The
Delaware Valley Norton Riders held their 19th annual 'Gathering' at historic
Washington Crossing State Park, which is neither in Delaware or Washington, but Pennsylvania. Having grown up in the great big state of California, it was novel crossing state lines several times in the course of a 75-mile ride from Manhattan to rural
Bucks County.
The countryside, once we broached the vast conurbation of NYC, was still struggling into Spring, with trees yet branchy on the hillsides barring the occasional wild pink cherry, and bulbs throwing caution aside in clumps of brilliant yellow and white. The threatened rain didn't, and a warm muggy day was our reward for venturing out amongst the valleys and rivers of New England's rolling hills.
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| The universal moto-greeting...done differently in every country. In the US, its a low-key wave, maybe just two fingers, while in France one waggles a foot |
I didn't hear an official count, but the Gathering is the first official Vintage event of Spring, and riders hungry for an excuse to bring out old iron take up the cause in droves, with typical attendance of 600ish bikes, which seemed about correct. Vintage machines formed a nucleus on tarmac within the park, with more modern machines spread among the grass and trees in frankly prettier circumstances, and a walk to the 'other' areas revealed many a bashful old machine set alone to bask quietly in the sun.
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| 52 Nortons at last count, including ES2s, Dominators, Atlii, Commandos, Kenny Dreer bikes (as above), and a solitary New Norton for display |
The Internet is a modern boon for riding buddies, and notices in the
NYCVinMoto and
NYC Britbike riders e-groups made it easy for a complete stranger (albeit one with a distinctive website) to find like-moto'd company for the highway. Thanks for keeping the freeway cruising speed down for my little Triumph Daytona, gents...
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| I've never had an issue with blued pipes per se; they're pretty |
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| My '73 Triumph Daytona 500cc, the smallest bike on our ride...but totally reliable |
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| A beautifully restored Norton Dominator 88 in wideline featherbed frame and chrom tank, ca.1955/6 |
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| The poetry of gear... |
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| The fellow in blue brought 7 bikes of his own, by inviting 6 friends to ride with him! Generous... |
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| The evocative cockpit of a Laverda SFC production-racer |
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| The equally evocative triple-pipes of an X75 Hurricane |
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| A gleaming Triton, acres of polished alloy... |
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| ...offering a clear reflection! |
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| Definitely rare and desirable; a 1928 Scott TT Replica, the hottest Scott around, which handles perfectly, and sounds amazing on the boil... |
3:39 PM
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