nachtflug, thanks for the lunch! (aka, dullest trip report ever)

well, it was only 80 miles or so, but we got to see a really neat italian off road museum, had some good eats (thanks again scott, great to meet you!) and i got to go down my favorite road in massachusetts (lots of "oddities", train tunnels, hydro dams, defunct nuclear plant, etc...........) sorry if my first trip report's a boring, i didn't take many pictures

the museum, i've never seen so many ossas in my life:





wtf???:







creepy train tunnel (disregard the non creepy family gathering in front of it) this was at one time the world's lognest train tunnel, i've walked about 3 miles into it before, found a small "house" built into the rock wall there and some vent shafts and other things, be neat to go through it on a small dirtbike.....



decomissioned nuclear plant, there is nothing left but the fuel now, the whole structure was still there 2 years ago, took them 10 years to remove the reactive stuff and 2 to take the rest down:

Isn't that the Hoosac tunnel? That's still an active line and kinda dangerous to be playing around. :huh

That's the most Ossa's I've ever seen in one pic by far

yeah, thats the hoosic tunnel alright, i think it wasn't being used for a while, but its defenetly in service now, i won't go in there!

Whoa...I've never seen so many pristine Ossa Pioneers in my life!! I remember drooling over one in a Shreveport, Louisiana shop back in the early 70s. That fiberglass bodywork was just too cool. I also spy a couple of nice Bultaco Alpinas in the background. These Spanish mounts started a lot of enduros back in the day ("started" being the operative word....).

Great pics of the museum -- thanks for posting!
woodsy

Good info on the Hoosac here:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeobc7t/

Does anyone have anymore info on that museum? Location, name, hours?

Thanks,

Doug

The museum is owned by Jim Hollerich who dominated the ISDT 6 day trials in the 70's and played host to the ISDT reunion a few years ago.

All the trophies you see were won by Jim.

Jim opened up the museum for folks from our rally. We also had part of our dual-sport ride on his property including a stop on one of his meadows:



There are no posted hours, the best bet is to drop by on Saturday morning or give a call first if you are coming from far away. He is located in Dalton, MA. I believe you can find him in the phone book.

He doesn't do television or the Internet.

Best,

Rob Nye

Oh, I'm sorry, I fell asleep because this is the most boring ride report ever.

My esteemed colleague, Bubba, left out some key parts of the weekend, so I will try to fill in the gaps.

Friday night I got drunk, so I didn't take any pictures. I think y'all know what drunk looks like, so I'll just fastforward to Saturday morning at about 5:50am when I, along with the rest of the campground, was woken up to the dulcet tones of bagpipes. :bluhduh



Not everyone was pleased about this, and some took to yelling at the bagpiper.

Those among us who were hungover, and there were many, threatened death, but the man kept on piping.

Fastforward to a far more reasonable hour and Doug Morrison explains the road conditions for the Max BMW GS ride.


I didn't go, because I suck, but I did ride with Bubba and 'Flug to Jim Hollerich's museum.







8 250cc Mick Andrews Replicas, 1972-74



Jim also has some vintage sno-mobiles:





The Master at work:

Nice pics of the Ossa's.

Now go to Hugh's Bultaco; http://www.bultaco.com/ and check out his museum. I think he's got at least one, if not more of every Bul ever made. Any there are several still in crates.
I think you need to contact Hugh to see his museum, there are no hours.

Springing ahead...

You saw the entrance to the Hoosic tunnel, well, here's a crappy shot of the inside:



Some of you may know that Rob Nye is running the Iron Butt Rally in 2 weeks. Some people wanted to help send him off in style:


But Rob was all style himself, as he and I took the unofficial "Best Dressed" Award:


iRene was the only one that cheered:



Saturday night was more drinking and rubbing elbows with the hoi polloi who brought their ghetto "block" of wine



Surprisingly, the "Block" was a hit and soon everyone was gimlet-eyed and getting their collective "groove" on:


As the sun set, it got worse; "groove" turned to outright insanity when it was announced that the church ladies ran out of pie!:


Fortunately, bikers are easily assuaged with cookies:


So that's what I got, folks. Anyone else, feel free to chime in, and Bubba, it's okay to come out now:

the decommissioning has definitely picked up in speed...

this was sept 2003 (out on my first ride with the GS):


march 2005:


Looks like its practically gone now from your photo. That's a great road though. One of my favorite rides, Including the Hoosac, and Jim's place.

Eric, I am pissed that you weren't there. We were just down the street from you, buddy, and you gave us the cold shoulder

Dear Chasifer,
Same goes for you. You could have taken an hour and come down and helped me dig trenches, regrade/rake my backyard, and push wheel barrows full of stone. It was a good time, way better than riding and drinking beer with you jerks.

man, i forgot all about being in that rabbit cage...................

Looks like I missed a good time. Maybe, um, next year.

Why am I not surprised.

Why wait till next year? I still have about 5000 sq ft left to rake and cover with straw. Come on down!

LOL.

I may go explore this part of the state this weekend if I can get someone to come let the dogs out. (Wife is in Montana)

dude my pleasure on the lunch but watch your P's and Q's. Those things are all Spanish not Italian and there are people in SMOG that you really don't want to piss off. They make the Pagans and the Angels look like noisy camping section at the Honda Hoot.