Dayton: The Return (April 27, 2020)

Two trips in a row, I have gone to Dayton. I don't go by there very often, but do enjoy my visits there. To me, its a very interesting and historic city. I went by The Wright Cycle Company, which is part of a large museum. This was actually the site (and the building sits on the foundation of) an original  Wright company shop. They had a number of them over the years. The one where they both built aircraft and bicycles was purchased by and moved to Michigan by Henry Ford. Still a number of interesting things to see there. Sadly, not now as the museum as is most other things are closed due to the virus. However, will eventually reopen in the future. I rode around downtown for a bit, and another stop was the home of the Dayton Dragons single A baseball team. The Dragons are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. It is a popular place in the Spring, Summer and Fall, but once again....not for a while yet. Still, enjoying the adventures out and about as I explore the area, and looking forward to my next ride in a few days. Expecting a rainy few days, but will see how that goes.       

Destination Dayton (April 25, 2020)

Actually a bit of a surprise. Got up to blue skies, the expected rain for Saturday was a few hours away then was first predicted. So, I got the Triumph out for a ride on a beautiful day.
Headed at first to Fairborn for a little BP fuel. Nice thing was the price was down to 1.09 per gallon, and that sure put a smile on my face. Filled the fuel tank and headed back down the road. Rode into Dayton via some back roads. I find Highway 4 to be bumpy so did a different and fun route. Made a stop at the riverside park downtown which is where I got the Wright Flyer sculpture photo. I like that park but it was just a quick stop. A few people out and about there, most wearing masks (which is a good thing in my book).
Headed back via Troy Street which got me into Huber Heights and to the park where I got the horse photo. Yes, took my steel pony to see the real ponies! Got home after some 40 miles of riding and with a huge grin on my face. It was a great ride!

The 571 Ride (April 24, 2020)

For the last few days we have had a period of rain as well as some cooler weather, and coming up for the next few days it will be warmer, but expecting rain at least through the weekend, and some of the following days of the week.
Took the opportunity of a sunny day if a little bit cool at the time, to get out and get a little "breeze between my knees". Took the photo at left in the drive way with a look once again at the flowers. Planted those last year and they have come up again nicely, but think they wont be lasting a whole lot longer this year.
It was a good day to get out. I rode out via Route 571 which is why I called this the "571 Ride". Its a nice country route past some farms and some very nice scenery. Being under the days of the virus as well as people being at work, traffic was not heavy. It was nice to get out and certainly a beautiful day though clouds tended to fight with sunshine during this ride. Still, it was a wonderful chance to get out and about and certainly put a smile on my face.   

Rode out to Tipp City which is a very historic city and a fun place to ride. Lots of interesting things to see there. I like the old buildings and the big houses that can be found there. It is a very nice town and I spend a fair amount of time there though this is the first visit this year/
The local Honda dealer there does my car maintenance and there is also one of my favorite BBQ places there which is Hickory River Smokehouse. If you are ever in the area, take my word for it, its worth a stop. After a visit to the city, rode back and actually ended up riding through Enon and Fairborn, Ohio before getting home 50 miles later.   

The Return of Spring (April 20, 2020)

 Finally, Spring has returned. A few days of winter, even with some snow (did not stick, but it was snow which fell) but warmer weather and blue skies can be found. So on this Monday, got the Triumph out for a short while. Rode out to the Dayton International Airport which is pretty much asleep in these days of the virus. Did see the Air Show entrance which is still scheduled. Will see about that. Rode into Englewood and then back home via "The National Road" (US 40) which is a nice country ride. Got to the airport and Englewood via the interstate. It sure felt good to get my knees in the breeze again. 

Easter Ride to St. Paris (April 12, 2020)

It was actually a bit warmer then yesterday, close to 70 though expecting storms to come rolling in later today. Good day for a ride on this Easter Sunday though. Headed out to St. Paris, Ohio which is around 25 miles from my house. Its a nice ride down 235 past farms and fields. 235 is as straight as an arrow and takes you to Indian Lake. That was not my destination today but this was. St. Paris is a very small town and some of the buildings are very old. One of the buildings in this row was dated to 1890. I thought it was a great place to stop for a photo and to get off the motorcycle for just a minute and take it all in.

 I like this house, and have stopped to look at it last year. Very elegant and looks to be old but very well kept.I have an older photo on this site from last year, where you can see it is a very large house. Lots of outbuildings too are around it. No signs and don't believe it has any real purpose such as tours but sure is a beautiful place.
At any case from there went back down 235 and made a brief photo stop in New Carlisle (seen below) before heading home. One of the biggest rides this year (so far) which covered 53 miles. It was a great time. I have a few more photos on my "Ohio and Me" blog page. Thanks for visiting!         

Cruising Fairborn (April 10, 2020)

Interesting ride yesterday. Somewhat of a problem as the cold of the last couple of nights took a toll on my battery. Yes, had some issues starting the bike as it just clicked. Power did come up as it sat and finally it ran. Took a ride to Fairborn where I saw the plane behind the bike above at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Took a photo of the motorcycle in front of the "monster" at Foys in Downtown Fairborn. Foy's is a really large and famous series of Halloween shops in Fairborn as well as other shops. They have a good restaurant there and a neat sort of general store.

I went from there to a country ride though did get back into Huber Heights before getting back into the country. That included a ride into one of my favorite local parks. The ride was around some 40 miles on what was a somewhat cooler day. It was right at 50 if it was that warm, but I was dressed for it. Did stop for gas just short of home too, and the motorcycle fired right up.

Took the last photo at the lake just short of the house. Looking forward to my next adventures on the roads of Ohio very soon.

The C-17 Ride (April 9, 2020)

Interesting day here. Got up and did a lot of things such as workouts and walks and then decided on this breezy day to take a ride on the motorcycle. It is some 20 degrees cooler than yesterday but seemed like a good idea. Rode out to Wright Patterson Air Force Base and saw this C-17 doing touch and goes. It also flies a pattern which includes flying over my house and the immediate area. I often enjoy the planes flying. In fact with my "better camera" (the one at left is from my cell phone) I took some photos this week and have them as the last two photos below in much better detail.     

 Always fun of the C-17. When I rode my motorcycle from Richmond, VA to here (it was just before the move here two years ago) I got a little lost. Then I saw a C-17 flying as I rolled along the highway. Headed for that area and once I found the Air Force Base I was able to find my way to the house.
Wright Patterson Air Force Base is in Fairborn, Ohio and there I got this photo of Mr and Mrs Frankenstein. They have a number of Foy's Halloween Shops and in in fact here it is a big holiday. Check out my posts on here and my "Ohio and Me" blog for some of the events around October 31. It is a really good time here. It will be interesting to see what happens around here in light of the virus. It is already having a big effect on many upcoming events.       

 This is The Tavernette in Medway, Ohio which is some very good eats. I have gotten take out there during the Coronavirus and have been trying as best I can to support some of my favorite local restaurants. I am hoping that they all survive this, but that will remain to be seen. I am hopeful but worry about that too.
As for the ride it was a good one. Rode around the countryside with that plane coming around every so often. It was about a 45 minute ride and did some 20 miles. As I often say, in this case it was quality, not quantity. Enjoyed the hell out of it though. 

Monday Ride to Springfield (April 6, 2020)

Good Monday morning and as the forecast it not looking too good for the next few days got the motorcycle out on this bright day. It was pretty close to 60 when I headed out. Took some country roads as I explored and surprisingly ended up in Springfield, Ohio. It was a different but interesting route to get there. I found Springfield somewhat busy but still not as busy as expected due to the virus. Nice day to ride though and certainly Springfield is an interesting city to wander. Stopped to get these two photos and then headed back to my house. Ended up going some 50 miles which made this one of the longest rides of the year so far. I also passed the 9,000 mile mark on the Triumph for the time that I have had it.         

Riding on Day 3 (April 4, 2020)

 Felt like a good day to get out, though cooler then the last two because I wanted to get out before the rains expected today came. So was in the low 50's when I headed out this morning. Rolled down through the country and made a stop in Huber Heights at The Rose.
The Rose is an outdoor concert hall and said to be a great place to see bands. They are usually national acts on the way up, or old favorites from the past. Acts include rock and roll, country and even some hip hop. I have never been there except to roll by it as I did today, but when everything gets back to normal, will be giving it a look. 

 Rode by one of the local parks, this one is designed for some hiking, fishing and yes...some horseback riding. Lots of horses there, and thought it would be cool to pose my motorcycle in front of some of its fellow ponies. They call motorcycles "Steel Ponies" so it seemed to fit.
Fun riding around that park, traffic was light and it was fun seeing the animals. There is also a really nice lake there and even a place with some exhibits on the local area. There is also an old farm to explore which I have in the past but not today. After a few months of not riding, sure enjoying doing that. Last three days have really been wonderful.
Anyhow, rode at last out to the New Carlisle Airport where they were running up this biplane. Neat to hear the radial engine operating and though did not get to see it fly, was a cool thing to run into. I like having an airport, even a small one, just a very short distance from my house. I was last there a couple of days ago. For the three days of riding have been right around 90 miles and have enjoyed it a great deal. Looking forward to some really good riding in the upcoming days ahead.

Ride to Huffman Prairie (April 3, 2020)

 Had a great time yesterday and felt like repeating that after a long winter without riding. So on another beautiful day got the motorcycle out and took to the roads of the area. This trip I was on a mission to pick up some vitamins for my wife Debbie, but went the long way (as those of us who ride tend to do).
Ended up at Huffman Prairie which is where the Wright Brothers perfected their Wright Flyer. Below is a replica of the hanger and catapult they used. Below that is a view of the field, loaned them by a farmer. Below that is the hanger (which is copied from a photo of the original and is at the same location) and then a look inside. To get the plane in there they had to take some items off. Finally is the catapult and the launch rail. Without the winds of Kitty Hawk, NC and due to the low power of engines of the time, they needed that to fly. It worked and enabled them to take off with just 60 feet of rail. The Wright Flyer III set a number of aviation records early on. 

Finally during the ride enjoyed the sight of the dogwood trees all ablaze in white as if they all had the same idea. It was a beautiful day for the ride and I really enjoyed being out and about in the area on this damn fine day. Looking forward to the next ride which if all goes well will be tomorrow morning.   

Back in the Saddle Again (April 2, 2020)

Hard to believe my last ride on this Triumph Speedmaster was November 10 of last year. The weather though is getting warmer, plants are blooming, trees are flowering and its getting warmer. So, got out this morning and put the battery back into the motorcycle. It was pretty easy and did not take very long at all. Oiled the chain and checked the tires air pressure. Had to put a few pounds into both tires, but not bad (around 4 pounds each) to get them back into running shape.
At 1 pm, got on the bike and took a quick selfie with the timer function of the cell phone. Temperature was in the upper 50's and got headed on down the road.
Felt really good from the start, there are few things I like to do as much as riding motorcycles. I have done that for a number of years and glad to still be here and still doing it in 2020. Sure is a terrible time as this are the days with the virus and the impact on this country is still hard to get a handle on. Just thought this would be a good thing to do, and sure put a smile on my face.         

 One of the first places I went to was a small park just off of Spangler Road in Medway. Seems to be a good area to see Great Blue Herons, though did not see any today. The sign is down below in a straight line with the additional photos.
Took the photo at right at the lake at George Rogers Clark Park which is a few miles from the house. Always a favorite place to ride too, has a replica Indian village there and good place to have a picnic and apparently fish. Its still open but all the planned activities are on hold at least for the immediate future.   

I did ride into New Carlisle, which is always a fun place. Course its kind of sad now, as most places are all closed due to the virus, though places with drive thru's are still open. I took a short ride around the area.
The city is an interesting place to ride, many of the houses date back to long ago. I like old historic places and had a good time there in the past. The Festival of Flight in the fall is a really good time, and had a blast there last year with my wife. Hopefully will have that again this year, so much is up in the air as far as when they will be doing things again. I am hopeful that this all is not as bad as the terrible estimates are but it all remains to be seen.
At any case, was good to check in on New Carlisle and took the photo of the bike  at the water tower there. I have read that it is very cold also, dating I believe to the 1930's.   

Finally made a short stop at the Airport in New Carlisle. I like the old Cessna there and often enjoyed watching planes flying around the area. I like to see the planes at the US Air Force Museum also, but that is also closed. I have noted few planes in the air since this virus hit the US. Keeping everyone in my prayers. Anyhow, have a few photos below to see from the ride today, and also putting just a few on my "Ohio and Me" blog page. This is certainly a very good day and looking to many more on the motorcycle this year.