Columns

Dear Progressive, I have a beef.  Earlier this week, I participated in an informative and carefully-executed instructional non-sportbike “track day” staged by Tony’s Track Days at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, CT. I rode my new-to-me 2014 Triumph Bonneville and did so without insurance coverage after being informed by …

BRIDGEWATER, CT – A few weeks ago when perusing ADV Rider, I happened upon a thread in the Northeast Forum: “Ladies-only event: Over And Out, June 22-24 2018, Hancock.” After over 40+ years as a female off-road rider, I had never witnessed an actual women’s off-road event here in the northeast. …

CHESTER, VT – It may have been around 2004 when I made (for me) a rather predictable purchase a brand new four-wheel-drive ATV with a winch and a plow. I figured that I could justify the purchase just for the snow plow attachment. I used the ATV for a while, learned …

KENT, CT – It’s probably natural to yearn for the “good ol’ days” when life was seemingly simpler, less hectic and far more congenial. When motorcyclists look back, they do so with fond memories of small and cluttered motorcycle “shops” with oily rags and limited choices of new models, not at …

HARWINTON, CT – The endless winter can be a time for mischief because the only alternative to riding is window shopping in preparation for riding. Short days, long nights, cold and snow force a person to go online to visit dealer websites and to check out Craigslist for the used …

As a newbie, I knew little about riding. I’d long driven stick shift cars so learning how to operate a clutch and shifter lever on a motorcycle wasn’t a problem when I took the Basic Rider Course in Connecticut back in 2004. Everything else was foreign. Over the years, I’ve …

NAUGATUCK, CT – Motorcycling is like so many other sports. Training and practice can help immeasurably in mastering skills, learning new ones and correcting bad habits that have developed over time. Think about it for second: Golfers often seek out a pro to improve a swing. So do tennis players. Skiers …

CHESTER, VT – When I bought a BMW motorcycle, it was like stepping into another culture. I quickly discovered that BMW motorcycle riders are a unique breed. When I attended my first BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA) rally, I met a lot of intense motorcyclists. Many of them …

Despite some sales setbacks of late, Harley-Davidson knows how to “move the metal.” The company has more than 600 dealerships in the U.S. and those stores will soon be used to sell a line of electric models. There should be no doubt that Harley-Davidson will surmount the technical challenges and …

HARWINTON, CT – What’s to become of Harley-Davidson? The news of late hasn’t been good for the iconic American brand that produces half of the heavyweight motorcycles sold in the U.S. The company announced late last month that it’s closing the Kansas City, Mo. assembly plant that builds Softail, Sportster and …

NAUGATUCK, CT – As the riding season approaches, so does the motorcycle training season, and the recent annual training session for Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) instructors reminded me that I’ll soon be back in the classroom and on the training range. The day-long session brought together all of CONREP’s instructors …

NORTH GRANBY, CT – It was 42 degrees Friday when someone in a car shouted at me, “It sure is a wonderful day for a ride.” With a big smile on my face, I replied, “It sure is.” The person’s motive in getting my attention was likely to get a picture …

NEWBURGH, NY – Even non-riders know the names of the best known motorcycle brands – Harley-Davidson, Honda and the revived Indian. Maybe not so much the likes of Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta or Motus. But names like Motosacoche, NUT and F.B. Mondial can bring blank expressions to the faces of …

BRIDGEWATER, CT – Exciting news on the adventure riding front here in the eastern United States. Backcountry Discovery Routes, in partnership with Butler Maps, has just released the MABDR, which stands for Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route. It’s BDR’s first east coast route and covers 1,080 predominantly dirt miles stretching through four …

NORTH GRANBY, CT – For days after that crazy Saturday night/Sunday morning, I waited impatiently for the results of the 100th running of the Crotona Midnight Run. I continually wondered if I was disqualified for missing a checkpoint when I wandered off-route. Checking the Ramapo Motorcycle Club’s Facebook page to see …