LIFE IN THE Little LANE
by Steven Rossi
If you haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to explain. Unless you have a good memory.
Touring on a small-bore bike is truly something special. Before all the corporate muckety mucks convinced the buying public…here in the land of bigger is better…that more cylinders and cc’s were an absolute necessity, guys used to do things like ride Ducati 250’s to places such as Alaska. Along the way, visceral, two-wheeled simplicity matured into mind-numbing, creature-coddled sophistication…to the extent that motorcycles no longer talk succinctly to their owners. Except when it comes time to write the initial check and then pay the service and repair bills.
So, in celebration of the “light is right” formula from days gone by, we continue to host what we call “Tiddler Tours” here in Eastern Connecticut. And the good news is…we sure do have the enjoyable, twisty two-lane roads to do so.
Continually culling the gearbox, maintaining momentum, managing hills and valleys, planning ahead when it comes to braking and tolerating the limitations of minimal suspensions and foam weary saddles are more than just skill sets. They’re now a lost art among mainstream motorcyclists who are accustomed to merely twisting the throttle for instantaneous acceleration. Which is too bad, because they don’t know what they’re missing. When you’re consciously engaged for 100 miles and navigating an oh-so-nimble, off-beat single cylinder or twin…and make it home…you’ve made an accomplishment!
This year’s one-day, Moto Giro style Tiddler Tour (TT) set off from my East Haddam, CT driveway on Sunday, July 27. After tanks were fueled with obligatory coffee and donuts. Which would come in handy, because Mother Nature threatened that the ride would be more arduous and less adventurous…judging by the dire, take-it-slow forecast.
“Showers early, then thundershowers developing later in the day. Chance of rain 70%. Storms can bring flooding downpours and localized damaging wind gusts.” But so it goes if you want to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear and enjoy (?) the full experience.
Obviously, with the regrettable forecast for rain, we saw a slightly smaller turnout on this year’s little roads. So instead of the usual 20+, 15 brave and hearty souls opened their petcocks (remember those?), wailed on kickstarters (those, too?) and set off into…no rain whatsoever! Believe it or not. Though it was, of course, a gray day. So at least we didn’t get baked by the sun.
This time’s “Here-Comes-the-Sun” (despite the lack thereof, up in the sky) Tiddler Tour was specifically mapped out to include a pass by Connecticut’s most incredible extravaganza of magnificent sunflowers, which only stay in bloom for two-to-three weeks. The Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, CT has been growing sunflowers for charity since 1975. The 14-acre farm generously supports Make-a-Wish Connecticut (see
www.buttonwoodfarmi cecream.com). And yes, they do ice cream, too.
The Tour also traversed Norwich, Connecticut’s best kept secret…the 384-acre, Mohegan Park, which sits off the beaten path, high above the city. A series of delectable roads wind their way through the rural woodlands, which also includes a Rose Garden, two ponds, pavilions, picnic/play areas, trails and more. Mohegan Park is a state designated trout park and is well stocked at the opening of the fishing season. The name pays tribute to Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan Tribe, who deeded the area to the first settlers of Norwich in 1659.
All the roads were paved this time and for a change, dreaded orange highway construction cones were only encountered once. Which is unusual these days, out in the wilds of Connecticut. A fine lunch was enjoyed at the Town Grille & Pizzeria in Voluntown.
As you’d expect, the Japanese Big 4 were represented, along with Moto Guzzi, of course. Along with BSA, Jawa, Matchless and MZ. The oldest machine in the mix was a 1933 Moto Guzzi GT 17, which just recently arrived from Italy and took its maiden voyage (of any distance) on American soil.
Other than a Yamaha flat tire and gummed up Jawa carburetor, everyone completed the appointed rounds as intended. Though a Moto Guzzi Lodola lost its fuel tank mounting hardware, a BSA sidestand went South and another Beezer had its speedo drive let loose along the way. Yes, things went par for the course.
So, for yet another year since 2009, Tiddler Touring let us live life in the little lane. Because happily put, old, small bikes…with an enthusiastic group of even older riders…still bring big fun! Which is why we’ll see you in Eastern Connecticut again, come 2026.
In this day and age, life’s too short to miss out on the often-ignored little lanes. With like-minded Tiddler tourists…
NOTE TO SELF: just don’t listen to the weatherman.
