by James Fenimore Cooper in the introduction to his popular novel the Pioneers ( 1823) . It is commemorated by an annual Memorial D ay canoe race.

It is an amazing piece of American history here in Cooperstown, and one that is much overshadowed today by more pleasant pursuits.

We had come up a day early to take in the phenomenal Calvin & Hobbes exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum, and being baseball people we had to pay respects at the Hall of Fame.

In truth there is no way to go to the Hall of Fame and not spend hours there.

It just seems to get better with every visit. he history, the a or and the palatable zeal you feel from fans from around the nation, when they see one of their players or their team highlighted, is amazing, almost emotional. I love this game.

Let’s Go Mets!

The Calvin and Hobbes, at the Fenimore was equally as fun – and who did not relate to the perpetual six-year-old and his sidekick, foil, nemesis, and best friend Hobbes the Tiger? This exhibit was very carefully walked and taken in.

Another very interesting artifact that the Farm Museum has on hand is the

Page 21

Cardiff Giant…. The Cardiff Giant was a 1 -foot-tall, , -pound petrified man” hoax discovered in 1869 in Cardiff, New York, which became one of the most famous hoaxes in American history. Created by George Hull, a cigar-maker and atheist, the giant was a block of gypsum that he had carved to mock biblical literalists and make money. The discovery attracted massive crowds, but it was eventually exposed as a fake by paleontologists, though the story inspired writers like Mark Twain and L. Frank Baum – and D r.

Seymour O’Life.

To Camelot - it’s only a model

Looping around Otsego, I made a quick stop for the good D r, and took in a bit of Hyde Hall, said to be one of the most haunted homes, as well as once the largest mansion in the young U nited States.

By late that afternoon we approached the castle walls… searching for the Grail, or at least an adult beverage with the many Backroads’ Ralliers who were rolling ( storming) up to the castle’s gates.

The Amsterdam Castle was everything we hoped it would be. It is a great hotel, with an outstanding medie al air. From the reat Hall to the suits of armor, coat of arms and banners.

Many were up to the quest this

Page 22

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

night and there were K nights of the Forest and Round Table, a few barbarians, a few wizards called Tim running around blowing things up, and one “K iller Rabbit” that was dynamite. With K nightriders and the Holy Grail playing on the computer screen all evening it was a most excellent evening.

Please note there was no dismemberment, or young women between 14 and a half and nineteen, and no police were involved.

A most memorable, if silly, night.

To the Lake

As the crow ies, from Amsterdam to a e eorge, ew or is ust, maybe, fifty miles. ur route this day was nearly .

We had a couple of “Road Whisperer” friends who sent in route suggestions, and Shira and I built on those.

For us, that would bring us deep into the Adirondacks, up along lakes and valleys that would soon be buried deep in snow ( and indeed they are) , and we sat down for lunch at Tail O’ the Pup BBQ , between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. It was off season, but they were open, sadly without their usual plethora of E astern E uropean gals making it all run like clockwork.

Heading outside and around Lake Placid we slowed down to take a look at the ski jump complex with its massive 240foot towers dominating even the mountain peaks of the Adirondacks.

We slid across towards Lake Champlain on Tracy Road, and then down through the small towns that hug this once “Great Lake,” stopping to see the “Sightings” sign for Champ, the resident lake monster at Bulwagga Bay. Champ looked a bit sad this day, maybe because they stopped listing sightings of him nearly 50 years ago.

We had booked nearly the entire Lake Motel, on Canada Street, for the next two nights, and a number of others joined us up here with motorcycles taking almost every conceivable parking spot - some very creatively. hat e ening, sitting on the doc , with the fires and s’mores, was superb. he stars seemed to run across the entire s y, and fun ran late into the e ening.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 23

Free Day Up North

First… we had a conundrum. Gravity, although important, can be a problem, and when one BMW GS got tipsy ( German bike, late night) , it would not throttle up correctly when it was started. The dreaded “Limp Mode.” ( Who named this? ) Thankfully, one rider had been through this, and for y-by-wire BM machines there is a uic fi imply turn the bi e on, and then roll the throttle full-open and then fullclosed three times. That’s it – i t will reset With Mike’s GS reset so did we. Magic.

Running north up the lake, we turned west on Route 8 in Hague, one of four east west roads we’d ride, that follow the natural ow of the foothills and valleys, and all but one sweetly paved and begged to be ridden aggressively. We stopped near the top of Schroon Lake, and while we were about to hop back on the rides, we heard a band start up with a ripping version of the Batman theme. It was a local car show, and the band, Big Fez and the Surfmatics, was on the far side of awesome. So were the cars, and it made for a great hour of strolling around some classic machines, with some superb background music.

It is a truly great thing when we can plant half a hundred riders in a location that offers so much premium riding in every direction.

There is a reason Americade is here in Lake George each spring.

Our Southern Contingent friends, ever up for a long day in the saddle, did our Vermont Loop. That brought them across into the Green Mountain State, and then over to Route 100 with the required by law Maple Milkshakes at the Rochester Café , and then back west over the Appalachian Gap, before shuttling back across the bottom of Lake Champlain at Crown Point. We did not see them again till the sun was setting over the western skies. As it should be.

Others followed back west and towards the deep Adirondacks and BBQ at the the Tail. Shira and I ( two-up on the RT) , along with our friends The Mikes, had some more time traveling to do.

If the Castle had us back a millennium or so, with Arthur and the boys, then this day would bring us a few hundred years into our future – but we’ll get to that in a second.

Page 24

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Remounting the bikes we charged east on Route 74, and then north around aratoga, to which we’d be coming bac but first we had to get some real speed and slingshot back west on Tracy Road, before east again, and around the sun on E nsign Pond Road – which sorely needs to be resurfaced… just a bit. Now, successfully a few hundred years into the future we rode to Saratoga, where our nation had such a resounding victory against the British that the French decided to join the party, and change the tide of the Revolutionary War. But this date we came out of Warp on Montcalm Street – home of the Star Trek Original Sets Tour.

We have been here before, but it never gets tired, especially when we bring some who had not ever seen it. The place truly goes where no man has gone before. You see, as much as it is about Star Trek TOS ( The Original Series for you heathens) , it is just as much about how television was created back in the day, and the docents leading the set-by-set tour have more information than a barrel full of tribbles. E ngineering, the Transporter Room – K irk’s Q uarters ( where the magic happens, or will) , and of course the Bridge.

James Cawley and crew have done, and continue to do, a magnificent ob of eeping the true spirit of Star Trek alive… even in 205.

That being an important year it was lucky for us that the BMW R 1300 RT has all sorts of accessories – one little known one being that the Multi-Controller operates BMW’s new Imagination-Mode, and I used that to dial us back to the present day ( depending on when you are reading this, right? ) , and we blasted down Route 9N, along the west shore of Lake George.

We had a birthday celebration ( Gena, Gena, Gena! ) that evening, and then folks grabbed dinner at the restaurant of their choice, but all seemed to be back on the dock to en oy the fire pits and one last night along the Queen of American Lakes.

Catskills Bound

This rally had started out with the coldest temperatures since last spring, but this day started warm and then got better. E ven though they can be a life-saver, why does electric riding gear always feel better when it comes off?

Many riders headed home this day, but those die hard MoFos we love so much kept it going for one more night!

I had thrown together a route at 12: 0 AM and emailed it around to those I could – simply calling it the Midnight E xpress. It entailed a mix of larger two-lane southbound asphalt, and a bunch of tiny local roads… with nary a bit of gravel I will add. ( Thank God! ) There was some wind with which to be dealt, as the ever-warming high pressure we had been enjoying the last four days was being ushered out by a strong storm system vectoring in from the south and west – and all that atmosphere had to go someplace, and in the Catskills it did a great job of spinning around on itself.

Regardless, undaunted, our heroes marched on.

I think the day’s ride was a total winner, everyone else thought…

“Yes, it was good, Brian.” ( Friggin’ Vulcans) . I wanted a pat on the back and got the VNP. Still, the Hancock House, a place that we have used again and again ( for great reason) , was rockin’ that night, with an awesome football game, and then MotoGP.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 25

Life was pretty much all good on our boat.

That night the rains came in, but by morning the main bit of moisture had rumbled by, and we rode back to home under dark clouds, with wonderful patches of blue skies and powerful sunlight, that just made the Autumn colors, that seemed to be in their prime all rally, that much more intense.

Although certainly not the end of the season, it was the end of the Backroads Rallies this time around the sun.

It had been a very, very busy year for us, and especially ending the summer and running into the middle of October.

I type this that Monday afternoon, and looking back it is all so amazing. We want to thank all of you who came along for all the rides this past year. Sure, Backroads is just a hopped-up travel and history magazine, posing as a motorcycle publication ( Or is it the other way?

No matter) ; yet great destinations are made even better by sharing them, and we have been blessed to share them with the greatest readers and friends on the planet.

See ya on the road! ,

Page 26

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

words: Brian Rathjen • images: Kevin Wing he first of the modern BM machines was brought to the public in 1976, and for 50 years BMW has steadily let this machine evolve, with jumps in displacement, technology and comforts. So, it really is no surprise, after the success of their R 1300 GS machines, that an RT version would quickly follow.

This 1300 RT uses the same 1300c c engine the GS does, but with some tweaks for the RT. It brings 145hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, which is up almost 10 hor sepower and 5 lb-ft of torque from the 1250 m odel. t is a smoother and more efficient engine in all of its modes co, ain, Road, D ynamic.

But the 206 R 1300 RT is not just a larger displacement engine slid into the previous RT, rather it is complete clean sheet of paper design. Can you see its pedigree? Indeed. But under the reminiscent looks lies an entirely different machine.

They came up with a set of 10 requirements for the new 1300 RT, and then set about to build a machine that would meet, or exceed, each of those.

D esigners at BMW thought the 1250 looked bigger than it really was, and the seating was too passive and upright. The new design has a more compact and athletic look, and is available with different option packages and four colors – Alpine White ( Basic Stormtrooper) , Racing Blue Metallic ( Impulse) , Black Storm Metallic ( Triple Black - OMG! ) , and what they call Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic ( Carmargue? ) , which I thought a bit tony’ish.

Although it looks more “Sport” than “Tourer,” the electrically adjustable windscreen and optional Variable Wind D eectors, that easily raise by hand, e en at highway speeds, offer a touring-like bubble. On the highway or when raining, or simply cold, these ind e ectors were simply brilliant.

Pillion comfort was a major point, as so many use the RT for long-distance two-up traveling, and the saddle offers substantially more room for the passenger. The new R 1300 RT

offers optional passenger heated seat, backrest, and handgrips as well. The saddlebags have been redesigned for more leg room for the passenger as well; and the new Variable Luggage allows the side cases to expand from a tight fitting liters to a full liters with an easy turn of the nob. he op Case is almost Tardis-like – looking svelte but holding a full 54 liters – all with powered locking, lighting, and ( drum roll) heated backrest.

Seat height ( two saddles available) can be as low as 30.7 inches, making the machine better suited for shorter rider, and can be adjusted for height and lean for those with longer legs. At 6 foot I found the RT right in the Goldilocks Z one for me.

The saddle’s comfort? Well, I didn’t think of it once.

That says a 1,00 w ords.

The large 10.25” color TFT screen is a mammoth unit. I believe it is as large as my parent’s first CA color tele ision set ept waiting for Batman to start playing. eriously my first thought when saw this si e screen on the

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

previous RT was it was monstrous, but after riding the bike for a few thousand miles I appreciate the TFT, and that it shows speed, rpm, as well as full map integrated navigation ( BMW Motorrad App required) , ride modes, bike status, radio AM/ FM/ Sirius and Bluetooth connectivity – all controlled by the wheel on the left grip handle controller. The RT comes with speakers built in as well, and there is even an upgraded system, but I have never been much for machines that can play Rock & Roll annoyingly louder than their engines. This system will Bluetooth easily to a Cardo or Sena communication unit keeping your music more personal in nature.

Another RT option is Rider Assistant that brings on board Active Cruise Control, Frontal Collision Warning, and Lane Change Warning. I found all this to have a moderately steep learning curve, but if you are familiar with late-model BMWs it should come more naturally.

Although the RT is available with a conventional 6-speed, our bike was equipped with the BMW’s new Automated Shift Assist.

There was no clutch lever; you can leave the RT in D rive-Mode and it will shift for you, or Manual-Mode, where you will need to use the conventional-style foot shifter to run through the gears.

I tried the D -mode a few times, but it left me a bit disappointed. But… the M-Mode was stellar!

Once I got used to not having to engage a clutch lever, and that my shifting would be spot-on each shift ( especially downshifting) I slowly became a believer.

I have ridden BMWs for decades, and have never been impressed by a smooth BMW transmission – unt il now.

The R 1300 RT is a little “D ie Clunky” in D , but very smooth in M. Sadly, and it almost hurts to say, I think I can ride the RT quicker, and more smoothly, with the ASA, than I could an RT with a conventional 6-speed.

I got a few laps on Barber’s 2.38- mile road course, and the R 1300 RT was a gem to ride on the track, and that smoothness trans-

Page 27

ferred over to the K entucky and West Virginia backroads, and then another long week and 1,00 m iles on the Backroads Fall Fiesta Rally.

The RT is also equipped with anti-lock integrated braking system that allows front and rear brakes to work together, taking in speed, lean angle and road conditions. All the nanny-shit may seem a bit much when compared to the motorcycles of yore, but when all is working it is more than brilliant.

The frame was rethought, redesigned and recreated. Gone is the tubular frame of the 1250, replaced with sheet metal frame and trellis tube rear, adopted from the proven GS model.

The suspension, once again using BMW’s E VO Telever and E VO Paralever, was reworked and this machine uses what BMW has dubbed D ynamic Chassis Adaptation, which can offer the rider two different suspension positions. One with a more relaxed steering head angle, the other offering tighter damping and a higher spring rate. The rear actually raises a bit putting the bike, and rider, in a sportier stance. You can change damping and preload settings on the y.

On paper and on a walk-about around the new RT, it all looks amazing. But, what about on the road?

On the Road (OMG who’da thought…)

The biggest preconceived thoughts I had were about the Automatic Shift Assist, and they were not happy thoughts; but as I wrote, I quickly learned to love this system.

The power of the R 1300 RT is very impressive, quickly pulling out of sweepy backroads turns, that were smoothly downshifted into by the previously mentioned ASA. When ‘ on the go’ the bike did just that, with gusto. Warp D rive a mere twist away.

With all the feldecarb that BMW has integrated into the new RT, the one that impressed me the most was the D ynamic Chassis Adjustment. In normal street or highway riding the RT sits in a low and composed manner. But, when seeing signs that say “Great Twisties Ahead For 10 0 Miles,” I would toggle the mode into D ynamic and let the bike open up and do the shape-shifting thing into its sportier stance. In my mind the bike was like a martial artist going from rela ed to a fighting stance. t truly transforms the from Clark K ent into The Man of Steel, and instilled a ton of confidence e en in the tightest est irginian mountain roads.

I did a few hundred miles in serious rain as well, and the bubble of protective air did a decent job, but rain always wins.

The Frontal Collision System can be adjusted, and should be, for when it does decide that you are too close it slows the bike down in the most annoying fashion. You can turn it off as well. Just sayin’.

The stowage capacity was perfect for me, and any couple riding the new R 1300 RT, who pack reasonably, should be able to tour with this bike all summer long.

On the interstate I did use BMW’s D rive-Mode a bit, as well as the excellent Cruise Control, both of which are immediately turned off with the twist of the throttle or a downshift. Very non-intrusive.

The RT is spot-on steady too, easily eating up ‘ Big Miles’ at just under a ton when prudent. I did notice a bit of affect from big trucks when in their turbulence, all that BMW air management becoming sail-like, but it was always easy enough to get past them with a twist of the wrist.

Over the mountains and through the woods the RT was awesome stellar, amazing… basically a splendid machine and got me to Grandma’s house every time.

Page 28

n par ing lots, puttin’ around on mpulse, the bi e oated easily with a soft touch on the throttle, but it is still a 600 pound plus machine, so gravity is not your friend, and lifting it off the side stand on an incline required commitment. On level ground the RT center stand offers you help, by raising the bike up and making it far easier to get the bike up onto the stand. This same system allows the RT to lower itself, imperceptibly, when coming to a stop. A big plus for shorter riders.

We spent a few days two-up on the new R 1300 RT, and neither Shira nor I are petite, but with all that torque it hardly seemed to matter.

One long day in the Adirondacks, along the very tight east/ west roads to and from Lakes George and Champlain, had us leading some long-time riding buddies with experience and quickness. Their thoughts were that the oated and danced through turns, and was amazing to see 1,00 lb. of mortals and machine run through Tracy Road with grace and ease.

It was certainly more the RT than us.

Shira thought the pillion position was perfect, the heated seats and, especially, the bac rest and grips were magnificent ( we started in 40- degree temps) . U nlike most who ride themselves, she seems very comfortable on the back, and is far more a co-pilot than luggage. She said she

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

felt very comfortable and at ease, with room to move with me, as we rode along sportier pavement.

There are a few nitpicks.

At this premium price backlit switchgear should be expected. Not being clear on your instruments in the dark mountains at midnight is not a good thing.

Speaking of visibility, the RT has an optional additional tail/ brake light for the top case. It should be standard as I got comments on the road from other riders how they thought the brake light could use more punch and visibility.

Also, it might be nice if there was a generic power plug that also allowed for heated gear – liners and gloves - to be used via the TFT screen like the heated grips and seat. Seems like an easy thing.

I have ridden RTs, and similar machines from others manufacturers, but with the 206 BMW R 1300 RT this part of the market has just made a giant leap, and if you are in the market for a serious solo, or two-up, touring motorcycle it would be foolish not to take this bike for a ride.

In our thoughts, the R 1300 RT is the best two-up motorcycle on the planet … period.

The BMW R 1300 RT, which will run with the usual factory packaging around $30,20, i s at dealers now. ,

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

Page 29

PRODUCT REVIEWS

SIDI PERFORMA GORE BOOTS

When we talk bike performance there certainly is a lot to cover, but even when we jump from machine to riders – the conversation will usually revolve around riding suits, helmets, and gloves.

For some reason, boots never seem to come up in this conversation nearly as much as the aforementioned.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “The foot is a complex structure comprised of over 26 bones, 30 joints, numerous tendons, ligaments, and muscles responsible for our ability to stand upright, supporting the weight of the entire body and provides the base for the mechanism for bipedal gait.”

According to the Book of Backroads – there is a shit load of bones and stuff you can injure in your foot; and if you have two – t wice that. That’s science.

Our point is that we need to protect of feet all the time, and thus we need to have superior boot protection and we need to wear them every time we ride.

How many times have you seen somebody riding in sneakers or worse? Too many times.

E nter SID I Boots.

We have been wearing SID I Motorcycle Boots for more than a decade now and we find them to offer superior performance on every level, like all the ‘ stuff’ going on in your foot – there are many levels of performance in which a good boot must excel, and this month we’d like to touch on all these levels and use SID I’s Performa Gore Boots as a wonderful example of how to do things right.

Comfort:

f the shoe fits, wear it, right But if the boots you ha e are uncomfortable then your ride will be more a chore than a pleasure.

The best review about a boot is that… well, that once on you hardly think about them.

These boots feature a cushioned arch area, along with a zippered elastic panel that allows for ease of fitment and remo al and we have always found SID I boots rarely need a break-in, although after a thousand miles or so they are like old friends.

Protection: So, comfort is key, but boots are here for support and protection and the SID I Performa Boots have a contoured and secured shin plate with lower air channels to allow for a bit of air as well. The calf area features exhaust vents in soft polyurethane, shielded with mesh.

These boots have a track bent to them with replaceable sliders. The sliders can be swapped out and come in options of full nylon, ceramic, or aluminum inserts.

A long, strong, and well-placed zipper and wide and tenacious elcroed armored ap, embla oned with the SID I logo ensures the boots will stay on.

Yes. Stay on.

I recently was a small part of a great team effort ( you know who you are and you ROCK ! ) handling a simply horrific accident where the rider hit hard their boots came off. Okay, read it again… their boots came off and were gone never to be seen again.

Page 30

It was not pretty. Great pedicure gone to shit. ell-fitted and built boots need to stay on to do their ob -and am pretty confident that Boots can handle this tas .

Waterproofness: ne of the saddest feelings is that ery first tric le or reali ation that rain has somehow breached the perimeter. The barbarians at the gate, they are in. All is lost!

Not with the SID I Performa Gore Boots.

The core of all GORE -TE X fabric-engineered products lies in the GORE -TE X membrane, which boasts an astounding 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimeter ( 9 billion pores per square inch) . These pores

SW-Motech PRO GS Tank Bag 16-20 Liter For those of you who have larger adventure machines or machines with sloping fuel tan s, finding a tan bag that wor s well can be a challenge.

It is even more challenging when mounting tank bags on larger AD V machines, as securing them usually takes three to four mounting straps.

The SW-Motech PRO GS Tank Bag does away with the need for such bondage, but uses a magnetically guided Pro Tank Ring that securely ( and easily attaches to your fuel tan filler cap. he was de eloped specifically for steeply sloped fuel tan s such as those of the BMW R 1250 GS, and other such adventure machines, and the tank bag offers up to 20 l iters of generous storage space.

We aware a bit leery about the PRO Ring’s installation, but reading through the directions ( a few times, ‘ cause we are admittedly dense) , it was a very easy step-by-step installation. hese tan rings are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. hey are made to match your exact motorcycle model. This very strong PRO tank ring with magnetic guide aid secures the PRO tank bags with a mechanical Q U ICK -LOCK snap lock. This allows the tank bags to be attached or removed with just one hand.

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

are incredibly tiny, being 20,0 times smaller than a water droplet, while they are 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule. This means that external water will never breach the membrane, while perspiration can effortlessly escape, reducing moisture buildup within the insulation. The outcome: you remain warmer in cold conditions and drier when you perspire.

D ry feet are happy feet, and happy feet smile and dance.

Wet cold feet, well they pout and slosh.

If you are in the market for a new pair of riding boots, or just now realized you maybe should be, take a look at SID I Motorcycle Boots – they have several styles and looks - but all are built with the same quality that we learn to rely on. $299 • moto.sidisport.us

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

This was another thing we raised an eyebrow on as it seemed too simple, but the Pro GS Tank Bag goes on and off easily, and we had no incidents, and we are confident in -Motech’s design. he factory-fitted upper ring guide rail also allows for the tank bag to adapt to the shape of the tank and the ergonomic needs of the driver much more easily. Called the Fidlock System, it works easily and securely.

The top of the SW-Motech PRO GS Tank Bag is equipped with the MOLLE system ( Modular Lightweight Load-carrying E quipment) , built with hypalo straps a u ont artificial rubber noted for its resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes, and ultraviolet light) , for holding the smartphone or tablet holder or just about anything you might need to carry.

Page 31

There is a reason that this system, created by the U .S. Military in the 90s , is now used world-wide by so many. Matching this, SW-MOTE CH offers the patented volume expansion by zipper from 16 to 20 liters, with a mesh and padded interior, and has two outer pockets. Large zipper pulls make opening and closing this bag a breeze – e ven when riding down the road.

The PRO tank bags offer elegant and timeless design together with durable materials and sophisticated product features: Ballistic nylon material protects the luggage against shocks, wind, and weather. The top and bottom of the PRO GS are made of laminated and dimensionally stable E VA material, this gives the bags a distinctive shape, along with a durable, highly U V-resistant 1680D ballistic nylon with water resistant interior coating. The SW-Motech PRO GS Tank comes with a rain cover as well, in case the weather goes from just sad to very bad. he bag also utili es re ecti e panels at ey points to enhance isibility for nighttime riding. Pro GS has a pass-through port to run power to your smartphone, or other powered needs, as well as a robust carrying handle for off-thebike manageability.

We found SW-Motech’s PRO GS Tank Bag to be extremely well thought out, and in many ways different from any other tank bag on the market. It is a bit tall, but not intrusive on our riding position, and its smaller foot print on the tank lets it seem like a part of a “Clean Slate” bike design – like it should be there, unlike many bags that look like after-market add-ons.

We’re very impressed with the PRO GS Tank Bag. es, it is a definite, and pricey, in estment, but one so well made, it’ll probably outlast your current bike. $370 + $40 for BMW Pro Tank • sw-motech.us/en-us

Page 32

BACKROADS • FEBRUARY 2026

The Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C. presents

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival ScarY monSTerS Mark Byers:

Recently, on The Five, a question was posed on Fan Mail Friday asking, “What was the scariest animal encounter you have ever had? ” The hosts had some interesting stories, and at least one involved a lion. Cool. But, other than the big cat, they seemed rather tame.

Later that evening, MonsterQ uest had its season premiere – t his show featured all law enforcement cryptid sightings, and were stories told by men that were hard to question when it came to reliability.

The next morning, over coffee, we started talking about scary animal encounters, and which ones stood out after decades of riding. We reached out to names familiar to Backroads readers to get their take on Scary Monsters.

Tony Lisanti:

In 207, riding a rented Harley U ltra back from Sturgis, passing through Wind Cave National Park late in the evening, the yellow line in the road started to disappear.

What we discovered ( Gena was in the passenger position) , was a herd of bison from the plains just above the road settled onto the warm pavement. We had nowhere to go until a truck came and nudged a path between them. We carefully zigged & zagged through a dozen or more. All I could say was “Tatonka”. Nothing can prepare you for this other than to expect the unexpected.

Dan Bisbee:

Route 232 through Groton State Forest has no shoulder. The woods and brush come right up to the road. All I saw was the first feet of the moose’s head, and hit the brakes as hard as I could. The moose never even looked my way, just ambled into the bushes on the other side about 20 feet in front of me. Those suckers are huge! I had one of those wooden beaded seat-covers and had to pluck a couple of the beads out of my butt.

But not all monsters are big ones, D an continued…

Once I was motoring down Route 9 in Windsor, Mass. E njoying the day when BAM A swallowtail butter y smeared itself all o er my isor at mph. isibility instantly went to ero, and my first instinct was to wipe it off. Okay, not the best idea. This made it worse. I was able to open my visor, pull over and then clean it off. I was amazed at how much goo goes into a butter y.

But the little beasties continued, with the dreaded bee strike.

Along Route 3A, near Newfound Lake, it was a really hot summer’s day, and the cool New Hampshire riders were wearing shorts, tank tops, sunglasses and a ballcap on backwards while I, being a thinking man’s rider, was wearing an Aerostich, full face helmet and gloves. I was completely covered except for my neck.

Yes. My neck. That little bastard. No real harm or foul – but damn that hurt.

I was just a mile from my house, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye: a doe was going to cross the road from my left. I quickly realized that her speed and angle were going to place her right in front of me at impact, so I moved from the left side of my lane to the white line to increase the distance. I knew my braking would place her in front of me, so I accelerated, hoping to use the distance and speed I created to put her behind me.

It worked, at least partially. She did not get her body in front of me, but we sideswiped. I hit her head with the left fork tube, which spun her to the left. The left hard saddlebag hit her squarely in the backside, spinning her around even more so that she was facing the opposite direction I’d been going. It shook the roadster, but didn’t alter my path appreciably and I coasted to a stop after another 50 yards. A quick damage assessment revealed a broken left turn signal lens, a bent oil cooler bracket, and a left saddlebag that had come unshipped from the mount. In addition, the entire aft part of the bike was covered in deer feces. The deer did not fair so well.

Shira Kamil:

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Well, I guess we can certainly add where the deer and the antelope play. My experience was ‘ treading the needle’ throw a small rangale of deer running across my path while riding through Walpack Valley. I’m not sure what I was seeing, all I know is that I somehow cut between them and ended up on the other side still upright. Brian was amazed, and I guess it took me a minute or two for the adrenaline to kick in and realize what I had just done.

The monster wasn’t scary, the moment was.

As for the real scary monsters, I would have to say, while probably not threatening in any way unless you are a shiny object, my encounters with ostriches have had me in a tizzy. One was in Australia, many many moons ago, while I was foolish enough to try and feed it.

It went for my necklace, I let out a scream, we both jumped in the air. Since then, I have never really liked the bird.

Second encounter was South Africa where, trying to overcome my hatred and fear, I was convinced to ride one of these maniacal birds. I wouldn’t say I got a full legal bull ride, but I did walk away triumphant ( sort of) .