The Beginning Of America's Love Affair With Auto Racing Started On Long Island New York

By L.J. James

I recently took a trip back in time to Long Island NY's past! No I was not in a Delorean. I was actually in a 1929 Model A Ford,It was one of many in a pack of Model A Fords.My trip back in time was hosted by members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island. The Club Established in 1959 is one of the oldest and largest Model A Clubs in the U.S. The Trip took me back in time to Long Islands distant past,Way Back before the LIE back before even the Northern and Southern State Parkways.All the way back to the glory days of William K. Vanderbilt Jr's Long Island Motor Parkway. The Motor Parkway or the LIMP has been forgotten by many.Portions of it can still be found across the Island some parts are even still in use now going under other names. I must admit I knew almost nothing of the Long Island Motor Parkway before this trip back but as I learned about its history and how it was a major part of shaping the Island we all know and love today, I became very interested in learning more and I would like to share with you a little of what I have learned.

The history of William K. Vanderbilt Jr's Motor Parkway began on June 6th 1908 when its construction started. It was one of the first concrete roads in the Nation and it was the first to use Bridges and over passes so as to not have any intersections. The Motor parkway reached its almost full length of 45 miles from Queens to Lake Ronkonkoma in 1911 with 65 Bridges and many twists and turns.(There was a 2 and a Half mile western extension built in 1928)

The Motor Parkways History of racing is that of legend and still remembered by many Long Island race fans, William K.Vanderbilt Jr was an avid race fan and racer. He often raced in America and France. Disappointed by the lack of Americans winning any of the races he started the Vanderbilt Cup races in 1904 here on Long Island. The race was an international event and would pit 16 Drivers against each other for the prize of the $2000 Silver Cup which was designed by Tiffany & Co.The Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing. The Races where first held on 30 miles of local roads in Nassau County.These Races where the Beginning of America's love affair with auto racing.In 1906 when two spectators where killed and many others injured by a racing car on Jericho turnpike near the intersection of what is known today as NY Routes 106 and 107, Vanderbilt and friends soon came up with the idea for the Long Island Motor Parkway. The Cup Races where Successfully held on Long Island in conjunction with the Motor Parkway Until 1910 when four spectators where killed and twenty injured.

With the Cup races gone the Motor parkway became purely an access route with a toll of $2.00 and was used mostly by New York's rich looking to hit the party circuit or to go for Sunday Drives and of course by those just looking to drive really fast.The Motor parkway was a privately owned toll road with no speed limit, No Commercial Traffic and because it was privately owned it was off limits to law enforcement. During Prohibition the Parkway gained a reputation as a rum runners road as bootleggers started using the road to transport alcohol.In 1917 the toll was lowered to $1.00 and when more Drivers started using the Motor Parkway to travel across Long Island the speed limit was reduced to 40 mph and local Police where aloud to begin patrolling the parkway to improve traffic safety. An estimated 150,000 cars per year used the Motor parkway at its prime. There where 12 toll lodges along the parkway and the toll lodges have a great story all their own. The Long Island Motor Parkway Continued on until Easter Sunday,April 16th 1938 when it was forced to close. The Motor Parkway even after reducing its toll again to only 40 cents was No longer able to Compete with Robert Moses State of the art Toll free Northern State Parkway. After its Closer the Motor Parkway was split up and sold off, Many of its Bridges destroyed and roads forgotten.Although some Remaining Sections of this Historic Parkway like the 13 Mile eastern most Section in Suffolk still remain in use Most of the Parkway and its History has gone forgotten until recent years.

Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island had known about a section of the Long Island Motor Parkway with one of its Bridges still standing hidden away behind Old Bethpage Village and Restoration on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage Where the Club holds its Monthly meetings. For those of you who don't know Old Bethpage Village and Restoration is a pre-Civil War Long Island Village with more than 55 historic buildings and a place where anyone of us can travel back in time for the day.I'm sure most of you out there from Long Island will remember it from field trips back in your School days.Well It is all still there with its same historic Magic and those old fashion Sodas and Candies you remember. I have found Old Bethpage to be the perfect place for a first Date! It will not only take you back threw time but it will make you feel like a Kid all over again. In the early Months of 2007 the members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island started Clearing away what time and neglect had covered up. Then in May 2007 after much hard work the Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island got together at Old Bethpage Village and Restoration and took the first Cruise since its closing on their own private piece of the Motor Parkway and Long Islands History. Mark Adler and his 1931 Model A Coop had the Honor of leading the Group and being the first the travel on it! Long Island has some great History and We must always remember We need to save our Historic Buildings and Land marks!!!

For more info about this article go to the Model A Ford Club of Long Island's webpage at www.freewebs.com/modela

While researching this story one thing that kept coming to my mind was that if Long Island is one of the first place's where Auto Racing in the US began then doesn't that mean that Auto Racing really needs to stay here? Lets reclaim the Glory!!!

Till next time this is your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

- 30329

About the Author:

LJ is a independant author on the Biker Lifestyle and does an online Radio Motorcycle Show LJ has spent many years working to let all in the Biker Lifestyle know that TV programs like Sons of Anarchy while entertaining are fake and being a Biker is about loyalty and freedom !

How to Chose a Cool Vest for Riding your Motorcycle

By Bill Nichols

There is nothing like the wind in your hair the feel of the open road and felling all of that raw horsepower underneath you. Now unless you plan on riding naked, which I do not recommend you will need to buy a motorcycle vest along with other motorcycle apparel.

I truly advise you to ride clothed as it will save on sunburn on your body. Now the actual process of actually shopping for motorcycle cloths is a process that can be a little confusing especially when it comes to getting a cool vest that you can wear in the hot summer months.

Now you have two ways upon which you will be able to shop for your motorcycle cloths the first is in an actual store where you will be able to try on vest and jackets to see how they fell on you. This is the first step in the process of finding a cool vest that will breathe with you while riding.

If you go online for your search then you are looking at a different animal upon which you will need to try and find apparel that fits online where you can't try it before you buy it. If you are looking for a cool vest that will keep you from sweating like an animal in the hot summer sun.

On the other side of the coin there is the thing of buying cloths that will keep you warm in the winter. One of the biggest problems you will discover about leather is that it does not breathe and it is not an insulator. Many products on the market promise to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer but fail to deliver on these claims.

If you are looking for a cool vest to wear in the summer then you need to consider buying a hog cooler system. The hog cooler cool vest system consist of a system that uses bagged ice to provide you with a cool vest while riding. The system consist of a unit that you can easily place in your saddle bag and run the tube up into the vest. This will provide you around four hours of cool vest riding no matter the heat outside.

I have found that this is one of the best systems that are on the market today. I say this as a rider and as an actual customer of hogcooler.com as they have what I consider to be a top notch product that will allow you to stay cool in the summer while you enjoy the open road. In the winter months the system uses the power of your engine to heat up the vest and allow you to ride in comfort without having to worry about being cold while riding. Rider will be able to ride in comfort knowing that they are using a cool vest that will provide the comfort that a biker expects from his apparel. - 30329

About the Author:

There is only one true place to get a Cool Vest and that is at Hog Cooler. Check out the HogCooler's Cool Vest today.

New York Road Side Rests

By L.J. James

In the Heart of the New York Catskill Mountains, there is a place called Nicks Waterfall House. I have been there many times and it has become one of my favorite places of all time to ride to.

There are times when the stress of our lives and jobs can get even the best of us a little down. If you are a straight lace citizen you go to a Doctor and get some pills or maybe see a shrink. If you are a Biker you hop on your Motorcycle get the motor running and you head out to a place like Nicks Waterfall House.

It does not matter where you are or what direction you come from. The ride threw the NY Catskill Mountains is going to relax the stress away from the depths of your very soul. As you ride to Nick's threw long winding roads up over and into the heart of some of the worlds most majestic Mountains, with the Sun shining down on you and the fresh Mountain air filling your lungs you will start to get a feeling of what one can only describe as pure joy.

As you get near Nicks Waterfall House located on Route 990v, Gilboa New York 12076, either alone or with a group of friends. You will feel as if time and space are no longer a factor in the Universe, and it only gets better from there! As you ride in the first thing many think is they have reached some old time lost resort, but have no fear Nicks is a Biker bar.

When you walk threw the front door you will no longer have any doubts you have arrived at the right place. If Nick is not there to great you himself, there is a good chance he is in his large kitchen cooking up some classic Biker grub. I recommend the first thing you do is order an Ice Cold Beer and go sit by the large windows over looking a Waterfall that looks as if it was stolen from the year--92. If there is any stress or negative emotions left in your body after the ride to the Waterfall House after only a few minutes watching the water fall down and roll over the rocks it will soon have all washed down stream.

Then it is time to meet the locals, grab another Beer and maybe some of that great food (My favorite is the Waterfall House Cheeseburgers) or maybe shoot a game of pool. The crowd at Nicks is a mix of friendly Bikers, locals and good ole boys. This is a place to exchange stories and Adventures from the road. Often the sharing of stories can go on for hours.

It is easy to have what some may call too much fun at Nicks Waterfall House but with rooms up stairs starting at only $25 a night, there is no reason to worry! Now I want to make sure that you know when I tell you there are rooms at Nicks you understand these rooms where created for road weary bikers. If you bring your old lady with you make sure she is a real biker Chick because Nicks is no Yuppie bed and breakfast! It is a real bikers, biker bar and what you get when you rent a room from Nicks is a communal living room a bed to sleep in and a shower to wash off the road dust! One other thing you get from a night at Nicks is a renewed Spirit of Adventure and a willingness to face what ever maybe up around the next bend in your life!

I have many local Bars that I think of as home and I love to go to and cut loose, but when I hear that call of the road it is often telling me it is time to go to Nick's Waterfall House!!!

For more info or directs call 607-588-9891 and ask for Nick.

Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to my Radio Show @ BikerLowdown.com

- 30329

About the Author:

LJ hosts a Radio Motorcycle Show each week LJ loves to help show the truth about the Biker World and series like Sons of Anarchy

Set Your Ride Apart-Get Custom Harley Wheels!

By Jill Sprouse

A Harley Davidson motorcycle is the ultimate for any motorcycle enthusiast. And what better way to accessorize than with custom Harley wheels? Have you stayed away from custom wheels because you think they are out of your price rage? Consider the following advice and then start looking for the ultimate custom Harley wheels.

One thing that has driven the cost of custom wheels up over the years is the manufacturing costs. But, with the evolution of technology over the past few years it's become cheaper for the manufacturer to produce the wheels. Lower production costs mean savings to you.

If you are seriously considering buying custom Harley wheels formulate a plan. The first thing to think about is how much to spend. Generally, custom wheels are going to cost anywhere from $1500-2000. Now, don't get scared right off the bat. That is a huge expense. But think of it as an investment, not an expense. Anytime you add a custom accessory to your ride it's going to increase the value. Take your time and do some research, on pricing and styles, then make your decisions.

Custom Harley wheels come in various finishes and styles. More than you can image-you will see once you start your research. Things to have in mind when you begin shopping are what type of finish is best for your bike and your climate? If you live in a wet, salty climate you might consider a polished wheel because they wear better in these types of climates. Chrome wheels are really the ultimate finish and they are easy to clean. But, they don't wear well in some climates. Take all of these things into consideration before your purchase.

Spending this much money on a Harley accessory is not something to be taken lightheartedly. Take some time to think about your motorcycle and its build. Think about your budget and what you really can afford. It's not going to do you any good to deck your ride out with custom Harley wheels if the bank is only going to repossess it for non-payment! Make a careful decision before you buy!

Spend a little time looking through custom wheel publications. Buy a few motorcycle magazines (you probably already have them laying around if you are a true motorcycle fan!). Look at the custom wheel ads-they are everywhere. Also, use the internet. Search Yahoo or Bing and you will find thousands of pictures of wheels. Get an idea for what is out there. Heck, it doesn't cost money to browse!

I'm sure if you found this article you know enough about the internet to have heard about Ebay. That's another resource for researching and buying custom Harley wheels. Ebay publishes the Seller's history and that's a great way for you to screen out the good from the bad. Don't be bashful, ask questions of the Seller. They don't mind. They are there to try to sell you a product. Make them work for the money! - 30329

About the Author:

Cruise on over to A Harley For You. This Harley shop offers not only custom Harley wheels but a wide variety of Harley accessories.

Harley Davidson Forums

By Jack Travers

Throughout the long history of Harley Davidson motorcycles, there has existed some kind of attraction to a brotherhood amongst owners. You can witness this daily as you watch two motorcycle riders pass each other on the road. Inevitably some kind of greeting takes place, it may be a head nod, a wave, a thumbs up, who knows but they will acknowledge each other based on nothing more than they both ride motorcycles.

I am sure that nobody really knows where this code of ethics came from or where the group dynamic starts or ends but it's a real thing that you can see every day. If time or weather permits then of course riding is where the friendships and fraternity grows but when it's too cold or time doesn't permit, then a new type of biker bar or club has emerged, and that's the online internet forum.

Today's Biker Club

The clubhouse of today is digital and allows riders from all over the country to congregate and share those stories, without ever leaving the comfort of their house. The message board is commonplace around the internet and in a variety of niches so it is no surprise that you will find it in the biker world.

If you are not familiar with a message board or forum then it's a website where you can register and interact with other members by leaving messages or "posts" for them to read. It might sound kind of dull but it's really quite engaging if you give it a chance and stick around long enough to learn the personalities of those involved. The best part is that these forums are there day or night, all year long. It's a biker bar that doesn't close.

A Couple of Larger Forums

Below are a few of these "forums" that we personally belong to and find entertaining. There are certainly a lot of them on the internet and they all bring something to the table but we like these and would recommend them as ones you should check out and see if they work for you.

HDForums - This is probably the largest Harley forum there is on the internet and it has a huge membership base. It's almost too big though as you don't get a real feel for the personalities and it's definitely very corporate. What I mean is that you are barraged with advertisements during your entire time there, including extremely annoying pop up ads if you hover over the wrong thing etc. It's a great forum but the ads are annoying.

VTwinforums - This forum is similar to HDForums but more technically oriented. HDForums is more for the average Joe while VTwinforum is more for the guy who likes to work on his own motorcycle and might need help doing it. It's also very corporate and has paid membership options if you want to get rid of the ads.

HawgNet - This site brings a lot to the table when it comes to the Harley Davidson world and we only hope to make it grow even larger with your help. This is a relatively new forum that is still on the rise and could use all the members it can get. We hope you will stop by and check it out.

These are just three of the forums that I have found or know about and I am sure that there are dozens more but these three show a lot of promise and you can likely find whatever you might need at one of these three. - 30329

About the Author:

You can see an example of these Harley Davidson Forums, for yourself and also make sure you check our our Harley Accessory Reviews while you are there.

Finding Quality Motorcycle Eye Wear

By Ethan O. Tanner

Motorcycle apparel is crucial to hold you secure and to minimize risks and injuries. Motorcycle Eye wear, for one, is important to save our eyes from adverse elements like dust, glare and smoke. With motorcycle Eye wear, dangerous elements are prevented from freely penetrating our eyes. Good quality Eye wear is perfectly essential for comfort, safety and enjoyment of your cycle.

Best find motorcycle Eye wear have some things in common. First, they have UV protection that protects the eyes from harmful rays of the sun. The most advisable protection is that having a UV 400 filter. Second, they have shatterproof lenses in order for them to be tough and hard to break. Even if the Eye wear is hit by hard debris, the same will not be easily damaged.

You are in need of special motorcycle goggles if you are fond of rugged riding. This is to keep pebbles, road dirt and other elements from entering your eyes. In addition, you can use an Eye wear with interchangeable lenses so that you can change them to adjust with the varying driving conditions. Good ventilation is also needed to avoid misting of lenses. Polycarbonate material is better than glass. This is because the former is shatterproof.

A different tip from the practised riders is to choose an Eye wear frame made of nylon or plastic and never metal. The reason is comfort and nice fit. Nylon and plastic advance contoured bend that goes well with the head. Choose also a lightweight Eye wear so that they'll not be that burdensome. Motorcycle Eye wear must have a snug fit. It must rest on the ears comfortably - not too tight nor loose. Nose piece, then again, must not leave marks on the nose. Otherwise, each ride will be uncomfortable.

Without question of the motorcycle eye wear's quality, you'll be able to rely on some of the established names in the Eye wear industry. They are Gucci Sunglasses, Rayban Sunglasses, Chanel Sunglasses, Discount Sunglasses and more. You can find in their sufficient range of sunglasses to bring the properly fit and protection. Nonetheless, it will be best if you hold physical presence since the best way to assure the better fit is to personally examine it. - 30329

About the Author:

Leather expert and Author Ethan O. Tanner explains the different types of motorcycle accessories the checklist for cycle eyewear for motorcycle riders gift buying guide.

Importance of Having a Cool Vest

By Bill Nichols

If you are a motorcycle rider then you know the importance of having a cool vest while riding. Even if you are just a weekend rider having a cool vest is essential on a hot summer day. Between the heat from the motorcycle and the hot summer sun a rider can become quite hot while riding. Many motorcycles as well as jackets tend to have one major flaw and that is that they don't keep a person cool during the summer unless you have a Hog Cooler Cool Vest!

Many products promise a cool vest but fail to produce a quality cool vest. One of the main drawbacks to a leather cool vest is that leather does not breathe thus a leather vest is not a cool vest. The other problem is that in the winter it is more than a cool vest in fact it now becomes a cold vest. When this happens you end up with a frozen biker, and that is not a good thing.

When you are shopping for a cool vest you need to make sure that you look and try to find one that will keep you as cool in the summer and warm in the winter. I have found it to be useful that you try the cool vest on at the store and see there if it moves and breathes with you. It may sound funny but you will be able to tell almost immediately if this cool vest will end up being right for you by the way it feels.

If you are shopping online then what you will want to do is to make it a point that when your cool vest arrives in the mail that you take it and wear it outside on a sunny day. Now of course be careful not to damage it in case you need to return or exchange it down the road. Doing this will allow you to see how the cool vest will react with you on a hot day while riding your bike.

There are several cool vest systems that are on the market that will help you to stay cool and will provide you with that cool vest that you are looking for. I have found one of the best systems that are on the market today is the Hog Cooler cool vest made by the folks at hogcooler.com. This cool vest system is designed to give you a cool vest feel as well as keep you warm in the winter months. In my opinion there are few products that come close to delivering the type of results that you will find with a hog cooler cool vest.

Bikers have always and will always continue through time to try and solve the problem of the cool vest while you are riding your bike across the desert on a hot summer day. Having a cool vest during the blistering summer will help to keep you a happy biker and will not cause a pleasant ride into being a miserable one. - 30329

About the Author:

There is only one true place to get a Cool Vest and that is at Hog Cooler. Check out the HogCooler's Cool Vest today.