Pennsylvania Trek - pt2

Noel and I decided we were experiencing no ill effects from the cool weather. Better than two months ago, anyway... The layers up top and the warm-up pants over jeans were doing their job adequately. Or neither of us wanted to look like a wimp in front of the other.

So it was the scenic route.

We continued south on Hwy 62 from Hamburg and then to Rte 75. The hills were gradually building, but of more immediate attention were stormy, unsettled clouds. They seemed unable to organize themselves, but I didn't trust them.

Lovely twisty meandering roads in good condition for the most part, but showing evidence of damage and erosion from heavy spring run-off from melted ice and snow. Best of all - minimal traffic. I found that when the speed limits saw 55 mph, they mean 55 mph - especially if you are unfamiliar with the roads. I was leading because it was assumed I knew where I was going - I had to assure Noel I wasn't lost at one point.

Back on Hwy 62 again and then off again on Route 353 heading to Salamanca NY.

My elbows effectively block my mirrors' view so I was constantly flapping my elbows to keep Noel in sight. I was concerned because he is still getting experience and I don't want anything to ruin his enthusiasm.

Well.

We pulled up at a stoplight in Dayton, NY and Noel points to the right side engine cover and there's this large scuff - black engine paint was gone and aluminum shone through. What the...? But then the light had changed and I was left to ponder the meaning of it. It gnawed at my mind until we stopped for a break in Salamanca, near the Pennsylvania state line.

Apparently Noel ran into a corner wide and suddenly saw a patch of dirt in his line and rather than attempting to bank on the sand and risk a low side, opted to run wide onto the shoulder. Consequently, he scuffed the guardrail and kept on moving. I had no idea it had happened until he pulled up at the light. However, Noel seemed unfazed. He completely took it in stride and was just as eager as ever to press on.

An interesting note on fuel consumption: Noel's on a 2013 CBR500RA with fuel injection while I am on a 1997 Ninja 500 with twin carbs. Even allowing for maladjusted carbs, Noel only consumed about 2/3 the fuel I did on the day's trip - a significant difference.

We head southwest around the edge of the Allegany State Park/Forest.

The park seems to abut Seneca native land - but the signs all refer to the "Seneca Indian Casino" - not sure if the Seneca's wear the politically incorrect moniker with pride or whether it is thrust upon them. Just one of those differences between Canada and the US (at least this corner...)

Entering the park, on route 280 we are treated to natural beauty and picturesque roads... the sun peaked out and warmed us up comfortably...

We crossed into Pennsylvania on route 346 and wound our way to Bradford, PA.

Like Alex and Marina says, there are seemingly no bad roads in Pennsylvania...

We are back on roads which I have previously travelled - route 46 to Smethport. then along Hwy 6 all the way to Wellsboro. Noel loved it.

Passing through small towns amid ever-taller hills (or low mountains), you can feel like you are riding through a Bruce Springsteen song. All the towns have a firm working to middle-class feel. There is an air - but it may be my imagination - of stubborn independence, pride and unapologetic "what you see is what you get".

We got caught in a couple of sprinkles and one major cloudburst (which lasted literally a minute), but made it to Wellsboro and the Canyon Motel relatively dry. As we arrived, however, the clouds finally opened up. As perfect timing as one could wish for...

We retired to our room and cranked the heat then assessed Noel's bike (Sonia)...

After checking Sonia over and oscillating between relief that it wasn't more serious and annoyance over the marring of the new finish, we took a break while the rain came down.

After about an hour, we hit the supermarket for some tea and coffee supplies for the next morning and snacks for later in the evening, then to the "world famous" Wellsboro diner - a converted railway dining car. We just made it before it closed at 7 pm.

The weather had cleared at this point so we decided to run up to Leonard Harrison State Park and view the eastern rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. We followed route 362 out of town to route 660. We saw four deer as we entered the park (not fast enough with the camera though..)

As we were relaxing back at the motel, I remarked that we are real adventure riders - with barely a decent map, no official "adventure-touring" clothing, or bikes, none of all the other fancy gadgetry that goes along with the genre, we successfully reached our destination (with scars to show for it).

Stay tuned for part 3...

Cheers!