Alleghany State Park

Today, I was given permission by the significant other to 'ride all day'! Hey, that's great - so I did. I've been getting bored with the local rides and figured I'd give the US side a try. I know it's more hassle - I have to cross the border and then I have to deal with all the tolls and I don't yet have a speedpass for the bike. But, I went for it anyway and I really wanted to work on getting that first 800 kilometers out of the way.

I looked on the map and saw Alleghany State Park - hmm, sounds interesting and like it could be a good ride. Weather forecast called for clearing skies - it started off that way, although the wind was a bit blustery. The ride started with the 4000 RPM limit - which really stinks. Highway speeds are maxed out at about 100 kilometers an hour - sometimes I go over a bit but then when I can relax it I would.

The wait at the border must have been about a 1/2 hour - it's usually brutal on Saturdays with all the Canadians heading over to the US side to buy stuff for cheaper then we can get at home. I learned something while waiting in line - the new bikes clutch is easier to squeeze and easier on the hand and the neutral finder on the Kawasaki works great. Frequently, I just could not get the F650 into neutral now matter what I tried. Usually, shutting the bike off and roll it back and forth would do the trick. This picture is of me while I was waiting in line - I thought it made an interesting picture of the new bike.

After the border hassle and the toll plaza hassle, I finally made it into Buffalo at about noon. I was hoping to be able to quickly find a grocery store and get some lunch, some earplugs and some cash. I should have just used the GPS immediately but I figured I'd waste time and wander around aimlessly looking for a store. After about 1/2 hour of doing that I finally had the sense type in 'Wegmans' into the GPS and found out I had passed it near where I got off the freeway. I was rewarded with some earplugs (keep losing mine), a nice foccacia bread sandwich with roasted vegetables (yummy) and cash for those toll plazas. The sky was no longer clearing and more like over cast with threatening rain. I've ridden in rain plenty, so I was not concerned.

Moving back onto the highway the ride quickly transformed into a beautiful jaunt into the Alleghany hill country. The scenery was beautiful and the views jaw dropping. I've never been this way before and I'll have to visit more often, maybe do some overnight camping. I got turned around in Salamanca, even with the GPS due to a closed bridge - would have been nice if NYDOT had notified motorist of this fact earlier and gave clear signs as where to detour. Eventually, I made it into Alleghany State Park - I just pulled up to the entrance and turned around. The time was already getting late and I wanted to be home by 5:00. I returned whence I came back through the beautiful hill country and north bound to Buffalo. By the time I reached Buffalo - the skies were no longer threatening, they were now delivering rain and rain it did.

Finally reaching home at about 5:00 and with the cherished 800 kilomoters on the odo - I was ready for couch time with the dogs. It was a good ride - long and entertaining. Now, I can really start to ride this bike - although I have to keep it in check at 6000 RPMs until 1600 kilometers but that is a whole lot better than 4000 kilometers.


On the guitar front - I practiced for about an hour and half this morning. I'm getting much better at the metronome. With Ross's advice and using the EarTrainer Pro software - it's starting to come together. Just keep working at and I know I'll get this and get better at playing. I really love playing guitar.