Short ride on a Cold Tuesday (December 29,2009)

The year is winding down, the weather may turn a bit wet soon, and its certainly cold; but on a 40 degree Tuesday under a lot of sun, took a short ride today out on Union Street in Concord, NC. While there, went by the "old" city Christmas Tree and took a photo of the bike parked there. Was nice to get out for a while, and enjoyed the ride even with the coolness of the day. There is joy to be found under a bright cloudless blue sky, and besides...even a short ride is better than no ride at all. This is my third ride on the bike since I have been home (due to the upcoming weather...possibly the last this year) but was nice. In the course of the ride went by Onemor (also on Union Street) where hooked up with my old riding buddy (sold his bike last year) Keith and Jerry Jones who like me is working in Richmond, VA. Had a nice time with them, and had a nice lunch there before heading back to the house. Doubt I will get more in than starting the bike on Sunday before I go back to Richmond, but have sure enjoyed the rides. In distance over the three times I have been on it, went close to 100 miles, which is not bad considering it is late December, and a cold one at that!

Winter Ride in the Piedmont (December 27, 2009)

Have been out twice this visit so far, first time was a surprise ride. Found the motorcycle battery started fine (after being charged and even after sitting a month) and got a good ride on Thursday around the area for around an hour. Chilly and overcast but fun to be out for the first time since the Thanksgiving weekend. I continued that today, after a nice morning, headed out around noon for a ride around Concord. I headed out to Dale Earnhardt, Inc which was founded by the man himself, and enjoyed the ride cool as it was. Think it got pretty close to 50 while I was out, and did have nice looking skies.

Ride took me out to Davidson College in the town of Davidson on NC-115. I like that road, passed through Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. Many of the buildings in the town and at the school are old. Hell, Woodrow Wilson went to school there. It is a nice school; the church at left, and the building below are just a couple of the buildings on campus. Davidson itself is very neat; a small college town with a lot of interesting places to eat, as well as some friendly people. That area makes for a good ride, though good idea to always follow the posted speed limits. No tickets there (knock on wood) but the Davidson Police I am told do not fool around. I did get off the bike and walk around the campus a bit, like to do that from time to time. There was a family with a lot of dogs, and they were taking photos of the family and dogs. That is notable cause I did not see a lot of people; usually light early on Sunday rides, and this one was no exception. Sunday is often the best time of the week to ride, if you like a little peace and calm.

I rode back to Concord on NC-73 and as I got close traffic picked up (but never really bad) as I got back on NC-29. Rode out past the former Philip Morris factory in Concord, and finally saw a few bikers here and there in town. Good to see there were a few hardy souls (some of which were women riders) out as well as myself. I rode back to my house a little before 3pm following my noon start, and had covered some 85 miles in that three hours on the bike (though one hour was spent visiting with Ray, a former co-worker at the old factory). It was, as always, a good ride on two wheels on a Sunday.
Oh one other thing comes to mind...almost forgot. Did some maintenance checks, added a little oil (though not below the low line) but due to the cold temperatures did also check the air in the tires before the Thursday ride. Found the front tire was at 22 pounds (usually at 28) and the rear at 32 (usually at 38). With the cold temperatures, be sure to check your tires often. Proper inflation helps fuel mileage, handling, and also improves the ride. Ride safe always!

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year

A few days early, but heading back to Concord, NC and will be spending the holidays there. Its been relatively nice there; temperatures in the 50's, and sunny for the past few days. Family, friend, and of course the motorcycle (still needing a battery) await there. I plan to spend a lot of time with the family and friends; and yeah...will get that battery and get out on the bike. As for the Richmond area, while doing the last of my Christmas shopping at the nearby Diamond (Home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels) I stopped by Velocity Motorcycles. They carry some different motorcycles, but have to say its my favorite motorcycle shop in the RVA. I like unique bikes like this Ural Motorcycle with sidecar in the snow (one would think a Russian made motorcycle would be perfect in the snow). Richmond got hammered by the white stuff over the weekend, and it has been quite a few days since I have seen any motorcycles on the road.
So anyhow, its back to Carolina in the morning. I did want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (and if there is something else you celebrate also/instead...well hope its great for you too!) Certainly been a wild year for me living my very own "Tale of Two Cities" but it has been interesting and have enjoyed what I have been able to experience (though unfortunately as a non-rider here in Richmond) of the Richmond motorcycle scene. I hope to do even more in 2010. As for the Carolina rides; ditto on that. Due to work and weather, some of my favorite events did not work out for me; but hopefully will have some better luck this year. On the bright side the ride with Steve to the Blue Ridge Parkway (Blowing Rock and Boone, NC) was a perfect day. Looked like the skies would unload, but it was fine.
That is what I hope your rides are in 2010. Be safe, and enjoy the wind in your face, and power at your wrist.

December in Richmond VA

December 5, 2009 to be exact. Went to Ultimate Cycle to see if their motorcycle batteries were cheaper than the one I priced at RideNow in Concord (and that would be a....nope!). Will be ordering that this week probably. Might get back and see if it starts when I get home to Carolina. Of course, be nice if it would quit raining. Another wet day in Richmond (and in Carolina too, though since I am not there, no big deal) but nice to visit the bike shop. When I am not riding, I am thinking about riding; so great to have Ultimate Cycle nearby.
Been also doing a lot of looking at new bikes (though not in the market, very happy with the Vulcan Classic) but some interesting bikes coming out in the next few weeks and months from the manufacturers. Though the economy blows, there will be some interesting bikes in 2010. A bit of manufacturer news; HD is NOT going to put a factory in Kentucky after working out contract problems with the Union at the York facility. Also speaking of Harley (sort of) have been enjoying greatly episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" which I watch on Hulu. Hulu is great, but being part of the upcoming Comcast purchase, will probably get ruined under their ownership.
Saw that Buell is still going to be making some bikes; based on the 1125R and its Rotax engine (no more Harley engined Buell's). That motor (unlike the HD engines) is a real modern beast with a lot of power. Think that Erik Buell is one of the most innovative designers out there, wish him the best of luck.
As for me, enjoying a rainy day in Richmond, waiting till the next ride.

Thanksgiving in Concord, NC (Nov 26-30)

Had a previous photo of the Honda Fury at RideNow in Concord, NC; they apparently sold that one, and have this new color in. Still think its a neat looking motorcycle, and the new Honda Sabre, and Interstate which comes out in February will be along much the same lines. Took this photo while at RideNow checking on a battery for the Kawasaki Vulcan (which of course will have to be ordered). The five year old battery on the bike is giving up the ghost apparently. On a Friday ride it did not start. A borrowed battery charger from a friend got me back on the road, but a new battery is upcoming. Need to be able to depend on the battery.
Santa though in front of my house does not have that problem. Had a great visit at home this holiday. Put some lights in the bushes, items in the windows (different light displays which stick on with suction cups) and got the tree up. It was an all day project (and part of the night) but at least in the house in Concord it looks a lot like Christmas! Love this time of year though not the best riding time of the year; but I do manage to get a few in. In fact while Friday was a bit cool, it got into the 60's on Sunday. Of course, being a "resident" of two cities as I am now, don't get quite as much riding in as I usually do; but I do the best I can.
Despite the battery problem once it was charged did get in a Friday ride. Rode out to Extreme Motorcycles in Salisbury, NC, and as I thought, it is out of business. Was a neat dealership which carried a lot of different bikes (Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Big Dog Motorcycles). Bike did start on Sunday and I went out around Concord. Went to Cannon Village in Kannapolis, NC to see if the lights were in the trees. They were...and Patty and I drove out later Sunday night to see the trees all lit up...a nice Christmas time display! All in all got in close to 100 miles of motorcycle riding over the two days I rode; not too bad for late November. Good thing about North Carolina riding though is that with the proper gear for the weather, its possible to ride all year. That was a whole lot harder to pull off in the Ohio Valley during my Louisville days. Best wishes to all of you for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!