Disappearing Buffet but Snow in the Background

CT Bears in Long Valley, NJ. Snow in the background is rare for this season.
From left: CT Blogger, Captain, Thumper and Pogy down front.

Polar Bear Motorcycle Blog, Polar Bear Grand Tour, ride to Long Valley Pub, Long Valley, NJ, March 3, 2019.

By: Chris Loynd
Photos by: Chris Loynd and Grand Tour Photographers Gary Rosen and Bernie Walsh.

Turnabout is fair play. So this week, Pogy took the lead and I was sweep. All-in-all, I thought the ride was pretty smooth. Only Captain was tucked between us. Grumpy and Anonymous Ed were at Daytona Bike Week. With just three of us, lane changes should have been a breeze. Perhaps my only complaint was that our leader tended to hang out in the left lane a bit too much. As sweep that gets a bit challenging because cars backing up behind us tend to get a bit testy.

Twenty miles of matching speed with a FedEx truck on I-287 was a bit much. Every now and then, Pogy eventually noticed the cars zooming up on the right and then cutting him off. Then he'd move over to the middle lane.

When I had the opportunity, I tried to suggest lane changes from the back by moving over. But with only three bikes in line, drivers were moving into my space behind Captain. I ran the risk of being trapped and separated from our group. I also think Pogy's mirrors may not be working.

After observing Pogy in his truck on the following Sunday (see next week's blog) I think I understand. He's one of those Connecticut drivers who figures the left lane is best and safest for all circumstances. Grumpy is one too. And on Connecticut's congested interstate, it's hard to argue. But using Connecticut lane strategy on New Jersey's I-287 or Garden State Parkway is like applying Mad Max rules to the Natchez Trace Parkway. (That's a wonderful ride, by the way. If you ever find yourself in Mississippi with time on your hands, I highly recommend it.)

By the way, a tip for car drivers, flipping the bird at us as you drive by really does not change anything, especially when directed to the sweep rider. When I first moved to Connecticut I battled road rage fighting through rush hour traffic from Stratford to Stamford every day. A standup comic cured me. Here's his schtick:

"You people having a fit in traffic. What do you think you're accomplishing? Let me ask you something. A guy cuts you off. You blow your horn, flash your lights, make obscene hand gestures, tailgate. Now what do you think happens? Do you really think the guy who cuts you off gets home and says to his wife, 'I feel so bad. I cut in front of this guy on the way home. He was so upset. I feel terrible.' Do you really think that's what happens?"

Anyway, we got to our destination restaurant Long Valley Pub in good time. In fact we got there a half-hour before the kitchen opened. Our server bade us welcome nevertheless and brought Captain his coffee.

We were joined by Thumper. He was waiting for us as we pulled into the parking lot. Based upon my Connecticut Polar Bear departure email, he tried to catch us on I-287. But I guess with Pogy poking along in the left lane, he got tired of waiting.

Reminded me of former Connecticut Polar Bear Clark Makinson. Clark was from Connecticut but spent a lot of time in New Jersey caring for his elderly father. We were a lot looser in those days. None of this calling Captain in the morning to tell him where and when you will be joining us or if you're riding that day.

We'd be riding along I-287 or the Turnpike or Parkway and suddenly Clark was in our line. Sometimes you'd spot him on the shoulder waiting. More often than not, he just appeared. Rarely we'd meet him at a rest stop.

While we waited for the cook to arrive, Pogy and Captain entertained us with a spirited discussion of whether or not and when the Merchant Marines were an official branch of the U.S. military. Pogy was a Merchant Marine before he was a U.S. Marine. Captain was in the Navy. I'm too ignorant to know who won the argument.

Next Thumper unfurled his geek, engaging Pogy in a discussion of the F4U Corsair engine. Next was how helicopters work, pretty much from Igor's first one to modern day.

Sadly, Long Valley Pub has new owners. Captain asked the manager about the fabulous buffet and the manager claimed it was never there every Sunday. He asserted it was only offered on holidays like Easter and Thanksgiving. He should know better than to try to fool a biker when food is on the line.

Long Valley Pub for years was a prized Polar Bear destination. They had an amazing buffet with breakfast and lunch goodies of every sort plus a dessert table. It was a bit on the expensive side, but worth every penny. As we ate our sandwiches Sunday we reminisced about smoked salmon with capers, shrimp. king crab legs, fresh bagels with cream cheese, carving stations with rare roast beef and moist turkey, puddings, fruits, eggs, bacon . . . .

One thing I observed about the restaurant was that it was uncharacteristically empty. In years past, it was crowded. We got there early to be sure of a seat. My compadres said it was perhaps a forecast of evening snow. But I blame the buffetless fare.

Our sandwiches were very good, still a bit on the expensive side.

Pogy got us home well before the snow, Thumper dropping out on Route 80 to head to his now New Jersey residence.

Captain on arrival.

Connecticut bears just arrived.

Lunch but no buffet.

Cozy.

Scenic.

Captain earned his 60 points.

Bob pic of the week.

Back in the Saddle & Surprise Visitor2

Connecticut -- and Virginia -- Polar Bears at Long Valley Pub, from left: Grumpy, Token2, Captain, Pogy and Mac.
Not shown, Fonz and Anonymous Ed.

Polar Bear Motorcycle Blog, Polar Bear Grand Tour, ride to Long Valley Pub, Long Valley, NJ, March 18, 2018.

By: Pogy

Today’s ride was to the Long Valley Pub in New Jersey – I called the Capt. at 0830 to see who had shown up at staging – Only Mac so far – earlier the Fonz had called and advised that he was going to ride down but leave later because he had heard from Anonymous  Ed who was on his way back from Florida and would show up a little later in the day.  So at 0850 I called the Capt. back and he indicated that Grumpy had showed up – so I asked him if Grumpy was leading and he said he was thinking about it – so I volunteered to lead if Grumpy didn’t – TBD once they got to my pick up point.  What I didn’t tell the Capt. was that T2 rode up from Virginia the day before and was going on the ride with us

At about 0920, the bikes rolled by the pickup point and Grumpy was in the lead – Was really pleased because this is the first ride for Grumpy since his back surgery

So T2 and I joined the group with the Capt. as tail gunner– The ride down to Jersey was blue skies, 28-34 degrees and no traffic to speak of with us arriving at just 1100 with Lots of hugs and kisses for T2 – Don’t know why anyone likes the guy !!! just saying

Made our way into the building to get a table only to find out that they no longer had the Buffet – told us that there were not enough people interested  so we had to order off the menu – (really did have a good buffet)  So right as we were finishing up our lunch, the Fonz showed up and shortly thereafter Anonymous Ed rolled in – 

Back in the parking lot we said our goodbyes to T2 – he was heading back to Virginia, and we got on the road by 1230 – The Fonz and Anonymous Ed Departed later

Ride back was again little traffic, clear skies and 34F – Mac and Grumpy broke off at 15 on 287, the Capt. and I continued on to 95 

Good day for a ride and as always the comradery

Ride safe and see you next week

Pog

Our photographer Grumpy caught Polar Bear Photographer Bernie Walsh at work.

Polar Bear Photographer Bernie Walsh caught our guys arriving.

Connecticut bears at lunch. Photo by Bernie Walsh.

Where da CT Bears?

CT Bears in Long Valley, in the back Token2 and Captain and down front Pogy.

Motorcycle Polar Bear Blog, Polar Bear Grand Tour, ride to Long Valley, NJ., March 19, 2017.

By: Token2

Hi Chris:

Missing the support of a fellow realist, slightly left of center rider (aka fake news communist biker hooligan) these past couple of weeks…need reinforcements to do battle with the Trumpanistas.  So come back when you can!

Where da CT Bears?

A second week of a low turnout for the CT Bears with a complement of three. Where did the rest go?

The forecast for the day had oscillated from half decent to dire predictions of another good wallop of snow. In the end a day that started dull and chilly quickly evolved to be bright, sunny and cloudless with temperatures in the mid 40’s. Sooooooooweeet! The Capt, the resurgent Pogy and T2 (guest reporter) made the trip to Long Valley, NJ. T2 led the way on his new Kermit colored Kawasaki while Capt and Pogy followed at a suitable multi-bike distance to avoid any hint of association with the gaily colored leader. The ride was uneventful, if slightly lonely at the front.

It seemed that not only had the CT Bears hunkered down in fear of the worst but so too had the population at large. Traffic was uniformly light throughout the day and attendance seemed on the low side. The normal challenge to get seated at the customarily popular destination was a breeze. Of course it was made easier by arriving at 11am, but even when we departed the normal  line was absent. The communications director who set the crushingly early departure time was notably absent, allegedly giving up his quest for perfect attendance due to work commitments. He was later spotted on his doorstep at 3.30pm still in his jim-jams. This confirmed suspicions that he wanted a lie-in, still recovering from the change to daylight savings earlier in the month.

Perhaps the low number of Bears staying to eat had to do with a new and blatant segregationist policy to corral the Bears in a small part of the restaurant with a dedicated Bear like fried food menu (cheaper admittedly than the buffet). The Capt. decided freedom was needed to caucus wherever we choose and despite a failed negotiation with the maître d’ grabbed a suitable table upstairs, ably waited on by Bonnie, that gave unfettered access to the customarily lavish (if slightly expensive) buffet.

Pogy’s first plate was piled high with food and was truly a joy to see. After putting the hurt on by lifting 5 gallon drums of honey the plate gave a lie to the suggestion that he is still unable to carry heavy things. As with any good work out it is important to go through repetitions, which Pogy (and we) did. Pogy even went for a couple of the foo-foo desserts. Anyway, stuffed to the gills we better appreciated why the owner of the pub was trying to direct us to the Bear menu. Sorry, dude we are people too and our money is green just like the other customers. I think Bonnie would like us to return as we tipped her well.

T2 who has developed a penchant for collecting brightly colored things showed off another T-shirt, a gift from a friend (now former friend) celebrating his two-wheel purchase. 

A stop at the top finished off the day. Refreshments provided by Pogy. As the picture from the parking lots show the initial shock and embarrassment effected by T2’s new ride was overcome, the Wings cozied up to froggie in the end.

Until next time.

T2

Long Valley Ride

Motorcycle Polar Bear Blog, ride to Long Valley Pub, Long Valley, NJ, March 6, 2016.

This weekend I was once again at work, this time for Pirates and Princesses weekend at the Aquarium. It was hectic and fun and, thankfully, well attended.

Pirating instead of Polar Bearing at work instead of riding. My own princess came to visit me.

By Captain:

It was a quite a day. I departed the DD at 8:59 AM heading South. Met Pogy at the rest stop and continued down I-95 toward NY. Just before the Border FONZ caught up. As arranged Token2 and the Princess were waiting at the entrance ramp off I-287, we continued West over the bridge then South to I-80 then to the destination. The Long Valley pub offered a buffet which had something for everyone. Token2 left for Daytona after the group photo. We then headed North to the top for coffee but Pogy continued on alone. After our break continued on arriving home about 3:30 PM.

The Princess has the group photo ant a few sellfie's.

Long Valley, NJ; March 11, 2012, Motorcycle Polar Bear Blog

(Sorry, in my late postings I have this one out of sequence.)

Polar Bear Blog, March 11, 2012, Long Valley, NJ.

By: Chris Loynd

Spring has come early to the motorcycle polar bears. Not that I mind. I've always said I would rather ride on a warm day than a cold one. I ride with the polar bears because I did not want to park my motorcycle all winter. And now polar bearing has evolved into a series of enjoyable Sundays with great friends.

This Sunday the weather was gorgeous, too warm for winter. I rode over in layers, but never dialed in the electric heat until we were up high on Route 80 west. And that was only for a little while. For the ride home I was peeling layers and trying to find room to stuff them into my saddlebags.

Token2 was ride leader. Long Valley has sort of become his, ever since he found some creative and fun back roads several years ago. He did not disappoint this Sunday. Some of the roads he found challenged our riders. Captain stopped in the midst of a very steep series of very tight curves to downshift. John J. and I had to make some important and immediate corrections in our respective bikes' handling. As Token2 quipped later when we groused about it, “I thought I was traveling with experienced riders.”

He also noted that while his Internet maps may have shown the tight curves, it was tough to see the sharp rise in elevation on that particular spot. Captain said he was halfway up the hill when his heavy Honda had not enough umph to climb any further.

Token2 hosted a good ride and found us some fun and scenic roads to ride. He doubled our fun by taking secondary roads a good part of the way home. Eventually we had to get back onto the Interstate highways to grind up enough miles to our far away Connecticut homes.

Pogy agreed to sweep this ride and found himself a bit frustrated at time, trying to keep the flock together from the back end.

Group riding is not the same as riding by yourself. It demands a fair amount of concentration and vigilance. It is important to hold your place in the line of bikes as accurately and consistently as possible.

Ride too close – or even, God forbid – next to a rider in line and you've compromised the safety of both riders. But drop back too far and the group falls apart. Once a car gets into your line, you can all be separated by some very big gaps. Then the riders caught in the back have to ride doubly fast to catch up. Or the leader, if he's paying attention, has to slow the group down significantly to let the others form up again.

Cars can be bad enough, even without big gaps in the line. John J. suddenly found an SUV trying to occupy the exact same space as his motorcycle on the last leg home. He corrected quickly and appropriately. But his demeanor expressed his displeasure.

Each inconsistency in speed, especially toward the front of the line, is multiplied by each bike behind. So the sweep suddenly finds himself hard on the throttle, then hard on the brakes, to try to keep his place. When I lead, I try to keep my speed cruise control smooth, even though no such device resides on my handlebars.

We enjoyed Long Valley Pub's fabulous brunch buffet. It is the best on the Grand Tour.

They shoehorned us into a very small corner space and I sat next the fireplace, fire going. Still it was all good and we had fun catching up with each other's news.

Token2 took us out the long way as well. And we rode through the New Jersey countryside, avoiding I-287 for as long as we could.