Greetings:
We just returned from a great 2K11 Americade Trip! From Syracuse to Montreal, Canada!!! For those of you who attended this year's trip thank you. I really enjoyed our time on the road together. For those who were not able to attend, you missed some really beautiful rides this year. Unfortunately, Americade is really changing. I think it is a combination of a poor economy and a change in the demographics of the type of riders that are attending Americade. When NOB first went to Americade in 2002, Americade was primarily for Tour Riders, i.e. Goldwings, Sport Touring and Beemers. This was reflected by the types of vendors that were present at Americade. What Americade has morph into is a more universal rally with 50% of the riders there on Harleys and metric cruisers. With the Laconia Rally taking place the week after Americade in Laconia, New Hampshire, you have a lot of the cruiser crowd going to Americade. I hope that Americade will survive. I think about the Honda Hoot (rip 2008), Honda Homecoming (rip 2007) and various other motorcycle rallies disappearing because of the lack of interest or the poor economy.
Anyway, this being our 5th trip to Americade we have become somewhat familiar with the roads. This year we went up the the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Likewise, Erskine found Vermont Route 100. It is one of the most scenic state highways that I have ever been on. I will follow up this post with a more details and pictures.
Upcoming events-Wing Ding, Knoxville, TN. July 6, 2011 through July 9, 2011; BMW Nationals July 21-24, 2011 Bloomsburg, PA. Other rides TBA.
Happy Father's Day to all of the Fathers out there. Again, thanks for riding. As always, ride safe.
Jp