August 27 - Pioneer Tunnel Ride

This was the first ride that Walt has put together for us.  As a newbie ridemeister, Walt did an excellent job - just like an old pro!

We met at Hermy's and enjoyed some coffee and donuts - nice!  Some riders came some distance to take part.  Joe and Tom rode up from the Abington area.  Fred from Carlisle and Joe from Dillsburg.  Walt, Linda and I had a great day in store for us.

But - before we left, we had to check out Cory's newly completed project chopper in the parking lot.  Great job Cory!

First stop was lunch.  Walt took us to a great little country store/restaurant in Lavelle.  Afterward, we headed to Centralia to see the mine fire there.  Chris had given me a tip to be able to "get close" to the fire area.  After seeing the former "downtown" area,  we headed south on Rt 61.  We rode around the pile of dirt to block cars from entering the area.  We rode down to the area where the roadway had collapsed.  There was quite a bit of steam rising from the crevasses on the roadway.  South of us, the roadway looked like a roller coaster.

Onward to Ashland and the tunnel.  We took the Mine Tour but bypassed the "Lokie" Train Ride.  The tour was very educational as it gave much insight to the lives and times of the miners.  Highly recommended if you have never been there!

Just before we entered the mine, there was a huge black cloud to the West.  "Ah, it will pass".  When we came out of the mine, our bikes were wet.  Walt asks "you want to head home or to the next stop" (ice cream).  He knows that an ice cream stop cannot be overlooked.  Off we go to Leiby's in South Tamaqua.

We hit some showers on and off as we headed East on Rt 54.  By the time we left Tamaqua, we were in full tilt rain (with no rain suits on - we were too close to Leiby's to stop).  Walt leads us to parking under a overhang at the bank behind the restaurant.  Bikes crowding around an ATM did the trick.  Fred kept his Beemer out in the rain to show up the Triumphs and the Yamaha (which by the way, was a 650 Turbo Seca).

By the time we got back to Berks - the sun was out and roads were fairly dry.

Great job Walt!  

Ron

* Picture compliments of Fred H.

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Cory's great looking chopper Walt runs the rider's meeting Lunch stop Walt's such a decent guy to hold the door!
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The cracks in Rt 61 Note the steam * Fred in the "crevass"
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* * Note the "roller coaster" roadway in the distance * "Action shot" while riding in the rear. Linda's such a decent gal to hold the door!
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Fred at the mine entrance Oh, that's where we are!
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The "Lokie" Ouch! The ride into the mine Our newest member, B.J. the RAT.
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Stairway up into a vein of coal. Fossils imprinted into the wall Just for us "dial tone" guys! Our guide shows how they mined the coal.
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A cross section of the mine Another stairway One of the "Mercury 7" was here * Sorry Joe - the shot with you looking was blurred.
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Our "captain and co-pilot". Huddled near an ATM.

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