Mike, what a hoot you were. You even thought about reinacting Nate. Well Played!
https://advrider.com/f/threads/never-leave-a-mans-behind.579306/

Not sure I would have picked such a rocky section to "snuggle" with your bike, but hey, got to snuggle when you can

Maine has been a great state! A bit of tarmac, high speed gravel roads, power lines trails, and Canadian Wonderland fauna. We skipped the ATV trails as $300 for 4 bikes to ride <20 miles of trails seemed a bit too spendy. But we had one heck of good ride to the border.

Paul Bunyan Chair

The end of the track gets narrower and narrower. Feels a bit like the sidetrip to Esker outside of Churchill Falls, Canada!

And as usual, you only pay for a ride when your wheels get wet!

And so it ends almost as quickly as it started. Tomorrow, we will finish up the last excursion doing the 23 mile Rangley Loop Lookout. The weather has certainly pushed in quickly and the mercury is falling fast. I do hope that it doesn't snow, and the leaves on the trees have already started to turn vibrant colors. Sunset is also 7:07, which is nearly 30 mins earlier than home.

I am starting to look a bit like a lobster, having ate them for the last 4 meals or so. And with all good adventures, all that end with the question "But did you die" is a good one.

Our newly minted BDR stickers!

Our first stopover in Maine. We had about 1 hr wait before dinner. I decided to go wading in the lake, while the boys lounged about.

While track 6 did not have any challenges today, it was fun a mixture of scenery. Never had a bad run through the White Mountains, today included. Drove through another Covered Bridge. Nice elevation changes too.

Then a nice trot on the Mt Washington Auto Road. Seems any old bucket of bolts will summit these days

The trains are neat because the rear elevates so that it tracks parallel to the tracks despite the angle of the ascent.

Blaster is most impressed with his latest sticker....the Squatch of Mt Washington

We decide to put another state in the rear view mirror and start the next track into Maine. It's late afternoon, and to make matters worse, we really don't have good intel on where to stop for the night. We more or less through a dart at a town on the map and make that the vector point. And it works out to be a good one indeed. The first two hotels we stopped at were closed for the season, or had blocked out their book. But we do catch a spectacular meal at the Lodge at Pleasant Point (Notice the Birch Trees decor

We ended up at the Old Soco Inn.

So, sometimes you have to sacrifice to the motorcycle gods. Armyguy starts the day realizing his kickstand is missing the nub that helps you locate it with your foot. But he has a quite calm about him, and has accepted the demise.

We start off track 5 a bit gun shy given the rock gardens we rode yesterday. Nonetheless, we give it another go today. If I was a bit upset about yesterday's track, today's route was absolutely desirable. We picked up the track near Mt Hunger C-4 and, had a heck of good time. We sent the X bikes to test it out, then rode another victory gallop with the Grey Goose. In fact, we didn't find a bad C4 on today's track and the Grey Goose had a darn good hoot also.

The Grey Goose has all these fancy smancy suspension settings. It is such a damn shame that the only way he knows that the bike isn't in low is when he gracefully comes to halt. Then balances for 10 seconds, then scratches at the ground like a chicken looking for grub. Only to realize that he and the bike will soon be cuddling on terrafirma shortly as the ground is many inches below his foot.

Blaster has all but convinced himself that his clutch is on the way out. As we climb a few hills, the RPMs are revving really too high. He is delighted to realize that a rock has lodged itself between the clutch case and the cable....and he didn't even take the rock home nor take a photo. Such a pitty!

https://www.facebook.com/586184849/videos/pcb.10158656580104850/10158656577074850/

Armyguy has really bonded with his steed. So much infact when I chide him that Blaster has just sold his bike to a random stranger that he is chatting to, his face gets all sullen. Almost the same reaction if we had kicked his dog.

During California Superbike School, they often talk about riding at a speed your can maintain. While you certainly can wick it up to 100% of your ability, it takes incredible mental stamina to stay at that speed. Instead, ride at a speed 70-80% of your ability. This is the same technique that Blaster and I use on the long trips. Sort of like the Bugs Bunny cartoon of the Turtle and the Hare. We fully realize we are no longer turtles, but Blaster asks what kind of Hare am I? A Jackrabbit or a Cottontail? I let him know I am more roundish, like a meat bunny

So then came lunch. We had just passed a covered bridge and we were near and interstate running north and south. Those sound like pretty big descriptors when we have been riding dirt roads for the last 5 days. AMIRIGHT?

We average about 30 miles/hr. Imagine my surprise when I realize that we are 75 miles east of where were at lunch. Another interstate and another covered bridge! And we have four C-4s to ride. Time slips by and we are going to miss the cardinal rule to be off the road by Beer-Thirty. We decide to trudge on, but 1 hour before sunset we will just slab into the hotel we booked at lunch. When that time comes, it seems that we are still going to be 1+ hours after sunset. That is simply no good in moose country.

So plan b. A fool and his money are quickly parted. The next hotel we pass we check in...paying my stupid tax for 2 rooms is my penance for not looking closer at the map. But it was an amazing execution of plan b, and ending an incredible day.

Said in your best Mister T voice, you can call a German a lot things but apparently you shouldn't call them late. And so the day started. We head out to complete track 4 and end up at the trailhead for the second Class IV road. Not 1/4 mile into, my bike putters to a stop. No amount of cranking it can bring it back to life.

As the story unfolds, I have apparently ripped off the ring for the side stand switch. It is much like a Pinto car (e.g No-go). We flop the bike on the side and gain easy access to the switch. Too bad the interwebs are full of wrong information, because the Brown + White wire will start the bike, but it will stall out as soon as you put in gear. A quick change to the correct wires, with the aide of some electrical tape and dikes from J4S, the Red & White wires permanently connected and the switch bypassed.

Over halfway into the Class IV, but not sure if the side stand fix is perfect, we track back and out the main track. Having confidence some 40 miles later, we are back to the next Class IV. I have to say the track today was the most disappointing. There wasn't much too ooo and ahh over that I wanted to stop and photograph. It seemed more like we were just riding around peoples neighborhoods. The road was hard pack and you probably could have hosted the Tour de France bicycle race on it, it was so smooth and hard.

Then on the other extreme was was the Class IVs. These were just boulder ridden torn up ATV/Snowmobile trails. While certainly it was rideable, you had to be precise and enjoy bouncing among the rocks. At times, it seemed as if we were actually riding in a river bed. Loose round rocks moving everywhere! I think that after the harsh criticism of the MABDR, the design team had something to "prove".

J4S gave it one heck of a go. Here he is demonstrating that you can lose the ass-end of a GSA in divot. Blaster to rescue collecting rocks and building up the exit. I was helpful too as I would huck the rocks under the bike, but only after ricocheting them off the brandnew Touratech skidplate...much like a dong rings a bell.

While it does take some finesse to find restaurants, it seems to be especially difficult during COVID. Today, we ended up at at a little gas station for lunch and Blaster partook in a Dog Dick HotDog. Learned something new today.

So 4 states down (NY, CT, MA, VT) and two left to go.

Day 3: Lee, MA to Wilimington, VT About 140 miles

Today must have been a good day. If you count the day by amount of ice packs needed to rest. This is a 2 knee and one shoulder kinda ride.

The Paddock at the Viking Inn

So we left Lee, and decided to take the detour to the Mt Greyson.

Never knew about the Civilian Conservation Corps (1930-1940s) to put young men to work. Then most left the CCC and were conscripted into WW2. I feel as if a group of young men imagine where their legos left off. Look at this ornate structure they built on the summit.

The summit was packed today, so we decided not to stay.  But a nice overlook

My best Moose Imitation

The two class IV roads were much like a baby head infested river bed. They are mostly ATV trails, which are somewhat heavily traveled. The thumper motor was in its' element. The Grey Goose looked like a goose taking flight. It would run real fast, then neck in/out, then a few flaps of wings..then finally flight! I think that one gets about 5 pickups on a heavy bike before the fun meter is pegged. But, what a super trooper he was!

Some nice rolling hills

Steve. We usually book our hotels at lunch. As usual, we see how the day is tracking and how much we feel we should go. But always try to pull into the hotel no later than Beer-30 time. We call the Colonial Inn, and get redirected to Steve, the proprietor. He is a chatty fellow, but doesn't seem to have his reservation book handy, so anyone's guess if he is booked or not. So, we decide plan A is to see if there are any tasty offerings in Fleschmanns, NY as we drive through.

We pretty much strike out and decide to trek a few miles down to Pine Hill and the Colonial Inn.

What was advertised on the interwebs

This is what greeted us (which I am still not convinced is the same building). A sagging roof line, a yard full of non-operational lawn equipment, and a porch stuffed with an eclectic array of nicknacks from an era gone by. My heart sank.

We sat on our bikes debating the merits of our situation. On one hand, it was going to be 40 degrees tonight. Camping could work but with only 1.5 hours to total darkness, doesn't excite us. On the other hand, we've not found anything that might be more tasty than this 4.3 star hotel. Armyguy at least confirms that that Bates hotel is not co-located in Pine Hill.

Without further ado, Blaster trots off to get a tour. And somehow, after seeing every dead critter stuffed and mounted in the lobby...he is smitten.

The hotel is ancient, and has some oddities. Every surface is not flat, to include the floor. J4S has a shared bathroom, but encouraged by Steve to "get some action" with as he hands him the second key. Then Armyguy walks into the lobby as a women with a Parakeet bird on her head walks down the stairs. Be a gentile, he comments on her 'nice bird', to which she replies she had forgotten it was still on her head. It is still unclear if the bird was alive or stuffed, but all the weird the same. Blaster warned me not to take this picture, as he was afraid of what might show up later in the photos. I don't see any ghosts, did you?

Walking down to dinner that night, Pine Hill has an interesting hippy-type vibe. All the locals on sitting out on their porches, friendly as can be. Some have the backyard firepits ablazing.

Hot breakfast was included, and we bid ourselves goodbye to Steve and set off for track 2/3.

Day 3: Pine Hill, NY to Lee, MA

The weather is certainly brisk as we were riders up by 0730. We weren't out on the trail for less than 30 minutes before we hit the long rocky down hill of Vly Mountain. It seemed we all had out different attack methods, and all were more successful than mine. I had the misfortune of stopping on a hill before a small rocky step down. Not wanting to smash a perfectly good skid plate, I dismounted and walked the bike over. But it did make for a heck of remount. It's not terribly steep, nor terribly rocky...but those two factors with the overall length >1 mile does make for a sporting section of the track.

But whether you think you can do this, or you can't do it...you were probably right! A bit later on the trail, spirits are quite high!

A bit later on the trail, we run pass this covered bridge. Okay, so it is a bridge to nowhere. It was unique for its' time period as the center beam is continuous and arched. Turns out to be a bit of an engineering marvel!

I do like how we mark trailheads around these parts..

There is quite a bit of tarmac at the end of track 2. And perhaps a bit to urban for us as we get through Catskill. A word to wise is not to use the Ezpass lane on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge (Catskill). The lane gates are bit lazy sensing the bikes. The track on the far side seems a bit nauseating with the number quick turns, which interrupt the flow of the previous days. Being a Saturday on a holiday weekend in such a congested area, also means the parks are stuffed with people, more people and everywhere people!

We pass this neat old steel furnace

This place is filled to the brim with waterfalls to boot!

When traveling north, we are usually given two options. Option A is comparable to Dantes 7th Level of Hell as you play your hand at real-life frogger crossing every major city on the eastern seaboard. Option B always seems more platable, as it it much more rural...but eventually you have to cross the Bermuda triangle of the Interstates.

The area between Harrisburg, PA and I-81 has never treated us especially well. In fact, the last time we rode up it we trailed a god awful stench for miles. Then, we passed the semi-trailer partially engulfed in flames, as it seems atleast one axle had locked the brake up and the smell was the tire and brake pads melting. With the Fire trucks on our tail, we squished by the inferno. That may not have been the best decision as hot embers fell on us.

So I guess, comparably speaking, today was tame. As usual, Harrisburg is all gnarled up. After coming to a complete standstill for 5 minutes, we decide to go North via Hershey. So much fun to see the street lamp posts which has Hershey Kisses for the shade. Soon enough we rejoin I-81. That is until Armyguy dittle fuel tank is thirsty. We bust off I-81 and find the most incredible traffic jam...

Really starting to get a bit frosty about I-81...

Then, traffic jam #3. Now both lanes are stopped on I-81. Nobody moving anywhere. But there is that grassy median. And an exit to freedom. We take it and soon enough trot the backside of Penn National Racetrack. Haven't been down that road since Jun 2000 when I bailed the horse out. And then through Fort Indiantown Gap. If it wasn't raining by now, the photo op would have been fun as they have a bunch of attack helicopters on display on the shoulder of the road. However, not much use getting the big nose camera all yucked up in this miserable weather.

After another 2 hours in the rain, we finally get to the stopvover point just a bit shy of the BDR start. Tomorrow will be another day. And good riddance to I-81!

There is a company, Touratech, which provides aftermarket components to the Adventure Bike community.   The have since started a non-profit which also explores and publishes routes through the US.  The North East Back Backcountry Discovery Route (NEBDR)  is the 11th in the series. The BDR organization was established 10 years ago, and currently well supported with annual raffles which often next in excess of $250K.

Our route is 1317 miles traveling on dirt roads through 5 states in the Northeast.  It should have an added element of surprise as we enter this trip in 24 weeks after COVID-19 "Safer at Home" quarantine begins.  

More about the trip here:
https://ridebdr.com/nebdr/#toggle-id-63