“Keep The Rubber Side Down”

Being a coffee lover, I was stoked when I recently ran across the very cool folks at Bikers Coffee Company, located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.  I was so impressed with the company, I thought you might like to learn more about them.  Wayne Leroux, a.k.a “Rigid,” the guru of Sales & Marketing, Corporate Graphics, and Web Design, for the company fielded a few of my questions about Bikers Coffee Company.  Thanks for your time Wayne!

When did the Biker Coffee Company begin and why?

Biker Coffee Company began in 2008 with the concept of fellow Biker’s riding to their favorite coffee stop. In the end Biker’s and coffee go hand in hand, so why not offer a premium custom blend just for them, and lets face it Bikers love having something to call their own.
As we researched more and more we found the majority of coffee’s offered around town were generic off the self blends. We then began to think green by ensuring our beans were Organic, Shade Grown, Fair Trade and of the highest standards and quality.

What is the mission of your company?

Our mission is to supply Premium Organic Fair Trade Coffee to a niche market of enthusiasts at a fair price. 

For those who may not know, what is fair trade coffee?

Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and flowers.

Fair Trade’s strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move towards economic self-sufficiency and stability. It also aims to allow them to become greater stakeholders in their own organizations, as well as play a wider role in international trade. Fair Trade proponents include a number of international development aid, social, religious and environmental organizations such as Christian Aid, SERRV International, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Catholic Relief Services, and Caritas International.

What types of coffee does Biker Coffee Company offer?

We currently offer 8 proprietary blends with 3 in the works which include:

The Original - medium roast
Full Throttle - dark roast
Disc Brake - decaf
Sissy Bar French Vanilla - medium roast
Bavarian Bobber Chocolate - medium roast
Hydraulic Hazelnut - medium roast (coming soon)
Ignition Coil Irish Cream - medium roast (coming soon)
Unnamed - full city roast (coming soon)

How does one go about ordering your coffee?

For now our coffee is only available online at www.bikercoffee.com

Thanks again to everyone at BCC, I hope this is your best year ever.

On Friday my sons arrived in Springfield.  We have talked, laughed, enjoyed great food, and smoked good cigars, ever since.  What more could a father want?  Happy Father’s Day!

As riding season kicks into high gear, the series; “Women and Motorcycles,” will be taking a hyatis, but be assured the ladies will return in the fall.  The season’s final photo features a BMW R90S beautifully restored by this owner.  So without further adieu…

If you haven’t had a chance to read “Gettysburg ride report, Day 1″ you can read it here.

Day 2

A good night’s sleep does wonders for a man’s soul.  In fact, Thomas Dekker, said, “Sleep is the golden chain which links health and the body together.”  I awakened Saturday morning feeling bright and renewed, with the possibilities of the day’s events bringing great anticipation.  I quickly showered, gathered up my belongings, and headed to the lobby.  Upon settling my bill, I grabbed a banana, blueberry muffin, and a coffee, from the hotel’s complimentary breakfast bar and hit the road.  Today’s weather forecast; cloudy, hot and humid, with more severe thunderstorms.

My hotel was conveniently situated on highway 30, a right hand turn out of the parking lot and I was back on course, only thirty-one miles from my destination.

 As I rolled along I began to plan my sightseeing attack on Gettysburg.

1. Visit the battlefield.
2. Stand where President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.
3. See the Jenne Wade home.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sign which told me I was nearing  Gettysburg, in what seemed like minutes, I arrived at my final destination; the famed town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

 As I approached the outskirts of the small borough I immediately encountered the main battlefield.  Statues, monuments, and plaques, were scattered amidst the once blood soaked fields, and now serve as reminders to all who visit here, that this is hallowed earth, this is the very dirt where soldier boys from the north and the south fought and died.

Riding slowly along this countryside, I became increasingly aggravated.  Although fairly well versed about the history of the Gettysburg campaign, I was unable to get my bearings; nothing seemed to be making sense.  It didn’t take long for my aggravation to become complete frustration! “How in the hell do they expect anyone to navigate this damn place!”  I said aloud, Time to find the visitor center!

I was thoroughly annoyed by the time I arrived at the visitor center and I spent the next ten minutes walking around the lobby of this 139,000 square foot building just getting my bearings.  I grabbed a coffee and sat down in front of a continually running video which instructs visitors how to enjoy their time in Gettysburg, now we’re talking!  The video suggests three sightseeing options which are based on the length of time you wish to devote to your visit.

Finally, I am beginning to get a sense of how I should proceed with my day.

I went for option two.  I paid $32.95 to watch an introductory film, the cyclorama, and a two hour guided tour of the battlefield.   “We are Met on a Great Battlefield,” is  a twenty minute film that explains the important events leading up to July of 1863 and exactly how Gettysburg fit into the whole of the Civil War.  After the film we were escorted to a large room on the third floor of the visitors center where we were treated to the “The Battle of Gettysburg” cyclorama; a sound and light show featuring a massive painting by Paul Philippoteaux, a soldier in Pickett’s Charge.  The painting is 45 feet high and 377 feet long.  It was completed in 1884 at a cost of $50,000 and was recently restored at a cost of several million dollars.   It is stunning!

Now armed with some background and a little perspective I was anxious to get to the battlefield.   I boarded a large bus with about twenty other tourists, and we were off.  Garr, our Licensed Battlefield Tour Guide, was amazing!  His succinct presentation of the July 1-3, 1863 events provided us with a great deal of information and insight to this historic battle.  We stopped at the David Wills house; the home President Lincoln stayed on the eve of the Gettysburg Address, he led us up to Culp’s Hill, Devils Den, the Peach Orchard, Little Round Top, and the Angle, all the while masterfully explaining the time line and how each event fit into the overall battle.  The two hour tour was over way too fast for me, but now I knew how I would spend the rest of my day in this historic place.  My frustration had long since abated and I found myself totally enthralled in the history lesson I had  just been given. 

We arrived back at the visitors center around 1:30 P.M.  The film, cyclorama, and tour, took three and one half hours and it was the best thing I could have done.  Curious about some of the places our tour guide touched on, I was now going to go back and spend some time at these sites, but not before getting some lunch. 

I rode the RT to the middle of the downtown and parked on Baltimore Pike.  I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening walking the streets of Gettysburg, visiting the shops, museums, cemeteries, and a pub or two.  As the sun began to set I was sadden by the fact that my time here was coming to an end.

Conclusion

When I first arrived in Gettysburg I was frustrated and confused about what I should see and how I should see it.  I have talked to other travelers about this frustration and they echo my sentiments about their first visit.  So the following are some personal tips I would like to share with those of you wishing to visit Gettysburg for the first time.

1. Realize you can’t take it all in at once.

There are men and women who have spent their entire lives learning about the three days of July 1863.  Just learn the basics, get an overall view of the city and events that transpired there.

2.  Go to the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors Center and Museum, first.

Watch the film I mentioned, see the cyclorama, and take a guided tour from a Licensed Battlefield Guide.  I would plan on spending at least a couple of hours at the visitor center.

3.  As you are on the tour,  jot down the places of interest the guide may mention,so you can visit it on your own later.

4.  Park your bike downtown and just walk around.

Some Suggestions of places to eat.

1. The Pike Restaurant & Lounge www.thepikerestaurant.com
2. The Farnsworth House Tavern  401 Baltimore St.
3. Appalachian Brewing Company www.abcbrew.com
4. Dobbins House Tavern www.dobbinshouse.com

My time at Gettysburg was a wonderful experience and place I hope to visit many more times.  If you want to see more photos of Day 2, click here.

Introduction

I don’t remember when my passion for the battle of Gettysburg began, but it was likely about the time I was introduced through C-span, to the premier writer of Civil War history, Shelby Foote.  His southern drawl and relaxed manner captivated me as I sat for hours listening to him weave the story of those three horrific days in July of 1863 thread by thread.
From that time until now my passion to learn more about the Gettysburg campaign has increased and my most recent motorcycle trip to Gettysburg, was a natural outgrowth of that passion.

Trip Planning

Throughout the cold and dark winter evenings of January 2010, I formulated my motorcycle touring plans for the upcoming riding season and the first ride I put on the calendar was an early summer tour to the small borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Tour dates: June 4-6, 2010
Route: I-70/76 east to highway 30 south
Distance: 407 miles one way
Lodging: Tent camp at Artillery Ridge in Gettysburg.

View Larger Map

June 4th, Day 1

Volatile storms had moved across the Buckeye State the night before my departure.  I awakened Friday morning to the waning rumbles of thunder and a slight mist of precipitation, the forecast for the next three days was calling for more of the same.   I had not planned this trip as thoroughly as I do most of my adventures, it’s not that I usually plan every small detail, but on this tour I didn’t plan any detail!  My only goals for this day were to visit the Flight 93 Memorial, which is located about two hours west of Gettysburg, near the small town of Shanksville, population 245, and secondly, to have my tent set up in Gettysburg before dusk.  I had purposed to feel the natural rhythm of the day and flow with it.  I threw a few clothes in my saddle bag, strapped on my camping gear, and headed out.  As I rolled out of my driveway the motorcycle’s clock read 9:30 a.m. Day 1, was underway.
At the time of my departure the skies had cleared and traffic on Interstate 70 was light.   As I settled in to the saddle, I went through my mental checklist;

• Turned off lights
• Locked the door
• Camping gear
• Wallet
• Sunscreen
• Tied down bag securely
• Cell phone
• Check tire pressure
• Spare key

Assured that all was well, I rolled on the throttle, leaned back against my backrest and purposed to chew up some asphalt.
I followed I-70 through Ohio, West Virginia, and soon entered the great state of Pennsylvania.  I continued about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh, where I stopped to pay my respects to those passengers who lost their lives on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
After visiting the Flight 93 memorial, which I will write about in a separate article, I leisurely rode highway 30, for another twenty five miles, along that brief ribbon of road I made several stops;

• Mt Ararat, a peak in the Allegheny Mountains some 2500 feet high with scenic views of the countryside.
• A field of giant windmills near Shawnee State Park.   I was stunned by their size.
• The Colvin Covered Bridge, a multiple king-post bridge built in 1894 that is still drivable.

I had spent more time than anticipated enjoying my little side excursions and now it was time to make my way to Gettysburg.  I backtracked to Interstate 70/76 now called the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and continued east.  Off in the distance, but directly ahead of me, I could see the skies were ominous and the smell of rain filled the air, I knew from experience this wasn’t going to be good.
It was nearing 6:45 p.m. as I approached the toll booths at the famed Breezewood exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.   As I paid my toll I noticed the wet pavement and debris blowing at my feet,  it was obvious that a major storm had just passed through here, and I became well aware it was just a matter of time before I caught up with this bad boy.

Gettysburg, is approximately one hour southeast of Breezewood on highway 30, which by the way, is a wonderful motorcycling road; complete with twists, turns, smooth pavement, and breathtaking scenery of the Allegheny mountain ranges.  Following my southward trek, bold flashes of lightning brightly shined against an ever blackening sky, this was no passing spring shower, this was going to get nasty.

When you tour long distances on a motorcycle you are going to get wet!  That is a reality, but there is a difference between riding in the rain, and riding in a dangerous storm.  I am no meteorologist, but from many personal experiences I knew this was a dangerous storm and there was no way I was going to avoid it.  Realizing my initial plan of camping in Gettysburg was not going to be feasible, I began recalculating my lodging options.

• Do I try to make it to Gettysburg?
• Do I hole up in a town before Gettysburg?

The only problem with option two is most of the towns and boroughs that line this lonely two lane stretch of highway don’t even have a stop light, let alone a hotel.  I decided to make a run for Chambersburg, a medium sized town about 20 miles down the road.  I was certain they would have a hotel and more importantly a good a bar!

With that decision made, I rode with purpose toward my new destination.   All the while the storm increased on both sides of me, the lightning and thunder intensified, rain was coming down in the fields on both sides of the highway, I was amazed that I wasn’t getting drenched yet.  The sky was ebony and the wind was swirling, I was continuously being pummeled with powerful downdrafts which shook the motorcycle violently, I felt like I was in the fifteenth round of a prize fight.

After what seemed like an eternity of battling the wind and observing the power of mother nature all around me, I arrived at a Chambersburg hotel,  I grabbed some gear out of the tank bag, and walked into the lobby.  I had just stepped inside when the skies opened up and let loose a torrential rain.  It was almost as if the heavens waited until I was safe to unleash its fury and I was thankful.

Safely in my room, I began to review my day, I had been on the road for 10 hours, 9 of which were without incident, but frankly, the last hour had worn me out both physically and mentally!  Then I remembered how fortunate I was to have viewed some beautiful scenery, pay my respects to some true American heroes, and to be on the road, touring.  After an hour or so, the violent storm had rolled through the area and it was time to eat.  Day1, was coming to a close and I was ready for a good meal, a cold beer, and a soft bed.

If you are interested in viewing a few photos from Day 1, click here.

A gentle rain is falling and the coffee has just finished brewing.  That combination makes for an excellent writing atmosphere.  Beginning Monday, I will post ride reports from my most recent trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  It was an good tour and I hope you enjoy the stories.  Have a blessed Sunday!

This has been a strange week for me. Over the last four days I have met some fascinating and some extremely unusual individuals. I was introduced to conjoined twins, a young man with a face full of piercings, a geologist, a woman with more hair on her legs than mine, a chemist, and a couple other characters that I dare not speak about for fear I may end up in a dumpster on the south side of town, but Warren, wins the prize for the most bizarre.

Warren, is a gentlemen in his mid 70’s, he is 6′2′ tall and of slender build, but in amazing shape for a man of his age. His skin is tan and leathery from years of working outdoors and riding his beloved motorcycles all around the country. When he speaks you can detect a slight Appalachian drawl, and his personality is infectious.

Talk to Warren for three minutes and he will lead you into his favorite subject; his burial. Yep, with Warren, you move from “Nice day isn’t it?” to his burial plans in the same sentence. Here’s the story…

Warren, loves one thing more than anything else, and that is his motorcycles. He has been a motorcycle enthusiast for so long his entire persona is intertwined with it, that is the reason when he dies he wants to buried sitting on his motorcycle. He doesn’t simply want the motorcycle to buried with him, any “poser” (his words) can do that, Warren, wants to be sitting on his bike as if he is riding down the road! I told him he didn’t need a mortician, but rather a taxidermist.

For the past several years, Warren has been working with several attorney’s to obtain legal permission to be buried sitting on his motorcycle in a Plexiglas vault which he designed and fabricated. The clear acrylic vault has been built to precise specifications including a six inch concrete base and an eight inch thick top.

On the day of his funeral, after the hymns have been sung and the eulogy pronounced, the see through vault, which is on wheels, will be towed to it’s final resting place. A large crane will then lower Warren into the grave where he will ride on eternally.

I told you it has been a strange week for me!

A good Monday to you!  On Friday morning I embarked on my first trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  My initial tour of the 2010 season covered 932 miles and included many amazing sights.  Trips such as this one is the reason I work, and I am certain the same goes for you!  Keep that in mind as you head out today.

I have several good friends on the road this week and I bid them God-speed!

On the road today and I was thinking about the annoying things people say to me when I stop for fuel or a rest.   Here’s a few gems from some friends.

Scenario:  from MK, while stopped at a traffic light.
Guy in a car next me: “VStrom…that’s kind of a weird name for a bike don’t you think? Why don’t you ride a Harley?”
I flip up my helmet and reply while tapping at my ears, “I am sorry, but I am wearing earplugs and I can’t hear the dumbass comments coming out of your mouth.”

The light changed, I flipped my helmet back down and rode off with a smile…

Scenario:  from Beach40 at a gas station

Them: “Triumph? I remember when they went bust. Who makes them now?”

Me: “Triumph.”

Them: “Japanese imitation is it?”

Me: “No. The brand was resurrected and the new factory is in Hinkley, England.”

Them: “So they import their parts from Japan do they?”

Me: “No they manufacture almost everything in house.”

Them: “Yeah but there’s no manufacturing in England anymore, so they get everything from Japan, right?”

Me: “Sure whatever you want. I have to go now.”

Scenario: From Guzz at a Michael’s Arts & Crafts store.

I needed some acrylic paint for a project, went in with helmet in hand, still wearing my adventure jacket. At the check out, the gal asks me
“You ride a motorcycle?”
Me: “Yea… what give it away? The helmet?”
Her: “Well, I wasn’t sure if you were required to wear a helmet for seizures or something.”
Me: “Not yet, but someday.”

When I riding home it hit me, “WTF?!?!?!? Do I look that fucked up now days?!?!?”

For as long as motorcycles have been around, riders and writers have attempted to capture the thrill and excitement of motorcycling with pen and paper.  Now, in this new book;  “The Devil Can Ride” editor Lee Klancher, has put together nearly thirty of the finest motorcycling tales ever compiled by some of the best  motorcycle writers, including; Hunter S. Thompson, Robert Pirsig, and T.E. Lawrence.

“The Devil Can Ride”, is a perfect read for the beach, or relaxing in the hammock.  I am certain you will enjoy this book no matter where you read it, and most likely more than once.  To order “the Devil Can Ride”visit motorbooks.com