Ridiing in the RVA (September 14, 2013)

Very cool day on the 14th of September, for one took a ride to Hanover County Airport just south of Ashland, VA to see the Boeing B-17 "Memphis Belle" (well, not the real deal as that is in Washington, DC, but same type of aircraft...much more than a replica for sure) and very cool to see it fly. In fact we saw it a few times during the ride, including once on the way when it was over the skies of Richmond. A very unique piece of history and a remarkable thing...very few of these still exist and fewer still are capable of flight...so it was a real treat to see this bird in the air.     

 This is a older era BSA motorcycle, a military version and a very cool bike. The speedometer on it ran backwards (counterclockwise) which I am told is typical of British bikes of the period. Very cool to see this, one because it is a military bike, and two because BSA's are no longer made. Funny on the way to Ashland...I did pass a Triumph Rocket III, a modern bike built in tribute to BSA which also had a Rocket III motorcycle. At any case Kaye and I enjoyed checking out this motorcycle and some of the other items on the site there along with the Memphis Belle.   

 Finally, we also saw this Navy trainer take off (was not part of the Memphis Belle visit, but was just flying while we were there. Biplanes are very unique and a cool thing to see fly as well. I do enjoy aircraft.
After the ride to see the planes, we did ride the motorcycles to Ashland, and after a visit there,  took some backroads back to Richmond. Saw a grandson (of Kay's) little league game which was a lot of fun, plus it has been a whole lot of years since I parked a motorcycle in a school parking lot (did though when I first got into motorcycles-all the way back in High School days). Good fun!  

After the game, rode back to where I store the bike via Hull Street. Turning up Midlothian Turnpike saw this Carnival near where I used to live in Richmond (and went to this in years past) and was good to see it again.
It was a good ride, just a bit over 100 miles, and have a bit over 100 miles (actually 125) till I am due to have the oil changed on the bike. I will be doing that, along with the spark plugs. Very happy to report that the Vulcan is not leaking, this time for sure the repair held and the bike is fixed. Looking forward to some remarkable Fall rides as summer is officially over very shortly this month! 

Back in the Saddle...Again (September 7, 2013)

 Got the Vulcan back from the shop on September 3, and looks like the third time is the charm. THIS time the oil leak appears to be fixed, it sat all week on a clean piece of cardboard and on Saturday September 7 it was dry and we headed out. I rode Kaye to get her motorcycle, took this shot at a red light on Midlothian Turnpike. First time to ride her, was really nice and enjoyed that a great deal. We had a nice ride on the Vulcan to get her Harley and both bikes on the road. Nice rolling with her back down Hull Street to Steel Horse Harley Davidson to see what was going on there.    

Had a sort of motorcycle event at Steel Horse-and I have a couple of photos of that on my Richmond and Me blog, but wanted to get a photo of this new High Output 103 Harley engine. Gets more air via a redesigned air intake (seen with 103 on it) and I am told there is a partially water cooled version of this engine also coming out (but they did not have that motor there....yet). Harley's "Revolution" engine from a few years ago is all water cooled - they are heading more in that direction. My Kawasaki Vulcan is a water cooled V-twin, the Japanese have used those type of engines for a long time. BMW is partially water cooling the Boxer engine this year as well.   

This was at the Steel Horse event, these sort of things are fun to meet some bikers, see some cool bikes, check out a band, eat some good food, even go on some good group rides. It was a nice event though we were not there very long...had some other destinations in mind.
Following some time here, got back on Hull Street and onto 288 and took that highway out to Short Pump. Big retail area (with some of the largest malls in Richmond) and a lot of good places to eat as well...and we certainly had one in mind.   

Stopped for lunch at Buz and Ned's Real BBQ which is one of my favorite places to eat. Have been to the one downtown many times (famous for beating Bobby Flay in a showdown cookoff ) but never to this much larger version. Had a very good lunch there, and had a good time in the place. Had some of the football games on, and got to catch up on some of the scores. Love football but like to ride even more, and had a great time being out on the bike.
After lunch we headed out again and rode past Quaker Steak and Lube, where we saw a car show.  

Stopped at Quaker Steak and Lube where the car show was going on..as seen at left also some remarkable motorcycles such as this 2004 Harley Davidson Deuce and of course a sportbike in the background. I put a few photos from the event on my Richmond and Me page plus some on Flickr. It was a very good show with some cool cars, trucks and motorcycles and certainly enjoyed walking around with Kaye checking them out. Used to enjoy the Quaker Steak and Lube in Concord, NC for the shows and the Bike Nights there, and good to have this one to visit in Richmond. 

They also had a motorcycle stunt show at Quaker Steak and Lube in Richmond (a staple of Bike Nights in Concord, NC) and enjoyed that for a while. All in all it was a very good day of riding. We headed back on the motorcycles and by the time I put mine away 102 miles had shown up on the trip meter.
It was a wonderful day of riding, and as I have gleefully noted.....no drops fell from the left side cover of the engine. Looking forward to some really good rides this Fall, which is not too far away as Summer is winding down for 2013!