"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The rolling countryside in East Marlborough Pennsylvania.    

     One of my favorite motorcycles in the Honda GL500 Silverwing. Mine is a 1981 model that has just over 31,000 miles on it. I bought it about 12 years ago. It had less than 6,000 miles on it. The reason I bought it was that my wife and oldest daughter had gotten their motorcycle licenses, and I wanted them to have a safe, reliable bike to ride. Ultimately they felt it was too big so it became my bike. It is a great bike. It is water cooled, shaft drive, electronic ignition, gets over 50 mpg, and it has a wonderful exhaust note. The kicker is that I paid $1,500 for it!

One of the beautiful homes along PA 82 on the way to Coatesville.

     When I looked at it on E-Bay I enlarged the pictures and looked closely at the motor, wheels, and those areas on the bike where rust might be. From the pictures it was clear the bike had been well cared for. Now, 12 years later, it has a few blemishes but still looks good from a distance.

A well preserved covered bridge in Rural Pennsylvania.

     From my house it is a short ride up to PA 841. A right turn and I am on curvy rural Pennsylvania roads that lead through West Grove PA up to PA 82. A left turn there and I am on my way north to Coatesville PA. There are many side roads along the route, one of which leads to the rustic covered bridge pictured above.

Parked near the picnic area in French Creek Park.

     The exhaust system of the Silverwing features long mufflers which give the bike a throaty exhaust note. The power band of the motor allows you to stay in 5th gear down to 30 mph, and accelerate up to the top speed of the motorcycle. As you roll the throttle on the exhaust note gets deeper, really adding to the enjoyment of the ride.

Colorful canoes by the lake in French Creek State Park.

     I ride through Coatesville, continuing on PA 82, across US 322 by Brandywine Manor, until I hit PA 345. Up PA 345, across PA 23 until I reach the entrance to French Creek State Park. An hour or so sitting at a picnic table, reading a good book on the I Pad, then I retrace my route back home. Another  very nice ride on a very nice motorcycle through scenic Pennsylvania. Now, which bike should I ride next time?

At a town called Bayport on the west coast of Florida last year. Doesn't look bad from 10 feet away!