New Years Resolution #6, Sort of just got checked off the list

At the beginning of the year I had mentioned that I wanted to buy a house in another state. That was my number 6 new years resolution. You can view my list on that blog I wrote back in Jan by following this link. That said, I did not "buy" a new house, however I have moved out of state. So, I will sort of check that resolution off the list for now.

For those of you that do not know by now, my husband and I relocated to New York state, in an area called Broome County. It is known as the southern tier. It is a very different place than the Philadelphia area that I moved from. We are basically in an area where rural meets rural-suburbia (if that's a thing). For reference, the Philly area was more urban and/or urban-suburbia (if you will). As you can see, that means I have gone country.

Now "going country" is not a bad thing at all. It will just require some adjusting. I have been discovering that Uber doesn't exist here. I can't order Peapod or Amazon Fresh for home delivery. There is no railway system to take me to Binghamton or Ithaca or even Syracuse from where I live. Also, there are no reasonably priced flights to anywhere without selling your kidney first. In addition, there are General Dollar stores everywhere. Seriously, I mean everywhere. If you find you are in the middle of no mans land, don't worry, you are soon to see a General Dollar store.

This might sound like a terrible place to live to you. A place that is far out of touch with society. An area that perhaps is stuck in time compared to larger more progressive areas of this country. Well, there are some positives.

They have a lot of free WiFi hot spots, whether entering into a small village or town, or shopping at any one of your favorite retail giants. Traffic! Well that does not exist here. I was living in gridlock in Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. Going 3 miles took 15 minutes there or more. Now I just breeze through town without any blockades. Life is simple. There is no feel of the hustle and bustle that the larger city areas create. I feel like I can breathe again. Oh and that is another thing, fresh mountain air. No more allergies, or asthma issues. I consider that I huge win towards a better lifestyle.

Also, the roads! There are no pot holes! It's a miracle to say the least. Pennsylvania was like driving on the moons surface. You can see local tax dollars better spent in Broome County NY. In addition, the roads are beautiful for motorcycle riding or even just taking that Sunday drive in your car or truck.

Along the Susquehanna River in Owego, NY.

There are also tons of lakes for water activities. Some of the most popular are located in what is called the Finger Lakes region. That is located just north of where we moved. My husband and I love fishing and can't wait for the season to start next year. 

We visited Cayuga Lake, part of the Finger Lakes. This view point was in Ithaca, NY.

Now watching the sunrise over the mountains to our south, has seriously been the most amazing thing so far!

Sigh!

Not to mention the breweries and wineries that exist in this area. There are so many, that there are bus tours offered to both. Yes, you can't get around transit wise from city to city, besides the local public bus system, but you can get from brewery to brewery or winery to winery. How ironic right? I'm not complaining! There is a website called "New York Craft Beer". It is your starting point for what they call the "New York State Beer Trail". Who knew there were that many breweries in this area. Step aside Colorado! 

My visit to Ithaca Brewing Company. I loved their selection of craft beers!

As for wineries, there is a website set up called "New York Wines". Everything you need to know about the local wineries, where to find them, what events they are hosting and what awards they won. I have yet to go to any of them. However, this site has allowed me to map out the ones in my new backyard.

What ever the future holds for us here in New York, we at least welcome the new adventure. 

Cheers for now my friends! 

Good Moto Books to Cure the Winter Blues

For many of us that time is year is either creeping up or already here. The winter blues! For those of you in the warmer climates that might not really understand what winter truly means, it is days of endless snow or rain that freezes to ice and then leads to more snow build up. Yeah, that’s what we have to deal with. So for those days when you can’t see your trash can any longer due to the amount of snow covering it, you want to sit down, grab a book and nice warm brew and chill.

Funny thing, I typically ride in the winter, but the first sight of unmanageable snow and ice keeps me on 4 wheels instead 2. There are few good books that I have enjoyed over the years during those particular days. Some of these books take you on journeys around the world, some inspire you to do more than you think you can do, while some teach you how to think a different way about what you might already be comfortable doing.

One book I read a few years back was written by a friend, motorcycle journalist, and self-publishing guru, Carla King. The title of the book is “American Borders” and it is set back in 1995. It takes you through the trials and tribulations of Carla’s trip around the USA on a Russian Ural motorcycle. She was lucky enough to be a part of an R&D test that Ural was hosting at the time to prep its world renown sidecar bike for the American market. Her trip lasted about 4 months as she zigzagged in and out of Canada and Mexico during her circumnavigation around the United States. Well this trip sure as hell was not an easy one. From chapter to chapter there were many surprises and even romance along the way. This book has it all!

Another one of my favorites that you could probably finish in a day if the snow isn’t that bad, is “Going Small - A Guide to Lightweight Motorcycle Touring” by author, friend and public speaker Andrew Pain. What intrigued me the most about this book is that most people do argue that “bigger is better”. Andrew is out to prove that that is not true. That “Going Small” has far more benefits and he explains why.The book is jam packed with tips on saving weight, by breaking down packing techniques, cooking techniques and even making camping more simple. For those of you reading this thinking he's crazy, and you got it all figured out already, then I suggest you read “Going Small”. It might introduce you to something that you had never thought of before. It is a book you might want to hang on to, because it will come in handy as you read through some of my other suggestions. Oh and now keep an eye out for "Going Small 2.0".

Check out Amazon.com to buy- photo shared from Amazon

One day I hope to meet this next author and his traveling partner. We have been chatting over social media for a few years and have been intrigued with their travels for longer. This dynamic duo is Ara and his dog Spirit. They travel on a BMW GS1200/ Ural Sidecar rig and their adventures just never seem to end. Pick up a copy of “Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash: A Dog, His Man, Their Journey”, written by Ara Gureghian. Ara explains how the loss of his only son one day and his adaption of Spirit (the dog) a few days later changed his life forever. The book shares all their camping stories around the USA as they get lost in back country while soul searching their way across the horizon on a motorcycle. A great read that would get you through the winter and inspire you for a soul search of your own in the spring.

For those of you that seek adventure that you never want to come to an end, you may want to read an all time classic, called “Jupiter's Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph” by the man Ted Simon. This really is one book most folks have on their shelves or might even be a community book among friends. The book takes you along with Ted as he travels around the world through 45 countries and spends 4 years doing it. He experiences hardships, adventure, and meets all sorts of people along the way. His story takes place in the 1970's during wars and even revolutions. You might want to grab a blanket, a book light and larger cup filled with your favorite drink, because you will find yourself sinking deeper into your reading chair. This book is all inspiring to say the least and you will find yourself getting nothing else done for days on end, until you read it all the way through.

One last book to consider, that you might want to read hand and hand with “Jupiter's Travels”, is the “Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Guide”- Chris Scott. You do not have to have an adventure bike to read this. Just a sense for adventure. Chris details his riding journey through many parts of the world. He breaks down what to do and who to look for at borders, where you can find medical help, how to ship your bike to and from. Seriously, this book is packed with endless tips and tricks for travel that he found made his circumnavigation trips much more simple. Of course, there are critics out there that disagree with a lot of what Chris breaks down, but you have to take everything with a grain of salt. In the end, his guide is simply that, a guide. You may want to keep a pen and paper handy or perhaps a highlighter. This book will have you going back to it over and over again, just like Andrew Pain’s book “Going Small”.

Well my friends, I hope this collection of "Good Moto Books to Cure the Winter Blues" gets you through the winter in your neck of the woods. For those of you that never see the snow, I hope you can take the time from all those sunny days to slow down a bit and enjoy them as well. Cheers everyone! Ride safe and ride far!

Firstgear Heated Gear Review

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of trying out the Firstgear heated gear line. I have to say it was a love hate relationship. Here's what I used before I go any further:

• Women's Heated Waterproof-Breathable Jacket
• Heated Pant Liner
• Heated Socks (actually made by Warm&Safe)
• Glove Liners (I believe are also made by Warm&Safe)
• Heat-Troller (made by Warm&Safe)

As you can see I was prepared for a snow storm. Well, at least for a very chilly ride in the 30s down the Atlantic coast from PA to NC. I had tested the jacket with the glove liners a day before my trip to make sure all worked well. The following day I tested the pants and the socks, again all was well. When I started on my journey to North Carolina. I was approaching Dover, DE when the temperature began to drop. I hit the on button and WALLA.....nothing! Nothing at all! I realized the heat-troller I had didn't have enough wattage to run the whole darn suit. I was beyond pissed at that point. At the same time, as cold as I was, I really wasn't. 

(My eyes were closed, but here's a pic of the jacket)

Turns out the gear, even though not advertised, does help with wind protection. I honestly was amazed. When I pulled over to get some gas, I ended up disconnecting the bottom later and just keeping my core warm. Little did I know the jacket would become severally uncomfortable. There is heat around the collar and honestly there really doesn't need to be heat around the collar. I felt like I was going to burn my neck. The heat was so bad I ended up pulling over again and connect the bottom half instead. Boy was I a fool for that one! The pants in the thigh area were getting so freaking hot that it literally felt like someone was searing my leg with branding iron. I think if I had left the pants on I would have had third degree burns. The socks and the gloves were really the best part of the suit. The jacket being worn as a stand alone waterproof light weight riding jacket is pretty awesome too. Just not with the heat. Also, the wires, oh man the wires! There were so many wires in the jacket that they basically took up one pocket. Even in the pants the wires were annoying. The gloves and socks had a different type of technology. Seriously Firstgear or Warm&Safe (which ever you are) you need to work on the technology. Honestly, I would only recommend the glove liners.
What brand do you use? Love/hate? Let's here what you have to say about heated gear?