Hull Street (VA360) and the Midlothian Turnpike (Memorial Day, 2013)

 Posted some photos in Chesterfield, VA on "Richmond and Me" but had a couple here. Saw this flag flying at a Honda auto dealer on Hull Street and thought my bike would look good under it. Hull Street is VA360 the same road I took a (much longer) ride on a few days ago and talked about in my previous post. Came from the Chesterfield County Airport and the old Courthouse and Jail in Chesterfield and then after traveling up "Beach Road" to Hull Street. As noted, this section was a lot busier and good to keep a good eye on the traffic on this part, but a lot of things to see there including many places to eat (always fun) or shop (if that is your thing) ...but a very developed section, unlike what I saw a few days ago. One of my favorite parts of the city, as a lot of cool things can be found on and around it. A good friend of mine and his wife live near there, so I stopped in for a visit. Sunny when I first started riding, here you can see the clouds are building as rain is expected in the next few days.

Here I am on Midlothian Turnpike. Like Hull Street, Midlothian runs a long way...in the car took it almost all the way (though had to turn off to get to it) to Lynchburg, VA a few years ago. Midlothian Turnpike is also (but not totally in its length) developed and is an interesting place to ride. As you can see, the clouds were really building, my other blog has the "sunny" photos. Last day of my Memorial Day "vacation"  but did enjoy getting two days of riding in during my time off. This was a shorter ride, covering some 55 miles of both urban and country roads. All this with the exception of the country roads were not new to me, but still a lot of fun and I enjoyed this ride...looking very forward to the next one!  

Ride to Tappahannock (May 25, 2013)

 Last weekend did not get to ride due to what turned out to be endless rain that came down in buckets all weekend. However, this weekend was wonderful...Sunny skies and much cooler 70 degree temperatures (a nice change from the 90s of the past week) and with no humidity. Being Memorial Day weekend, decided to forgo the highways (which are packed with cars as well as the motorcycles heading to Rolling Thunder in Washington, DC this weekend) and ride on VA 360. Though I have been on it before, never been so far up it, taking a 50 mile ride to Tappahannock, VA. Before getting there, made a suggested stop at KW's Tavern which was a very fine place to eat. Tried the Chicken Wings with Maryland sauce which was simply outstanding. Though it is a very good ride from Richmond, I think it will be worthwhile to return to KW's in the future. After a good lunch got back on the road past some farms and country views and soon reached the area.  

This is a bridge across the Rappahannock River which was a much bigger river than I had expected. Looks like it would be a lot of fun with a boat, and was quite wonderful to look at. I also liked the look of this old bridge, which was quite interesting as well. On a nice day it was fun to be in this area with many of the buildings being very old, though not as old as the town which was started in the 1600's. As is the case with much of Virginia, much of America's history starts with this place. In fact while passing a number of Civil War signs and battlefields, also saw a number of markers from the Revolutionary War.  

 Not sure how old this building is, but had a good time checking out this quilt shop in the historic section of downtown. There were a number of historic buildings and businesses, and frankly due to time I don't think I got to see them all. I will have a few more photos on my Richmond and Me page from this trip, but sure enjoyed the time I spent there, and will be making a return trip in the future. It was a nice destination after a very good ride. Traffic was real light on most of 360 and the views along the way were remarkable. A very relaxed and enjoyable motorcycle ride on a perfect day.  

In Mechanicsville, VA came across this truck....which is an old Chevy. There were a number of other old vehicles in this area, which was found along 360..and I stopped to check them out. It was  a good pause and again another worthwhile stop. Mechanicsville also had a number of historical markers from the Civil War, in fact there was one very close to here in the parking lot of a local SunTrust Bank. The area is also not far from the famous Cold Harbor Battlefield, though you will pass quite a few on your journey to this area. I have been to some of them, just not by this route.  

Getting close to Richmond, came across the City Jail (for the City of Richmond) which I had never seen, but of course had read about. Looked like (from following the road which turned left and along the side) that it is being expanded. This is just outside of my normal riding area, and soon found myself getting back into familiar ground, and back in the Richmond neighborhoods I have come to know so well.
Fun trip, got to see some new sights and got to ride though some new places. Which is one of the reasons why I am so happy to have the motorcycle here in Richmond with me. No vehicle is so great for exploring as a motorcycle, in my opinion. 

Back to Yorktown, VA (May 14, 2013)

 Did not have a great deal of time, but took a ride this fine day (if a little under normal temperature outside) to Yorktown, VA. I had been there in the past in the car and visited Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, which are all connected by the Colonial Parkway which is a very interesting road, and part of it can be seen at left. Reminds me of the Blue Ridge Parkway (sans mountains) but when you head toward Yorktown and come across the York River, it turns from a very good to great ride in my opinion. I have some photos of that on my Richmond and me page.

Yorktown is a very interesting and old town, here is a photo of my bike in front of the sign. There is a lot of things to see there, from the battlefield (which saw action in both the Revolutionary and later the Civil War) to the city which features a bunch of old and recreated buildings, and of course the beach. There are some sailing ships there also and some of them will take you out on the river (for a fee). There are a few (but sadly only a few) places to eat and a nice ship museum there, but the area would still be in my opinion "under development", but that does not in change that it is also a lot of fun and an interesting place to explore.        

As I noted, some cool sailing ships can be found there. I enjoyed walking on the pier to check out some of the ships there, and know from a previous visit that there will be more there later this year as the season really cranks up. Due to the time of the year, and the weather, crowds and the beach were pretty empty, which made it a great time for exploring. What is known as the tourist season is still  a few weeks off - but only a few.
Yorktown is a quick ride via I-64 though I am told is a better ride via VA Highway 5 and that is a future plan of mine. I did enjoy my second visit today to Yorktown and look forward to going back again soon.    

Mother's Day Ride (May 12, 2013)

 Just because, and because its been awhile, took a ride on the motorcycle this Mother's Day. Took photo at left on West Broad Street; he is riding a Harley-Davidson (we talked a bit at lights, nice visit) and that is my headlight of my Vulcan at lower right. Interesting road which runs from downtown to Short Pump which is a big retail area, but a nice ride and some interesting sights can be seen along the way. Yesterday it was in the mid-80's, today was 10 degrees cooler, but still a great day to be out. Clouds came and went from time to time, but it was a good day on two wheels.  

 My bike with another Harley, this time at Quaker Steak and Lube. Used to love the one in Concord, NC, but Richmond, VA has one too (and will have a photo of it on my Richmond and Me page). Nice place with good food and good beer specials...for those so inclined. The bike night here which is held on Wednesday nights is one of the bigger ones in the area I am told...told that because I am usually working on Wednesday nights, but should be able to make one of them at least this year, which will be my first. I also went by Buz and Ned's Real BBQ in Short Pump, but just stopped to look. 

Love Buz and Ned's, but it was packed (after all, it is Mother's Day, and what Mother does not love BBQ?) but rode back down West Broad Street, and though downtown into Church Hill and went to Alamo BBQ...which was much less crowded. They also happen to have some damn fine BBQ, and I had a good late lunch there. Getting to be one of my favorite places as well, and love going by there.
I did not get a lot of photos this ride, actually worked more on just enjoying the ride. It had been awhile, due to weather and a weekend in North Carolina been some time since I had taken a ride, but I sure did enjoy it.
Have been mostly just riding around the Richmond area, new to me on two wheels (though I have been here some four years now) but being on a motorcycle makes you see it in a different, and wonderful way. Got as I know from the car though some wonderful places to see in the region, and those will be coming up as the weather gets better!