New England
Riders
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Ride Information
& Routes:
Sometimes an interesting destination adds to the overall enjoyment of the riding experience whether to a mountain top vista or a unique rural museum. The following are some NER visited and recommended destinations.
General Attractions New England Visit New England Guide - scenic drives and places to see.
Vermont Vermont Attractions Association - visit this site for more information on these and other interesting Vermont destinations. Official Vermont Tourism Site - attractions, lodging, dining Vermont Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com Vermont Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com Vermont Covered Bridges - Virtual Vermont Vermont Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of Vermont Destinations below Ben & Jerry's, Waterbury - this is a nice destination located on Rt 100 just 1 miles north of Rt 89 (exit 10) in Waterbury, VT. Go for a factory tour or just have some ice cream and visit the gift store. Nice rest stop along beautiful Rt 100. A 1 hour stop is typical for motorcyclist. (GoldWingBob1) Bennington Battle Monument - Bennington - Soaring more than 300 feet above the lovely streets of Old Bennington, a striking stone monument marks the site of a critical military supply depot. Hildene - Manchester - in the beautiful green mountains of VT is the home of Abraham Lincolns only son that survived to be an adult. The guided tour really explains life in this mansion back in the early 20th century. The sounding grounds are truly remarkable and very beautiful. (OSJ) Hubbardton Battlefield and Museum - Castleton - During the early morning hours of July 7, 1777, British General John Burgoyne's army met the resistance and bravery of Americans for the first time in the Battle of Hubbardton. King Arthur Flour Bakery - Norwich - very good baked goods to satisfy the most determined sweet tooth. - (Easy Ed) Knight's Spider Web Farm, Williamstown - OK, so this is a little quirky and certainly not for those with acrophobia. This is a small one man operation that has caught national attention due to it's uniqueness. You may want to call to ensure Will Knight will be there to greet you - he is a character worth meeting. 45 minutes for this "something different stop." (GoldWingBob1) Lake Champlain Ferries - Taking the ferry is the best way to end a day of riding in Vermont and the Adirondacks. - (Easy Ed) Lake Willoughby in Vermont - Westmore - The Lucerne of America. Marble Museum, Proctor - An out of the ordinary museum built on the site of a former marble quarry. At the worlds largest marble museum see marble art in a studio & gallery and learn how calcium carbonate (powdered marble) is used in a variety of products from chewing gum to toothpaste. Gift shop. A 90 minute stay is about right. (GoldWingBob1) UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Weybridge - At this National Historic Site, the "Home of the Morgan," you can tour the breeding farm of this world famous horse. Learn the history of the Morgan and take a guided stable tour. One hour or a little more for this stop. (GoldWingBob1) Robert Frost Interpretive Trail - Ripton - 1.2 mile easy hike along a scenic trail that celebrates Frost's poetry. A terrific place to get off the bike and stretch your legs. The trail is in one of the very best areas to ride - near Rtes 100, 17, Lincoln Gap, 125, 73, Bethel Mountain Road, and Roxbury Mountain Road. Watch for moose. (Easy Ed) The Shelburne Museum, Shelburne - This is one of Vermont's best kept secrets and a very cool place. Americana is exhibited in 39 buildings and includes an outdoor history collection with many relocated items: a lighthouse, a steam locomotive, a covered bridge, an operating vintage carousel and the huge steamboat Ticonderoga. Their website does not convey just how terrific this place is. To do it justice plan on 4 hours however, you could easily spend a day. (GoldWingBob1) Ticonderoga Ferry - Ferry service from Shoreham, VT. to Ft. Ticonderoga, NY The Vermont Country Store, Weston - Large store with lots of old fashioned goodies. Have traditional New England fare at the Bryant House Restaurant next door. pictures of Vermont at picturesofplaces.com
New Hampshire Visit NH - Official New Hampshire tourism site. New Hampshire Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com New Hampshire Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com New Hampshire Covered Bridges - Visit NH New Hampshire Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of New Hampshire Destinatioms listed below Castle In the Clouds - Moultonborough - when we come here with the kids we spend most of the day on the property. The house itself has breathtaking views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the hills and mountains beyond. There are miles of hiking trails on the site as well. We usually eat a light lunch in the old horse barn, were the tables are set up in the stalls. You can also take a tour of Castle Springs bottling plant and see the actual spring that produces the water for bottling. (OSJ) Crawford Notch State Park - Willey House - Gorgeous spot where sheer cliffs tower over a peaceful lake and waterfall. Site of the doomed Willey family. (Easy Ed) Loudon Road Race Series - Wanna see the big bikes race? Well several weekends a year from April to October the LRRS puts on some great racing in Loudon NH at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Most of the racers are locals just having fun with their bikes over the weekend, some up & coming young talent always can be found in the pits and on the banks of the track. Ive been going here since it was called Bryar Motorsport Park and watched people like Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz race around that track. The Loudon Classic is the oldest continuous race held in the states, but sadly no longer a AMA national. One of Michelle & I favorite things to do after the races was to sit on a small grassy hill right by the stands that faces the main road exiting the parking lot. We would sit there for at least a hour watching all the bikes & people leave the track. What a interesting site it is. (OSJ) Sugar Hill Speedway - Weare - Like the sound of engines, smell of oil and the thrill of racing? I dragged the family here one Saturday afternoon to go watch these things race around up there. Watching those little 50cc bikes was a lot of fun. They also raced Karts & little mini cup cars up there. We spent the whole day in the stands and walking around the pits. Tickets were cheap, the racing was real and we had a ball. (OSJ) The Wright Museum - Wolfeboro - One of my favorite places is The Wright Museum, a World War II Museum located in Wolfeboro, featuring authentic displays of Home Front America between the years 1939 and 1945. The displays are truly amazing. They have Zero's hanging from the ceiling, amfibs, tanks fo several types, and lots of informative displays. Really a great place to stop when in the Lake Winnipesaukee area. (FJGary) Pictures of New Hampshire at picturesofplaces.com
Maine Maine Office of Tourism - Official Maine tourism site. Maine Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com Maine Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com Maine Covered Bridges - Maine DOT Maine Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of Maine Destinations below Acadia National Park - Stunningly beautiful rocky coastal ride. - (Easy Ed) Biddeford Pool - Cant talk about Maine without talking about the ocean, and lobsta, right? Well that a little something I know quite a bit about. I lived in Saco for awhile back in 1989 with my then girlfriend Michelle. We always loved taking the Concours out for rides all over Maine. Once special place was called Biddeford Pool it had a section along Ocean ave that was a very rocky shore. We spent many late afternoons out there sitting on those rocks. It became even more special when on my 22nd birthday I asked that Michelle to marry me on those rocks at Biddeford Pool. (OSJ) Cape Neddick (Nubble) Light - Cape Neddick - Great light near York. Cole Land Transportation Museum - Bangor - Set right of I95/I395 interchange. Very nice museum with tons of old cars/trucks/trains/motorcycles & many other powered vehicles. Really a neat place to visit. We spent around 2 hrs here. Yes Bangor is not the best place in the world to ride your motorcycle, but getting up here can be fun. One neat place to eat close by is a Denny's Which in itself is not a spectacular place but this one is not your average Denny's Its set up like a retro 50's dinner. (OSJ) Desert of Maine - Freeport - I've never been here, but I plan to: it's a large field of ice-age dunes outside Freeport, ME, called "the desert of maine..." (flanga) Fort George - Castine - Originally known as Fort Penobscot, Fort George was the last post surrendered by the British at the end of the Revolutionary War. Madawaska Four Corners Park - Madawaska - The most northeastern town in the U.S. The first park dedicated to motorcycling. One of the 4 corners stops for those doing a 4 corners of the U.S. motorcycle ride. NER has an engraved paver at the monument. Western Maine Meet - Maine European Motorcycle Enthusiasts - well every year MEME puts on a show that you would think I've been too. But alas, I've yet to make it. A certain NERd from Maine went last year and did this really cool movie from his day. Of course this being in Bethel Maine you all know of a great place to stay while you’re here. The Riverview Resort is the only place to lay your head when you want to stay in Western ME. Hopefully I will make it up there in 07 to enjoy the show. (OSJ) Owls Head Transportation Museum - Owls Head - About 1 hr due south from Bangor. A great place to see some old vehicles as well as air planes. Every year they host a Vintage Motorcycle Meet & Antique Aeroplane Show. Michelle & I finally made it up there in 2006 and had a great time. It’s a beautiful museum. Right in downtown Rockland you will find many shops to enjoy and great food at the Rockland Cafe. (OSJ) Portland Head Light - Cape Elizabeth - Pretty Lighthouse. Popular with photographers. - (Easy Ed) Walkers Point - Kennebunkport - Oh, and you want lobsta? Just down the street in Kennebunkport was a little place called Nunans they have lobster's Very tasty ones. Once your done cracking, eating and slobbering all over yourself you can continue down Ocean Ave in Kennebunkport to see " Walkers Point " Home of our #41. (OSJ) Pictures of Maine at picturesofplaces.com
Massachusetts Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism - Official Massachusetts tourism site. Massachusetts Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com Massachusetts Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com Massachusetts Covered Bridges - Dale Travis Massachusetts Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of Massachusetts Destinations below Battle Road Visitor's Center - Lexington - On April 19, 1775, British soldiers and American militia, "minute men" met in a series of unplanned skirmishes along a 22 mile stretch of road that ran from Boston to Concord. Bridge of Flowers - Shelburne Falls - 400 foot trolley bridge converted into a unique garden. Worth a stop during a Mohawk Trail Ride. Try McCusker's for lunch. (Easy Ed) Bunker Hill Monument - Charlestown - The monument was erected to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major conflict between British and Patriot forces in the Revolutionary War, fought there June 17, 1775. Hammond Castle - Gloucester - One of the largest private collection of medieval armor and artifacts in New England. Located right on the coast with wonderful view of the ocean below. They do a self guided tour so you are free to roam the property and the castle itself. (OSJ) Old North Bridge - Concord - On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution began at Lexington and Concord with a clash of arms known to history as "the shot heard round the world. Pictures of Massachusetts at picturesofplaces.com
Connecticut Connecticut Office of Tourism - Official Connecticut tourism site. Connecticut Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com Connecticut Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com Connecticut Covered Bridges - Dale Travis Connecticut Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of Connecticut Destinations below Devils Hopyard State Park - East Haddam - Picturesque Chapman Falls and scenic stone potholes. Great riding on Hopyard Road, Haywardville Road, Grassy Hill Road, Route 82, and Mt Parnassus Road. (Easy Ed) Fort Griswold - Groton - 800 men led by traitor Benedict Arnold destroyed the "immense" stockpile of goods and naval stores kept here. Buildings, wharfs and ships were soon in flames. One hundred and forty-three buildings, nearly all the town, were consumed Gillette Castle - East Haddam - A fun tour on beautiful grounds. Near to great roads through Devil's Hopyard State Park and Grassy Hill Road. - (Easy Ed) Old Lighthouse Museum - Stonington - Great view and a nice tour. - (Easy Ed) Submarine Force Library & Museum - Groton - See missles, torpedos, and vintage subs. Look through a periscope and see the Nautilus. Fun couple of hours. - (Easy Ed) Pictures of Connecticut at picturesofplaces.com
Rhode Island Visit Rhode Island - Official Rhode Island tourism site. Rhode Island Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com Rhode Island Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com Rhode Island Covered Bridges - Dale Travis Rhode Island Lighthouses - New England Lighthouses GoogleMap of Rhode Island Destinations below Point Judith Lighthouse - Narragansett - Very scenic spot with areas to walk in and around the Coast Guard station. Great food in nearby Galilee and north in Narragansett Center. Try George's or Champlins. (Easy Ed) Pictures of Rhode Island at picturesofplaces.com
New York New York State Tourism Website - Official New York tourism site. New York State Travel Guide - VirtualTourist.com New York Tourist Attractions - RoadsideAmerica.com New York Covered Bridges - New York State Covered Bridge Society New York Lighthouses - Lighthouse Friends GoogleMap of New York Destinations below Ausable Chasm - worth a look from Route 9 on your next Adirondack/ Lake Champlain ride. - (Easy Ed) Baseball Hall of Fame - Cooperstown - See the history of baseball. Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site - Eagle Bridge - Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site is the location of a Revolutionary War battle between the British forces of General John Burgoyne and Colonel Friedrich Baum against the American forces under Brigadier General John Stark and Colonel Seth Warner. Crown Point State Historic Site - Crown Point - The ruins of Fort St. Frederic, "His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point Fort Stanwix National Monument - Rome - The American victory at this frontier fort directly contributed to the British defeat at Saratoga in 1777; setting the stage for westward expansion through New York. Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark - Ticonderoga - On May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys crossed Lake Champlain from Vermont and at dawn surprised and captured the sleeping garrison. This was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War. Hanford Mills Museum - East Meredith - Learn how things worked in the old days. Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park - Nice spots for a picnic, a hike, or a ride. Try Seven Lakes Drive and Route 106 in the parks. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Be sure stop at nearby West Point. (Easy Ed) Howe's Cavern - Howe's Cave - Explore these great underground caves. What is a stalagmite? Oriksany Battle State Historic Site - Oriksany - Considered to be a significant turning point in the War of Independence, the Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, has been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Saratoga National Historic Park - Stillwater - Here in the autumn of 1777 American forces met, defeated and forced a major British army to surrender. Stony Point State Historic Site - Stony Point - One of the last major Revolutionary War battles in the northeastern colonies. This is where Brigadier General Anthony Wayne led his corps of Continental Light Infantry in a daring midnight attack on the British, seizing the site's fortifications and taking the British garrison as prisoners on July 16, 1779. United States Military Academy at West Point - Pretty grounds on the Hudson Cliffs. Good military museum. See Cadet parade on Saturdays. Be sure to ride the Storm King Highway (Route 218), Route 6/202, Route 301, and Seven Lakes Drive and Route 106 in Harriman State Park. (Easy Ed) Pictures of New York at picturesofplaces.com
Good Mountaintop Rides Vermont
New Hampshire
Kancamagus Pass - (PhatPat) Mt. Kearsarge - the auto road is accessible via Rollins only. (a second source for info) (PandA) Pack Monadnock - (OSJ) Mt Washington - (OSJ) Hurricane Mountain Road - (PandA) Maine
Massachusetts
New York
Whiteface Mountain -
recommended in "Motorcycle Journeys through New England" by Marty
Berke.
If you have a great destination you would like to recommend email the information with a short description and your Delphi name to webmaster@newenglandriders.org
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