RTL in Lake George (NY), last Meetup of '15
- Thread starter Top_Speed1
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SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
I went to a Spring Break weekend in Lake George a couple years ago. Like 50. It was pretty nuts--I think they said about 25,000 kids squeezing into that little village of 3,500. Fun weekend, good memories.
If I only had about one more day to make it, I'd be there, but I'm afraid I'd be late for lunch Saturday. Maybe I could get a ride in Beemerdons' car. What do you say, Don? Enjoy, everybody.
If I only had about one more day to make it, I'd be there, but I'm afraid I'd be late for lunch Saturday. Maybe I could get a ride in Beemerdons' car. What do you say, Don? Enjoy, everybody.
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Debbie and I are just getting ready to mount-up and pony out for this RTL.
Looks like we'll avoid the rain (hopefully), but, it will hit during the nite sometime (in LG), and, is supposedly to clear-out by morning.
I'll snap plenty of pics, and checkout hotels and food holes for our possible 2016 NERDS event.
Looks like we'll avoid the rain (hopefully), but, it will hit during the nite sometime (in LG), and, is supposedly to clear-out by morning.
I'll snap plenty of pics, and checkout hotels and food holes for our possible 2016 NERDS event.
FJRPittsburgh
Rally Addict
Be safe KJ, Debbie and all other RTLers. I hope you guys are having as much fun as we are in OH and WV. Wish we could've made it to NY, but it turned out to be too far for the time we had. Who knows? We still may get another RTE in before Winter.
FJRPittsburgh
Rally Addict
Well? Did this meetup happen or not? What the hell's going on here? Everyone still sleeping one off?
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
*Ride Report*
So this was to be only a 210mi 1-way venture, easy-peasy now for Deb who has adjusted pretty well [accustomed] to these weekend rides. We didn't have much response to peeps who wanted to show, whether it was a busy schedule or just no interest?. Either way, Debbie and I were into it, especially her, as she has heard of LG a thousand times, but never visited.
Since we only had a (nice) 1/2 days worth of riding, we checked into my True Value Hardware store (where she now works for me as a counter clerk). We find it slow, I grab a cup of mud, and show Debbie what I intend to do to her in the 'Daks! ..... lmao; she didn't think it was 'that' funny.
Our lunch stop was at Van's Tavern in Barnveld (NY), just on the bottom side of the 'Daks. This is a mandatory stop if going any-where's near this area.
So, I had their 1/2lb cheeseburger plate. It's only $5.95. I took Bill (yamafitter) and company there a few years back during a run up to Stowe VT. It's BIG portions, small prices, and the Mom & Pop owners will also comp you a homemade desert!... I passed this time.... stuffed!
The ride was nice romping thru the lower Daks. Trees were 75% still loaded with full color, vivid and what I expected the 'Daks to present. I took 356W to Rte 8, down 9N. The temps were lower 50's,some spots I saw upper 40's. We were dressed for it, and both reported to be very comfortable, this coming from my 100lb pillion is a statement all to it's self!.
Our view from the parking lot shenanigans; going into town....
Dave (adirondackjack) and myself hop on our bikes to go find brews. A "Save-a-lot grocery" a few blocks away had all out needs. I started to note the temps were getting nippely, dang, I now had to drink to stay warm! (any excuse's to drink, right?) ;-) Upon coming back, Dave pulls out appetizers and sets them up!, table cloth and all!
This was early Xmas! Brotha Mike (left) and Brotha Dave (right). Mike owns a graphics Co. in Ottawa CN, Dave owning the Grip Buddies Co. in neighboring Saratoga Springs,.... so both gents bring some of their goods (swag) to the event for hand-outs!. Wow!, this was so cool of both of these guys!! MUCHO GRACIOUS! Mike landed Debbie a "6" hat (sorry Deb, no small T's onboard!), I got a sweet red K1600GT TShirt and a black "6" hat.
Everybody including our newly made Massachusetts fiends got Grip Buddies and some other swag like safety kits. Dave also landed me a Grip Buddies TShirt. Man, this was like swag city!!!
Dave installing set of grip buddies on Mike's '13 GTL.
The 2 other Massachusetts riders were passing around Bourbon, I'm thinking they wanted the party to continue?... but, we were now starting to go into phase 2, food **** phase, with the sun almost exhausted, we clean up the appetizer station and get ready for phase 2....
Dave (being the semi-local), get's advice from his brother to hit Mario's Italian restaurant, and, it's only 1-block away!. Hey, no arguments here!
Dave being a goofball, Mike (from Ottawa CN) and Debbie.
I like to sample the local craft beers, pretty much a given anywhere I go, but this time I went for an Italian Pero brew....
I guess too many beers, I forgot to snap food **** pics. I had the scallops however, very good. Dave wants to book out before the rain was due to come in (an overnite showers was predicted). Mike, Deb and myself want to savor some flavor of this town. Upon walking, Debbie says she's going back to the room. She tells Mike and myself to go have fun, but don't make it late. (oh boy). We find this place, only another 2 blocks down from Mario's, we need to walk some anyways....
We get some T-Shirts (like we needed any more?). Have a pint, good conversation and presume our walk back. At this time, I finally hear my phone ring and it's Debbie. Well, apparently we were gone longer than she expected. hehe. Mike and I went back to my room for a nightcap, Deb wouldn't let us in... finally she does. We calm her down, have a couple more brews in the room all toasty. Mike's a great guy, I enjoyed our conversations very much!
------------------------------------------------- Night End----------------------------------------------
The next morning, it's misty, very foggy and so I get up and go out for a walk. It's about 7:30am, Debbie's still zonked. I've got energy (for some reason?). Here's some early morning fog pics of LG close to our EconoLodge loca
There's literally hundreds of these Mom n Pop motels in LG. Doing some scouting for a possible Meetup/Rally, I see no problem with a quantity of lodging choices. The trick here will be advance reservations (LG fills up fast in-season), and of course pricing. Our EconoLodge was in the $70/nite range. In season however it's much more. This will be the 2 main keys to whether LG is set as a homebase for any upcoming Meets/Rally's
(The Georgian, which is right across from our Econlodge)
Duffy's tavern, where Mike and myself tipped a pint the night prior.... looks nasty here in the rain and fog however. I've been here in-season with teh upper deck open. Totally different, but who knew this town 'almost' shuts down after Labor Day Wknd. Note: The McDonalds in town was closed with teh reader board saying "Closed for the Season!". Dang, I never seen a Mickey-D's close anywhere!
Overall impression
LG is awesome, maybe not so much out of season?, but, this had it's advantages also. We could never have walked into Mario's w no reservation. Usually a line is out the door for that place and that's having ressies!. This was a pretty nice time to hit it up, maybe a week or two earlier next year if we decide to do another Fall-Run closing ride.
I would like to thank the brave souls who did show-up, I think everyone had a really good time. Thanks to Dave & Mike for all the freebies! Maybe a smaller event has it's advantages!? (oh yeah!). Everyone walked away with a lot of valuable swag. ;-) and these guys brought enough swag and product for a ton more.... so you who didn't show? ya missed out on it big-time, and, all the laughs that were had besides! Great time w great peeps. Debbie is sold for sure. She's wanting me to present next years bike trips to her (already!?). Oh boy, so till next year..................
KJ & Debbie
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scouting Report; for a larger Rally or Meetup, ie NERDS (New England Riders Doing Sumtin) ....with close to 100 bikes? hmmmm....
The good-
It's very close to the great 'Daks region and roads, and, also Vermont w an easy crossing at Rouse's Point. Past NERDS routing could be converged into a LG Start/End point. Walking distance to anything is probably the major advantage of a more populated area such as LG. I talked to the desk lady at our EconoLodge prior to, and also at check-in. She said their establishment has zero problems with bikers and parking lots socials.... as long as we don't leave garbage and bottles everywhere. We're pretty good with this, we just may fill their dumpsters up a bit ;-)
The bad-
Probably will be the price for lodging. I know the later part of August was discussed for NERDS in 2016. All of the lodging establishments are still in 'peak mode' during August. Maybe however one can be had at a reasonable price, I know the under $100/nite is almost a must, well, if you want big numbers (attendance wise).
Our Econo lodge-
Big enough, 3 stories high w elevator. Great parking lot. On the edge of town that we would want to be on (North-west side). So, we wouldn't have to drive thru town to go to any of our routes (NY or VT wise). Has 2 pools, 1 in, 1 out. Jacuzzi also. Free continental breakfast incl. It's the usual, the only real 'hot things' besides coffee and oatmeals, are the you make the waffle dealio. But, it was included. Of note; The desk lady said block reserve booking for 50+ rooms (for an August event) should be done by no later than Feb or March. The block reserve anyways and organization of.
There's many, many choices of course in LG, but price will probably dictate.
So this was to be only a 210mi 1-way venture, easy-peasy now for Deb who has adjusted pretty well [accustomed] to these weekend rides. We didn't have much response to peeps who wanted to show, whether it was a busy schedule or just no interest?. Either way, Debbie and I were into it, especially her, as she has heard of LG a thousand times, but never visited.
Since we only had a (nice) 1/2 days worth of riding, we checked into my True Value Hardware store (where she now works for me as a counter clerk). We find it slow, I grab a cup of mud, and show Debbie what I intend to do to her in the 'Daks! ..... lmao; she didn't think it was 'that' funny.
Our lunch stop was at Van's Tavern in Barnveld (NY), just on the bottom side of the 'Daks. This is a mandatory stop if going any-where's near this area.
So, I had their 1/2lb cheeseburger plate. It's only $5.95. I took Bill (yamafitter) and company there a few years back during a run up to Stowe VT. It's BIG portions, small prices, and the Mom & Pop owners will also comp you a homemade desert!... I passed this time.... stuffed!
The ride was nice romping thru the lower Daks. Trees were 75% still loaded with full color, vivid and what I expected the 'Daks to present. I took 356W to Rte 8, down 9N. The temps were lower 50's,some spots I saw upper 40's. We were dressed for it, and both reported to be very comfortable, this coming from my 100lb pillion is a statement all to it's self!.
Our view from the parking lot shenanigans; going into town....
Dave (adirondackjack) and myself hop on our bikes to go find brews. A "Save-a-lot grocery" a few blocks away had all out needs. I started to note the temps were getting nippely, dang, I now had to drink to stay warm! (any excuse's to drink, right?) ;-) Upon coming back, Dave pulls out appetizers and sets them up!, table cloth and all!
This was early Xmas! Brotha Mike (left) and Brotha Dave (right). Mike owns a graphics Co. in Ottawa CN, Dave owning the Grip Buddies Co. in neighboring Saratoga Springs,.... so both gents bring some of their goods (swag) to the event for hand-outs!. Wow!, this was so cool of both of these guys!! MUCHO GRACIOUS! Mike landed Debbie a "6" hat (sorry Deb, no small T's onboard!), I got a sweet red K1600GT TShirt and a black "6" hat.
Everybody including our newly made Massachusetts fiends got Grip Buddies and some other swag like safety kits. Dave also landed me a Grip Buddies TShirt. Man, this was like swag city!!!
Dave installing set of grip buddies on Mike's '13 GTL.
The 2 other Massachusetts riders were passing around Bourbon, I'm thinking they wanted the party to continue?... but, we were now starting to go into phase 2, food **** phase, with the sun almost exhausted, we clean up the appetizer station and get ready for phase 2....
Dave (being the semi-local), get's advice from his brother to hit Mario's Italian restaurant, and, it's only 1-block away!. Hey, no arguments here!
Dave being a goofball, Mike (from Ottawa CN) and Debbie.
I like to sample the local craft beers, pretty much a given anywhere I go, but this time I went for an Italian Pero brew....
I guess too many beers, I forgot to snap food **** pics. I had the scallops however, very good. Dave wants to book out before the rain was due to come in (an overnite showers was predicted). Mike, Deb and myself want to savor some flavor of this town. Upon walking, Debbie says she's going back to the room. She tells Mike and myself to go have fun, but don't make it late. (oh boy). We find this place, only another 2 blocks down from Mario's, we need to walk some anyways....
We get some T-Shirts (like we needed any more?). Have a pint, good conversation and presume our walk back. At this time, I finally hear my phone ring and it's Debbie. Well, apparently we were gone longer than she expected. hehe. Mike and I went back to my room for a nightcap, Deb wouldn't let us in... finally she does. We calm her down, have a couple more brews in the room all toasty. Mike's a great guy, I enjoyed our conversations very much!
------------------------------------------------- Night End----------------------------------------------
The next morning, it's misty, very foggy and so I get up and go out for a walk. It's about 7:30am, Debbie's still zonked. I've got energy (for some reason?). Here's some early morning fog pics of LG close to our EconoLodge loca
There's literally hundreds of these Mom n Pop motels in LG. Doing some scouting for a possible Meetup/Rally, I see no problem with a quantity of lodging choices. The trick here will be advance reservations (LG fills up fast in-season), and of course pricing. Our EconoLodge was in the $70/nite range. In season however it's much more. This will be the 2 main keys to whether LG is set as a homebase for any upcoming Meets/Rally's
(The Georgian, which is right across from our Econlodge)
Duffy's tavern, where Mike and myself tipped a pint the night prior.... looks nasty here in the rain and fog however. I've been here in-season with teh upper deck open. Totally different, but who knew this town 'almost' shuts down after Labor Day Wknd. Note: The McDonalds in town was closed with teh reader board saying "Closed for the Season!". Dang, I never seen a Mickey-D's close anywhere!
Overall impression
LG is awesome, maybe not so much out of season?, but, this had it's advantages also. We could never have walked into Mario's w no reservation. Usually a line is out the door for that place and that's having ressies!. This was a pretty nice time to hit it up, maybe a week or two earlier next year if we decide to do another Fall-Run closing ride.
I would like to thank the brave souls who did show-up, I think everyone had a really good time. Thanks to Dave & Mike for all the freebies! Maybe a smaller event has it's advantages!? (oh yeah!). Everyone walked away with a lot of valuable swag. ;-) and these guys brought enough swag and product for a ton more.... so you who didn't show? ya missed out on it big-time, and, all the laughs that were had besides! Great time w great peeps. Debbie is sold for sure. She's wanting me to present next years bike trips to her (already!?). Oh boy, so till next year..................
KJ & Debbie
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scouting Report; for a larger Rally or Meetup, ie NERDS (New England Riders Doing Sumtin) ....with close to 100 bikes? hmmmm....
The good-
It's very close to the great 'Daks region and roads, and, also Vermont w an easy crossing at Rouse's Point. Past NERDS routing could be converged into a LG Start/End point. Walking distance to anything is probably the major advantage of a more populated area such as LG. I talked to the desk lady at our EconoLodge prior to, and also at check-in. She said their establishment has zero problems with bikers and parking lots socials.... as long as we don't leave garbage and bottles everywhere. We're pretty good with this, we just may fill their dumpsters up a bit ;-)
The bad-
Probably will be the price for lodging. I know the later part of August was discussed for NERDS in 2016. All of the lodging establishments are still in 'peak mode' during August. Maybe however one can be had at a reasonable price, I know the under $100/nite is almost a must, well, if you want big numbers (attendance wise).
Our Econo lodge-
Big enough, 3 stories high w elevator. Great parking lot. On the edge of town that we would want to be on (North-west side). So, we wouldn't have to drive thru town to go to any of our routes (NY or VT wise). Has 2 pools, 1 in, 1 out. Jacuzzi also. Free continental breakfast incl. It's the usual, the only real 'hot things' besides coffee and oatmeals, are the you make the waffle dealio. But, it was included. Of note; The desk lady said block reserve booking for 50+ rooms (for an August event) should be done by no later than Feb or March. The block reserve anyways and organization of.
There's many, many choices of course in LG, but price will probably dictate.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
Very Nice KJ, Thank You! JSNS, Beauty eh!
You missed a good breakfast, if you're inclined to have one, across from MickyD's, up on the hill. Big hotel (forget the name, sorry) with the dining room overlooking the lake.
When Ken the HD Guy & I stayed in LG we were a little farther out to the north, 3 blocks or so, and wished we had stayed where you did. IMO the riding was good except the road conditions suck. It was a return of sorts for me- family history is the Albany/Hoosick Falls/Bennington area. Plus I was stationed in Ballston Spa in '79 in the nuke Navy.
1/2 the riders at lunch in Lake Placid. Riders were on HD, Victory, Honda, Yammy, Kawasaki, BMW. Lunch was at Lisa G's. They did a good job accommodating a large group, always a consideration.
When Ken the HD Guy & I stayed in LG we were a little farther out to the north, 3 blocks or so, and wished we had stayed where you did. IMO the riding was good except the road conditions suck. It was a return of sorts for me- family history is the Albany/Hoosick Falls/Bennington area. Plus I was stationed in Ballston Spa in '79 in the nuke Navy.
1/2 the riders at lunch in Lake Placid. Riders were on HD, Victory, Honda, Yammy, Kawasaki, BMW. Lunch was at Lisa G's. They did a good job accommodating a large group, always a consideration.
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Sounds like Ft McHenry Grand Hotel?
It features great views of the Lake and Steamships ("LG Steamship Co." is the World's oldest steamship company. btw)
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Wine Guy
More throttle, less brake
Sorry I couldn't make this one Buddy. Looks like you had fun as always and got some cool stuff. I'm amazed you could even face another hamburger after the 2 pound burger challenge that you conquered a few weeks ago!
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Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Is that snot coming out of 'that guys' nose? lmao.Sorry I couldn't make this one Buddy. Looks like you had fun as always and got some cool stuff. I'm amazed you could even face another hamburger after the 2 pound burger challenge that you conquered a few weeks ago!
Missed you also buddy. We now have another fine Kanadian in our group, and, his name is Mike also. He fits right in with us knuckleheads! Also, he wants me to let him know the next time we do a bike venture.... he's so in!
PS; Debbie says Hi and she misses you!
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Nah, Fort McHenry is in Baltimore. That one is Fort Wm. Henry, yes? Anywho, one morning Ken & I were sitting right up on the glass real early and there was a top-to-bottom thin layer of cloud that split the mountain on the right in half. The lake was dead calm and with the reflection it was awesome. Tried to get a pic but nothing came out right. That would be among my faves, no doubt.
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Yeah, I'm thinking Wm Henry then, thanks for the correction~!. Big place, I actually looked at rooms there and they were under $100 (this time of year only). We went with the EconoL mainly b/c the lady on the phone was like "oh yeah, party in our parking lot all you want!, we love you bikers!" ...SOLD!
Crap on your pic!, would of loved to see it! You had a good-diverse group there.
FJRPittsburgh
Rally Addict
Awesome KJ! Good ride report as usual. Looks like you and Debbie had a great time. Sorry we couldn't make it with our time constraints. It's a much longer ride for us. The only issue with having NERDS there in season is all the traffic and wait times for meals. It's a beautiful area with great riding nearby. I've been there a few times for Americade. Thanks again for the excellent ride report.
Full House
Well-known member
Great report KJ! I couldn't make it , although I have been there 26 years for Americade. Stayed at the Admiral Motel, just 1/2 block from the E-lodge. Mario's is usually wait in line for a table in season. As you mentioned a lot of business close, soon to be a ghost town. Would make a nice base for NERDS, loads of great riding and scenery!
Thanks
John
Thanks
John
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Missed you buddy!, I've gotta flock over and check out your "family" ride thread.... very interested in that!
...next year for a season closer maybe, Jeff!?
If we don't have NERDS there, I think the one's who went, incl me, wanna do another season closer there next year. We might move it up a week or two is all.
-------------
Debbie has been asked by a lot of our customers yesterday (Monday) "so, did you freeze your butt off?"... her simple answer "no, actually it was very nice". [to note] she did cheat with her heated seat up on high.
So I was kinda worried about that^, whew. I can say one things for sure, with the temps in the lower 50's, some 'dacks stretches dipping into the low 40's (and a few 36-37's mountain read outs) for the the ride-in, I could of easily done much lower. I never turned on my heated seat, hand grips were even off as well, but I cheated there as I wore my gortex lined gloves ...for a change.
423 miles round trip, not 1-bug or smudge anywhere on the bike!. I checked and rechecked, I'm not sure that I could ever make this statement before this trip. It helped to have it quite breezy as well during both ride days, but usually there's some kind of smudge of some sorts on the windshield or headlight housing. but nope!
So if there is no NERDS in Lake George in '16, look for another "Season Closer" RTL there in the late Fall of 2016.
LittleJon
Farting Brisket Sprinkles
Sorry we missed this one too. I don't plan on parking the bike until they start spreading the salt, but I have a feeling it will be spring before our paths cross again. Looking forward to it already.
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