Polar Bear Grand Tour Run to Schoch's Harley-Davidson on Dec.19, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the eighth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Schoch's Harley-Davidson on December 19, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to the CABIN 12/12/2010

Check out pictures and videos of the seventh motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the CABIN on December 12, 2010. We brought toys for the Children's Hospital.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Montgomeryville, PA on 12/5/2010

Check out pictures and videos of the sixth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Montgomeryville, PA on December 5, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Hillbilly Hall on Nov. 28, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the fifth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Hillbilly Hall at Hopewell, NJ on November 28, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Port Jervis, NY on Nov. 21, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the fourth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Port Jervis, NY on November 21, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Old Bridge, NJ on Nov. 14, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the third motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Old Bridge, NJ on November 14, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Lewes, DE 11/7/2010

Check out pictures and videos of the second motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Lewes, DE on November 7, 2010.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Cape May, NJ 10/31/2010

Check out pictures and videos of the first motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Cape May, NJ on October 31, 2010, Halloween.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - The Cabin

Check out pictures and descriptions of the eighth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to The Cabin in Howell, NJ on December 13, 2009. This was our annual Toy Run to benefit the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Montgomeryville Cycle

Check out pictures and descriptions of the seventh motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Montgomeryville Cycle in Hatfield, PA on December 6, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Schoch's Harley Davidson

Check out pictures and descriptions of the sixth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Schoch's H-D/Buell in Snydersville, PA on November 29, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Hillbilly Hall

Check out pictures and descriptions of the fifth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Hillbilly Hall in Hopewell, NJ on November 22, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Port Jervis, NY

Check out pictures and descriptions of the fourth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Port Jervis, NY on November 15, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Old Bridge, NJ

Check out pictures and descriptions of the third motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Old Bridge, NJ on November 8, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Lewes, DE

Check out pictures and descriptions of the second motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Lewes, DE on November 1, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Cape May, NJ

Check out pictures and descriptions of the first motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Cape May, NJ on October 25, 2009.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Port Jervis, NY Ride

Last weekend, the Polar Bear Grand Tour ride was to Port Jervis, NY. I was feeling a little under the weather so I opted to take the car instead. After this ride I drove to a special Thanksgiving party held by my GWRRA NJ-F (F-Troop) chapter at Old Man Rafferty's in Hillsborough, NJ.

I encountered few bikes on the road to Port Jervis as I passed through three states (NJ, PA, and NY) to get there. However, when I arrived, the parking lot was filled with bikes whose riders were waiting for the flight leaders to show up with the sign-in books.

Usually, I'm riding Jane's white trike in memory of her but the trike was in the shop getting two new U-joints installed. I plan to have it on the road for the run to Hopewell, NJ on November 23rd.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Old Bridge Ride

I've been a little behind in posting Polar Bear Grand Tour rides.

The first was to Cape May, NJ on October 26. The members of GWRRA Chapter NJ-F (F-Troop) accompanied me and waited while I took pictures.

The second ride was to Lewes, DE on November 2. This was a 360 mile roundtrip for me. I took six videos in addition to the usual pictures.

Last weekend, the ride was to Old Bridge, NJ, a staggering 26 mile roundtrip for me. I decided to stay for the complete sign-in from 11:30 to 1:30. I took four videos.

These Polar Bear runs will be helping me greatly to get through this winter season without Janie. She was always with me on these runs. Back in 1992 when I first decided to join the Polar Bears, I really didn't think she'd be interested in riding a motorcycle in freezing weather. But as soon as I brought up the idea, she said, "I want to do that too!" Thus began 16 years of winter riding, meeting hundreds of new friends and encouraging others to join the ranks of the Polar Bears.

I have dedicated this season to Janie. I'll be riding her white trike and displaying information about her Jane Ann Kern Memorial Web site where her life is discussed and her charities listed along with donation links.

God Speed Jane Ann. She loved polar bears, in general, and the Polar Bear Grand Tour, in particular. I hope you have some time now in your new celestial position to watch out for all of us and help us to stay safe.

Motorcycle Pastimes in the August Sun

It's been a slow week. Maybe people have finally decided to take a motorcycle vacation since gas prices are starting to inch downward again. Some have gone to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally but I hear that vendors and attendance there are taking a hit this year.

A lot of people are taking staycations this year. I guess I'm one of them. I have to save up to be able to participate in the Polar Bear Grand Tour that starts the last weekend of October. Gasoline for two trikes could end up costing $1000 for that six month tour throughout the winter. I take all the pictures at the various runs and maintain their website.

For those not out on their motorcycles, here's a few things you can do on my website:

• Take my Motorcycle Quizzes to test your knowledge of bikes.
  
• Play around with my online Motorcycle Jigsaw Puzzles. These puzzles use pictures I took on Polar Bear runs.
  
• Check out my Motorcycle Tattoos gallery. Got your own tattoo? Send it in.
  
• Look at my Women on Motorcycles gallery. Be inspired by women who ride their own motorcycles.
  
• Look at my Antique Motorcycle Ads gallery. See how motorcycles were advertised when they sold for only a few hundred dollars.
  

Now if only they had motorcycle racing or motorcycle trials in the 2008 Summer Beijing Olympics, there would be more to do.

Polar Bears, Bunnies, and Bikes Meet at the Chatterbox

The Polar Bear Grand Tour is winding down. Only three more events this season.

Last Sunday, the ride was to the Chatterbox, a circular restaurant at the intersection of Routes 206 and 15 in Augusta, New Jersey. Easter Sunday would be next weekend so no Polar Bear run would be made next week. That didn't keep the Easter Bunny away from the Chatterbox.

One never knows what to expect at an event like this. The weather had turned a bit cold and rainy and kept the attendance down. Those who did come found good food, an educational display in the center of the restaurant, and a bunny rabbit walking around and handing out candy. The display was the actual car used by the Pixar animators in making the movie, Cars. It was for the character "The King" (Richard Petty). I caught all of this in pictures and videos.

Take a look and listen to pictures and videos from the Chatterbox.