Me and the Blonde: Gettin' Our Groove On
Monday, June 18, 2007 | 6 Comments I had a great opportunity for some guilt-free time with my baby this weekend. Yum-yum…
Several of us with mid-life issues (and the various toys to wallow in them) met early Sunday morning for a quick breakfast, and then a tour through the heart of Vermont on motorcycles and roadsters.
Look at them — you just feel like somebody’s gonna get hurt, don’t you?
Anyway, the plan was to crisscross the spine of the Green Mountains, from south to north, at least four times: Killington Pass, Brandon Gap, Middlebury Gap and Appalachian Gap. Here’s the actual route:
- U.S. 4 east out of Rutland;
- Vermont 100 north to Rochester;
- Vermont 73 west to Forestdale;
- Vermont 53 to Salisbury;
- U.S. 7 north to East Middlebury;
- Vermont 125 east to Hancock;
- Vermont 100 north to Waitsfield;
- Vermont 17 west to Bristol;
- Vermont 116 south to East Middlebury; and
- U.S. 7 south to Rutland.
The total distance is just over 157 miles; it took us just under four hours, mainly because these coots have to pee every twenty minutes.
The route is an adreneline-pumping race of endless s-curves, undulating straightaways and hairpin turns up, over and around mountains and slicing through remote gorges — and a constant reminder of what a physically beautiful state this is, and why the rest of the world is often drawn here.
This was taken from the top of the Appalachian Gap, looking west, just before we headed down the mountain. Into a massive downpour. With the top down. As it turns out, the faster you drive, the drier you stay…
Actually, it was the very first time that my beloved Blonde had ever had a raindrop touch her luminous skin.
Here she is, waiting for me demurely in the background:
You’re in corrupt company, honey.
Overall, a great day. Lots of fun, challenging driving; good company; and a gratuitous waste of carbon-based fuel.
Joe Fusco
Here’s a shout-out to Dick T., who correctly pointed out that I completely ignored the two-wheeled participants in this post.
This is a smokin’ red-hot Ducati that the rest of us had a difficult time keeping up with on those wet-noodley mountain roads; the only reason I was able to get this picture was I caught up to him as we had to slow down to fifteen miles per hour when we drove through a triathlon in progress on Vermont route 53.
Reader Comments (6)
Should be called the "Tour De Coot" for all the geezers out on the ride. Sort of Rutland's (and fittingly underrated) version of "Wild Hogs". Sort of tugs at your heart strings, don't it?
Oh, but it was just a good, solid way to waste some time in a quality way!
Thanks, Dave T. for guiding me to your "Boys gone Wild" blog. Looks like you were in good company and the beautiful scenery can't be beat!
Looks like an amazing time for friends and machines...is that a SOLSTICE...is that Joe Barone? It had to be FUN!!
Blessings Guys,
Chad
I'd love to go with you guys some day, but my I have four doors and theroof is permanently attached ;-)
Eric:
Speed and handling are the only requirements!