Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A Tank Away...is OK

Province Lake, Effingham, NH Day at the Lake

Everybody is talking about the price of gas, filling up a motorcycle has become real money. I have a range of about 170 miles on my K12GT, that's about 40 mpg. Not all that efficient. I can afford to keep filling up, question is, do I want to? For the past 5 years I've packed on the miles, about 20,000 a year. There are many meaningless miles in that pile. In the past year or so, I've been trying to make those miles more meaningful.

The price of gas is a good excuse to explore closer to home. I've not explored New Hampshire for years! I was reminded of that this weekend when Kevin and I headed up to Mount Washington. It's a crown jewel of a New England riding experience, the best auto road on the east, right in my back yard, and I've been ignoring it for far flung destinations.

With my SD750 strapped around my neck, and my Canon Rebel in the bag we headed North. Here are some pictures from the weekend. I hope you get out and explore your home state too!

A Rare Clear Day - 61 degrees at the summit!
Clear Day on Mt Washington

Scenic Vista...not much traffic
Scenic Vista

Got Guard Rails?
Mt Washington Auto Road

Got Pavement?
Mt Washington Auto Road

Cog Railway
Mt Washington Cog Railway

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do the same thing. I fixate on destinations days away instead of exploring the areas near by. I read about other people riding in areas near me because Arizona happened to be their "far off place."

Becky said...

That road looks very cool, and a little challenging. I have kept close to home since I've been riding, so a far off destination is in my plans. I have to try it. No matter where you live there are adventures to be had and beauty to discover. Great pics.

Bikerchickz

Demonio Pellegrino said...

I used to do the same, looking for far away destinations...now that i keep one of my bikes in Tuscany, at my family home, I started to explore the countryside around Florence and Pisa. Which is AMAZING on a bike...but until a couple of years ago i was always looking for something further away...

there is a lesson in there.

irondad said...

I agree with Becky on the pictures. You and the new camera seem to be getting along well. As to making miles count, I guess it boils down to personal satisfaction and the intangible rewards. I like long distance miles. Plenty of riding time with minimal distractions. I use the time to think and sort things out. That works for me but admittedly, not for everyone. That's the cool thing about riding. We all ride for different reasons but share the common bond.

SheRidesABeemer said...

I want to go back to Italy! We had such a short visit there on our Euro tour. I want to eat my way through...until my riding pants don't fit (well right before they don't fit)

Dave Gill said...

HiYa Gail. How did you like NH 153? It's a favorite of mine and the NH house is just 500' to the west. You rode right past my little town of E. Wakefield. Next time, you and Kevin should stop in. I love to sit on the south side of Province lake and just look north. We just got back from Americade (pics here
http://tinyurl.com/6osdjq )

Looks like you've taken to the new camera just fine.

Keep it coming

SheRidesABeemer said...

153 is still in tough shape from the winter, but it is usually a nice ride. :)

Beaker said...

Wow - awesome pix Gail. Keep em coming!

Demonio Pellegrino said...

Eating my way through - that's exactly what I do everytime I go back there. Every weekend I spend there I put on 2 kilos. No joke...

Crusty said...

GREAT shots!

Unknown said...

Great photos! Often some of the greatest adventures are found in ones own state.

Osman said...

K12GT? Where's the K75!

SheRidesABeemer said...

LOL, in this instance, the garage is the right place for 20 year old braking technology! :D

Ronman said...

It looks as if you are just gonna ride off into the clouds. Wonderful photographs Gail.

Ronman

Anonymous said...

It is amazing what you find when you look close to home. It looks like you found a very nice ride near you. I loved the pictures.