Amazingly warm day, and on a bright and sunny Sunday, I took a ride on the Vulcan-the first real ride in weeks. Photo here was taken on NC-74, also known as Independence Blvd. Even early in the morning (well, around 11am) it was warm. Had on a leather jacket, gloves and of course a helmet (and not the half-helmet either) but was very comfortable in jeans. Like the Sunday morning rides, as traffic is real light. My last ride a few weeks ago was very short, was in the rain, and did little more than get the bike home from the shop and clean it up. This was a much better ride. In this photo at left, I was riding toward Charlotte, NC.
Prior to the previous photo, I rode from Concord, NC to Monroe, NC. Seen here is the Union County Courthouse, which was built in 1886. Monroe was founded in 1843 and was named for James Monroe, the 5th US President. It is a nice town, population somewhere around 32,000 (give or take) and has a nice mall there, also a few good motorcycle shops. Riding around the old downtown is pretty cool, and like the old houses that can be seen there. In a few weeks there will be an air show at the Monroe Airport (November 4-6, 2011 to be exact). Details can be found on the Warriors and Warbirds Air Show at the web site, there is also a facebook page.
Last part of the ride was to Charlotte, NC which runs right down Independence/NC-74 (that road links all three places I featured here, in fact it also runs to the ocean and to the mountains of NC). I love riding to Charlotte, it is a very interesting city. While there, rode to the Uptown (that is what its called) and also into North Davidson, and University City, ending my day's ride after almost 2.5 hours and 80 miles right back where I started. It felt great to be back on the motorcycle, and I enjoyed it a great deal. To have such a warm wonderful day to enjoy it was a real bonus-you don't get warm weather like this often this time of year, even in North Carolina. In fact there were a lot of motorcycles out today; both in North Carolina, and also back on the road in the car when I headed back to Richmond later this night. Saw quite a few motorcycles on the highway tonight.
Important thing. Temperatures have changed quite a bit, and that had quite an impact on my tire pressures. For some reason temperature can change that, and did. Prior to the ride on Saturday I checked my tires. Before every ride I check the bike over-pilots do a preflight on their planes, and its always a good idea to check your ride over before throwing a leg over and turning the key. Remember when riding a motorcycle safety is YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY.
Back in North Carolina, went on one of my favorite rides. Not quite a peak color (in fact, something like 40%) but I figure the next time I am home, it will be over. Seems like a strange sort of Fall-lots of yellow and red with some orange, but leaves are also falling fast this year. Weather has been sort of strange, but still have enjoyed what I have seen so far. Will be interesting to see how it all turns out this year; but fall and the colors to be seen in one of my favorite times of the year. Got in a 70 mile ride today, down some beautiful roads. Noticed this trip from Virginia to North Carolina a lot of road work going on.
Views from the top are really something to see, usually there are a lot of motorcycles up there-Morrow Mountain is a state park in Albemarle, NC. It was a bit chilly on this ride, 55 degrees when I headed out. Not a problem though, I was dressed for it, and for a change I was right on what I needed-it was perfect for the ride. Another thing I like about fall is the haze that is often seen up there was no where in sight (the same sort of smoke that gives the "Smoky Mountains" their name) and loved the clear views. It was a really fine ride, and I enjoyed being up there. Lots of people were there in their cars and a lot of photos such as these were taken. 
After the ride went to Harmanco's in Albemarle (the park is also in Albemarle, NC). Noticed that the motorcycle dealership that was there is closed (I think Crossroads Yamaha is still open, but not sure) which is another loss from the economy. Love the food there, a good place to eat, and a friendly place to stop in after a good ride (or in this case, in the middle of one). Albemarle is a very nice town in fact, though not much is open on a Sunday. The bike seen here (a Harley) is not mine, but there are many photos of my Vulcan on these pages. It was a fine day for a grin inducing ride, and I really enjoyed this one. Even better, being fall, that is a bug free grin at that!
