Chilly Ride to Charlotte (December 23, 2012)

Made a ride to Charlotte, NC on December 23, the day before Christmas Eve. Due to upcoming weather, will probably be the last ride I get in 2012, going to be out of town right after Christmas though will have a few days back after the first of the year. It was in the low 50's, mostly sunny, but chilly nonetheless. Still, it was a good ride. Made a stop at Mac's Speed Shop on South Blvd where I snapped this photo. I took a few more which will be on my "Richmond and Me" page, but it was not a big day for photography. I also saw a few bikes out - but not very many on this cold afternoon. Still, it was a good ride, and I enjoyed it!  

Last day in Richmond/day of Fall (December 19-20, 2012)

Headed out of  Richmond on December 19, but made a stop at Velocity Motorcycles which is located on Marshall Street in Richmond. Very fine motorcycle shop which sells a number of older motorcycles - and also sells Royal Enfield. It is one of my favorite stops in the RVA, and liked seeing this Royal Enfield Cafe Racer which is going to be a new motorcycle for that brand in 2013 (as a 2014 model). The bike is based on the Royal Enfield Bullet but is punched out to 535cc (pretty sure I have the engine size right on that). This is the prototype model, and it was at a motorcycle show (according to the owner) and will make a stop for a few days at Velocity before heading out to another show in Washington, DC. Royal Enfield is an old brand, was once made by the British (and was a noted rifle maker, hence the "Bullet" designation) but sold to India (part of the old British empire). Hard to find dealers for this bike, but Velocity is one of them.  

I went by The Diamond (baseball park for the Richmond Flying Squirrels) and saw that the Richmond Police Department was holding classes or training on their Harley-Davidson's. I see them often in Richmond doing traffic control, if I had to be a cop, riding one of these would not be too bad I would guess. Police in NC seem to be equipped on either Harley-Davidson or BMW motorcycles, I have seen both used there. Not so sure about the Harley models, but I have seen the BMW's flat out flying down the road. I do appreciate what the police do, and wish them a Merry Christmas.

This bike is at Stewart Hass Racing, and was built by Orange County Choppers a few years ago. I got a feeling it would be a handful to ride, and not sure that anyone ever rides it, but it is a neat looking motorcycle nonetheless. OCC was on tv for a lot of years and it was a fun show to watch - one of the more interesting families on tv in my opinion. The show has ended its run with the last episode just a few days ago, I for one will miss it, was a great deal of fun. I have seen a few of their bikes in the Concord area over the years, and they certainly made some interesting motorcycles. 

Rode out to Kannapolis, NC where I got this photo of the NC Research Center. Interesting place, was built on the site of the massive textile mills. Everyone had great hope for the bio-technology center, but the promised slew of jobs pretty much never came to be. They are some impressive buildings, and it seems that they are still building on to it, but employment levels never really matched the hope. Still, perhaps in the future something good will come out of all of it, and I suppose it is better to have somewhat empty new buildings than totally empty factory buildings. Sure is an interesting idea though.    

Finally, a last look at the Vulcan in front of Stewart Haas. Kind of made this ride to see some sights to check out tonight on Christmas lights. While not on the level of Tacky Light Tour in Richmond, we do have some interesting sights to see. On my next post at Richmond and Me (my other blog) will have some photos from inside the shop, and also some of the Christmas Lights I plan to see tonight, for tis the season after all.
Felt good today to be out, as I noted has been a while since my last ride. Sure enjoy that motorcycle, has taken me over the last few years on some great rides and adventures. Many more are to come, I remain well pleased with this bike. For one thing, it has been trouble free since I got it in 2005, for another having no payment is a very fine thing as well. Nothing like a fine ride on a cool fall day, looking forward to many more during winter, which will officially start tomorrow. Hope its a good season for all of us, no matter where you are.