Under Repair (August 19, 2015)

 Well, something I had not planned on seeing, my bike in Velocity...awaiting parts,.which are being ordered from Kawasaki. Apparently during the ride yesterday the thermostat went out.This mostly melted the housing and that has to be ordered...plus the thermostat.
Lucky in that there was plunty of coolant in it, and that protected it. I noted no damage to the engine, and should have it back in a few days.
Not exactly how I planned to spend my vacation, but things like this are never planned. This is the first real mechanical problem I have had in the 10 years of ownership of the motorcycle.

Strangely this Vulcan 750 (which like my bike is no longer made) is also in for a coolant problem. While mine is an 05 not sure what year this is. They made them for a long time though. The Vulcan 750 was actually known as a really good motorcycle with rather dated styling. It was replaced by the Vulcan 800 which was more updated and that has been replaced by the current Vulcan 900.
At any case, hoping for a quick return of the Vulcan....looking forward to getting in some good late Summer and hopefully some remarkable Fall rides very soon.

Charlottesville, VA (August 17, 2015)

 A good day...though ended sort of sad. Rode out to Charlottesville, VA a favorite place where I planned to do some exploring. However had a problem (a leak) on the motorcycle and decided to cut the ride short. I headed back to Richmond after getting a few photos from an apple orchard which offered scenic views. Indeed they were.

Took the motorcycle to Velocity Motorcycles which to me is one of the best shops in Richmond. After 10 years of ownership this is the first real problem I have had with my Vulcan and it looks to be a leaking hose at this time. I should have a better answer tomorrow, they are currently working on it. Once again though the motorcycle at least got me to the shop, it has never (knock on wood) left me stranded on the side of the road.
Even with that, was a very good ride. Noted that they are doing a lot of work on I-64 heading toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, and that is a good thing.  

Two Days - Four Rides (August 15-16, 2015)

 Did some riding on my first vacation weekend...Saturday went to Chester, VA and then rode out to Buffalo Wild Wings near Woodlake on Hull Street Road. While there a pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles joined mine. To me, some of the best hot wings in the RVA (though its a chain) and got to see some of the preseason Carolina/Buffalo game from the night before.
It was a good day to ride, not all that hot, low humidity and traffic was not all that heavy for some reason. I enjoyed it a great deal.  

Something I don't do much is ride at night, but that on Saturday night was wonderful. Sweet coolness and just nice seeing the city with a different look. I rode to Church Hill where I got this photo of Richmond from up there, and that was really nice.
It was fun to get out, and enjoyed seeing all the people out having fun. Shockoe Bottom was really busy with a lot of things going on..and just loved the ride. Before dark really fell I had ridden the motorcycle to Crossroads Coffee where I checked out the band playing there and had some...coffee. A nice night.  

Sunday rode to breakfast at Galley, and rode around a bit. I was going to go the BBQ and Brew Festival at the 17th Street Farmers Market in Shockoe Bottom, but it was SLAMMED. Instead went down Nine Mile Road and for the first time visited The Dobbs House. It is a museum from the Civil War and once was the headquarters of Robert E. Lee. This was his room, the furniture is period but not original to his time, but it is much as he would have known..least his part of it. Much of the house has been added to over the years.    

Had a good time on Saturday night, so on Sunday night did it again. Once more to Church Hill (after a visit to a friend's house) and took this photo from Libby Hill Park. Actually talked to some people in cars while driving when stopped at red lights, and once again had a wonderful time riding in the coolness of the air. Love taking night photos and got some good ones both Saturday night and Sunday.
For the two days covered some 115 miles and all the rides were a lot of fun. On Monday going to Charlottesville for a look at that city.  

Filipino Festival Ride (August 8, 2015)

 Rain stopped and went to the Filipino Festival. Have been to this event before, I was based there for a time while in the US Navy and the culture, food and the beer for that matter are a treat to return to now at this event. I think it is the 10th year and I had a great time.


Morning rains cleared and so to go to the event I got to ride the motorcycle. As with last weekend it was a short ride...I went to the festival and rode around a bit. The festival was held at a Catholic church in the Lakeside section of Richmond..I took I-85 there and went back via the back way. It was a very nice ride. I am planning some bigger rides during the upcoming week, as I will be on vacation and that will be a great time to get some good rides in.  

Sunday "Football" Ride (August 2, 2015)

 I went on Sunday August 2 to the Redskins Training Camp, and have that post on my "Richmond and Me" page.
Visited with these Richmond police officers just outside the camp and asked if I could take this photo. Was real impressed with their motorcycles, as the police use Harley Davidson's (many police departments do, but many don't...BMW is also popular as are some Japanese models).
They said they have very little trouble with the motorcycles, and they are pretty reliable. Harley to me is sort of a mixed bag...I have heard some good and bad about them. I do know the Japanese motorcycles I have had (and do have now) are stone cold reliable. This photo was taken on Grace Street, have been there a lot lately. No real reason other than its a very fun road to ride, with some interesting sights. Went there after the training camp, just wanted to get a few miles in. Was mostly doing things this weekend  as I also went to the Dragon Boat Races on Saturday and wanted to get out for a bit and just ride.

One thing cool about Richmond is art like this, which I photographed on Broad Street. It is amazing the things you see on the walls of buildings and some of them are really neat and fun to see.
It was a great day to ride though did start getting a little warm under the helmet later in the ride. I think it was a bit after 1pm when I parked the motorcycle  for the day. |
Not a lot of miles either Saturday or Sunday but I sure had a very good time.
More good rides to come and looking forward to seeing more of the interesting sights and riding the roads Richmond and also Virginia have to offer.

Dragon Boat Ride (August 1, 2015)

 Rode to the Dragon Boat races at Rockett's Landing, this being the 6th year for it and went to this last year. Good event with races, food, beverages and big crowds. I enjoyed it on a hot but less humid day then it was last week. It is an international competition and there were a lot of teams there. Glad I went and had a really great time.  

Glad I rode my motorcycle...parking was rather difficult but easier with a bike. I did not ride with this group but since I was riding and saw these three got this photo. One in the back is a Honda 600 Shadow which is of the type I had before I got the Vulcan. Always nice to see those as I have some happy and good memories.
Unlike last weekend did not get a whole lot of miles in. Did take a short post event ride and had lunch at the newly opened Firehouse Subs on Forest Hill Avenue. Love that restaurant as it is sort of a Subway on steroids. Good sandwiches and just like eating at those.
Tomorrow plan to ride again, this time going to the Washington Redskins training camp which is held in Richmond. Not a big fan of the team but am a big fan of football...and I do think its cool they are here. I also plan to get a ride in, should be another very nice day. Later this week rain chances and humidity ramp up again..go figure. Good to be in August though.  

Tappahannock and the RVA (July 25-26)

Nice ride on Saturday the 25th. Humidity was nice and low while temperatures were not too bad. Got in a good ride to Tappahannock which is where the Rappahannock River is. Saw some of the old buildings, had lunch and enjoyed views like at left of the river. I also made a stop at the airport there. Riding down 360 was really nice and the traffic was mostly (except for a section up and back of Mechanicsville) light. I have been there before and it is a fun town to visit. I could not have asked for a better day or a nicer ride. Have had to deal with traffic of late while riding..nice to get a break.  

Sunday ride was not the 115 miles of the previous day but got in a good ride mostly around Richmond. I took this photo on Grace Street across from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts...this is a very cool house (and the motorcycle is my very fine ride).
I love to ride on Sunday mornings....for one thing the traffic is really light and the town is for the most part just waking up. I think Richmond is either in church or sleeping in.
I rode around Grace, downtown and then in the Carver section of the city. Went back by GWAR Bar which was not open (never have been by it when it is) but still there and seems to be doing well as they have added to it some since it opened.
At any case, was a very good couple of days and could not have asked for better weather. Nice thing was that after this it got real hot and humid for the rest of the week. We also had some showers during the week but at least the weekends have been good of late. I count my blessings.