Gettysburg was indeed a worthwhile experience, and afforded me a much greater understanding of the American Civil War (1861–1865) between the United States (the "Union") and the eleven "Confederate" Southern states. I'm glad I went.However, I have signed-up to attend the annual NJSTOC (New Jersey Sports-Touring Owners Club) meeting that runs from Friday, 20 -to- Sunday, 22 of July. So the time has arrived to 'put-up or shut-up' and make the return 175 mile (282 km) north-easterly journey back to New Jersey ... precisely in the opposite direction of my intended overall tour route!
At 9:30am I'm at the pre-arranged rendezvous point - The Port Jervis Diner where the 'Friday-Riders' muster-up before the 10:00am kick-off
I'll confess that I've been a little nervous about the prospect of meeting 'friends' that hitherto I have only ever known and seen by viewing my computer's monitor - through the media of a couple of motorcycling discussion forums, which exist only on the hard-drives of [normally to me] overseas servers .. all out there, somewhere, in cyberspace 
The one tangible that we all indisputably have in common though is the passion for our motorcycles. Call 'em "ST1300s" or "Pan-Europeans" - it doesn't really matter at the end of the day; there's very little difference between the two. One thing's for sure is we all know and appreciate that no other motorcycle in the world looks, sounds or rides quite like them ... 
.. they are indeed a unique example of motorcycling design and engineering brillianceAfter a 170-mile (274-km) ride around the varied terrain and roads of New Jersey and Pennsylvania we eventually return to our pre-reserved motel lodge-rooms located back in New Jersey, just north of the township of Andover. I am flattered that the main forum's meeting banner is conspicuously displayed outside my room and over my trustworthy silver pan-machine
Saturday, July-21
Today's 210-mile (338-km) ride was conducted in perfect riding conditions; the temperature never dropping below 20ºC (68ºF), or rising above 25ºF (77ºF) throughout the whole 8-hour riding day; hardly a breath of wind either in dry, very low humidity air (for the time of year) ... just a purrfeckt riding environment. But the road route, however, was even more varied and demanding than yesterday's; the route designers had excelled themselves and even thought of throwing in a half-decent stretch of loose gravel, just for good measure ... thanks-a-bunch fellas! .. :o(Saturday evening/night
Plenty of good food at the end of the day in the Italian Bar-Restaurant next to the motel - all washed down with even more alcoholic beverages. A good quality and relaxing time was had ... 
.. by all
There's my room-mate, on the far left of the pic .. Tom Regan [aka: 'TRNewton' & .. er 'Tom Regan' on the my-mc.com site], who kindly, and without question, shared equally the cost of my pre-booked double-bedded double-room tariff for two whole nights, thus easing my thinly-spread tour exchequer .. just a useful bit. Thanks Tom .. You're a pal, despite the hog-like snoring! Thanks again too for the well thought-through prezzy of a brand new pair of earplugs .. ;o)Sunday morning, July 22
I've had this idea, knocking around in my head, for a while now. I wanna make another short movie - prolly no more than 3½ minutes long in duration - the contents and composition of which will be dedicated to this NJSTOC weekend. To fulfil my ideas I set-up my camcorder and ... 
.. I need four willing actors to take part in the opening title sequence. Thankfully, there is no lack of volunteers - AND they even know what I have in mind .. and precisely what they're letting themselves in for ..... BUT I had no idea that a covert cameraman was filming me .. filming them!
[click twice on the forward play arrow above]
After 'TAKE TWO' we hastily review the 'rushes' - and I get the BIGGEST smile and ...
THE BIGGEST laugh that I've had on this trip so far .. by far!
The last round-up, and it's time for a last cuppa summin' at the last Diner I'm likely to patronise in New Jersey for a long, long time. There's Steve [aka: 'SteveST1300'] on the LH side, who is one, probably the main, organiser of this event.
Our waitress, although as you can see is a little self-conscious, is typically polite and very helpful. She typifies the standards of service that I encounter everyday here in the USA. Workers in the British and the wider European service industry, have a lot to learn from their American counterparts!
I have indeed had a great time at the NJSTOC Meeting.Made some great friends too. Like Dennis [aka: 'pretbek'] the Dutchman, who besides being a BIG burger fan, is also a real gentleman and a terrific ambassador for the European People ...
.. and Todd [aka: 'Kempo-STer'] with his young daughter Emily .. THE absolute life and sole of any party 
Yes indeed, I have met some great folks and cultivated some great friendships. I'm glad I went here too.
What's more?! I go away with some useful souvenirs that will remind me of 2007 NJSTOC Meeting. Besides a commemorative badge, I am gifted:
- A baseball cap. Now I really DID want and have been looking for one of these - especially to wear on my 'bad hair' days! .. ;o)
- Exclusive key rings that have been immediately put into service; thus replacing my STealers complimentary ones that I used to growl at every time I remembered how those buggers ripped-me-off more than once over routine servicing charges .. grrrrr!
- And a unique - but not-very-practical-for-its-intended-purpose-for-a-Brit-type-person - motorcycle registration plate surround-holder. I shall use this to frame a print of the image above the one above.
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And finally, A BIG THANKS to everone at NJSTOC 2007 ... for taking me in .. and making me feel sooooo welcome.
See y'all soon chaps [and chapesses].. ;o)
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Now it's time to go see Washington DC. The Nerve Centre - the absolute Pinwheel of ... 'THE LAND OF THE FREE'
