On Down the Road to Breakfast
Still, after tens of thousands of miles riding in central Pennsylvania, I remain infatuated with the long, rolling roads through our agricultural valleys. As breakfast destinations are often an hour’s ride away, the opportunity to ride on down the road through multiple valleys is common.
Apart from the times of day where people are rushing to work, these roads are sparsely traveled. It’s not uncommon to ride for ten minutes or more and not see another vehicle. And that might be an Amish horse drawn buggy.
It’s in this landscape my rides often begin.
Into the Forest
Traversing the mountains and valleys means winding roads through the forested mountains of Pennsylvania. The dramatic changes in scenery are part of my ongoing enchantment with riding here. So much remains to be seen that desire to venture farther to new parts of the country remain largely dormant.
My friend Paul Ruby and I were off to the Twilight Diner just 36 miles from home; Paul on his Honda CRF250L motorcycle while I enjoyed to luxurious comfort of my Vespa GTS 250. Having both the BMW K75 and the Vespa available to ride, it remains a toss up on which is more comfortable to ride. The only sure nod to the BMW would be for riding on the Interstate highways at speeds about 70mph. But for the meandering roads — not sure.
Judging Books by Their Cover
I’ll be frank — the outside of the Twilight Diner isn’t the most inviting facade. Almost to the point where a person may turn around and keep going down the road in search of an alternative eating establishment. But as seasoned, hearty, rough and ready moto-adventurers we parked the machines and got ready for breakfast.
How bad can eggs, toast and potatoes be?
The Twilight Diner
The inside of the diner did not match the rough exterior. It was a pleasant mix of retro Formica and stainless steel with menus typical of any diner one might find in central Pennsylvania. It did connect directly with a bar but early in the morning that wasn’t something to experience or witness.
The waitress was friendly and pleasant and the food was good. I wolfed down my typical road breakfast of scrambled eggs, home fries with onions and peppers, toast and juice. Writing that now I’m wishing I had eaten something this morning other than All Bran with Cheerios and a slice of toast.
The Twilight Diner, for me, is a pleasant, out of the way place with good food and the outside appearance promises to keep it a secret from most drivers and riders going down the road.
On Down the Road Again
The nice thing about riding in this part of Pennsylvania is the spiderweb of roads that afford almost endless route options to get anywhere. That means I seldom have to back track on any road if I don’t want to.
I stopped to witness another of the long threads of road I am so in love with. And knowing our route would climb over the mountain in the distance made it all the more exciting.
I’m easily excited.
Photo Stop
Paul and I are both photographers. He more prolific than I am if you don’t count the endless photos I make of the scooter and motorcycle made while riding down the road. We pulled across a little bridge on Elk Creek so I could answer a call of nature. When I walked back I saw Paul making a portrait of his bike with the creek in the background.
Never saw the photograph. It must not have been a keeper.
Cub Cadet Tractor Life
One small detour on the way home so Paul could investigate a double-bagger system for the back end of his mower to make leaf clean up easier. He led the way to his favorite place for all things tractor — the Millheim Small Engine and Hardware store. These hometown businesses have personality, character and offerings that you just don’t get when visiting the big box stores. The hardware end reminded me of the places I used to go as a kid with my father. The store even had that hardware store smell of fertilizer, metal and something else I can’t put a finger on.
Robbing Graveyards
I think Paul was hoping to find a used system to mount on the back of his tractor. The owner motioned us out a side door towards a barn where we could survey the used parts. There were lots of old bagger systems to choose from but unless you were an expert I doubt a person could retrieve the correct pieces to reconstruct a working system.
Old lawn machinery goes here to die.
Paul investigated pricing on a new system while I bought Kim a small bag of Amish-made kettle cooked barbecued potato chips. Always the thoughtful husband you know.
And from there a direct ride home to get on with our respective days.
As I think about breakfast at the Twilight Diner, the 76 mile round trip, stops along the way for tractors and photos, I realize what a treasure it is to be a rider. Not everyone rides this way but I have to believe anyone who ventures out on two-wheels on a regular basis will find the same satisfaction and recognition of how great it is to be alive. While the adage, “You never see a motorcycle parked at the psychologist’s office” may not tell the entire story, I venture to say that a person who embraces the riding life to some degree will find a steady tool to confront a lot of the things that are thrown their way.
What do you think?
Does riding down the road help keep the demons away?
Have you been to the”Choke & Puke Dinner” that is down in that area?
At first I thought this was a joke. A little Google research shows it to be real and just up the road from the Twilight Diner. I know the building but didn’t realize a diner was there.
I suppose I need to make another ride.
Demons for sure..I call it the noise level in my head..Nothing like a ride if only a short one to lower that 9 down to a 2 or 3 for me..Best medicine I know …Scooter therapy works !!!! Thanks a million for your posts and photos great medicine too. Don
I get the same effect. A ride is almost always quieting. Scooter therapy does work. Now that I’ve added a motorcycle to my choice or rides I’m exploring whether it has similar therapeutic value!
I always feel lighter after a good ride. Being one with my machine of choice puts me in a relaxed state of mind
That seems to be the case with me as well.
I was so envious of your ride i rolled Scoot, the million $ scooter, out of the garage and road a whopping 12 blocks for coffee and at my new favorite coffee shop. It was deserted, as it usual is on a Sunday morning, so I was able to let my mind wander the back roads of PA with you. It inspired me so much I doubled the mileage on the trip back home. (Having to save my riding time for Portugal you know.)
And, as always, thank you for a great start to what is going to be a great day for Nameste.
Glad I could inspire a little ride. Those early morning journeys to a coffee shop are a luxurious pleasure in my life. Glad I am satisfied with the simple things in life.
Riding in Portugal — that sounds wonderful. I think Quezzie is over there riding now. Perhaps you’ll cross paths with another U.S. scooter rider.
It sure does keep them away. Just today I was like meh maybe I don’t go riding, or perhaps just a short one.
Before I knew it I was in the flow and out of the familiar nearby busy roads. No room for bad thoughts… just enjoying the ride – those awful speed bumps here though… imagine people just sticking to the speed limit, we wouldn’t have these! Eventually ended up riding another 100km.
It must be really great to ride in Pennsylvania. Those meandering, slightly hilly roads without much traffic sound like riding heaven.
I’m familiar with the short ride turning into a much longer one. It’s an occupational hazard of riding.
Living in central Pennsylvania does afford me easy access to wonderful riding. Surprises me though how many riders never venture from the main roads where they can maintain higher speeds. Rushing to get somewhere I guess. Or maybe speed is really the draw rather than a contemplative view of the landscape. Different strokes and all…
“What do you think? Does riding down the road help keep the demons away?”
My answer: It depends on the road.
Interesting. I’m not sure the road choice makes much difference for me. I choose the slower meandering routes but I’ve ridden enough traffic clogged or high speed expressways to notice I still get some major relief from the demon clawing in my head.
Most of the time, any road will do, but some roads are clearly more…poetic than others.
Funny thing about taking a long-ish ride to breakfast: one of my fave dining establishments is directly across the street from the house; in fact, at my suggestion, one of the group rides the local scooter club had started with a trip there for breakfast, which for me was beyond cool. But I want to take a pre-meal ride of a decent distance before too long. Maybe the run through the Pine Barrens will do it for me.
But, yes, hopping on and taking off does wonders for my state of mind, whatever state it might be in beforehand. Even getting caught in a thunderstorm (it happened to me today–twice), I can still find reason to smile and laugh it off. I sometimes think that while you may still “meet the nicest people on a Honda”, you’ll likely meet some of the happiest people on a Vespa. 😉
Your first statement is spot on. Any road will do but there are indeed ones that are more poetic. There’s no end in poetic roads around here. Add special light and weather and even more venture into that territory.
Longer pre-breakfast rides are definitely my preference. Makes the stop to eat a lot more fulfilling.
We’re all shiny happy people!
I need to spend more time riding the country roads of Pennsylvania. I miss living in Lebanon County, and riding around Lancaster and the Amish community.
Those are nice areas to ride though they’re getting more and more crowded all the time. I shiver at times seeing the Amish buggies braving traffic on some of the main arteries.
Be well and ride safe!
When I look at that photo of me on the bridge shooting my Honda, I can’t help but wish it had fallen over off the bridge into the stream just as you snapped the shutter. That would have been something. Paul
That would have matched your idea of being photographed naked under the water on New Year’s Day at Bilgers Rocks. I think though it was probably good we did neither. At Bilgers Rocks the 10F weather would probably caused your heart to stop in the water. And on Elk Creek, you would have broken your back.
Maybe I need to learn how to draw.
I’ve seem people jump into icing water and not die (The Polar Bear Club) so I thought I wouldn’t die in the bottom of the icy stream. In a baptism ceremony of sorts I submersed my head in an icy winter stream. It knocked the wind out of me! I wont do it again.
We’re both getting too old to be thinking about ice water immersions.
Take me to that lawn mower graveyard. I saw something in that picture I must have.
Your wish is my command!
KD. That’s Milheim Small Engine Repair. See Henry the owner and he will fix you right up with old lawn mower parts.