Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

World traveler, Hash House Harrier, and Harley enthusiast...not necessarily in that order. Read more🇺🇸Cincinnati popl.co/card/qD4Qce0c/1/txt

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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Home Depot Visit
July 18, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
Remember how I dropped my camera? Well, I got a new one. This time the lanyard is not going to break. I've stopped at Home Depot and picked up some parts to make a metal lanyard 😁.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 117-120 mileage: 20.5 🤣 (total 28563.4) [This mileage is so low it's a wonder I even started the bike. 🤣]Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
45,000-Mile Service
July 16, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
Well, the past two days have been eventful. Yesterday, my uncle and aunt drove in to see my mom, and I spent the better part of the day with my sister-in-law unpacking her boxes. Moving takes a lot of adulting, but together we got it done.

Today, I'm having the 45,000-mile service done on the bike, as well as rear brake pads replaced and engine guards installed. The guards keep the bike from laying flat on the ground when it does stuff it's not supposed to do 😉. Expensive day, but worth it.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 117-118 mileage: ? (total 28542.9 + I'll catch up later)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Made It To Mom's
July 14, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
I survived the interstate system yesterday and made it to my mother's house around 18:00. I'm so very happy I didn't have to wear rain gear because even without it I was a sloppy, sodden mess by the time I worked through traffic around Dallas.

I had a nice surprise waiting for me when I got here: coins and poker chips from Harley for completing 8 x 50 Rides 1 Nation and 3 x 10 Rides for 2021 stops 😁.

Today I'm working on my next routes, dealerships, and ride stops.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 116 mileage: 501.8 (total 28542.9)Read more
Traveler29 Thousand miles over 4 months. E P I C.
7/15/21Reply
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Finally Blue Skies
July 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
I pulled out of the hotel at 09:00 this morning, but went to Denny's across the highway for a hearty breakfast. While I was eating, a little shower passed over, just enough to get everything wet but not stay wet. I hit the road at 10:00 under cloudy but clearing skies and am almost back to Texas now 😁.

Unfortunately, after one of my gas stops, I forgot to close my vest. When I got back on I-40 it started to flap and my camera did a nosedive out of my pocket. I had it on a tether for that very reason, but it snapped 😭. The SD card may have survived, but the photos from the past few days weren't worth walking around on the side of the interstate looking for the pieces.

Now I'm stopped for gas again. Running over 3,000 rpm really sucks it down. But the sky is only spotted with clouds and I've managed to miss the really big potholes.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 115 mileage: 510.7 (total 28041.1)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Rain Again 😩
July 12, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
I left the hotel at 07:15 this morning under heavy skies. The rest of the day was ☁️🌧️🌦️💦☁️☀️☁️🌧️🌦️💦☀️. I am so tired of wet roads 😭.

This post is later than noon because I'm ending the day now and I didn't hit any dealerships. Whaaaat 😱?!? I know, but I've already hit all of them on this route 😁. At noon I was on an I-40 bridge passing over the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake. Not sure how one body of water can be both a river and a lake, but there it is.

I made it to West Memphis, Arkansas, via the interstate system without too many people trying to kill me. They really should build separate roads for passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 114 mileage: 271.4 (total 27530.4)

[No photos because I dropped my camera on I-40 before I downloaded the pics from the past few days 😭.]Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Sprinkles--Not You, Dano--and Wet Roads
July 11, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Update to yesterday's note: Virginia is now in second place in the jerk drivers contest. There is obviously a state-wide shortage of blinker fluid because no one in that state indicates at all ever for anything 🤬.

Yesterday evening was just more ⛈️⛈️⛈️.

This morning started off brilliantly ☀️, but I knew I would hit a front, so I dressed in all my rain gear to save a stop and to stay as dry as I can.

Which was good because 30 miles south of Lexington I hit the front. Luckily it wasn't anywhere near as bad as the past few days. No serious downpour. Mostly just sprinkles--thinking of you, Dano 🤣-- wet roads, and road spray.

But I made it to the hotel despite the Florida guy that changed three lanes from the left to the right (where I was) without looking and almost got me and despite the Illinois tractor-trailer that changed into the left lane (where I was) going 25 miles a hour slower than traffic. By the way, both of these 💩heads used their indicators.

I'm done riding for the day and am going to have a nice half day break 😁.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 113 mileage: 562.5 (total 27259.0)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 266)Read more
Travelerthanks!
7/13/21Reply
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar🤣🤣🤣 couldn't resist love ya
7/13/21Reply
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
I Know What's At The End Of The 🌈!
July 10, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
So, let me sum up yesterday: ☀️☁️🌧️💦💦💦🌦️💦💦💦⚡☀️⛈️🌧️☁️💦💦💦🌌. Right after my last post, I put on my rain jacket and spent the next 7 hours in torrential downpours, heavy road spray, and horrible traffic because of crashes and people fleeing D.C. on Friday evening. I finally got to my friend's home at 20:00 and was soaked even through my gear. That was a very long 12 hours on the bike 😩.

There was an amazing thing that happened to me yesterday though, and I suspect I won't ever see it again. In between the downpours, the sun broke through and created a gorgeous rainbow. Right in front of me. It literally ended in the middle of the highway. I drove right though it. It was so cool. The cars in front of me were kicking up road spray, and when they passed through the rainbow, the spray became smaller rainbows. So, what's at the end of the rainbow? More rainbows 😉. [Note: Rainbows are actually complete circles, which you can shoot yourself through after you've jumped out of a perfectly good airplane 😁.]

When I got the my friends' house, they and the kids met me with such enthusiasm that I ended the long, tiring day with a smile. The three kids are amazing people and I hope to see them all again very soon. Thanks, Lumpy, Tammy, Connor, Hope, and Maximo for opening your home to me. (The two parents are pretty amazing, too 😉.)

This morning, after a nice Bob Evans breakfast with the Clan, I was on my way south...but so was everyone else in D.C. I guess not everyone was able to escape yesterday evening🤣. It took me an hour to go 30 miles--even without taking I-95 which was a parking lot--and at 10:38 I still had 507 miles to go 😭. But, the sun is sort of shining, I've seen a couple of cool cars, and it's a humid 90°F, so maybe the rain is done🤞🤞🤞.

Note: Texas is still #1 for hanging out in the left lane. Ohio comes in a close second, but Virginia definitely rounds out the top three 😠.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 112 mileage: 477.1 (total 26703.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 10 (total 260)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Running Behind
July 9, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Well, the weather did not play nice yesterday, although there weren't any downpours. Just road spray and a little rain here and there. But as I moved out of the mountains and into urban areas, the temperature increased. So, I couldn't take off the rain jacket ☹️. In fact, I unzipped it halfway once to let air in and 15 minutes later was zipping it back up to keep out the rain 😭. By the time I got to the hotel, I was a sweaty mess.

I cut out my final dealership last night and went straight to the hotel because another storm system was moving in on me. I made it to the hotel, but used DoorDash for dinner 😁. It crashed in about 45 minutes later and I was very thankful I didn't get caught in it.

This morning I just couldn't get going. I'm staying with friends this evening and wanted to leave the hotel before 07:00, but didn't make it out until almost 08:00.

I squiggled my way through Pennsylvania, including Hershey 🍫, dodging tree debris from the storm. And a few turtles 🐢. I crossed into Maryland about five minutes before noon. Crossing that border was like Mr. Mason and Mr. Dixon looked up from their survey papers and said, "We hoped you enjoyed your trip up North. Welcome back to the South, where it's 15 degrees hotter and 50 percent more humid." In Pennsylvania, I was comfortable in the chaps, jacket, and vest. But when I hit Maryland, I was immediately hot 🥵. Crazy.

I'm now stopped at the Baltimore HD and am very behind on my route. The weather has been good so far, but the clouds are looking iffy now, so fingers crossed again 🤞🤞🤞. Rain will slow me down and I have to press hard to make it to their house before dark. As cool as the song is, I do not wear my sunglasses at night and do not want to drive anywhere near Washington D.C. in the dark 😳.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 111 mileage: 521.2 (total 26226.4)
HD Dealership Challenge: 11 (total 250)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Rain, Rain, Go Away
July 8, 2021 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 73 °F
After my lunch yesterday, I dipped into Pennsylvania for a dealership or two, then squiggled back up to Ithaca, NY, for the night. I was surprised to pass over quite a large waterfall in the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve. Check it out here: Wells Falls https://maps.app.goo.gl/6ubnTRp3iwQ5nh5h9

I skipped my last dealership near the hotel because a big storm was rolling in on me. Again. But I made it to the hotel without getting caught.

I had dinner across the street at Old Mexico. The shrimp ceviche was delicious. Nothing to tell about the rest of the night except the storm rolled through. It was a doozy!

I left this morning at 06:45 with a planned 500-mile route ahead of me. The roads were very wet with lots of debris.

I headed to Taughannock Falls State Park to get New York's 50 Rides 1 Nation photo. What a stunning park! The falls you can see in the attached picture, but the whole park was quite beautiful. If you're in the Finger Lakes area, definitely stop there.
(Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yvkFkHjk3e61yRmX8)

The morning began sunny but turned on me not long after I left the park. First the temperature dropped 🥶, so I put on my rain gear jacket for another layer. Then it started to rain🌦️. Just a little, then it stopped for a while. Then a lot of rain 🌧️. Then a momma duck and her brood decided to cross the road in front of me🦆. Luckily, they scurried back into the bush as I roared around them. I hope the other traffic missed them. Then dry roads🛣️. Then a little rain☁️. Then road spray💦. Then....

It's been like this all morning, but I'm not stopping for lunch because of the distance I want to make, which takes longer in the wet. So, I'm now at the Williamsport, PA, dealership hoping the weather will let up before too long 🤞.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 110 mileage: 433.0 (total 25705.2)
HD Dealership Challenge: 10 (total 239)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 25)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Back in New York
July 7, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
My pulled pork mac-n-cheese was deeeeelicious! And I followed it with a cup of coffee and bread pudding covered in maple syrup 😱. I needed a nap afterwards 🤣.

The weather held until 17:00 when I, heading southwest, ran smack into a storm front moving southeast. Moving fast. The lightning was beautiful in the distance, but not so much when it was above me 😳. The road spray was the worst though. Although I put on my rain gear top, I didn't put on the bottoms, so by the time I made it to the hotel, my chaps and most of my jeans were wet. Worst of all, because I was trying to find a gas station in the storm, I missed the Harley dealership in Leominster, MA 😭. But I went 142.2 miles on that tank 😳😁.

I made it to the hotel in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, about the time the front passed me, 18:30-ish, but I still didn't want to get out for food, so I stayed in and called it an early night.

I woke up this morning to a gorgeous day, clear skies and sunshine. I hit the road at 07:00, and it has remained a great day through Connecticut and New York. While in Connecticut, I picked up the 50 Rides 1 Nation photo at a beautiful covered bridge. This makes 24 of the 48 I plan to hit this summer. Half way!!!

I'm now stopped at gas station for lunch in rural New York. The nice weather has dried out my chaps and jeans, and it's gotten quite warm. It's very pretty here and thankfully they drive faster than in Maine. Wow, do Maine-iacs drive slowly, like 10 miles an hour under the very low speed limits. It's nice to feel I'm making progress again.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 109 mileage: 463.6 (total 25272.2)
HD Dealership Challenge: 7 (total 229)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 24)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
South Bound
July 6, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Yesterday afternoon, I grabbed Maine's 50 Rides 1 Nation photo at the entrance of Acadia National Park, then made the loop into Bar Harbor. I had planned on getting some lobster, but it was packed with people, so I kept going to Bangor.

The Maine puns abound. Chow Maine struck me as the funniest, while I gave Maine Course, Maine Squeeze, and Maine Ingredient a chuckle. Then there are the slogans, like "The World's Your Lobster" and "We’re Really Cold But We Have Cheap Lobster." 🤣🤦

I had a clam dinner in downtown Bangor last night. Yummy. I also swung by Stephen King's House to say hi, but I didn't see him 😉. His front gate is a spider web 🤣.

This morning, I left the hotel at 06:30 in a cold fog that turned into light rain in less than an hour. I stopped to put on my rain gear top and to cover the bags. It stayed light but was intermittent until I got back into New Hampshire, where I was able to peel off my gear.

Then I made my way down the Kancamagus Highway to get New Hampshire's 50 Rides 1 Nation photo. It was a lovely ride through White Mountain National Forest. Unfortunately, I didn't have to stop for moose 😳.

I'm stopped for lunch in New Hampton, NH (just outside of Laconia) at the Route 104 Diner. Hopefully my pulled pork and mac-n-cheese will be very tasty. Maybe I'll get pie and coffee after....

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 108 mileage: 320.0 (total 24808.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 5 (total 222)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 2 (total 23)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Sunshine! Finally!
July 5, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Well, the fireworks were good and despite the dog and I jumping and shaking at each boom, we got through them. Thom and I wrapped up the night by chatting away until I finally had to call it a night so I could get up this morning.

After a very warm send off by Thom and Cochise, I rolled out at 08:30. It was overcast but dry, and by the time I hit Maine--new state!--an hour later, the clouds were beginning to thin out and the sun was shining through ☀️. Finally.

Thanks, Thom, for being such a welcoming host and opening your home to me. I'm so very happy we met and even happier to call you friend. I hope to see you again soon!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 107 mileage: 0 (total still 24488.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 217)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Happy Birthday, America
July 4, 2021 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
After lunch at Panera, I continued my route into New Hampshire--new state! The weather stayed wet and dreary the whole way to Dover, NH, where I met Thom. A mutual military friend connected us, and he was right. We're kindred spirits. Thom invited me to stay a couple of nights, so today we're relaxing with his dog and chatting about whatever. The town fireworks.show will be right over Thom's house, and although I don't do well with fireworks, I'm looking forward to them anyway.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 106 mileage: 163.8 (total 24488.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 214)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Riding in the Rain
July 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
Yesterday's moving game was a success despite the continuing downpour, and afterwards we had a really nice Indian dinner. Thanks so much, Glyn! Great to see you again!!

I left this morning just after 09:00 in the misty rain. It was only 54°F and hasn't warmed up at all. It's not raining much, but with so much rainfall over the past three days, the puddles hide potholes and the traffic kicks up road spray, neither of which are fun on a motorcycle.

I'm stopped now at Panera for tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. Just what I need to warm me up.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Days 105 mileage: 0 😁 (total still 24324.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 212)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Helping a Friend Move
July 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Yesterday afternoon, leaving Cape Cod, about 50 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts--new state!--I ran into a massive storm system. Luckily, I had already pulled into a gas station with an overhang to cover my bags and put on my rain gear. I waited until the worst of it passed, then started up again. Slow going, but I finally made it to my friend's place in Westborough. After a hot shower and a hot meal, I crashed hard.

Today I'm helping him move. He's in the middle of a shell game with vehicles and boxes, so I'm doing whatever I can. No riding today 😁.

P.S.: By the way, my leg turned out not to be burned. I suppose it was just a reaction to the heat. I'm still glad I wore the chaps.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Days 103-104 mileage: 570.2 (total 24324.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 5 (total 210)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Two New States
July 1, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Wrapping up the flat tire story, we found that the metal pieces didn't leave any burrs inside the tire. Thus, since the tire only had 4,000 miles on it, we decided to just replace the tube. 24 hours later, it's doing just fine.

The tech at Eastern Harley was super, but I will never give that store another dime of my money. The owner Stan and his buddy were chatting and paying no mind to me, the only customer there. I won't repeat the actual things they said about almost everyone except white males, but Stan was very proud to say that he wasn't prejudiced; he would sell anyone a motorcycle. His buddy was even prouder to claim he wasn't racist; he was just a bigot. I picked up my stuff and went to stand outside in the heat. Luckily, the bike was almost done, so I didn't have to wait outside long.

I left there about 13:30 heading into New York City. I made it to the NYC HD, then my GPS lost its mind 🤣. It couldn't tell the difference between upper and lower level roads, plus I missed a couple of turns, so it took me quite a while to get out of town. Two hours in fact ☹️. I got a glimpse of the Empire State Building, but didn't get to look around much because of the traffic. I have never been to NYC, so I was disappointed the flat tire took up my sightseeing time.

As for driving, the cars and trucks were not a huge problem, but the bicycles and mopeds were crazy! They ran lights without slowing down or even looking. Dirt bikes even used the cycle lanes. I only had one minor incident. A dump truck decided he wanted my spot in my lane because his lane ended. I would've had to backup to let him in, so I didn't. He laid on his horn and I flipped him the bird. With him now behind me, I was able to go around the truck in front of me and squiggle out of the jam 😁. No problem.

Although traffic was horrid, it wasn't any worse than any other big city, like LA, Paris, London, or Dallas. The real problem was sitting on a motorcycle in that heat for so long. It was about 95°F with a heat index of over 105, I have no doubt. I finished the water I had and bought a bottle from a lady selling stuff between cars. By the time I reached my hotel, I was very dehydrated. Plus, I found the heat from my engine burned the inside of my right thigh. Ouch.

After a couple more HDs, I made it to my hotel in Danbury, Connecticut--new state!--which wasn't as far as I wanted to get, but I was exhausted. I was so tired that my helmet seemed very heavy, which has never happened before. I'm glad I stopped when I did.

I left this morning at 07:00. I wasn't sure how hot it would be along my route, so I wore my chaps today to protect my legs. As it turns out, the heat wasn't so bad. By the time I got to Rhode Island--new state!--it was downright cool.

I'm stopped for lunch now at Jefferson Boulevard Diner in Warwick, Rhode Island. The corned beef and swiss on grilled rye was delicious, but the homemade potato salad was one of the best I've ever had. Stop in for breakfast or lunch if you're in the area. Yummy!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 103 mileage: ? (total 23754.6 + Day 103)
HD Dealership Challenge: 7 (total 205)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 21)Read more
Traveler....Sometimes you just need water before .... a cold one.
7/2/21Reply
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Another Flat
June 30, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
I hit a lot of HDs over the past 24 hours and made my way into New York City 😁. The roads here are pretty bad with lots of construction to make them better. I made my way through Brooklyn without any problem, but I'm paying for it this morning with a flat rear tire. Not a pinched tube this time, but two metal pieces that punctured the tire enough to pop the tube.

I stayed the night in Long Island, Riverhead to be exact, it a mile from the nearest HD. So, I got a tow to Eastern HD where the solo tech slipped me into his packed and very behind schedule.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 102 mileage: 273.5 (total 23754.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 198)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
1
40,000-Mile Service 😱
June 29, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
Yesterday was a scorcher! After hours riding in 107°F heat index, I was completely wiped out by the time I reached my hotel in Tintin Falls, NJ.

Now, Shoreline HD is just finishing up my 40,000-mile service. Willie is shiny again!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 101 mileage: 260.6 (total 23481.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 190)Read more
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar 🤣🤣🤣 Just realized that my eyes are closed. 🤣🤣🤣
6/29/21Reply
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
100 Days Strong
June 28, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Can you believe that yesterday was Day 100 on the bike? Really? Already? In that short time I've racked up the following stats: 23,000 miles, 23 states, 185 Harley dealerships, 19 50 Rides 1 Nation, 3 10 Rides for 2021, 35 Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas stops, 5 HOG rallies, 1 ER visit for a broken foot/sprained ankle, 1 embarrassing u-turn fall over, 4 tires, 4 5,000-mile services, 1 flat tire, 2 oceans, dozens of hugs from old friends, and many new friends. Will the next 100 days be even better? Here's hoping so🤞!!

-----

After leaving Chesapeake Harley yesterday, I cut into Pennsylvania again before finally making it to my hotel in Milford, Delaware. A dump, but only 20 miles from where I had to be this morning.... On a ferry!

This morning I crossed the Delaware Bay from Lewes, Delaware, to Cape May, New Jersey 😁. In Cape May, I got NJ's 50 Rides at the lighthouse.

On the ferry, I met a cool guy, Mike, the only other motorcycle, riding a 1995 (?) Road King all chromed out. He owns a restaurant in DE that's closed on Mondays, so he was going to see his 15-year-old son play a playoff baseball game. Hope he wins.

I've hit two HDs in NJ so far, but with a heat index of 107°F, I needed a break from the sun and boiling tarmac. The road is so hot and soft that I keep thinking I have a flat rear tire. Please, not that again.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 100 mileage: 407.0 (total 23220.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 5 (total 187)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 2 (total 20)

P.S.: As I'm eating lunch, one waitress is teaching another how to tell analog time. The girl thought a quarter of an hour was 25 minutes. Glad I didn't have to go tom school in New Jersey. 🤦🤦🤦Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
To the East Coast!
June 27, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
After Flight 93 I headed back to the hotel. Just before I left Pennsylvania to get back into Maryland, I passed a guy driving a Ford pick-up truck. I think we both did a double take. Him for realizing I'm a chick, and me for thinking he was Amish. I mean, come on. Blue buttoned shirt, straw hat, long white scraggly beard...Amish, right? Nope. Mennonite. Apparently they use vehicles, unlike their Amish cousins.

The Vietnamese ladies at the pedicure place set me straight. Then we talked about my amazing trip to Vietnam in 2018. When I left, the mom walked out with me to take a selfie with me and the bike 🤣. Great place and people: Nails 1st, 926 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502, if you're in the area.

My route didn't take long, only about 130 miles total, and even with stopping for a pedicure, when I got back to the hotel I still had plenty of time to shower, mostly pack, and head into Cumberland for the rally's closing ceremony.

I met up with a buddy I had met at the Texas Rally. Lumpy has been at all of the rallies with me except Kentucky, but I picked up his rally packet for him. Thank goodness I didn't break the whiskey glass before I could get it to him!

His wife was with him at this one, as well as several of his HOG Chapter members, and after the very short and almost pointless "ceremony," we walked over to the historic area for dinner at Baltimore Street Grill. After see-you-soon hugs, I scooted back to the hotel to finish packing and get some sleep.

I left Maryland this morning at 07:00, hitting West Virginia, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, where I am now. Man, these little states keep you on your toes. I keep losing track of where I am 🤣.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 99 mileage: 140.4 (total 22813.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 5 (total 182) + York Factory
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 18)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Flight 93 National Memorial
June 26, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Yesterday's guided ride turned into an all day affair, and I didn't get back to the hotel until 20:00, 12 hours after I left. I was wiped out, so I took a shower and crashed.

I was up around 08:00 this morning to do another solo ride. I'm visiting the Flight 93 National Memorial today. The Memorial Plaza is well done, but I didn't stop at the Visitors Center because there were so many people. Unfortunately the wind wasn't blowing hard enough to sound up the Tower of Voices. But I found an okay video that gives a brief sound bite (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2863683717065254). Beautiful.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 98 mileage: 319.3 (total 22673.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 177)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Rally Ride in West Virginia
June 25, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
My loop yesterday ended up being 465.4 miles 🤣. I hit the hotel for a quick shower, then it was off to Cumberland for the rally Meet and Greet...which was a disaster.

600 people registered for this rally. 300 of them showed up at the restaurant...that wasn't reserved for us and made people wait over two hours for food. The opening ceremony, as it was, consisted of the posting of the colors, the pledge of allegiance, and the national anthem. But some people were sitting inside and we had muggles sitting outside. People waiting for tables were literally standing in the street. Terrible. I ate at the bar to avoid the wait for a table, but once the bartender dumped my mediocre food in front of me, she never gave me another glance. Terrible.

Today I'm doing a guided rally ride down in a part of West Virginia I haven't been...on this trip anyway 😁. We've stopped now for lunch near Blackwater Falls State Park. So far so good.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 97 mileage: 477.2 (total 22353.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 176)Read more
Travelerbummer about the organizer's piss poor planning
6/25/21Reply
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
More HDs & PA's 50 Rides
June 24, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
After the ride yesterday, I signed into the Legends & Lore HOG Rally in Cumberland, Maryland. This one is the first rally not being held at a dealership. Not sure how it will work.

I'm not happy that they wouldn't share the GPX files until you signed in despite all the rides being in Harley's web based ride planner. I took a thumb drive so I could get them all, but I had to upload them to Harley's ride planner to get them to work properly. 🤦 Really, people? Then I had to bounce every point off Garmin's Basecamp to duplicate the route. OMG. If I'd had the files months ago...some are from last year...this wouldn't be an issue. As it is, I spent two hours last night putting the route together for Friday's guided ride 🤦.

Today, though, I'm doing a loop that the rain made me miss on my way here. I started in the cold again 🥶, and had to cut through West Virginia to get there, but Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands Byway offered me some nice twisties to warm me up 😁.

After taking the picture at Ohiopyle State Park, I went north to hit the dealerships around Pittsburg and beyond.

I'm now stopped at Steel City HD in Washington, Pennsylvania. When I came here last year, I saw a groundhog in the parking lot. That got me thinking about a couple of things I saw this morning.

First, I didn't hit the deer. The van in front of me did. Clipped it on its hind quarters and spun it into the brush, where it jumped up and ran off. I hope it's okay. Glad I didn't have to dodge it; just a hard brake.

Second, and much better, as I made my way through the back roads of West Virginia, there was a small clearing on the side of the road. A doe was grazing as rays of sunlight pierced the trees around her. At her feet were two tiny spotted fawns with eyes full of wonder and ears longer than their heads. I was sorry to disturb them as Willie roared by and they bolted into the brush.

And best of all, again in West Virginia, I came out of the trees at the top of a ridge. Before me was a valley full to its green, tree-lined rim of white, puffy clouds. As I passed over a bridge at the end of the valley, I looked back over my shoulder. The clouds were gently pouring over the lowest rim, as if a slow motion waterfall, and drowning the tiny village caught in its eddy.

Nature rocks, man.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the NATURE! ✌️

Day 96 mileage: 291.5 (total 21876.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 5 (total 173)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 17)Read more
Travelerpoetic
6/25/21Reply
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
1
Hitting Dealerships
June 23, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Yesterday, I got checked in, unpacked, grabbed some groceries, and relaxed at the hotel.

This morning, I jumped on Willie again to hit a few dealerships. We're in Williamsport now. This HD is in a strip mall. Odd.

As I was riding through West Virginia, I came into a very small town--not even a flashing yellow light--tucked into the hills. Along the road was a hand-painted sign that said, "Hey! Don't use your engine brake. Old man sleeping." 🤣

You may notice in the pictures that I have on my coat today. And my chaps. And my long sleeve shirt. And my long johns. And my OCP shirt. And my heated gloves. Turned on high. It was only 50°F when I left the hotel at 07:15 😱🥶. What happened to summer?

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 95 mileage: 160.4 (total 21585.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 168)Read more
Traveler dirty girl...
6/24/21Reply
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Willie Was Down But Not Out
June 22, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Yesterday afternoon was pretty much the same as the morning with lots of twisty roads and beautiful scenery. Like Back of the Dragon, yesterday I ran the "Talon," WV Route 60, which was another twisty piece of awesomeness. I also knocked out two more 50 Rides, 1 Nation photos, Virginia's for its Skyline Drive ride I did a few years ago and West Virginia's for the Monongahela National Forest and Highland Scenic Highway. Except I didn't ride the Scenic Highway.

As I was making a u-turn to get a photo of the sign, I dropped the bike ☹️. I didn't get hurt, and Willie was only bruised, but I couldn't get him up by myself. I left him laying in the road, praying no one would come around the bend and run him over, as I ran to the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center for help. Two Park Service officers and I were able to get him back on two wheels before any cars came up on him. He has a few scratches, but he started right up for me and ran like a champ. Atta boy, Willie!

I changed the route to cut out the Scenic Highway, but still wound up on more really twisty roads. No scraping the rest of the day, though. Falling over isn't the same as crashing, but I definitely didn't want to risk doing both on the same day, so it was easy-does-it the rest of the ride.

After 12 hours on the bike, I stopped for the night in Orange, VA, where Domino's fed me dinner while I doubled checked my route for today so I wouldn't miss another HD. I also thought about the day and remembered the unusual animal I saw.

I've seen lots of animals the past few days, but each state seems to have more of one than the others. In Kentucky, we dodged turtles 🐢 sunning themselves on the roads. In Virginia, I lost count of the groundhogs I saw scooting from one verge to the other. West Virginia was chipmunks 💨, skittering around with their little tails stuck straight up in the air. And in Ohio, squirrels 🐿️. Sitting on the side or the middle of the road, not moving until you're right on top of them. Little buggers. As for deer 🦌, they're everywhere. Yesterday, one big red doe on the other side of the barbed wire fence decided to run the same direction as I was going...and kept up with me for about 50 yards. But what got me on this train of thought was the peacock 🦚 I saw on a gas station roof in West Virginia. That certainly was an unexpected sight.

I pulled out of the hotel this morning at 07:10 and one minute later hit rain. Just a drizzle and I already had my rain gear top on, so I kept going. The drizzle soon turned into rain, all kinds of it ☹️. "Little bitty stingin' rain, and big ol' fat rain, rain that flew in sideways, and sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath," as Forrest Gump so eloquently stated. So, I pulled over at about 20 miles in, put on my big girl pants (aka rain gear), called my hotel to get an extra night, and changed my route to head straight to Cumberland, Maryland.

What I forgot to do, though, was change the settings to NOT avoid interstates, so I wound up on some pretty twisty and slippery roads. I waved the cars past me on the double yellows and kept a slow but safe pace. I got to my hotel in Braddock around 11:00 and got into my room around 12:30.

While I waited, I walked across the street to the Highland (Shop) Harley store, which also has service...why it's not a regular dealership I have no idea...and grabbed a quart of oil for Willie. I'm trying to keep him happy 😉.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 94 mileage: 550.4 (total 21424.7)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 165)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 2 (total 16)Read more
2 likes
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Twisties & More Twisties
June 21, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Yesterday was a blast! I squiggled my way south from Prestonburg through Pikeville, KY, and into Virginia. I had an amazing time scraping my way north past Hungry Mother State Park and the start of the "Back of the Dragon." Woo hoo!! Great ride!! (More info: https://visittazewellcounty.org/back-of-the-dra…)
[Note: Scraping is when your foot pegs scrape the ground as you lean into a turn 😁. It usually means you're going at a much higher speed than the yellow street sign recommends 😁.]

All the twisties are great, but they take a lot more time than the highways, so I got behind schedule and stopped 50 miles short of where I wanted to finish. After squiggling from Wytheville, VA, through Bluefield and Delbarton, WV, I finally stopped in Huntingdon, WV. Ready to make up the mileage, I left the hotel this morning at 06:30.

I had crossed into Ohio and was making good time on the back roads--a little slower on a few wet roads, but not getting rained on--when I saw the sign for Athens. Oh no! I missed the first Ohio dealership on today's route. Missed it by 30 miles. Well, I wasn't doing a 60-mile loop when I was already 50 miles behind schedule. Baxter's HD will have to wait.

On through Parkersburg and Charlestown to Hico, WV, where I'm stopped at the New River Gorge HD. They're not open today and aren't going to be open at all after this weekend. Another Harley casualty from the lack of tourism, I assume.

West Virginia and the Appalachians is absolutely incredible. If you haven't been here, put it high on your list. RVing, camping, ATVing, motorcycling, bicycling, kayaking, hiking...these mountains have it all. I'm having a real thrill on these roads!!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 93 mileage: 452.8 (total 20884.3)
HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 162)Read more
1 like

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