Blue Skies Are the Best

When the high is going to be mid-70° range and there is not a cloud in the sky Im going to do something. I didn't feel like playing a round so I started up the bike and headed north. Before I knew it I was in Warrenton and was getting hungry so I stopped at Firehouse.

I continued north and ended up in Front Royal to hit Skyline from mile 0. There was a very long line of traffic at the gate but luckily I had my season pass and cut to the front of the line. The cool temps kicked in as I climbed up the mountain and took my first break at the top.

I can't get enough of Skyline on a day like today. The weather was perfection and Spring was in full green mode.

Considering the line at the entrance the actual traffic was not bad at all. The only problem was tourists stopping at a sharp curve to photograph a couple of bears. Which I have no problem with but don't stop in the middle of the road on a blind curve. It tends to be dangerous on a busy day.

Another reason I love Skyline so much....

I rode from mile 0 at Front Royal down to the 33 interchange at mile 64. I ended up riding about 225 miles today. I held up pretty good. I didn't get and kinks until I got back in to the 'Burg.

Too Hot to Play...

Last night the storm-aggedon tore through the 'Burg and knocked out power all over. Last year when this happened it took 3 days to get it back on.

The timing couldn't have been better. It was forecast to break the 100° mark and with no AC it was going to suck.

It was going to be too hot for a round of Disc Golf so to kill the day I decided to use the last day of my National Park season pass and ride Skyline Drive. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As long as you were rolling it didn't get uncomfortable. Only when you were stopped in traffic did it get hot. All along the ride today there was damaged trees, down lines and cops directing traffic downed lights. Sperryville looked like a bomb went off with all the tree damage.

Skyline didn't disappoint. As soon as I started up the twisties of 33 the temps began to drop. Once on the Drive when the canopy covered the road it was nice & cool.

There wasn't much traffic up there today and the power was out at Big Meadows. The restaurant was closed but they had enough power to sell itms from the camper's store so I was able to get a soda & peanuts to snack on.

The gnats were a bit much today when I stopped at an overlook to take a break. But you keep your goggles on for that.

I headed home down to Culpeper and lucky for me The Stable was open so I got my Robert E. Lee and didn't even realized that it had rained while I was eating dinner. The clouds were rolling in pretty dark so I took the chance of trying to beat the rain home.

I almost made it too. Nothing stings like rain hitting you at 70 mph. I had to stop at the Shell near Germanna until it passed by. It didn't take long and the roads were drying fast so I finished my ride and made it home. It was a bonus when I hit the driveway. I left the front porch light on before I left and it was on when I pulled in. So the poser is back on and I can sleep tonight with the AC on.

Last Day of Vacation

So I took a week of for family visiting. They went home early leaving me free for the weekend. Yesterday I had a great day of disc golf and today was pretty good too.

Ken wanted to go for a ride today so I met him for a ride down to Waugh's in Orange for a classic car show. Then a sweet ride north on 522 to Culpeper to stop by our favorite restaurant "The Stable".

As usual I got the Robert E. Lee and Ken ordered the U.S. Grant.

As we were leaving I stopped and talked to a couple at the bar, Pete & Terry. They had recently moved to  the 'Burg from Maine and didn't know the area too well. Ken & I wasn't sure where we were going after lunch. Pete & Terry had never been on Skyline Drive I suggested we hit it and they were happy to come along.

We continued north on 522 to Sperryville and rode Skyline south to Ruckersville and then back to The 'Burg. Pete & Terry were great and we had a great day of riding and looking forward to our next ride.

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.

Winter Project: Mission Accomplished!

A month and $90 later the custom seat for my AirHawk pad is done. It totally changes the look of the Sporty. The old Sundowner seat beat the hell out of the paint on the rear fender. Repaint this Spring is the next project.

Winter Project: Update

Just about got the seat pan done. Smoothed out the metal & filled out the shape with a little body mud. The mounting base plate is ready all that's needed is the mounting brackets that are on the way.

Now it's time to start practicing on sewing the custom cover.

Winter Project: Update

The shape of the seat is just about done. Today was spent smoothing out the metal and working on the small dings that are left. All I need now are the seat mount brackets that are on order.

Winter Project: Update

The SP Project is coming along. The seat is starting to take shape. I found an interesting way to smooth out the metal, a Craftsman Hammerhead cordless hammer.