Introduction, first post, and an autumn ride through Pennnsylvania

I wasn't sure where to post this report because it's an intro/first post, as well as a document of a short little ride I did this past Sunday...

Actually, it was not a short jaunt at all.  It was 532 miles through Central and North Central Pennsylvania.  I had the chance to get nicely acquainted with my new-to-me 2007 VFR800 and to see parts of PA that I have never seen before.  I had heard that PA Route 44 was one of the best roads you could find in Pennsylvania and decided to plan a day around getting there and back.  Its slightly northwest of Williamsburg, PA, the little league capital of the world (?), and goes for over 60 miles through nothing but deciduous forests and an occasional village.

Now, why did I buy a VFR? I had always been into Interceptors but my love of the old/vintage/classic stock has always kept my attention longer.  I had been saving for a long time in hopes to find myself an excellent 74 Commando 850.  However, somewhere along the way I started daydreaming about a lengthy 7000 mile (or so) trip across the US and back next summer.  This would leave my choices of trusty equipment to be a nearly 40 year old British twin, as romantic as it is, or my 1985 CB700SC Nighthawk S (below).  The Nighthawk is awesome and Ive owned 3 of them, but my practical side usually wins me over.  So a few weeks ago I picked up a beautiful 07 and have been thoroughly enjoying it...
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Another goal of this ride was to see what kind of mileage I was physically capable of riding in a day in preparation for a long cross country trip.  Luckily I saw some weather and road conditions that were anything but ideal which added to the trial.

I left at 8 am and headed west from Philadelphia towards our bankrupt filing state capital, Harrisburg.  This would be mostly interstate riding for 90 miles to get west quickly.  The temperatures were in the low 50s and sun was shining, but it was a drastic difference from the 90+ temperatures we've seen only a few weeks earlier.  I was cold, not going to lie. I also was slightly unprepared for the Dutch farm-country winds blowing across the interstate.  The same interstate with an artistically exploded mammal on the asphalt every mile or two.  

When I got to Harrisburg city limits I exited I-76 and headed north on PA route 147.  A beautiful, Sycamore lined country road that took me up towards Williamsport.
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The new 800.
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A beautiful mid-October day soon turned into a late November day as I neared Williamsport.  The sun left and the temperature dropped 10 degrees it seemed.  The outside temperature gauge on this VFR is not accurate at all and I need to fix that.   While riding behind a slow moving, tiny Toyota Yaris I smelled burning.  I momentarily thought it was the charging circuit I have yet to inspect and that I was about to be stranded in Fracksville, Pennsyltucky for the night.  But I needed fuel, so I stopped to check things out and stretch.  The Toyota happened to be pulling into the same gas station.  As it did, I noticed plumes of black smoke near its rear wheel.  The Toyota pulls next to the highly explosive gasoline pump and its rear wheel engulfs in flames.  I was glad to conclude that it was not my charging circuit.  Next came the task of urgently yelling at the boyfriend driver to let him know his girlfriend's car was about to ignite and ruin the day for a few people.  Luckily, they moved the car and were able to put out the flames.  I made sure they were okay and tried to leave but a pride of cougars hunted me down to ask me to help them with their tire that had gone flat.

I finally made it out of there with no singed eyebrows, all of my clothes, and a full tank of gas.  The weather had turned worse and it started raining a little.  

But there was this.  For over 60 miles.

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The road I came 200 miles to see.  It was a beautiful forest, mixed with pines and deciduous trees.  The smell was amazing and the colors even better.

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I had read about Hyner View State Park and its grand vista.  Hyner View road turns off of Route 44 and is about a 10 mile trek through the east coast's version of Redwood National Park with smaller trees.  Jurassic...

I made my way up to to Hyner View overlook on another mountain climbing road that reminded me of California.  I was greeted by a beautiful landscape overlooking Renovo, Pennsylvania.

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I stayed for a short while but the winds were nearly blowing me off the mountain.  There was a group of dual-sport, off road riders there that went down the mountain the fun way.  I haven't tried the VFR on muddy, narrow logging roads yet but It seems like it'd be an educational experience.

The beautiful 44 continued for some time longer and I came to a valley opening that had photo-op quality.

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The obligatory bike-anchored-in-the-corner-ride-report-photo

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The sun finally came back out for a short while as I started to make my way home.  Still about 200 miles/4 hours from home.

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The remainder of the ride was generally cold, wet, and windy, so my inspiration for photos was pretty low.  I was getting pretty beat after nearly 10 hours with the stock handlebars.

I came to the conclusion that, if the weather isn't so great and roads are tricky, then 300 miles is my maximum.  400 miles is a great day in good weather.  500 miles a day if I have to get somewhere and there is beer at the end of the ride.

You can see the full gallery here.  I recommend full screen viewing.  

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Nice report and pics... That is a beautiful area this time of year and some nice roads.  Rt.44 through the state park is great now, but during the summer there are too many RVs and campers lol.

[image: View Post]PatrickM, on 18 October 2011 - 08:52 PM, said:

Its slightly northwest of Williamsburg, PA, the little league capital of the world (?)
I think you meant Williamsport....

Williamsburg is a little town (population about 1,500) near Altoona.  Williamsport is known internationally as the birthplace of Little League Baseball. Neighboring South Williamsport is the headquarters of Little League Baseball.

I'm new here too and I'm hoping there will be some VFR group rides this spring for those of us in the PA/NJ area...

Great first post and pics - thanks. Welcome


-- I would love to stumble into one of those old 700 Nighthawks to mess around with.

Welcome and nice "intro"............

Howdy. I need a 700 sc to paint flat black. Always wanted one. I do some riding in Pa. With some donkeys up there. Maybe we'll see you.

Welcome to VFRD from across the pond :tour:



Where are the pictures of the cougars? :tongue:

Welcome, and thanks for the ride report. Nice job!

Welcome to VFRD and nice first post!