Motorcycle Travel Pictures Writer Author Photographer New York
"(The GPS Unit) leads me on more great roads up to Route 97 outside of Port Jervis to a stretch known as The Hawk’s Nest. This is a popular destination for motorcyclists for a section of the road that is extremely twisty and an absolute blast to ride. This scenic stretch, bordered by beautiful stone retaining walls runs along The Delaware River but is another one of those roads that is more hype than substance. For starters the "fun" part of the road is less than two miles in length and tons of tourists escaping from New York City clog the road on weekends. If you’re in the area it’s worth riding just for the scenic stops overlooking the river, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get there. If you do, be sure to get there very early in the morning before the traffic starts to build."
-Excerpt from "Road Work: Images and Insights of a Modern Day Explorer"
The excerpt above is from my Amazon #1 best selling road travel book which is available in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon as well as on Apple Books. If you love motorcycle travelogues give this one a read. As the author I may be just a little bit biased, but I happen to think it’s a great one. I hope you agree; and enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
According to Wikipedia: The Hawk's Nest is a scenic location outside Port Jervis, New York high above the Delaware River on New York State Route 97. Its name is derived from the birds of prey that nest in the area. The location is also known for its winding roads and scenic overlooks in the Delaware River Valley. Route 97 was originally a one-lane dirt road built in 1859. It was paved between 1931–1933 and subsequently dedicated in 1939, and rededicated on September 21, 2002, as part of the "Upper Delaware Scenic Byway" (according to a historical marker placed by the Town of Deerpark, where Hawk's Nest is located).
This image of mine (and others taken by other photographers) always command attention when posted and published in online motorcycle riding, touring and adventure forums. For an obvious reason: the road is extraordinary. Motorcyclists live for this type of road….wickedly technical with constant turns and elevation changes…accompanied by extraordinary scenic beauty. It is such a shame that this incredible stretch of two-wheeler heaven is only about two miles in length. The roads leading into this stretch, from every direction, are great motorcycle roads to be sure; but this highly technical and beautiful stretch is sadly way too short. I’ve heard people compare its technical challenge to "The Tail of the Dragon", an infamous road on the Tennessee-North Carolina border in The Great Smoky Mountains, which boasts 318 curves, turns and switchbacks in its 11 mile length. Eleven miles, at least, is something to look forward to, enjoy and feel good about once completed. The 2 miles of Hawk’s Nest is a tease by comparison. My perfect idea of a great technical motorcycle road is The Cabot Trail in The Cape Breton Highlands of Northeast Nova Scotia. Now that’s a righteous challenge! At 130 miles in length it’s a commitment, because once you’re riding on it there’s no turning back. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of navigating The Cabot Trail twice in my lifetime; and on my next visit I plan to ride it it in both directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise) on the same day…260 miles of pure motorcycle ecstasy! It has been said that every great road is actually two great roads…providing two unique riding experiences and scenic views in each of its directions. I couldn’t agree more. The photograph you are looking at was captured using a Nikon mirrorless camera and a Nikkor zoom lens which I carry everywhere in the top case of my BMW motorcycle. The digital image was processed in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop software on my Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer, which also travels everywhere with me. As a photographer, author, writer and adventurer I am blessed to travel the United States and Canada in the saddle of my motorcycle. My photographic images have graced the pages of many magazines and online resources in the photographic, motorcycle, motorsports, travel and hospitality industries. The images you see here on my web site are just a small sample of my stock photography library (all of which is available for sale or lease) and I am available to discuss and undertake any creative project assignment that you may have in mind. Give me a call..