We again went for the TomTom shortest route option to get ourselves to Sturbridge. Our current location. Another great days ride albeit a bit wet at times. The blue skies have been absent for a few days but we’ve done well by avoiding most of the showers. More luck than judgement I know but still a bonus.
The weather forecast is improving for the next little while and temperature last have picked up nicely as well.
A day with no riding today so a few bike checks will be in order this afternoon. Our tyres are getting fairly worn now, the tears are fairly square and the fronts have stepped a bit. Hopefully they’ll see us to the end.....
That’s it for now, next stop Norton to go to a Rodeo. Yeeha!!
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
North America, First and Second.
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DavidS
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Re: North America, First and Second.
I really don’t know how you coped with the fast food culture in North America. We were despairing after a few days.
As you said though, New England seemed a bit more ‘normal’. Maybe even a bit more NZ like. It’s certainly a different world there.
We mostly bought rolls and meat or cheese for lunch in Metro supermarkets after giving up completely with Tim Hortons and McDs after a couple of weeks. We drank an awful lot of apple juice though.
We found a few covered bridges in Quebec as well, which surprised us a bit. Love the fine for speeding.
As you said though, New England seemed a bit more ‘normal’. Maybe even a bit more NZ like. It’s certainly a different world there.
We mostly bought rolls and meat or cheese for lunch in Metro supermarkets after giving up completely with Tim Hortons and McDs after a couple of weeks. We drank an awful lot of apple juice though.
We found a few covered bridges in Quebec as well, which surprised us a bit. Love the fine for speeding.
2023 Husqvarna Norden 901
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Norton, Bulls and Cod.
Norton has nothing to do with motorbikes, apart from the fact that we rode ours for the short ride from Sturbridge to there. Norton that is, is Massachusetts.
The journey was only about 60 miles so once again we made a bit more of it by taking the small roads through more wonderful countryside. More beautiful trees.....until we got to the towns that make up the urban sprawl around Providence.
It didn’t take me long to make the connection to the congestion in the southeast of England. We’ve spent so little time riding in built up areas and as our return date to the UK gets closer it got me to thinking......what’s living in somewhere like Cumbria or Lincolnshire like?
Anyway, Norton. We went to Norton because of the New England Rodeo. It was their championship deciding event.
It was also bloody cold, only 4 degrees by the time we wobbled back to our hotel at 9.30pm. Luckily we didn’t encounter any deer or other highway wanderers. Apart from one cyclist without lights.
The Rodeo. Kids as young as 7 on little calf’s. The girls and ladies don’t ride the bulls, they ride speed events on horses around 3 barrels set out in a triangle. Having to make super tight turns as they circle each barrel in turn before galloping to the finish line. Fast and exciting.
The boys on the baby bulls were certainly in to it. Spending loads of time getting their ropes and other equipment ready. There was a super competitive Dad, a lad knocked out and lots of cheering and Yee-haas!
Then the blokes and the full grown bulls got to have a go. Getting a rider on to a bull and everyone and everything in place before the gate was pulled open took a lot longer than the ride itself. 800kg of prime beef desperately trying to rid itself of an unwelcome passenger. Bugger that!!
One guy got thrown and kind of landed on the metal fencing. It looked like it hurt but he was all smiles within a couple of minutes.
They try to stay in for 8 seconds, if they make that they get scored on style and whatever else the in ring judges are looking for. I think that we were the only ones that didn’t really understand it.
Still, Bugger That!!
The Rodeo Clown was funny. The hotdogs were actually quite nice.
With entry and a bit of food another 50 bucks has gone. As low key as the event seemed to us compared to some of the top action you can see on YouTube it was well worth the time, effort and spend to go to Norton and see it.
That just leaves the Cod from my opening line.
Cape Cod. That’s where we are now. A lovely sunny day although we just rode in the main roads today. Even a bit of Interstate. Maybe we’ll stay here a day or two.....?
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
Norton has nothing to do with motorbikes, apart from the fact that we rode ours for the short ride from Sturbridge to there. Norton that is, is Massachusetts.
The journey was only about 60 miles so once again we made a bit more of it by taking the small roads through more wonderful countryside. More beautiful trees.....until we got to the towns that make up the urban sprawl around Providence.
It didn’t take me long to make the connection to the congestion in the southeast of England. We’ve spent so little time riding in built up areas and as our return date to the UK gets closer it got me to thinking......what’s living in somewhere like Cumbria or Lincolnshire like?
Anyway, Norton. We went to Norton because of the New England Rodeo. It was their championship deciding event.
It was also bloody cold, only 4 degrees by the time we wobbled back to our hotel at 9.30pm. Luckily we didn’t encounter any deer or other highway wanderers. Apart from one cyclist without lights.
The Rodeo. Kids as young as 7 on little calf’s. The girls and ladies don’t ride the bulls, they ride speed events on horses around 3 barrels set out in a triangle. Having to make super tight turns as they circle each barrel in turn before galloping to the finish line. Fast and exciting.
The boys on the baby bulls were certainly in to it. Spending loads of time getting their ropes and other equipment ready. There was a super competitive Dad, a lad knocked out and lots of cheering and Yee-haas!
Then the blokes and the full grown bulls got to have a go. Getting a rider on to a bull and everyone and everything in place before the gate was pulled open took a lot longer than the ride itself. 800kg of prime beef desperately trying to rid itself of an unwelcome passenger. Bugger that!!
One guy got thrown and kind of landed on the metal fencing. It looked like it hurt but he was all smiles within a couple of minutes.
They try to stay in for 8 seconds, if they make that they get scored on style and whatever else the in ring judges are looking for. I think that we were the only ones that didn’t really understand it.
Still, Bugger That!!
The Rodeo Clown was funny. The hotdogs were actually quite nice.
With entry and a bit of food another 50 bucks has gone. As low key as the event seemed to us compared to some of the top action you can see on YouTube it was well worth the time, effort and spend to go to Norton and see it.
That just leaves the Cod from my opening line.
Cape Cod. That’s where we are now. A lovely sunny day although we just rode in the main roads today. Even a bit of Interstate. Maybe we’ll stay here a day or two.....?
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
To answer your question of how do we cope with the food DavidS.
You just go for the half stack when having Pancakes!!
In my defence they had banana in them, so that’s OK, right?
You just go for the half stack when having Pancakes!!
In my defence they had banana in them, so that’s OK, right?
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
A selection of blurry Rodeo pictures.
Preparing the arena.
Everyone loves a tractor.
Preparing the arena.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Little kids, big heart!
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Bugger That!
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
And That!
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
And of course, Bugger That Too!
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