Comments on: Fleeting Summer and Melancholy Rides

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:07:52 +0000

So beautiful, Steve! Thanks for the pictures! We are having our maxi Scoot Rally next week in Cen. PA. One of the rides I have planned is along 120 then up Kettle Creek. Hard to plan a ride when you are not from the area but I think I found some good back roads for us to enjoy!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:55:26 +0000

karlu: Goes to show how there are a multitude of variations to the ride. Your climate is different enough to push my model into an uncomfortable place. Glad the cooler weather approaches for you.

I've not even begun thinking of shorter days. That's no fun...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:53:38 +0000

bobskoot: I am lucky where I am — lots of lonely roads with little traffic. Dumb luck on my part. If I lived in the city I suspect I wouldn’t have much interest in riding. Or would never have started.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:52:19 +0000

Dear Mr. Riepe: Riding by myself is at the top of my riding preference pyramid. The solitary activity allows for a level of attention not possible when having to pay attention to other riders. And I'm not selfish enough to just forget about them. Don't get me wrong, I like riding with friends, but I need to balance that out with some big doses of alone time.

Hope to see you riding this way someday...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:48:41 +0000

RichardM: You have lots of backroads where you are. Or maybe backcountry is the more precise description. They are a nice option to have!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:47:56 +0000

Martha Tenney: Seasonal changes have a way of triggering some kind of emotional shift. Not sure exactly what it is but the end of summer seems to be the most dramatic for me.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:46:58 +0000

Mr. Brilliant: Thanks for the kind words. Writing and making photos have become linked to my riding. Not sure if that's good or bad but it's the reality of things.

The withering heat you endure would keep me inside during the day for sure. Many notice the decline in posting here during the summer and I attribute it to heat. For me anything over 80F is hot.

The temps are much lower now. In the 50s this morning on the way to work. Much finer air for the riding soul in my opinion...

By: karlu

karlu — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:43:41 +0000

Steve, what a great little story...although at this time of the year I'm just beginning to think there may be some decent riding weather out here where the temperatures are rarely below 95 during May, June, July and August. So it's not with melancholy that I see the temperature drop, and the days become shorter, it's with joy!

And, in my advanced age, I remember lying on the floor listening to Fibber Magee & Molly, etc. on Sunday eves. Wow, how's that for long, long ago?

I continue to really enjoy your photography as well as your stories of riding the back roads of Pennsylvania.

karl u

By: bobskoot

bobskoot — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:50:40 +0000

Steve:

we don't have backroads like yours, which are very seductive. No wonder you like riding them. I also like the lack of traffic

bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube

By: Jack Riepe

Jack Riepe — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:41:56 +0000

Dear Steve:

I have been on the curving twisty road in the picture. I never forget certain stretches of road and my next thought when I saw it was, he's gotta be around the river. Sho' nuff.

I admire your ability to ride off by yourself, and just get lost in the trees. I will not be riding for another nine months, but when I do, I might try getting lost out your way.... Just not on gravel.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads