Highway 55 and 41 (June 30, 2020)

Still expecting rain, but got none yesterday, and awoke to blue skies this morning. So once again with a smile, pulled on the motorcycle helmet and took the Triumph out for a ride. This time I rolled to New Carlisle on 235 and continued on. Took the photo at left when I turned onto Highway 55  at Christenburg, Ohio. Interesting ride and nice rolling through the country past the farms and fields. 

From 55 ended up in Troy. Stopped at the Aviation memorial there, and have photos of two of the three monuments below. Nice little park. I rode past the courthouse and around the downtown. Made a stop at the sign for a little aviation history about WACO Aircraft. In fact, went by the old factory site. Attended the fly in there last year and will hopefully get to go again this year if they have it. Many events around the area have been cancelled due to the virus. While checking out the sign, I also looked at the Honda. Had a few Honda motorcycles over the years, outstanding machines! 

Came back up Highway 41 and then via 235 to home. Nice ride on this very fine day before the heat and humidity get really bad. I really enjoyed the ride today.        

Early Ride on a Monday in Late June (June 29, 2020)

Got out for a while on a beautiful Monday morning. Wanted to go early as heat and humidity are getting high on this day, expected to be toasty later on. In fact it was as I headed out under the watchful eye of a bunny as seen at left. 

Soon though I was riding out in the country, stopped and got the photo below by a creek. Love the early mornings here, very peaceful and quiet. On a previous ride I had seen a number of deer, but none today unfortunately. I did see bunnies though and as seen below a number of cows. Stopped and got a photo of these below. 

The building I saw in Springfield, wandered around there for a while. Interesting city with a lot of things to see. I like getting there and seeing what it has to offer. Seems to be full of surprises. 

Later I rode into Enon where I once again visited the Indian mound there. Small town but nice to ride around there and during the time of day I visited the traffic was light.  

Today's ride was just over 50 miles, did not get going very fast and did no highways at all. It was a great time to get out and looking forward to doing a ride like this again soon.    

Dawn Patrol (June 26, 2020)

Beautiful morning to get out. Expecting some heat and humidity today to be on the increase. As I was up early to see an expected remarkable sunrise which was just ok as the dust cloud from Africa must not be here yet. Still, seemed like a ride was a good idea so took the Speedmaster out for an hour. Was greeted by this view of the sun, which I got from the seat of the motorcycle. Cool out and with humidity low it was a nice time to get the motorcycle into the breeze. Rode down 235 and into New Carlisle. Turned right at Speedway and saw the cows at Evans Cattle Company. These were just a few as there were quite many out in the fields. 

Not much further down the road I came across this deer. It was one of two I saw during the ride. They are quite common and worth watching out for, both for their beauty but also that they can be a hazard. I was once on a motorcycle ride and a friend of mine hit one. Luckily he was ok and the motorcycle was able to continue on, though it was damaged. Along with these saw something I had seen before. Two birds (crows I believe) chasing off a hawk. 

All in all it was a really fun early morning ride from 7am-8am. Covered some 30 miles and going to have to make riding during this time of day a point to do again . 

Kettering, Centerville, and Moraine (June 25, 2020)

Kind of a disappointing ride, although I guess any ride is a good ride. Photo above was taken in Fairborn, which I do like exploring. Got off the bike for a short bit before heading the rest of the way home. Spent a couple of hours before that exploring the areas of Kettering, Centerville and Moraine. Really came across nothing of note. Mostly an area of retail, factories, restaurants and houses/apartments. It was ok I suppose but nothing to really grab me today.   Still, thought that way about Springfield, Ohio the first couple of times I wandered through it on two wheels. I did enjoy finding P.F. Chang. One of these was a favorite Chinese restaurant in Richmond that I used to enjoy. Years and years ago I worked at JC Penney, which is now in bankruptcy. This one at the Dayton Mall (where P.F. Chang can also be found) is closed. 

For the day did some 62 miles in total, on a bright sunny say. Temperature and humidity are both down which is nice. Tomorrow that is expected to be a different story. Did enjoy getting out for awhile.     

Father's Day Ride (June 21, 2020)

Nice ride on this Father's Day. Got out and headed down the highway but weather got cloudy as rain is expected, turned off and visited Troutwood for a short bit. Saw this abandoned mall there, but continued on and into Dayton. There visited Riverscape where I saw the Wright sculpture and saw the fountains were running! I think those are very cool and would certainly feel good in the heat and humidity. Ride was just under 60 miles and I have more photos on my Ohio and Me page.    

First Ride of Summer (June 20, 2020)

Very nice ride for the first official day of Summer. Out early as the weather is calling for some high heat and humidity later. I was not alone in this idea, saw a number of motorcycles out and about on this beautiful day. First stop was in Fairborn, made a first time stop at Lefty's for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I thought both were excellent, and I will be back again. Rode from there into Enon. Made a quick stop at that restaurant to get a photo of the giant chicken. Followed that road for the first time which I continued on into Springfield, Ohio. There I discovered the Pennsylvania House. The markers I photographed will explain what it is, as well as a lot of good information on US40 which I explored some yesterday though in the other direction. 

Saw this steeple and followed it to Wittenberg University. Very nice school founded in 1845. Beautiful old buildings plus some nice modern ones. Then rode into nearby Ferncliff Cemetery. Nice veteran section and just a beautiful place to ride around. From there, headed back to my house via some favorite backroads. I have also posted some more photos from the ride today on my "Ohio and Me" page. Thank you for visiting and hope you come back soon.  

Last Ride of Spring 2020(June 19, 2020)

Got up early once again this week, and once more strapped on my motorcycle helmet and hit the road in search of adventure. This time I rolled out on 40, which is also known as "The National Road" and is one of America's oldest highways. Made a stop at the Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio. It has an unusual control tower which can be seen at top left. I continued on up 40, rolling through Englewood and a number of small towns. Interesting ride past a lot of huge farms and fields. Stopped at the 40 mile point for fuel at a Marathon station and a coffee drink (cold coffee as the temperature was already rising.         

I rode back the same way as I came. Back down 40 and through the little towns and Englewood and Vandalia. I made a short drive through Carriage Hill Park which is one of my favorite places before getting home after being out two hours and fifteen minutes. I covered a grand total of 79 miles for the ride today. Had a great time and looking forward to the Summertime rides coming up next. I have more photos from the ride posted on my Ohio and Me blog page if you are interested in seeing those. Thanks for visiting my page and hope to see you back here soon. 

Pre-Rain Ride (June 18, 2020)

Pretty good morning to get in a ride, though was watching the skies. First stop was in New Carlisle to actually get some stamps (and to mail a birthday card) but a good reason to get the motorcycle out. Took out from the post office and headed down some back roads. I did stop at a nearby park I like and then rolled toward the Air Force Museum. While headed there made a stop at Eastwood Lake. Nice place and talked to a guy who asked about my Triumph. He owns a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic. I had the 1500 classic prior to the Triumph, great motorcycle. 

Anyhow rode past the Air Force Museum which opens on July 1.

Made a quick stop at the Wright Brothers Memorial, which is a National Park Service site. As of right now, the Visitor Center is not yet open either but you can see the memorial which is the last photo below. While there got a little bit of rain, very light from the darkening skies. 

At that point, headed back toward Fairborn and got through the road work detour. Sure a lot of work being done on Ohio roads. This though is not bad they need it. More light rain but got home safe and sound after a fun and very interesting 40 mile ride around the area. Once again it was mostly country roads and it was a great deal of fun.         

Country Ride on a Beautiful Wednesday (June 17, 2020)

 Interesting ride today, got out early for a ride around the country roads. It was all backroads with the total number of lanes on each road being just two. It was neat to see the places, and even saw some really unusual stuff. For instance, saw a group of vultures in a field out in the middle of nowhere. Really regret not getting the camera out for that, they were really something to see. 

Weather was really perfect, still cool for this time of year and very low humidity. I love riding around in the mid morning, as the traffic is real light and that makes for some fun and safe motorcycling. 

Later this week expecting rain to be more common as well as higher heat and humidity. Still, thats fine its that time of year, plus works good for me still as I get out early anyhow. Ride today was a good 60 miles and it was a wonderful time. Thanks for visiting my page!    

Reached 10,000 and moving beyond (June 15, 2020)

Nice morning ride on this slightly cooler than usual Monday morning. Low humidity though and that was really good as I enjoy these sort of rides. Light traffic also on the highway and the backroads which is also very good. I was doing sort of a scouting ride today looking over and area and some places where Debbie and me are going tomorrow. She has something to do and after we are checking out a new place to eat. Nice thing was that I was just a few miles short of 10,000 on the odometer on the motorcycle.   

It has taken me four years but have reached that goal as can be seen in the photo directly below. Been a great ride and the motorcycle has been trouble free to this point. Its a fun motorcycle and having a good time on it, with more to come. 

Rode out to the 9-11 Memorial at Beavercreek Station. Always haunting to be there. Debbie has not seen it but will tomorrow.

After that rode out to Young's Dairy. I have a photo from there at top, and also the last two photos are from there. It is a very neat place to go and I enjoy visiting there. They also have some outstanding ice cream, but I passed on that this morning (plus was early enough that they did not look to be open yet). The animals there found me interesting, and I certainly thought the same of them. 

Got back after a two hour ride. While getting gas before really heading out talked with a guy who really liked my motorcycle. That seems to happen a lot with the Triumph. For the ride put 58 miles on the clock, first 20 of which got me to the point directly below.        

Ride to Urbana (June 12, 2020)

Beautiful day to get out and get a ride in. Rode out to Grimes Field, which is an old (1940's era) airport in Urbana, Ohio. I have been there before, but on such a beautiful day this seemed like a fine ride. Rode four lane 70 to two lane Highway 68 to reach this destination.  

Once there, got to Urbana which is seen at left. Its another traffic circle, Ohio seems to really like those. Nice area though and enjoyed the ride. Got a photo of one of the old Hangars there below. I have more photos on my Ohio and Me blog. 

Left there via Highway 36 which took me past farms and fields and then though St. Paris, Ohio. From there it was 235 though New Carlisle and then 571 to home. Beautiful day and a wonderful ride.    

Monday Ride to Piqua and Beyond (June 8, 2020)

Nice Monday ride. As the tropical storm is due to get here tomorrow thought today would be a good day to get one more ride in. Turns out that I was right in doing that. Rolled up Ross Road and into Vandalia, or at least the outskirts. Visited this helicopter at the VFW there, and then the covered bridge just outside of Piqua, Ohio. Before that I had passed through Tipp City and Troy, Ohio. From Piqua rolled down Highway 36 and finally into Highway 235. Weather was just fantastic, once again with low humidity and cooler temperatures. Got in a 65 mile ride and was grinning from ear to ear the entire two hours of the adventure.