In the January/February 2010 issue of RoadBike (out now! hint hint) there’s an article on page 44 about the Best Western Ride Rewards program. Back in September, I was invited to accompany a crew of assorted moto-journalists on a three-day tour through the Green Mountains of Vermont and Adirondack National Park in upstate New York. Here’s a selection of photos that didn’t survive the editor’s scissors.
Accompanied by reps from both Best Western and Harley-Davidson, we rented Harleys from Green Mountain H-D in Essex Junction, VT (www.GreenMtnHarley.com) and set off on a rainy morning, heading for Stowe, VT and our first stop: the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream plant…
by Jonny Langston, Associate Editor
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We arrived at the Ben & Jerry’s compound (and make no mistake – it IS a high-security, tightly-run ship) just in time for the 10:30 a.m. tour… Nothing like ice cream for breakfast! Everyone who worked there was super-nice and smiling, but pretty strict when it came to the rules. B & J’s bouncers wouldn’t allow us to take photos on the inside of the factory (see what I mean?), though -- so here we are in the parking lot. |
The place is about as bright, clever, and cute-sy as you’d expect… |
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| The view from the outside. |
We were just about the only people on the tour who didn’t arrive in an RV. Here are some folks patiently waiting for their “free” ice cream sample; you get about a shot’s worth of whatever flavor THEY decide to cough up. It is, nonetheless, ridiculously delicious. |
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Most of the tour was done in overcast conditions; still, there’s nothing quite like autumn in New England. |
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| One of our rentals illegally parked on the shore of Lake George, NY. Hey, it was a great photo op…. |
Ron Pohl of Best Western, also illegally parked on the shore of Lake George. (Photo courtesy USRiderNews.com) |
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| TARP was in full effect up in Vermont; we encountered quite a few construction delays – but also quite a bit of freshly paved, smooth-as-silk blacktop. (Photo courtesy USRiderNews.com) |
Mike Morgan of Harley-Davidson at the very same ice rink in Lake Placid, NY where the “Miracle On Ice” occurred. Our Best Western – the Adirondack Inn – was right across the street, and the owners walked us over for a free tour. (Photo courtesy USRiderNews.com) |
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| The Green Mountain Antique Railroad doubles as a restaurant. (Photo courtesy USRiderNews.com) |
Ron Pohl and Heather Wright of Best Western give the thumbs-up. It was Heather’s first time on a motorcycle – so naturally, we got rained on. But she swore she loved it nonetheless. Obviously, Mike Morgan and I think the whole scenario’s pretty amusing. (Photo courtesy USRiderNews.com) |
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Waiting for the ferry across Lake Champlain and back to Vermont. |
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| He’s a smart guy, but Ron’s head really isn’t that bulbous. |
Now that’s a great shot, if I do say so myself. |
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| Heather with Meghan Lee – the P.R. Princesses in the chase vehicle. They followed us the whole way in dry comfort, sipping tea and listening to NPR while giggling at our misfortune at every available opportunity. |
Our only sunny day was our last. Still, it was pretty glorious. The ferry ride was quick and easy. |
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| Most Best Westerns are motorcycle-friendly. Members of Ride Rewards get preferential treatment, like free wipe-down rags upon check-in, and sometimes (although not here, obviously) covered and secured parking near their rooms. (Photo courtesy Best Western). |
The Motley Crew: Ron, Mike, Eric Bass of RoadRUNNER, Heather, Meghan, yours truly, Sam Kanish of Iron Works Garage, and Scott Cochran of USRiderNews.com. |
