We have just returned from three months in Massachusetts, USA and thought we would share our experience with the Bikeshare Community. |
 |
The first thing that happened when we arrived was that Eric Rowe got in touch
from New Hampshire and offered to bring his BMW K100 LT down to Plymouth for
us to use. His bike, a mint example of this model was a joy to ride and performed
faultlessly throughout all our adventures. This meant that in between family
commitments we were able to tour all through Western Mass, Vermont, New Hampshire
and Maine.
We were a bit apprehensive about riding on the 'wrong' side of the road. However,
we got around this by tying a red bandana on Geoff's right arm and made sure
that that was the arm on the kerbside of the road. After a few short careful
practice runs we set out further afield. Some of the highlights included riding
through the Mohawk Trail and the Berkshires. We also spent a very interesting
morning at the Indian Motorcycle Museum in Springfield Mass (once the largest
producer of motorcycles in the world) guided by Esta Manthos one of the co-founders
of the museum. She had an intimate knowledge of every exhibit and was fascinating
to listen to. And she still, at 70+, rides an Indian Four. Going on from Springfield
we visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and the Robert Frost
Farm.
We spent an afternoon going through the backroads of Vermont to find the covered
bridges, a lovely ride through the forest and along the river. After that
we camped out in one of the State Parks which are much more reasonably priced
than the privately owned camp grounds with just as good if not better facilities.
Another trip took us up the East Coast through Marblehead, Gloucester (setting
for the film Perfect Storm) then on to Cape Anne and back through Salem (home
of the witches).
We were fortunate to meet up with a group called the Manomet Mystery Riders
who took us under their wing and we joined them for several of their club
rides through Mass, which enabled us to explore many backroads and byways
we would have otherwise missed.
We visited Eric and Susan at their magnificent property in the Mountains of
New Hampshire overlooking Bow Lake and can't thank them enough for their hospitality.
They put on a marvellous bar-b-que for Geoff when he went up to spend the
day at the Nascar Race at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Of course, no true Kiwi could pass up a visit to a brewery and we spent a
pleasant afternoon being educated in the fine art of making beer and visiting
the Clydesdales at Budweiser Establishment.
On his way back to New Zealand, Geoff was also able to take in the Indianapolis
Formula 1 Grand Prix. A visit to Indianapolis Speedway is quite something.
The scale and size of the whole operation have to be seen to be appreciated
and the whole city gets right behind the event.
We are now back home settling back into the old routine but will always have
great memories of our Bikeshare Experience and here are some of the photos
that bring it all back to life.
Note the tank bag purchased online
in USA from Big Mac Accessories who posted it out to NZ without any hiccups
at all. It was waiting for us when we got back. Bravo the US Mail!!.
We look forward to hearing from any Bikeshare Members who are headed our way
and be sure that we will do our utmost to extend the same marvellous hospitality
that we experienced in US.
All the best and don't forget to keep the shiny side up - Geoff and Chris