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by Bill Waite
I never thought too much about motorcycles until 1969. It was the year I graduated from high school and the year I saw the movie Easy Rider. Watching Peter Fonda riding down the highway and listening to Born to be Wild gave me the chills. The thrill of riding a chopper on the back roads of America’s Southwest with such brilliant scenery seemed exciting.
Well I must admit I never did get that motorcycle, but I always think of that movie when I ride through New Hope in the summer. I look at the line of motorcycles parked in front of Fran’s Pub and other New Hope restaurants and boutiques. These multi-colored Harleys, Indians, Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas, Triumphs & BMWs grab my attention and I enjoy the bright reflection of their chrome side pipes, engines and handle bars shining in the sunlight.
The riders that come to New Hope are from all walks of life, and they love displaying their bikes as well as hanging out and chatting about their trip along river road and other Bucks County backroads. They talk about who they see, the bars and restaurants where they stop about family and friends, and the biker events and shows and whether they consider themselves a biker or motorcyclist.
Bikers and motorcyclists both love to roll into New Hope, Pennsylvania with its diverse atmosphere of art, theater, unique shops and dining establishments. Many say it is the heart of Bucks County. On the way, they ride through some scenic roadways on both sides of the river. They also stop Lambertville, NJ that has its own distinctive shops, art, antiques, restaurants and lodging. And it’s close to the Golden Nugget Flea Market and historic Prallsville Mills complex in nearby Stockton.
Touring Bucks County can bring a rider to historic site like Washington Crossing Park which besides having 500 acres of natural beauty, is the site where George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River and fought the Battle of Trenton, which turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. I often wonder what George would think if he saw these crazy looking machines riding up river road?
I still have my biker fantasies, but I’m not likely to buy a motorcycle in the near future. However, if I did, I would make it my business to spend every free summer day touring the river towns on both sides of the Delaware.
Bill Waite is the publisher of Bucks County Magazine.