There were three destinations that were being championed. Dave wanted to go to the Tilted Kilt in Wethersfield, Margo wanted to go wine tasting at Bishops Orchard Store in Guilford and I wanted to go the Rockers Reunion at The Third Rail in Cromwell. We decided that I would pull off at the Rocker's Reunion while the others proceed to the Tilted Kilt and stop by Bishop's Orchard on the way home.
Dave lead us on a really nice back roads ride starting out with familiar like Rt.163 North past Rt.82, then left at the flashing yellow light on to Lake Road. This becomes Witter Road as we cross into Salem and Rattlesnake Ledge Road as we crossed Rt. 354 and finally Witch Meadow Road after a little jig on Rt. 85. This took us into East Haddam where the roads became so twisty, undulating and fun that stopped keeping track of the road we were on and really started enjoying the ride.
At one point Dave did manage to find a stretch of dirt road that was just as twisty and undulating with elevation changes. It was a bit of a challenge but everyone came through with flying colors. Somehow we came out onto Rt.9 North, past Middletown to Rt. 99 North into Cromwell where we easily found the Rocker's Reunion at about Noon.
We stopped in a small parking lot next to the Third Rail Pub where Dave was going to bid me farewell as they were going to continue on to the Tilted Kilt. I told him I changed my mind and would dine with the group at the Tilted Kilt and come back to the Rocker's Reunion afterwards. We pulled back onto Rt. 99 and found Mark was missing. Couldn't raise him on the CB or cell phone so Reuben went back to find him. Turned out Mark wasn't ready to eat just yet and had already paid the cover charge at the Rocker's Reunion. I decided to join Mark and so did Reuben.
It was at this point that Dave suggested going to Hooters in Newington instead of the Tilted Kilt. Randall was agreeable, so they took off.
There were a number of bikes and scooters parked in front of The Third Rail Pub, but all the action was out back. We were directed to the rear parking lot where we found food and apparel vendors, and all sorts of cafe racers. We made the rounds of the vendors, chatting with other attendees and checking out all the bikes. I had broken away from Mark and Reuben while taking photos and later found them at the bar.
We had spent about an hour at the event and the first band was only starting to get set up and there was no sign of dancers. The Rockers aren't as regimented at the NLMC and the event was expected to last all night. Or at least until they were kicked out. So it wasn't much of a surprise.
Custom Built Cafe Racer
With a Triumph engine
A Honda with Norton styled tank logo
Love to see a woman ride her own.
Check out the four into one exhaust
Tank says Monster (as in Ducati) but the engine is Honda
Norton
Triumph Thruxton
Yes, the Mods were represented.
Love the "Period Incorrect" sticker.
Norton and Triumph
Triumph Tiger
Ducati Diavel - Rode one at Americade last year. Ride one, you'll want one. Cafe Racer riding position with 160 hp.
Mark and Reuben had not been to the Kilt before, so I took the lead. I tried to keep watch of them following me but at one point I had gotten quite a bit ahead of them. When they caught up, Mark advised that he had slowed down when he saw a police cruiser. I never saw it.
The food at the Tilted Kilt was as good as I remembered it (love those garlic fries!) and the portions were generous. We had golf, drag racing, college football and both the Yankees vs. the Orioles and the Boston Red Sox vs. the Chicago White Sox; not to mention some very lovely and attentive waitresses. We could have been entertained there all day, but Moose Balls were calling to Mark so we hit the road.
Again, I was asked to lead with the request that we stay off the highway. We took Rt. 99 South where it ended at Rt. 9 South. We pulled off in Middletown and took the Arrigoni bridge over to Rt. 66. Right onto Rt. 151 in Cobalt. Here we hit some traffic for the first time today. There was a small car in front of a line of vehicles that appeared to be lost. Every time I thought he was going to turn off, he changed his mind. It became annoying. Finally he pulled off and we moved a little quicker, but not much. When we got to Rt. 82 I decided to pull off onto Mt. Parnassus Road and was dismayed when one of the cars in front of us decided to do the same. Fortunately they took pity on us and pulled over to let us pass.
I didn't know the name of the turn off I was looking for but I did know that it formed a triangle, so when I saw a similar intersection I decided to take it. Soon it became apparent that this was not the road I was looking for as we ended at a cul-de-sac. At this point Mark took the lead and the pace quickened considerably.
Down into the Devil's Hopyard we rode, paying our respects to Bubba Gowin and Rick Hazelet as we rode past the waterfalls. At one point we came to a dog leg in the road where Mark and Reuben discussed which way to go. We continued straight into another dirt road that was quite twisty and had some steep declines. It was great. I was impressed with how quickly and smoothly Mark rounded the corners and even more impressed with Reuben's ability to stay on his Six.
We ended up on Rt. 82 which lead to Rt. 85 South to Rt. 161 South to Butlertown Road where one left hander had my rear tire slipping out from under me, but I was able to hold it together and made the curve. This ended at Oil Mill Road and a left turn onto Parkway North where I had to kick it into top gear just to keep up. We looped around at Cross Roads to get onto I95 North towards Groton.
We got off at the first exit and pulled straight through onto North St., past Washington Park to Poquonnock Road and High Rock Road to Tower Road which skirts the Groton Airport. It was here that we had just missed a shower. The first evidence of rain we had seen all day. The road was quite wet, but just as my shins were starting to soak through, the road dried up again.
Right onto Rt. 1 East and right again at Groton Long Point Road (Rt. 215) continuing straight past the left hand turn that Rt. 215 takes to make the next left hander onto Marsh Road to pass the Spicer Marina. Making our way through a maze of short, narrow side streets to return to Rt. 215 and ride along Beebe Cove. Named for one of Mark's ancestors?
Back up to Rt. 1 in Mystic where we hit traffic for the second time today. For Labor Day in Mystic, it wasn't bad at all. Left onto Willow St. and left again on Rt. 27 (Greenmanville Ave.) up to the Mystic Diner. But the light at the intersection of Coogan Blvd. and the entrance to the diner was out and flashing yellow. Mark expertly lead us through the intersection, letting his intentions be known and not allowing a moments hesitation for the throngs of confused tourists to take advantage of.
Our joyful meanderings took longer than Reuben had expected, so he decided to head home from here. Mark and I found his regular seat at the counter and every waitress that passed knew him by name. Coffee and Moose Balls for two please and Mark treated once again. Thanks Mark! After a second cup it was time to go. A fitting end to another great Sunday Ride.
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