Blue Skies...

I rode about 150 miles yesterday around the Colonial Beach area. Some nice roads but the scenery kinda sucked.

Today had clear deep blue skies so where else but Skyline. It may be a broken record but I really do love riding that road.

I started from the Ruckersville entrance and headed north to Front Royal. I stopped to fill up and instead of heading back through Orlean I rode Skyline back down to the Sperryville interchange and rode 522 back to Culpeper and then back home to the 'Burg.

All told it was about 250 miles.

All 105 Miles Today...

Weather was cooler so I went out for an all day'er.

Rode up to Front Royal and took Skyline (again) all the way down to the end then back home. Lots of bikes out there today and the traffic was light. The Loft Mountain section I was all but alone. I met a couple of guys from Frederick, Maryland that were headed home the slow way. All the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline.

Today's ride was about 325 miles today.

Where to go...

Woke up this morning and hit the road. I figured what the Hell and hit Skyline Drive. As I headed west I left the sunny skies over the 'Burg and rolled in to heavy cloud cover.

By the time I got to the drive the clouds were covering the road and the temp dropped down to about 70. Heavy fog and mist made it even cooler. Saw a black bear take a dump on the side of the road and about 10 deer walk past me on a break.

But it was a great ride. That's the great thing about Skyline. Every time is different.

I guess it is true...

Bears do shit in the woods.

Ken & Jose make today's ride

Ken & Jose made today's ride on Skyline. It's the first time for Jose since coming back from being stationed in Saudi Arabia. Even though he traded in the Sporty for an EG Classic we decided to let him tag along.

Some riders get bored with Skyline but I never get tired of such an easy going ride through some of the most scenic roads in Virginia.

All Day Ride...

The weather was mid-80's today. It was a welcome break from the blast furnace heat of the past few weeks. By the time I got up in to the mountains it cooled down so much I had to put on my jacket & gloves.

How hot is too hot?

Went for an errand ride around town yesterday. The temp topped 100+. It was one of the rare rides where it was actually hotter riding down the road than it was sitting at a light. You hope in the back of your mind that if you go faster the air will cool down just a little bit. But that was not the case.

If you want to experience it for yourself then go outside on the hottest day and then have someone blow hot air on your face with a hair dryer. Also you need to get a pair of ovens on high with the doors open on each side.

Then you might get close to the heat that was going on.

Finally Went for a Ride

It had been a while since I went for a ride since the Deal's Gap trip.

Honestly, after 1600+ miles I really didn't want to go on an all day run. But the weather cooled off just enough and I headed to the mountains today.

Up on Skyline the air was crisp and cool enough to need a jacket.

It was a great day for a ride.

On the Way Home...

Four days of riding The Dragon, back road twisties & the mountains of the Cherohala Skyway. I left out early to get a good start. The ride home was over I-40 west to I-81 to make stops to get my last 2 HD Virginia Tour stamps.

The first stop was Christiansburg, Va then a short ride to Roanoke for the final stamp & the 17 bonus tickets.

The ride home was fast and easy. Unlike the heat of the ride down the weather was cool & comfortable. Even with taking rest/gas stops about every 100 miles I still made it home well before dark.

Over all I rode about 1700 miles.

XL Forum Dragon Run

US 129 at Deal's Gap, N.C. is called "The Tail of the Dragon". There are 318 curves in 11 miles. This year XLF Group came in from all over. I came in from Virginia. Bruce came in from West Virginia. Joe & his group came in from Michigan. Dan from Indiana, Linda from Charlotte area. Georgia & Pennsylvania were also there.

Operation New Drive Belt...

The group headed out to ride the Cherohala Skyway and see if Smokey Mountain HD has a new drive belt for Bud.

Along the way we detoured a nice back road to see Bald River Falls.

We rode down to the SMHD shirt shop and they confirmed that the main dealership had the belt in Marysville.

By the end of the day it was a 300 mile round trip.

Rested up & Ready to Ride

Today was a relaxed day riding local twisties and goofing around.

One of the riders in our group, Bud, broke a

drive belt and the nearest replacement is Smokey Mountain HD in Marysville, TN. If the Dragon wasn't blocked it would be a 45 mile ride. So the plan is to ride the Cherohala Skyway over to the HD shirt shop in Tellico Plains and have them call to see if they have it in stock.

Takin' it Easy Today

Bruce made it in just after I did. The place we're staying is right on The Dragon. Unfortunately there is absolutely no cell service of any kind. The ride in yesterday took a little out of me. I ended up riding The Dragon and some local roads to find out where my cell could get some signal.

Long Hot Ride...

12 hours of searing heat but I was able to get to Deal's Gap Motor Lodge just before 8. I would have made it sooner but it took me a while on my 2 detours to get my tour stamps.

Ready for the Dragon Run

I'm all packed up and ready to head to Deal's Gap for the 3rd time in four years. The weather is predicted to be a hot one. I'll be stopping by Lynchburg & Danville HD to get my tour stamps. Hopefully I'll make it before it gets dark.

Waugh's Big Damn Bike Show

I decided to enter Waugh's bike show today. It's one of the only bike shows that instead of paying to enter you get a $10 Waugh's gift card. So a least you can get a free oil filter later on.

There were 16 Sportys in my group. From pristine stock to a cherry '59.

I didn't place this year, the first time my sporty did not win anything. It reminded me of why I hate entering bike shows. It's not that I didn't win but the sitting around for 5+ hours waiting for the judging.

XLF Dragon Run '10

Starting to get ready for the end of the month ride to Deal's Gap N.C. to ride U.S. 129 the Dragon. We are expecting about 25 - 30 people to show up for this one. Some from as far away as Michigan.

I even designed a patch for the ride organizer for everyone that shows up.

NOVA Stamp Ride

Headed up to Whitt's HD in Manassas & Patriot HD in Fairfax today. The morning started off nice but by the time I made it to Fairfax it was a scorcher.

There were a lot of riders out today. But even with the heat it was a fun day to ride.

So far I have 13 stamps in my Virginia HD Tour book only 4 to go. The last 4 will be later this month. Lynchburg & Danville will be on the way down to the XLF Dragon Run. Christiansburg & Roanoke will be on the way back.

Rolling Thunder XXIII

Ken & I rode up to D.C. for Rolling Thunder. It was a hot day but not too bad. We didn't ride the parade route today. Our first attempt at parking on the other side of the Memorial Bridge before anyone else was there got us chased off by the cops. So we ended up on the back side of Constitution Ave. When we tried to get in to the parade route the cops made us take a side road and before you know it we are on 66 west headed out of town. So we just headed home.

But it was a great day anyway.

Day of Backroads

Spent the day riding the backroads. It was a perfect day. Riding the roads with full tree canopies really cools the air. Every now and then the sweet smell of blooming honey suckle.

Tidewater Stamp Run

400 miles, only 2 wrong turns, 3 HD Tour stamps, 1 HD helmet for $50. It was a windy ride, almost blown off the road a few times.

I go all the way down to the Outer Banks and figure I'll see a light house while I;m close by.

It didn't go as I planned...