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 ...
