December is here...

There were some sweet day for riding last month.

But now those days are getting few and far between. No I get to set the Sporty on the stand and do some off-season maintenance.

Change all the fluids, fork oil, replace leaky oil lines & put some new brake pads on. No rush. I have until March to get this done.

A Good Day, A Bad Day...

Ken, Mike & I headed to Skyline for the day. For every good thing that happened we seemed to have to endure something bad. The forecast called for mostly sunny and a high around 65. But this morning was overcast and bone chilling cold.

So, on the way to SR 55 we stopped at a Sports Authority to buy an extra sweat shirt and some insulated under gloves. So the stop was just right and the extra gear warmed us right up.

Passing through Haymarket the main road to the SR 55 interchange is blocked for some Fall Festival. No detour direction signs. Just cops sitting in patrol cars that won't give any directions. We had to go a few miles around to get to the interchange that was 100 yards from the blocked road signs.

We get to Front Royal and plan on stopping at the Apple Cider Inn for lunch but it was packed. We then stop at 3B Burgers around the corner. It's a mom & pop burger joint that was very good. As we are eating the road to Skyline is backed up a lot.

We figured it was just heavy traffic.

Around the bend to the entrance of Skyline is backed up about 100 cars and the traffic was heavy all the way to the entrance gates. The Rangers were just waving cars through not charging any visitors just to try and get the traffic moving again. But the clouds broke at this time and the sun came out and warmed up the day a little.

On Skyline it was slow going at the overlooks and very crowded. It wasn't all bad we hit some stretches of good moving traffic and was able to make it to the Sperryville exit with time to spare.

We topped the day off with a stop in Cupleper for a stop at The Stable. We had met a a group of riders from D.C. at 3B's that was planning a ride south like us and I told them about The Stable since they were going through Culpeper too.

We saw them several times along Skyline and as we were heading in for dinner they were across the street checking out some of the other Downtown Culpeper shops.

Operation: Perfect Fuckin' Day

The crisp Fall weather lasted through the weekend so I set out on enjoying that weather to the Max.

Phase 1- Play a round of Disc Golf at Greene County DGC.

Phase 2- Ride Skyline Drive.

Phase 3- Stop by The Stable in Culpeper on the way home to enjoy the best sandwich anywhere.

Operation: Perfect Fuckin' Day was an unqualified success.

Fall Is Here

This year the weather has sucked for riding. Scorching hot this summer and rain, hurricanes & flash flooding since.

But this week the skies are crystal blue the air is crisp and perfect for a ride.

So the plan is to meet Ken and head out to our favorite road. Skyline Drive.

It's Been a Long Time Coming...

So all summer long it's either been too hot, severe thunderstorms or constant rain to go for a Skyline Drive run. But today Ken & I were able to ride 55 West to Front Royal and enjoy a great ride.

It actually got cool enough to need a jacket today.

The Bonus of the ride was my excellent decision to stop by "The Stable" in Culpeper and get a "Robert E. Lee".

Insurance is Latin for Fuck You

‎My Sportster renewal came in today and it's $45 more this year. Five years no tickets, accidents or claims. So I call them to inquire why the increase. In a nutshell my rates went up because of all the other shitty drivers out there causing accidents.

So much for careful driving or brand loyalty. I inform them that since my good driving havits mean shit to them not to expect my renewal payment, I will be getting my insurance from another company.

"Hold Please,"

"Mr. Morrow we have been able to find some previously unused discounts to apply to your policy that will lower your renewal to your previous amount."

I told them that if you don't get a check from me by the renewal date I have gone elsewhere....

Nice Day for Ridin'...

Today is clear and cooler so after my morning round of Disc Golf at Loriella I pulled out the Sporty and did some riding.

It has finally gotten back to a comfortable situation when riding. Not too hot that you melt at a stop ling and when you are riding the wind feels like a blow dryer in your face.

In seven days the Ace Race in Harrisonburg is happening. If the weather cooperates I'll ride out for that and hit Skyline in the afternoon.

Rode to Work Today...

The weather is finally cooling down enough to enjoy some riding. Either it has been hotter than hell or apocalyptic lightning storms would go through the area every evening.

It's kind of been a blessing in disquise. I have actually been getting a little bored with riding lately. It might have something to do with my clutch fuckin' with me again. But that will be dealt with in the winter.

Hopefully the crisp clear skies of Fall will allow me to make a few trips up to Skyline for the autumn colors.

Hot as Balls...

I haven't been riding much the last few days. The average temp has been around 97º with a heat index of 105º and higher.

I'm not even riding to work because it's just miserable riding weather.

I see a lot of weekend riders wearing shorts going down the road. It's dangerous enough riding with out a jacket & a short sleeve shirt. But shorts. Not only do you have to be aware of pipe burns on your legs the road rash if you get dumped will just shred your legs all up.

It's just plain stupid to ride in shorts. I guess some will have to learn the hard way.

I saw one guy do just that. He burned the inside of his leg on the pipe header and promptly dropped his bike when he reacted to the burn.

Another Great Ride...

I woke up a little late today but it was such a perfect day I had to get out for a ride. As usual I ended up on Skyline. The weather up there was perfection and traffic was light.

The only problem today was dodging the wildlife. Heading out of the neighborhood I had to stop and ad move a box turtle in the middle of the road. Crusing at 60mph on 22 past Warrenton a ground hog the size of a spaniel crossed the road in front of me. I narrowly missed it. If I had hit that it would have wrecked me for sure.

On Skyline 3 deer jumped across the road in front of me, but I was doing only 30 so it was not a dangerous situation. Then on the last leg on Skyline a small little furry animal scooted across the road. I don't know what it was but it was pretty fast.

Finally, I get to ride again...

It's been a month since my last long ride. It's been sunny but hard thunderstorms in the afternoon. A little too dangerous to be caught out on the road in.

But today it was a crystal clear morning. So I headed out to ride the Sperryville to

Standardsville run on Skyline Drive. It was a perfect day to ride. At altitude the temp dropped to a cool mid 70's and it felt great.

I tried to figure out a way but it seems it is not possible. But if you want to see a 360° version of the above image click the link below:

Skyline Drive 360°

A great day for Disc Golf & ridin...

Today was perfection in the making. A cold front came through and temps had dropped from the high 90's to mid- 80's. The sky was blue and is was time to finally hit Skyline Drive.

I usually hit Skyline a few time by now but with all the rain & other rides I haven't been able to ride there. But today changed all that.

And then some.

I strapped the bag 'o golf discs to the back of the Sporty and headed to Strasburg, Virginia to play Signal View Disc Golf Course. This works perfectly for the plan because it will be just a few miles west of Front Royal & Skyline Drive.

Signal View DGC was a great course and after playing I headed out to hit the drive.

Skyline was in perfect form today. I bought my season pass today and the traffic was good today. There were several sections where I didn't see a car for many miles. The AC was on at just the right temp all along the ride through the mountains.

Rolling Thunder XXIV

Rolling Thunder XXIV

Ken & I headed up to Washington D. C. for Rolling Thunder XXIV. We started out in Dumfries, Virginia at East Coast HD to watch the bikes leave from there.

It was really humid today bit the overcast skies helped it from being a scorcher of a day.

Thunder Alley for a couple of hot dogs. Then a walk through the Viet Nam Wall Memorial and the WWII Memorial.

We joined in on the parade after watching the bikes roll through the city. Then the ride home. It was a great day to ride and honor our military veterans.

Some Gave All 2011

Some Gave All was today and it was a great turnout. I'm guessing more than 1000 bikes today. Ken & I rode down to Spotsy to take part in the ride.

Next week, Rolling Thunder. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Disc Golf Ride

I recently began playing disc golf again after a 9 year break.

A little online research and I found a course just outside Standardsville. Greene County Community Park. So I strapped my disc bag to the back of the Sporty and headed out.

It was a beautiful day today. Clear blue skies and 68.

My plan was play the course and then hit Skyline to pick up my season pass for this year. But after the 18 it was almost 4 p.m. and I was a little tired so I headed home. But it wasn't a bad day at all. I rode about 125 miles and played a great course.