Fjrwillie
Member
I headed to Vermont this last Wednesday to spend 3 days gathering points for the two Grand Tours I am participating in this season. The GLMC theme is Scenic Highways and Teamstrange's spots are based on the Butt-Lite rallies of past. Given all that I knew Mike, known as BLUEKNIGHT911, lived right in the heart of where I was going. I contacted him via private message to see if he wanted to meet up for a cup of coffee somewhere just so we could meet in person.
Mike offered his home for my couple nights stay which I took him up on. I offered to take him out to dinner, which he offered choices of meals for the 2 nights I would be there and insisted it would be better than any restaurant in the area, which there are quite a few.
I can not say enough good things about his hospitality for the two nights I was there. I felt at home the second I came into his home and never felt out of place. He meals, one of curry the other of shrimp scampi where simply outstanding.
The next day Mike followed me around patiently as I stopped during our 210 mile romp stopping along routes for road signs of scenic byways, a visit to the 45th parallel memorial in Richford, VT and places on the National Register of Historic Places. Most people would be inpatient with my shanigans of stopping so often on roads, not necessarily in the safest spot either, to capture a point here and there. Not once did Mike show any impatience and joined by pointing out some signs I may have missed.
I offered to buy him lunch which he refused, simply stating that I was HIS guest and it was not necessary to offer any sort of payback or feel the need to do so. He was more than happy to offer his home and cooking with no expectations other than I was to enjoy it. Somewhere on Lake Champlain we filled our tanks and told the attendant I was paying for both of our fill ups, which Mike said that was absolutely not necessary. The only way I got away with paying for his gas, was to say "let me do this so I don't fell guilty about the free ride I was getting".
I led most of the way on Thursday, but Mike took over at the base on VT-17 which is the road over the Appalachian Gap, a difficult road to ride at any speed due to the switchbacks and steep grade. Lets just say we would have been awarded Performance Certificates if there were any LEOs sharing the road with us. I have to say Mike is a SUPERB Spyder rider (I am sure he is equally adept on 2 wheels as well) as he ascended and descended the gap. I sort of stayed up with him, but I think he was not going a his full potential level and making sure he did not lose sight of me in his mirrors.
Mike's hospitality is second to none. If you ever have a chance, don't miss the opportunity to meet Mike in person. I guarantee it will be a memorable experience. I know it was one of the best motorcycling experiences I have had over the last 15 years since it took up riding again.
Willie
Couple pics from the day.
Mike waiting while I take a picture of the a Scenic Byway Sign.
Rouses Point Railroad Station in New York
At the top of the Appalachian Gap
The route du Jour
Mike offered his home for my couple nights stay which I took him up on. I offered to take him out to dinner, which he offered choices of meals for the 2 nights I would be there and insisted it would be better than any restaurant in the area, which there are quite a few.
I can not say enough good things about his hospitality for the two nights I was there. I felt at home the second I came into his home and never felt out of place. He meals, one of curry the other of shrimp scampi where simply outstanding.
The next day Mike followed me around patiently as I stopped during our 210 mile romp stopping along routes for road signs of scenic byways, a visit to the 45th parallel memorial in Richford, VT and places on the National Register of Historic Places. Most people would be inpatient with my shanigans of stopping so often on roads, not necessarily in the safest spot either, to capture a point here and there. Not once did Mike show any impatience and joined by pointing out some signs I may have missed.
I offered to buy him lunch which he refused, simply stating that I was HIS guest and it was not necessary to offer any sort of payback or feel the need to do so. He was more than happy to offer his home and cooking with no expectations other than I was to enjoy it. Somewhere on Lake Champlain we filled our tanks and told the attendant I was paying for both of our fill ups, which Mike said that was absolutely not necessary. The only way I got away with paying for his gas, was to say "let me do this so I don't fell guilty about the free ride I was getting".
I led most of the way on Thursday, but Mike took over at the base on VT-17 which is the road over the Appalachian Gap, a difficult road to ride at any speed due to the switchbacks and steep grade. Lets just say we would have been awarded Performance Certificates if there were any LEOs sharing the road with us. I have to say Mike is a SUPERB Spyder rider (I am sure he is equally adept on 2 wheels as well) as he ascended and descended the gap. I sort of stayed up with him, but I think he was not going a his full potential level and making sure he did not lose sight of me in his mirrors.
Mike's hospitality is second to none. If you ever have a chance, don't miss the opportunity to meet Mike in person. I guarantee it will be a memorable experience. I know it was one of the best motorcycling experiences I have had over the last 15 years since it took up riding again.
Willie
Couple pics from the day.
Mike waiting while I take a picture of the a Scenic Byway Sign.
Rouses Point Railroad Station in New York
At the top of the Appalachian Gap
The route du Jour
