Between the Handlebars: October

Actually took the photo of this CVO Harley-Davidson, and the Sportster below at the Naval Air Station Air Show earlier this month. Had a great time at that event; was simply a hell of a thing. Some great flying (and featured the always amazing Blue Angels) and just a remarkable experience. Hell, it was fun being back on a Navy air base (I served in the USN some years ago) and it just felt good. Lots at a air show, including motorcycles; both those ridden in, and these on display there. Lots of interesting new bikes are coming out, and there will be some real nice (hopefully) new iron from various manufacturers gracing these pages. Tough times for sure still exist, but there will be some new eye candy coming out in the very competitive motorcycle market.
I though will be sticking around the Richmond area at least into early October, thanks to my employer (who despite that, I am thankful for). My "Virginia motorcycling" consists largely of remembering previous great rides on my Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (photo of that can be seen on my previous post). Some great rides are coming up, because fall is here at last; with the promise of cooler temperatures after a pretty brutal summer heat wise, and of course those fall colors. I usually make a ride to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall, and I hope to make this year no exception. Still I am looking forward to the next ride on the bike, and it can't come soon enough! Still, do see some interesting things here in the Richmond area from time to time.
....Have been missing a great Carolina web site (Carolina Motorcycle Events) that did a remarkable job of posting motorcycle events in the Carolina (and even some in Virginia) area(s). The man who did it, sure did an outstanding job. What I am left with now is "Full Throttle (Carolina) and Thunder Roads (Virginia) magazines; and while they are better than nothing, finding that I often come across things just by luck. Stumbled across a few bike shows (both at Hooters; one in Chesterfield, and one at Short Pump) just by chance (being at the right place at the right time). Course, some great events can be found at and via various Motorcycle dealers, who post a number of events.
....That said do have some rides of note (some will get more mention). In Carolina on October 2 is the Cruising Carolina Charity Ride....info is sort of lacking, but tends to be a big ride. Info on that can be found on the Full Throttle site. Of SPECIAL note, is 11/21 Arzie Rogers Toy Run which will leave from the Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis, NC (sometime around 10-11, get there early for registration/food). I have been on that ride a few times, it is a MASSIVE ride, police escorted (and seeing those howling police bikes running up to block intersections is remarkable) and is a really, really great ride. The ride is put on by (and ends at Speedway Harley-Davidson); its the most fun you can have for the price of a toy!
....Virginia news is a bit more lacking. Did see that Departure Bike Works will have an open house (38th, which I assume is the number of years they have been in business) on October 9. There will be music and food. Colonial Harley-Davidson (nice shop by the way, I have been there) will be having its "Teddy Bear Run" November 6, and will leave from Colonial at 1PM. Like the charity rides, they tend to be a lot of fun, have some nice "extras" (such as food, music) and its a neat way to do some good over the holidays, and have a great time too.
....When I was in the Navy (by the way photos from that air show can be seen on my Photo Page, there is a link to it on the site) we would check accident reports to learn from the problems of others. What bikers have is the newspaper, and read of an accident this month (fatal unfortunately) where a bike at a light was rear ended by a car. ALWAYS a good idea, especially at a stop (but lets be honest anytime is a good idea, and often) to check your mirrors. Always be ready for anything, have an escape route if needed. Ride like people are trying to kill you, cause to be honest, and though it is not their plan....they are!
....Hope you enjoyed this update; be watching for more news (and hopefully more tales from the road of my rides very soon) and photos in the near future!