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After I left a really sunny, HOT Washington DC, I went north to Philly. Still warm all the way up until about 120 KM’s outside Philadelphia. I noticed the temperature dropping from 35, 30, 20, 15, 12 C. I saw the skies darken which can only mean one thing…another Spring Storm. I sort of knew this. Been texting a good friend of mine who lives in Philly and he said it was cool and raining.

I pulled over at a gas station to close all my vents, put on my heated liner, warmer gloves and I was really thankful I did. This is what I rode through for about an hour.

Another hail storm with huge dumps of rain at times. I was warm and comfy though on the bike and at this point doesn’t phase me the hail I mean anymore.

I could not make it to Philly before Revzilla closed. Found another KOA but not to set up the tent in the rain to get a cabin. I felt a bit ripped off because I showed up late and every other KOA has been gracious to drop the rate because I just show up to sleep.

Nice KOA about 50 KM’s outside Philly.

Took a detour before actually moving onto another city. Back country Pennsylvania roads are sweet, rustic with old farm charm.

Nice twisities and peaceful riding for early in the morning. Overcast skies, cooler out just the way I like it.

The folks at Revzilla recommended I stop at this dive called T&N for breakfast. Very small, I mean tiny little greasy spoon right around the corner from the Revzilla store. Great food and coffee.

I wonder if those flowers are plastic?

Revzilla is not located in downtown Philly but by the Navy ship yard. Brand new building…state of the art to be honest. I got a tour of their “headquarters”, where they take orders, customer service, IT etc. They have a gym, game room, hang out loft, little concession area, coffee makers…looks like a great place to work. Most ride that work there and those I met were really nice as well. Here are a few pics of the sleeping Navy ships. Looked kind of creepy like a shipyard ghost town.

I arrived at Revzilla at 1000 when they opened. I was to met Joanne, who owns a website called GearChic

Was also pre-planned to meet Rania an online “friend” at 1100.

Met them both is was great putting online faces to real life. Got the tour, met Anthony…yes the guy in all their videos. He was nice enough to break from a meeting to come say hello.

The store itself is beautifully laid out, spotless and has very enthusiastic people running the floor. It is a riders HEAVEN…too bad I have no room on the bike to buy anything

Look at all those helmets on display. Such an impressive store. I can see why many travel here just to have a look inside.

What a beast of a bike eh? In the middle of their showroom.

I even got a screaming bright Revzilla T Shirt as a gift…

I was really glad I stopping in to say hello. I will be back one day. One thing I actually forgot to buy a new pin lock shield for my RF1200. Totally forgot to ask them for it. That I can fit on my bike. Oh well…

So, if anyone from Revzilla reads this…thank you for the tour and for taking time out to entertain me for 2 hours.

I left Philly at about 1300 and did not get to Long Island until 1930. Traffic all over the NYC area was brutal, construction on the Verrazano Bridge started my trek to my parents nightmare. I swore in 2010 I would never ride to LI via the city but I did and ended up in rush hour traffic.

No side roads could save me either.

Got to seem some cool cop bikes at a gas station in New Jersey.

After I took this picture some guy comes up to me and stares into my eyes…and says to his girlfriend in the car…”YOU see I was right…she is a CHICK…OM I need to take a picture…this is so cool, love this damn ass great looking bike….” Then he says…”What kind of bike is it…? Oh I don’t care you seem like a real biker chick to me and I need a picture with you.” OMG he was so funny and sure enough he got his picture of the two of us, my bike and I could hear him in the car saying OMG a chick riding that big bike, how f’ing cool”. Loved it.

My trek to Long Island was crossing over some bridges, a $13 toll for one, no discount for bikes, crappy roads and then home where I grew up. I arrived and my parents were not home. I later found out they were at church.

I have never entered the city area via New Jersey like this. Got a great view of the southern tip of Manhattan. Where the new Freedom Tower stands tall and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Took me 6 hours to ride only a few hundred KM’s…in the end that too is part of this trip. Testing my patience, again endurance…was riding for 11 1/2 hours on and off the bike. Made it home and here until Monday, June 2…then to Connecticut for a Tuesday Service at MAX BMW in Brookfield, CT.