Visit to RIR (June 15,2013)

 Actually this was NOT part of the ride, but was part of my morning...took the dog on a walk to the South of the James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park, Richmond, VA...and got a photo of this bike along the way. It is a Russian made Ural Motorcycle with side car. Read a good review on this bike and setup in Motorcyclist Magazine a few months ago, and have seen quite a few of them. It is not clear if the Germans gave the Russians the plans to the bike during the war, or if the Russian's copied it from the German Army, but at any case it is a modern version of a 1930s BMW motorcycle.  

Again, saw this at the Market, but a very nice looking Ducati Monster. Ducati makes some amazing motorcycles, and I think if I ever was to have one would get one of these. Just a beautiful design and they come in a number of engine sizes. Amazing machines!
I DID get a ride in, after this got the Vulcan and went riding across the Nickle Bridge (actually takes 7 of them to cross it now) and to Carytown. Went to Mellow Mushroom and a short walk about that very interesting part of Richmond, always some cool stuff to see there.

 Continued on The Boulevard and followed the road to Richmond International Raceway. Looks like they are adding on to the grandstands there. Have been to the track for a race only once, it was a few years ago to the (no longer held) Indy Car race, but had a really good time there. Those are some amazing cars. Now it is pretty much only used for racing with NASCAR, though there is a lot of things going on there all the time. In fact there was a flea market and a really big looking car and bike show going on there. A few weeks ago they had a concert there. Oh and today there was something else.... 

Richard Petty Driving Experience was in town, and they were giving rides around the race track. In this photo you can see one of the cars in the foreground and one in the background running on the track. I have done in twice (in Charlotte on Charlotte Motor Speedway) and got to say it is a hell of a thing.
Anyhow, got in a good ride, though mileage wise was not a big riding day....around 30 miles of all things. Did a lot of walking and looking on this day. Did finish up with a ride around Richmond and stopped at Legend Brewing Company for (one) Legend Brown Ale. It was a very fine day!