Up To Speed

WATERBURY, CT – With Connecticut slowly opening up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naugatuck Valley Community College will soon begin offering Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) motorcycle safety courses. N.V.C.C. will be the first CONREP site in the state to offer courses this year, beginning the weekend of …

It’s time again for TWIR – The Week in Review … for the week of June 21-27. TWIR is a compilation of national and regional news items that don’t warrant or receive a full post during the week for whatever reason, but are nonetheless worth sharing. Here goes: EICMA Canceled …

THOMASTON, CT – The popular riding trails behind the Thomaston Dam, which have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen to off-road motorcyclists on July 6. However, there will be restrictions: Parking will be limited to 30 vehicles in designated areas.Tail-gating and group activities will not be allowed.A …

OXFORD, CT – A pleasant word of warning about visiting the ice cream stand at Rich Farm. The portions are huge. First-timers need to beware of that before ordering a double scoop!  And be forewarned, too, about the flavors.  Rich Farm has some exclusive flavors that are creative both in …

MILWAUKEE – In a move that the company calls “normal business,” Harley-Davidson today announced that 140 jobs will be cut at its U.S. plants as a result of reduced production in these abnormal times. The layoffs will affect 90 production workers at its factory in York, PA and 50 more …

(Update: Jack Loughrey passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 8, surrounded by his family.) SUFFIELD, CT – Seated on a 2014 Ural Gear-Up, Debbie Howard gently used her fingertips to brush the thin hair atop Jack Loughrey’s head as he sat quietly in the adjacent sidecar. “It’s all …

ITASCA, IL – Fatality rates for motorists are rising in the U.S. even as miles driven plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. And, as yesterday’s story about the impact of speeding on roadway deaths suggested, the rise may largely be due to drivers ignoring posted speed limits. The National Safety Council …

If it seems like a lot of folks in New England like to speed that’s because they do, and their haste can quantified in the high number of speeding-related fatalities. The top state in the nation with speeding-relating fatalities? New Hampshire, with Rhode Island in fourth place and Vermont in …

MINNEAPOLIS – Heated seats to keep the bum toasty in chilly weather have been around for a while, but a seat designed to cool your can when the temperatures rise? Up until now an ice pack under the rump was probably the only rash solution, but Indian today announced an …

A majority of readers voting in RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England’s latest poll oppose companies, such as motorcycle manufacturers, taking public positions on high-profile issues. Results of the non-scientific poll showed 51 percent of voters saying “No way” to corporations being political in this manner. The poll was conducted between June …

It’s time again for TWIR – The Week in Review … for the week of June 14-20. However, being that it’s June 21, it is appropriate to begin by noting that today is the one-year anniversary of the tragic crash in Randolph, NH that killed seven members and supporters of …

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA – No matter the motorcycle that a rider buys, whether it be new, used, modern or classic, there’s bound to be an element or two on that bike that irritates. The dissatisfaction can happen immediately or develop over time. The seat might be too hard or a …

MYSTIC, CT – Connecticut’s eastern shoreline has much to offer riders; both in the way of destinations and scenic riding. And, of course, it has ice cream. Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream is one of the state’s better-known creameries. Nestled in downtown Mystic, it abuts the Bascule Bridge – a working …

CHICOPEE, MA – The life of a Chicopee police officer who died in an off-duty motorcycle crash on I-91 in Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon will be remembered with a candlelight vigil and calling hours this weekend. Angela Santiago, 33, who was school resource officer at Chicopee High School, was riding …

EAST WINDSOR, CT – A six-year veteran of the Chicopee Police Department in Massachusetts was killed in an off-duty motorcycle crash Tuesday afternoon on I-91 in Connecticut. She was riding with her twin sister at the time. Angela Santiago was killed about 1:30 p.m. in East Windsor. The crash happened …