GEWLR VI - The Report

Background: The date is July of 2000, and I had just finished a covered bridge tour in Lancaster County, PA, wrote a trip report and plugged the GEWLR V in October. At that event, some riders (names omitted to protect the innocent) dissed the NJ roads. NJ Wingers, always ready to rise to the challenge, supplied the proper retorts. Later that evening, Rick Dinnis gave NJ the challenge for this year's event.

What Rick didn't know: I had two things going for me. First, four other riders. Second, a trip I had done for a GW group about 8 years ago had most of the roads and sights already. I just needed two things; a place to stay which would have nice rooms and restaurants, and some additions to a route for a beginning & end.

So, after the 2000 event, I went to the computer, opened up Map & Go, and found the Panther Valley Inn, on 517 one mile south of the I-80 & 517 junction! They had a website; the place was perfect! OK, now for some rerouting; maps came out, trips flashed in memory, and within one month I had the first draft. Rode it, put it on paper and alerted the NJ contingency.

Later, I thought that the 'gadget Wingers' with the GPS units would figure the whole route out, so I fine-tuned various stretches to find roads that they couldn't find! Even took daughter #2 on a ride; she suggested the famous change at Little York. Got help on taking out a tricky stop on a hill, and finalized the route. Several of the NJ riders checked me out. Together, we had an unbeatable route! Now, all we needed was the weather.

Sharon & I took off the Friday before the ride to pack and take a leisurely ride to the Inn. After checking in, we rode to the first scenic overview, as it would be impossible to stop with a large group. Upon returning to the Inn around 5 PM, we found most of the riders. The event had begun! Of course, the first plans were dinner!

We had somewhere near 24 people invade the attached family restaurant. Our waiter began to wonder if he should have called in sick! We gave a whole new meaning to the term 'Family Restaurant'! However, they ran out of prime rib, so some sacrifices had to me made. We were just about finished when...enter Rick & Gay Dinnis! Seems they had 'bridge trouble' in making it to NJ. Must have been on the NY side! After dinner, some of us walked to the ice cream store for dessert. Have to balance off those calories!

Saturday dawned mild and clear! The weather was with us. After a count for lunch & dinner, we divided 32 riders on 17 bikes & one van into three groups. About 9:20 AM, we began the trip. North from the Inn, we rode through small towns and country using back roads, making our way past the first scenic overview of the Delaware Water Gap, with the leaves in various shades of red, orange and yellow. At the northern extreme, we entered the Delaware Park at Millbrook Village, a re-creation of an early farming town. Turning south, we rode along the river. Just across from Shawnee in PA, we encountered over a dozen hot air balloons in flight, adding to the colors of the season. At the end of the road where we had to stop for oncoming traffic, a military convoy rode past us, waving & honking horns. Naturally, we returned the salutes! From the park, we traveled a short distance to the first coffee stop.

During the break, riders were able to get gas which eliminated the need for the stop in Easton. So, I called the lunch place to estimate our arrival between 12:30 & 1. We continued along the Delaware, through Belvidere into PA, where the river ride continued on the PA side.

Always one for a few good turns, we went south from Easton to pick up Morgan Hill Road, which has 90 and 180 degree turns uphill. Over the crest were scenic views of the river on the left, Lehigh Valley on the right. At the bottom of the hill, we turned east and picked up 611 to the Great American Grill; they were ready for us.

The Wings park for lunch at GAG....John shows Rick & John K a Canadian dance

Now the Grill has one serving size: huge! Gay thought she would be safe with the nachos; her eyes popped out when the bowl of food appeared! Somehow, Rick ended up with the jalapeno peppers. Had to ask him to ride sweep!

After lunch, we continued down the PA side of the river and crossed into NJ at Milford, then rode north up the NJ side. We even had a train come by on the parallel RR tracks!

The windmill ride by approach was up some narrow unmarked roads, highlighted by twisties uphill. Unfortunately, the mill is closed to visitors, so we had to settle for a slow 'ride by'. From there, we continued on to Little York, which helped John Kannard resolve his ancestry.

It was at this point that technology lost the day! Until now, all 3 groups had managed to stay together. From Little York, the route was straight ahead to county 579. Group 3, convinced that the GPS was right, set out on an adventure, similar to the biblical story where Moses wandered around for 40 years! The rest of the group stayed put while a search party was sent out; atlas, to no avail! We doubled back to 579 ahead of the rest, were able to contact them and get the pack together. We rode down 579 into Bloomsbury, catching the scenic view down the mountain, and waited...after 5 or 10, along came group 3! It was simple: They were enjoying themselves so much, they just wanted to see this part of the trip several times!

Since time had slipped in the schedule, we bypassed the Blue Army Shrine. I did ask if a nature break was needed before the next stop; consensus was ride on! There may have been a few anxious moments along the way, but the back roads, especially Black River/Hacklebarny made up for the concerns. Did you all miss that cow along the way????

Finally, last stop, cider mill. Here's where the race to the portapotties began! I'm sure that Dick Taylor will furnish the pictures.....

After touring the mill to see how cider was pressed from apples and buying some goodies, we finished the last leg back to the Inn, passing the place where the best candy is made, coming from Mars! That's M&M, which fit in with our van sweep, Monty & Marion!

Saturday evening, we did have a separate room for dinner. Some had to leave early, but most of the group were able to stay for dinner and the usual ride review. Sharon & I were very happy that the day had turned out so well. I think it is a tribute to the group, and that everyone should give yourself a hand. What made this all very personal for me was that Jack had a surprise: A crown for the work I had done. I'm not easily surprised!

What a day! What a ride! Spectacular weather, good roads, and special events along the way. I'm not telling how we arranged for the balloons, army convoy and train. How about the police officer in town, who stopped traffic for us so we could all make the left turn? Did everyone notice that NJ roads got excellent reviews? Guess we fixed the 'What Exit?' joke!

Two of the views along Black River/Hacklebarny Road

Everything has to end; but Sharon & I did manage to have Sunday breakfast with Dick & Nancy Taylor, who were continuing their adventures. Tried to get added to Dick's tab; no luck!

Epilog: I can't imagine how it can get any better than this. Finding WOTI from BJ several years ago has to be one of the better things that's happened to me. I've even got Sharon considering other events, maybe getting the towing vehicle! Now, who is planning next years GEWLR???