$108 (March 22, 2014)

Well, had this fine day, 75 degrees and the bike would not start. Headed to a few places to find a battery for it, finally found one at AutoZone, but also checked out Honda House in Midlothian. There I saw the CT700N from Honda, which is a very interesting motorcycle (has the New Concept 700 engine, which I think is taken from a car motor) and the Honda Grom...which is a 125. Both are interesting takes on motorcycles, Honda is certainly doing some quite unique things in motorcycling. 

The Grom is pretty cool, don't know how practical it is, but have read its a lot of fun to ride. Be good I would think in an urban environment, though not much else past city streets. Still, Big Red has some interesting ideas.
Was fun to visit Honda House and they did try to hook me up with a battery. Did as noted finally find one, and got the bike up and running in a matter of minutes. Felt good to feel the breeze between my knees again, and to get out on the road on such as beautiful day.

Went past this old church in downtown Richmond. Always some cool things to see there (this is located right across from Monroe Park). I also took it down some highways, went around Short Pump (with a stop at Quaker Steak and Lube for some lunch). Of that last, looking forward to their bike night(s) soon....always liked the ones in Concord at that location....and was just fun riding around the area. Had a problem on the last ride, but seems to be nothing more than a loose plug wire....often a little bit of this and that will solve the problem.
Was just outstanding to be out....75 and mostly sunny (though told we have another, boo/hiss, chance of snow this week. Winter will just not let go, but did for the last few days, and the ride today sure made me happy.
Unlike last ride, did not get a whole lot of miles in, but it was a quality ride, and that is sure better than no ride at all. I will be glad when Spring is in full swing, and its not all that far away now.
 

Went by the apartment (store the bike in a storage unit) but stopped by and got a photo of the bike and my dog. Sometimes I wish (and sure she does) that I had a sidecar....sure understand why dogs stick their heads out the window of a moving car. There is no feeling on earth quite like it...flying at ground level. So much different than driving in a car....its a wonderful feeling.
If the snow does come, next weekend looks (as of now) as a repeat of today, and I can take that. Big chance of rain tomorrow but will see....though do plan to just relax and take it easy for the day and watch (as I have been tonight) some of the NCAA games.
At any case, a good ride and looking forward to more of the same in the future. Got some good rides planned, and some great adventures ahead of me!

A Short Ride to Charlottesville, VA (March 15, 2014)

So, had this remarkable day again after some more cold days (and apparently before a day or two of snow coming up...oh joy, ha ha)  with 70s and sunshine. Been wanting to go there, and finally got in a first ride to Charlottesville, NC. A very old city and the site of the home of Thomas Jefferson, and this restaurant where I had lunch. Its Michie Tavern and was open from 1784-the mid 1800's, was a house for a few years then it was moved 17 miles to this location (piece by piece) and reopened in 1927. Oh the food was very good too, and it was an interesting place to have lunch.

 Wandered on the Vulcan to Downtown Charlottesville, its a outdoor mall. Lots of good places to eat outside (and a good day for it) and I did see the statue of Lewis and Clark (George Rogers Clark grew up there from what I have read) and wandered past the stores and movie houses. I am told UVA is nearby but I did not see it this trip, and that was due to spending time at the tavern plus doing a little sightseeing of the scenery (cool being so close to the mountains, not far at this point from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of my favorite roads). I will have to make a return trip, plus need to see Monticello next trip as well.

Did like a lot of the old buildings such as the old (and I mean old) Courthouse which was built (at least the first part of it) from 1763-1781, then the rest from 1803-1860. That though is amazing, and there are more buildings in the area (the Courthouse Square) that are also very old. I like places with a sense of history, and that for sure is this area.
It was a good ride, about 70-75 miles from Richmond, to get there rode straight up I-64. Stopped for gas on the way, and the bike started running a bit funny after that, not sure if it is a problem or not, seemed to get better with time, will take a look at that again on the next ride. Going to check it over well, and maybe get a little SeaFoam in there-might be overdue for that. 

Ah 80's (March 11, 2014)

 Short but sweet post....Tuesday was the warmest day in the RVA since sometime in October (they said the date, but I forgot) but was just wonderful. I wore a "hoodie" but to be honest did not need it. Seen here is the Vulcan on Jefferson Davis Highway (at a red light) just short of Colonial Heights, VA. I went way out, just hammered down I-95 to just before the I-85/I-95 split about 25 miles from my starting point. Nice ride down the highway, even better down Jefferson Davis. Traffic was heavy on the expressway, but better on Jefferson Davis and it sure was a wonderful ride. 

I rode all the way down that road, finally ending up at Legend Brewing Company for a (and I mean...one) cold beer. They have some really tasty beer, but was able to relax and get out for a few minutes and enjoy the view from the deck.
Got back on the bike and rode out to put the bike up...a short little ride. Once again passed a whole lot of motorcycles; there were a lot of people taking advantage of this great weather. While an early taste of spring (we might even get a little more snow before the week is over, colder weather for sure) it was fantastic and really makes me hungry for Spring.
For the record, got a grand total of 49.5 miles with the beer stop and a two hour (from 4pm-6pm) ride time. I am hoping though to do better and maybe even as soon as this weekend. All I can say is it was a great time, and I am still smiling from the ride!  

Saturday Ride into History (March 8, 2014)

 Beautiful RVA day, 60 degrees (thereabout) and sunny after last weeks snow; and was funny riding with just a bit of snow still around (surviving in the shady areas) but a great day to ride. Got out a bit before noon, and headed out to downtown Richmond, here seen on Grove Ave. Love those old houses and just felt real good to get out (also happy the bike started with no problems) and get some breeze between my knees. Did not have to dress heavy...long pants, a hoodie under my jean jacket and gloves. Of course, being Richmond (or anyplace for that matter...a helmet as well.

Made my first visit to a spot on the Slave Trail, this one in Shockoe Bottom and one of the most famous (though not in a good way) sites here...The Lumpkin Slave Jail. Read that the jail was used to keep runaway and "spare" slaves to be sold in the slave markets in Charleston, SC and New Orleans, LA. It was a place of horror and in fact got the nickname "The Devil's Half Acre". Made a big impression on me, as I have always been very interested in the war, but this was coming face to face with the primary cause of it. Also near by was a Negro Cemetary and the site of the gallows Richmond used. It was a hallowing visit.   

 Made a stop (along with some other bikers) to Alamo BBQ....a favorite place of mine to eat in Church Hill, and there was quite a crowd there today. Of course I had some of their excellent BBQ and a drink called "The Arnold Palmer". That is made of sweet tea and lime aide, and it was very, very good. I rode some in Church Hill and then went to Manchester and made a stop at Legend Brewing Company. Not a huge ride but sure had a great time, seeing some neat things (many for the first time) and some favorite old places. Richmond is a great city to explore and there are many cool things to see here.     

While out (and this is at Legend's) went by Scoot Richmond (scooters, but also some cool bikes) and nearby saw this R1200GS. This bike is BMW's best seller, and a great bike for those around the world trips. It is great I am told on highways or a dirt road.
Sure was good to get out and enjoy another taste of Spring. Get even more of that this week, Tuesday supposed to be in the 70's. I am looking forward to getting out for some of that during the week ahead. As always enjoy your ride, and ride safe!

A visit and a ride (March 1 and 2, 2014)

 On Saturday March 1, went to visit (among other places) Velocity Motorcycles in Richmond, VA. They are great at restoring old motorcycles, also great (I am told and will find out) at maintaining newer motorcycles. As my bike shop here has moved way out of town, will be using this shop for things such as tires and other sorts of maintenance (such as fork oil and the like). I do a lot of my own maintenance, but now with no garage (since the divorce) have to do all my work outside. So a good shop is (and was also in the past important). Luckily Kawasaki built me a great motorcycle.

This is Velocity Motorcycles shop...got a nice tour from one of the workers there, and enjoyed that. They really like BMW motorcycles and have a number of them, but also have a lot of Japanese brands, some Italian motorcycles (especially Ducati) and some other rare things. Strange that Richmond has no BMW, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi (to name a few) dealers here...used to having all that and more in the Charlotte area. They do have a few Harley dealers, but even then fewer than many places I have been for cities of this size. This though really fills a niche in my book.  

On to Sunday March 2. It was in the upper 60's (if not warmer) and unlike the last time a few days ago it got that warm the previous battery charge held and the bike fired up without a problem this time. Went riding to Amillia Courthouse, VA on a very beautiful day-nice heat and sunshine. Wore a coat (jean jacket) and no gloves (though could have worn that last). Went down I-95 and 288 to Hull Street Road (think that is VA301) to this spot. Was one of the last places that General Lee took the Army of Northern Virginia on the way to surrender a few days later to General Grant in the Civil War.   

It was a great ride, here I am getting ready to turn into my girlfriends neighborhood, stopped by there and also had lunch at Glory Days (very good food, had been there, but never tried the food) before getting the bike back. Can walk from where I park it and back..just got home to the apartment before the rains started. While very warm today, calling for a major snow storm..that may be documented tomorrow on my Richmond and me blog. At any case, got in 91 miles on a beautiful day and got to have a great smile on my face in three hours of wonderful riding. I am sooooo ready for Spring!