BACKROADS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Page 9
BACKLASH
Letters to the Editor
What to do with dem kiddies
Notes from “The Bay”
Hey Shira, Great article on what to do with the kiddies… Beside SEVERELY cutting down on riding time, we’re living through the “what to do with the kiddies” right now. Jack and Nora, being 8 & 5 years old are too old not to be entertained yet too young to go to any kind of “away” camp. So what to do? I laughed when I read your recommendation about minor league ball, we had just gotten back from watching the “Jersey Jackals” at Yogi Berra Stadium that very night! What a (relatively) hidden pleasure; no crowds, no traffic, no going into debt, just right up close baseball! I mean right up close, to the point where you NEED a mitt to protect yourself. Just when you have enough of swimming in the local watering hole, your minor league teams are right out there, close to home, ready to play their hearts out for you. Again, great article and thanks to you and the big guy for a great outlet for us motorcyclist when we don’t get enough riding time. Michael G. Bellantone
Wow, Mr. Rathjen, the article was great! We are going to have it framed. Thank you so much for all your kind words and publicity. The summer has been good to us even in the grueling heat. No power losses from the storms or overconsumption. That’s a small miracle as usually we’re among the first to lose power. Anyway, we enjoyed having you and your friends stay with us. I have a gift to send both you and the Wernicks. It will be arriving next week. Come back again soon! Regards, Terry Nelson Innkeeper - The Inn at Osprey Point
Folks at Backroads, Your magazine represents my favorite passions – motorcycling, Mother Nature, food, travel, architecture and history! Your team energies and thoughts are much respected and appreciated. My bucket list has swollen to exuberant proportions with your fun-filled catalog of to-dos. ‘Living Life to the Fullest’ Joe Collins Jr.
Cha Cha in the Catskills Hey Backroads, I took some friends this weekend on the Cha Cha Hut via a Rip & Ride; awesome ride and awesome place! I think I could eat the smoked mac & cheese for a week and nothing else. Anyway I know that ride was written a while ago. They since moved about 13 miles and a few towns east. When we got there the gas station (where they were) said they moved to Margaretville and another person at the pump said the same. There was no cell service for any of us to get to the web site or call them. Eventually we found the place
CLASS Success Brian and Shira, I just wanted to drop you guys a note to let you know what you missed on this year’s CLASS Rides at VIR. Other then the sweltering heat, you missed a lot. Great sessions in the class room with Reg and his amazing group of instructors. Great advice on the track from Reg and his instructors. And most importantly, the sheer joy of running lap after lap on what is arguable one of the country’s best and most challenging tracks, Virginia International Raceway. This was my second year in a row of doing both days with Reg. I’ve been riding for almost 15 years, but last year was my first time on a track. What an exciting and scary experience. Reg and his crew of instructors gave me the confidence to push my skill way beyond where it was. I knew my bike, a 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14, had way more potential then I had skill to use. With all that I learned over two years on CLASS rides I can push my bike and myself so much further then I ever thought I could. What a great and enlightening experience. All the best! Brian Coghlan Hello Brian and Shira, You missed another great CLASS session at VIR this year put on by Reg, Gigi, and the rest of the fabulous instructors! Boy was it hot this year, but in typical fashion, the instruction and experience was second to none. Reg mentioned that you provide coverage about his school in your Backroads magazine. I wanted to thank you for that because Reg and the team have enabled so many of us to be much safer riders out on the streets, after having learned and practiced (and experienced our limits) on the track. Best regards, Mona S. Brown, PE 2005 Honda VFR 800 2012 Triumph Tiger 800XC
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