The purpose of our trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country was to meet my college roommate, Tom, and his wife for lunch at Yoder’s Country Market and Restaurant in New Holland. Some shopping was also planned.
Since we had plenty time for our trip in the morning and it was forecast to be a hot day, I selected a route consisting of back roads and state highways to take advantage of the refreshing and cooler temperatures created by shade along the route.
The route consisted of many roads, too numerous to mention. However here are a few I would like to comment on:
1) Mountain Road (Marker A to B) – A very scenic cruising road that is a good connector between SR 309 and the Lehigh Gap (Junction SR’s 248, 145, & 873). The Blue Mountain to the north provides a continual scenic backdrop.
2) Werley’s Corner Road (Marker C to D) – This back road provides some wonderful riding, whether on 2 0r 3 wheels. Well kept farms and homes dot the entire route and traffic was minimal.
3) SR 568 (Marker E to F) – 568 is a real gem. May be one of the best motorcycle roads in the Reading area. Curve after curve after curve! It appears that the road was laid out before safety engineers got involved. 568 follows the natural terrain, which provides the curves and some whoop-de-do’s. With a narrow roadway and many blind spots, you need to be on your toes.
Overall, the route down to New Holland took some time but it provided a varied and interesting ride, which any motorcyclist would appreciate.
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This was the first time that we have dined at Yoder’s (Marker G) and it didn’t disappoint. We all took advantage of the $10 lunch buffet, which included everything you expect from a well-stocked buffet. The food was excellent and the dining area was very clean. Yoder’s Restaurant is highly recommended in my book.
Besides the restaurant, Yoder’s also includes a very large country market plus a couple of small shops. After lunch, the wives took advantage of this opportunity to do some shopping while Tom and I spent the time in conversation.
After Yoder’s we headed to the Flower & Craft Warehouse (Marker H, map above) in Blue Ball. More shopping and conversation. By this time it was late afternoon and since Tom and his wife had a several hour ride to return home, we parted ways till our next rendezvous in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
For the route home I selected some tried and true roads and one, which was new.
First I backtracked on SR 625 (Marker B to C, map below) and rode it for it’s entire length up to Kenhorst. With out a doubt the best portion is north of SR 568, which had plenty of shade, a smooth tarmac, and nice scenery along Noide Forest State Park.
From there is was onto US 422 & US 222, a 4-lane beltway around Reading, with it’s ‘rush hour’ traffic. When US 222 turned into a 2-lane congested highway, I decided to try Maiden Creek Road (Marker D to E) for the first time in an effort to avoid all the traffic. It turned out to be a wise choice. Traffic was light and the road was in good condition. At the eastern end, Maiden Creek Road terminates at a crossroads with SR 662 and SR 143.
SR 143 (Marker E to F) is one of my favorite roads. South of I-78, it has a good number of sharp curves but the road surface is rough in some sections. North of I-78, 143 has a different character with sweeping curves, smooth tarmac, and wonderful scenery provided by the Maiden Creek. In any case the entire route is a great motorcycle road.
After SR 143 it was a final stretch on some familiar roads back home.
A very hot ride in the afternoon, but a wonderful day of motorcycling, food, and conversation.
Total mileage for the trip was 180 miles on some great motorcycle roads.
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunrise Mountain, NJ
The destination for today is Sunrise Mountain, the tallest peak in New Jersey as I understand it.
First I met other members of the Red Knights Firefighters Motorcycle Club, PA Chapter 18 at Polk Township Fire Department for breakfast. Then it was off for a group ride.
We took US 209 and I-80 into New Jersey and got off the 'superslab' at Exit 4 and picked up NJ 94 north. At Blairstown we proceeded on CR 521.
521 has got to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the Highlands Region of New Jersey. It has everything a biker looks for in a road; beautiful scenery, plenty of curves, a smooth tarmac, and light traffic for the most part. 521 also provided one of the highlights of the ride. While traveling along the Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area, we came across, you guessed it, 2 black bear crossing the road. As we approached, they split up with one scurrying to the left and the other to the right. No opportunity to stop and take a photo darn it!!
At the end of 521 it was a left on US 206 for a short distance, a right on CR 636, and then a quick left on Sunrise Mountain Road.
Keep in mind that Sunrise Mountain Road is one-way from south to north and is a one lane thoroughfare through Stokes State Forest. A spur takes you to a parking lot near the summit of the mountain. A walk up a narrow, rocky path delivers you to it's peak where you can feast on spectacular views of the New Jersey Highlands and the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
After the climb to the summit and some socializing with other motorcyclists, we continued on Sunrise Mountain Road which terminates at CR 650. 650 is a great road that has been repaved within the last couple of years.
Our final route before getting back on the 'superslab' was CR 519. 519 rivals CR 521 in many ways (except for a stretch in Warren County which had a rough surface) and the two roads, along with CR 650, provide a wonderful loop for a day trip.
About 4 mile south of CR 650, 519 takes you through the village of Beemerville (Anyone for a ride between Beemerville and Harleysville, PA?). A little further south we stopped in Branchville for lunch at the Upper Sports Deck Restaurant. I had their chili which was very tasty, especially the cheese topping. Everyone else enjoyed their meal as well.
519 then took us to Hope where we jumped on I-80 for the trip back home.
Sunrise Mountain is highly recommended as a destination for its striking beauty and the great roads in the area. The New Jersey Highlands didn't disappoint.
Total distance for the day was 173 miles.
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First I met other members of the Red Knights Firefighters Motorcycle Club, PA Chapter 18 at Polk Township Fire Department for breakfast. Then it was off for a group ride.
We took US 209 and I-80 into New Jersey and got off the 'superslab' at Exit 4 and picked up NJ 94 north. At Blairstown we proceeded on CR 521.
521 has got to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the Highlands Region of New Jersey. It has everything a biker looks for in a road; beautiful scenery, plenty of curves, a smooth tarmac, and light traffic for the most part. 521 also provided one of the highlights of the ride. While traveling along the Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area, we came across, you guessed it, 2 black bear crossing the road. As we approached, they split up with one scurrying to the left and the other to the right. No opportunity to stop and take a photo darn it!!
At the end of 521 it was a left on US 206 for a short distance, a right on CR 636, and then a quick left on Sunrise Mountain Road.
Keep in mind that Sunrise Mountain Road is one-way from south to north and is a one lane thoroughfare through Stokes State Forest. A spur takes you to a parking lot near the summit of the mountain. A walk up a narrow, rocky path delivers you to it's peak where you can feast on spectacular views of the New Jersey Highlands and the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
After the climb to the summit and some socializing with other motorcyclists, we continued on Sunrise Mountain Road which terminates at CR 650. 650 is a great road that has been repaved within the last couple of years.
Our final route before getting back on the 'superslab' was CR 519. 519 rivals CR 521 in many ways (except for a stretch in Warren County which had a rough surface) and the two roads, along with CR 650, provide a wonderful loop for a day trip.
About 4 mile south of CR 650, 519 takes you through the village of Beemerville (Anyone for a ride between Beemerville and Harleysville, PA?). A little further south we stopped in Branchville for lunch at the Upper Sports Deck Restaurant. I had their chili which was very tasty, especially the cheese topping. Everyone else enjoyed their meal as well.
519 then took us to Hope where we jumped on I-80 for the trip back home.
Sunrise Mountain is highly recommended as a destination for its striking beauty and the great roads in the area. The New Jersey Highlands didn't disappoint.
Total distance for the day was 173 miles.
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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Hunterdon County, NJ
On a chilly but beautiful day, my wife and I set out to explore some of the roads in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Leaving I-78 at Exit 11, we picked up Van Syckels Road which goes past Spruce Run Recreation Area. Nice back road with light traffic. NJ 31 and US 22 then took us to Lebanon and CR 629 south. 629 cruises past Round Valley Recreation Area and provides some wonderful curves. Reaching CR 523, we headed south for Stockton.
Along the way we stopped in Flemington to stretch our legs. Cute little town with nice shops. Had some coffee at The Great Lodge where we sat on comfortable chairs and enjoyed the sun beaming in.
It was lunchtime when we arrived at Stockton. We decided to eat at Meil's Restaurant which turned out to be a great choice. On weekdays they have several 3-course meals on the menu for $18, which includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and a beverage. The food was excellent.
After Sue did a little shopping, we headed for home. Our first route was CR 519 north to Milford. Here again, this was a good example of New Jersey's well maintained roads. Also very little traffic and beautiful scenery. In Milford I gassed up before crossing the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.
PA State Routes 32 and 611 then provided a scenic cruise along the river. SR 32 between Narrowsville and Kintnersville has been re-surfaced recently after damage from floods. North of Kitnersville, I decided to take SR 212 and SR 412 up to Bethlehem. Nice route, however, traffic became very heavy in Hellertown, so I jumped on I-78, then made my way back home on some familiar roads.
All in all a great day in Northwest New Jersey, one my favorite areas to ride.
Total distance for the ride, 172 miles.
Map of route from I-78 in NJ to Hellertown, PA.
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Along the way we stopped in Flemington to stretch our legs. Cute little town with nice shops. Had some coffee at The Great Lodge where we sat on comfortable chairs and enjoyed the sun beaming in.
It was lunchtime when we arrived at Stockton. We decided to eat at Meil's Restaurant which turned out to be a great choice. On weekdays they have several 3-course meals on the menu for $18, which includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and a beverage. The food was excellent.
After Sue did a little shopping, we headed for home. Our first route was CR 519 north to Milford. Here again, this was a good example of New Jersey's well maintained roads. Also very little traffic and beautiful scenery. In Milford I gassed up before crossing the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.
PA State Routes 32 and 611 then provided a scenic cruise along the river. SR 32 between Narrowsville and Kintnersville has been re-surfaced recently after damage from floods. North of Kitnersville, I decided to take SR 212 and SR 412 up to Bethlehem. Nice route, however, traffic became very heavy in Hellertown, so I jumped on I-78, then made my way back home on some familiar roads.
All in all a great day in Northwest New Jersey, one my favorite areas to ride.
Total distance for the ride, 172 miles.
Map of route from I-78 in NJ to Hellertown, PA.
View Larger Map
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