Bored- Riding to upstate NY on new Versys 1000

July 8, 2020 185 miles Cooperstown, NY

I decided to visit Cooperstown. I could be there by noon. On the way I restopped at the rest area I was at yesterday. It did have access to a walkway on the Thousand Islands Bridge. The view from riding across this bridge is the reason I came back here. After a short walk to the bridge, I came to a gate that said Closed due to the Corona virus.

Back to the bike and riding south. About half way to Cooperstown I was riding some narrow curvy roads that looked prime for a sequel to Deliverance. I didn't run out of gas. But 5 gallons is the most I've put in so far.

I've been close to Cooperstown several times but didn't stop. I was disappointed. For $20 I saw many pictures with some shoes, bats, and jerseys. The only classy things were the actual plaques of players. It looked more like a salute to the New York Yankees than anything else. They probably are the overall greatest baseball organization. But please. They had a lot about the first organized ball club- The New York Knickerbockers. I never saw a word about the first professional baseball team. I only saw 4-5 mentions of the Reds.







Near by I passed this church. In 1855 Susan B Anthony met with residents here and formed a committee to advocate women's right to vote.



After leaving the Hall of Fame I rode 8 miles to the Hyde Hall covered bridge. It's the oldest wooden covered bridge in the country. Built in 1825.



As thunder roared and a few rain drops fell, I rode back to Cooperstown. I'm staying in the 1802 Tunnicliff Hotel. It's about 500 feet from the Hall of Fame. Cooperstown is a village of less than 2000.

You aren't far from Route 30, the north south backbone of the Catskills/ Adirondacks. It has one crappy section passing through Schenectedy, but the rest is great.

We have been in a terrible drought but now its raining every day. This weekend is predicted to be a washout in the east.

July 9, 2020 Pittsburgh, Staying at my cousins house. 440 miles

I had one of the best breakfasts at my hotel- The Tunnicliff Hotel. I was on the road by 8:30. Mostly highway until I got to Pennsylvania. Then the roads were curves through mountains. I'd been to the Flight 93 memorial many years ago. But I wanted to see it again. They added a wall with names of the victims.




From a walkway you can see the approximate crash site. They placed a big boulder there.




They also added the Tower of Voices. The Tower of Voices is conceived as a monumental, ninety-three feet tall musical instrument holding forty wind chimes, representing the forty passengers and crew members.


When I left there, I rode to my cousins house in Pittsburgh. I'd not seen her for about 10 years. I rode US30 most of the way to her house. It was 96 degrees with some stop and go traffic. 10 minutes before getting to her house the temperature dropped 15 degrees and I was seeing lightening. I only had a few sprinkles. After taking a shower, she fed me. Then we spent 1/2 the evening talking about my health issues. She is a neurologist. Thank you so much for that Cuz.

July 10, 2020 I'm back home. 294 miles. 1836 trip miles.

I went to the Monongahela Incline this morning. I parked near the base and rode it up. They have a great view from the top. The area is called Mt. Washington. In the 1800's it was one of the largest coal supplies in the country.






At the top, I exited and walked 3/4 mile to the top of the Duquesne Incline on Grandview Avenue. The road has great views of the Pittsburgh downtown. I rode Duquesne Incline down, then walked back to my bike.









I'm not sure what this is, but it was on the edge of the river next to where I parked.


It was almost 300 miles back to home. And only 1 short rain storm near Columbus. If they changed the name of Columbus, they haven't changed the signs yet.

Great write up I grew up in PA !

Bummer...guess it makes sense, though- it's a pretty narrow walkway, you're pretty close (like maybe touching) people you pass walking the other direction.

Its weird, I was riding up in the Catskills yesterday and I kept seeing scenic pull offs and parking areas coned and taped off. I can tell you that literally half the population of NY is in NYC and they are all up here with nothing to do and just mobbing every local swimming hole and scenic place. Beyond that, people are home from work and there are no shopping malls or bars to distract the general population. So every place is slammed. Along scenic little rivers and falls I saw hundreds of people, huge parties , no cops anywhere.

Great stuff and many memories. I did an all day Thousand Island boat tour and hit many of those same sites. Naturally, as a life long baseball fan I've been to Cooperstown.

Lots of hills and deer in PA.
But Utah and Colorado or my 2 favorite states. You are in a better location. IMHO

Yes it is narrow. I'm guessing body parts touch if you pass anyone.

Thanks man !!!! So many Deer in Pa ! I rode out and back 2 years ago .

So many unsold new ones.. What are used 2019 versys 1000 going for?

I paid $12,400 out the door. I paid tax when I titled in my state. Mine had 2956 miles on it.

https://www.cycletrader.com/2019-Ka...&year=2019:2019&mileage=0:5000&sort=price:asc

Before you go look at a bike, make them give you a total price. Many want to add on frivolous"unexpected" expenses after you show up.

OTD is the verbiage. The one dealer that one a black one close, price was 13,9 on a 2018...went to 15,6 by the time he was done...screw it..want on, but not bad enough to tolerate that BS

yes, dragging up old thread.......GREAT photos.
Searching for a 1000 now, seeing prices on 2018/19's in the 14, 15K zone.......if.....IF I could find one close going to get one..you know....if I can..you know...find one...

I found 3 at about the same price when I was looking. All 3 were 2019 with similar mileage. They are out there. Be patient and not afraid to drive a few miles.

Doogle, I enjoyed reading this thread as I was born and raised in Western NY (Fredonia), and still have family members who live in the area.
I particularly enjoyed the photos of the Desi/Lucy Museum in Jamestown, NY as my great, great grandfather and his brother owned and operated a carriage rental and livery stable from a still standing building just a few blocks from the museum. Apparently they would transport people from downtown Jamestown to the lakeside parks in Lakewood. They operated the business for several years after returning from serving in the Civil War.
Thank you for posting.

Many people, and me in the ancient past, lumped New York and NYC together as being a place to avoid. The state has so much to offer. Until recent years I was even starting to rethink NYC. I've been to many larger cities all over the world. All big cities will have some safety concerns. But NYC will not be seen by me for a long time. I expect some law and order where ever I go. I even felt comfortable walking around Bogota, Columbia alone for a couple days.

I had never been to NYC the entire time I lived in NY and never felt the need to go there. My Dads side of the family are from Lancaster/Buffalo area and that was a big city to us as kids.
Moved to Florida in 1980 and dated a lady from NJ. Only then did I ever go to NYC. This was after 9/11 and we felt very secure and safe. You wont find me there on a bet nowadays.