Sunday Putt (September 25, 2016)

Nice ride today....looked like it would rain just about any second for a lot of it, but when it would lighten up. I did not plan to go far, and I did not though the bike was fine. I rode out to Hollywood Cemetery. Had a visitor from Atlanta, and only got to show him a few things last night (he worked all day in Richmond) so got a few things shot and sent to him. I have been there many times and have a lot of photos from there, here are a couple more.

This is from Hollywood....photo of the James River from there. It is a pretty place to end up with some nice views of the area. Peaceful and very historic. As I told Ben, two and a half US Presidents are buried there...2 US and the only CSA President.
Spent a little time there and wandered around a bit both on wheels and on foot. I do love history and today was a good time to do that. Had a busy and aggrevating morning so this was nice.  

Made a stop at the State Capital. Wandered there for a bit. While there I got this photo. Hate to blow my own horn, but this is a damn good photo. Course its a pretty impressive building which was mostly designed by Thomas Jefferson.
While riding I visited a friend and we walked down to an Italian Festival in Shockoe Bottom (just outside of Church Hill). After a visit there, headed back to my house to go to a concert. More on that on my Richmond and Me page tomorrow. I had a great time though, and a pretty fine day.  

Historic Ride in the RVA (September 24, 2016)

Went to this event last year, free Museum Weekend in Richmond. While not a lot of miles nice to be on the motorcycle. First stop was Agecroft Hall off of Cary Street. Toured a few rooms of the house which was built in Lancashire, England in the late 15th century. It was moved from there to Richmond, VA in 1925. Was an amazing place with a recreated English garden to wander around. Nice view of the James River from the house as well.

Also brought from England by another family is this house called Virginia House which was originally a Catholic Priory. Henry VIII confiscated many Church properties in his dispute with the Church and it was turned into a house. It was also moved to Richmond just before being torn down in England also around 1925. No tours were offered of this house, but I did tour the gardens outside. It is right next door to Avecroft Hall.

Did get a large and very nice tour of Wilton. This Colonial Era house was in use for a long time. George Washington spent a few nights here after the Second Continental Convention and Lafayette stayed there inside the house with his soldiers camped outside prior to the action at Yorktown which ended the Revolutionary War. Got a very extensive tour of the house and enjoyed the look at the grounds. It is a short distance down the road from Agecroft Hall and Virginia House.

I also took a ride down Williamsburg Road to visit the son of a Navy friend visiting Richmond. We went out on the town later that night. On the way back from the ride made a stop at the Richmond National Battlefield. Still was a warm day but a good ride.

Sunday on the Jefferson Davis Highway (September 18, 2016)

 After a busy Saturday and a foggy Sunday morning got the Triumph (still not used to typing that) out for a ride for a few hours. Getting ever closer to the first service. Today, before the ride put some chain lube on the chain...first time I have done that on a motorcycle in years (the Vulcan was shaft drive). Ride started and ended on Riverside Drive. Photo taken here while stopped (note the speedo) but love a scenic and twisty road. This bike is fun on these sort of roads.

Headed up Jefferson Davis Highway....nice ride on a Sunday. There is not much traffic on Sunday morning, and it was still cool out. Was supposed to -and did - get warmer quickly. Our last few days Fall preview is ending for a few days. Will be back and forth for the next few weeks. Still, this is going to be some of my favorite weather and got a preview of that on the last ride Friday.
Took photo at left at Colonial Heights City Hall which was my furthest point today. Nice building and wanted to get a photo the times I have been past it, so today I did.
Turned back and stopped at two places. Chili's for a noon lunch, and it was really good. I have not been to one in a while, will have to make a return trip. I also stopped and got a photo at the Halfway House. Not open this afternoon but a cool place. Dates to 1743 and former diners include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Lafayette, US Grant and Robert E. Lee (the last last two did not dine together though. I have eaten there in the past and have to say, it was really, really good. It is not only a very historic place but the food is outstanding in my opinion.    

On the way back made one last stop at Fort Darling, on what is called Drewry's Bluff. From those heights on May 15, 1862 the fort held off 5 Union ships which included the ironclad Monitor from heading up river and shelling Richmond from the James. The Confederate guns could shoot down but the Union guns could not elevate upward. This is an 8 inch Confederate gun, the only one there. While all the wood buildings and works are all gone, the earthworks still remain.
Had a great time on the motorcycle, I have been enjoying the rides on it. Different then the old Vulcan, but a great deal of fun. It is a lot lighter and great in the curves (the Vulcan floorboards tended to scrape the road when leaned over). Bike as it gets miles on it and gets more broken in is a lot more perkier. Had a lot of "perk" to start with. Getting ever closer to the first service.
Ride was fun though and covered a total of 49 miles today. Not a big ride but sure had a lot of fun. Expecting rain tomorrow (actually tonight) and tomorrow will be doing some things to get ready for the work week ahead.  

Roaming the Backroads (September 16, 2016)

Finally some cooler weather. In fact for the first time since last Spring, I wore a jacket on the ride. Instead of the usual 90+ it was in the low 60s when I got out for a while. Left around 930 and had plans to go to Tappahannock today. First thing I ran into on Forest Hill Avenue was a line of traffic. So turned around and rode though Richmond.
I headed through the city, and stopped to take this photo on Monument Avenue. I think this was the Secretary of the Navy (Confederate) though not sure. Mostly Confederate monuments though they do have one of tennis great Arthur Ashe. There are also some really nice houses there, its a fun road to ride up.
From there went to Church Hill and up 360. That would take me to Tappahannock. However, as I went down the road traffic got faster and faster. Normally I don't mine speed but as my bike is still in its break in period, I got off there and went rolling down some new backroads. Old Church was the name of the road and went past a lot of farms. Was a nice curvy two lane road and it lead me after a time to....    

New Kent Winery. Was not my destination but made a stop and even even had a glass of wine. Wine...its not just for breakfast anymore I guess. Anyhow, after that, headed down some more backroads. I could have gone down I-64 but there is that break in thing again and besides....backroads are more fun. Ran into 60 and that road took me back into Richmond. Was just in that area a few days ago, even went by the airport. However soon I was downtown.  

Rode into downtown Richmond where I passed this very cool building. I think it used to be the old City Hall (the new one is pretty boring in my book) and continued up Broad Street. Then, I got off that and headed up Staples Mill Road. I went WAY up Staples Mill road. Pretty nice ride and wonder where it goes. However, did come across highway 50 something and a sign that said Ashland, so I went down that road. Today was a day for some new routes and enjoyed that.  

Got to Ashland, which I have also been to a few times in the last few weeks. This is Randolph Macon College. US Representative Dave Brat was a teacher here. Even with that I think its a good school. At any case wandered on foot around there for a bit, and then took the Triumph back home via Highway 1. Love that road and always a nice ride on it.
For the day went around 130 miles which is not bad. I am now 220 miles from first service on the motorcycle. So far very happy with the Triumph.

Monday Aviation Ride (September 12, 2016)

Getting there weather wise....finally some lower humidity and normal (as in 84 for this time of year) temperatures. It was nice. Been one blazing hot and humid Summer. There is still a bit of Summer to go. Do I think this is the end of the blazing hot days. Oh hell no...sure to be some more.
Did enjoy the ride today though, felt good to get out and see some sights.
Last Saturday took the car to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Chantilly, Va. It is the addition to the National Air and Space Center in Washington, DC. Saw some amazing sights and got some photos from that on my Richmond and Me Page.
This was a visit to the old Virginia Aviation Museum at the Richmond International Airport. Wanted to ride and was wondering if the F-14 was still there. They closed the museum a few months ago. The answer is yes...yes it is and I was glad to see it again. Love me some aircraft and this is one of my favorites.    

If you have seen the movie "Top Gun" you have seen the F-14 Tomcat. Flew mostly during the 70's-early 80's and is one amazing fighter jet. Later it was also used as a bomber and got the nickname "Bombcat" in that role.
Was a very maintenance intensive jet though and was finally retired due to the number of flight hours needed to get it flying...at least that is the story the Navy told.

Also still at the Virginia Aviation Museum is this A7 which is probably on loan from the Air Force. The A-7 was used both by the USAF and the USN (and that would include the USMC). Subsonic but a very good aircraft. Unlike the Tomcat single engine. It kind of resembles the Crusader which was a fine Vietnam era plane.

Leaving the airport I rode around a bit and came across this movie house not too far from the airport. It is on the National Historic Register and according to the sign near the door was built in 1938. Very cool.
I enjoyed riding around that area, went down some new roads and was heading in the general direction of Richmond. Traffic was pretty light, enjoy riding on Monday's as there is not a lot of cars and this is a new motorcycle for me.

I also rode out to Richmond International Raceway. The big race there was Saturday night, which is it as far as NASCAR for the year. I also went by the A.P. Hill statue (the general is buried under it) and even got in a ride down part of Riverside Drive before heading home. Just before the Riverside Drive ride stopped in Carytown and visited Galaxy Diner there. I like that place a lot. It was a very good ride, Not a lot of miles today (a bit over 50) but some favorite sights with some new ones tossed in.

Lunch Ride in the RVA on a Hot and Humid Friday (September 9, 2013)

While Labor Day is officially the last weekend of Summer, it does not seem so. Another blazing hot day here in the RVA with a heat index approaching 100 degrees.
Still, it is a beautiful day and I got out on the Triumph early...excited to see what I really think of this motorcycle. At the end of the ride today still under 200 miles (so far) -exactly 192 to be exact. Do enjoy it a great deal though. It is quick and fast and a lot of fun to ride.  

As I did on the last ride on the Vulcan (which I did not know was the last time I would ride it, it was not my intention to buy a motorcycle last weekend) went to Carolina Ale House. We had those in North Carolina (duh) but is a good restaurant with a very impressive beverage selection. It is also a great place to watch sports which I have done from time to time both here and in Concord, NC. Anyhow, a good time time there for a while.  

Had lunch though in Carytown, one of the more interesting sections of Richmond. Some really good restaurants there. My intention was to get some BBQ on West Broad Street but they were slammed at lunch time.
While in Carytown stopped at Mellow Mushroom and got the pizza and salad special with a tasty Guinness Stout. Have been to Carytown a lot over the years and am sure to be there quite a few more times in the years to come.    

Got home and before putting the bike away I cleaned it up (not that it was all that dirty), put a little wax on on it, and some armour all on the seat. Sure is a nice ride. Impressed that the fenders are steel - think that is pretty cool. As I said so far so good.
Will be out again in the next few days...have something special planned for tomorrow and that will be n my "Richmond and Me" page. Thinking about a Monday ride, and giving the destination some thought. Supposed to be a whole lot cooler and less humid. Looking forward to fall weather and the great riding to come.    

Fredericksburg Labor Day Ride (September 5, 2016)

Brought the Triumph home on Friday, but we had a bunch of rain from the Hurricane (Hermine) on Saturday and Sunday went out with friends Talked about that on my "Richmond and Me" blog.
On Labor Day though got the bike out and really wanted to give it a shakedown ride.
Made this stop at The Stone House in Forest Hill Park to get a photo of the bike. I have been enjoying it though really had a good time on this ride. Ended up being 140 miles via Highway 1. 1 runs all the way to DC - perhaps even further - but my destination was Fredericksburg.
No problems with the ride as traffic was light this Labor Day. Heat and humidity were also low with not a cloud in sight.
I headed out around 10:30 and got back to my house just before 5PM. Of course I had a few stops along the way. Fun thing was I got to see a favorite place I had seen before  but also a number of new things in the very interesting town of Fredericksburg, VA. Wanted to make this trip while passing through during a trip to West Virginia a few weeks ago and made it today.          

This is at the battlefield which I have visited before. The Union troops are buried there..quite a few thousand and most of them are unknown.
Battles tended to have long aftermath periods and sometimes armies returned to battlefields to fight again, and came across the remains of troops from previous battles.
It was a very sad time but in my opinion one of the few necessary wars and accomplished a great deal in making this country one.  

This is actually part of the original wall. Much of the wall is a recreation, but this is actually what troops stood behind while waves of Union attacks tried to take the position. All of the attacks were unsuccessful and it was a terrible slaughter.
I have often wondered though after Fredericksburg what drove Lee to attack a position much like it at Gettysburg? The result was the same.  

I also toured Chatham. Interesting house which was owned by a rabid rebel who owned many slaves. The house was seized by the Union Army attacking Fredericksburg and from its heights the city was shelled. The slaves were freed, it was used both as a headquarters and a hospital. Many Union dead were also buried there. The house was largely in ruin when the war ended but was restored and is quite interesting to tour which I did for the first time today.
I also came across the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg and toured the old town. Some of those photos and others will be on my "Richmond and Me" blog page in the next post there. As for the ride as noted...problem free and a whole lot of fun. Looking forward to the next ride and among them a return to this area in the future.    

The Last Ride...and the First (September 2, 2016)

 Funny today....was just another day of riding. Went out this morning because the forecast is calling for a hurricane in the area for the next few days (the main part of it will miss us) and I thought it would be fun to get out. Always is and once again got on my trusty Kawasaki Vulcan. Has been my ride for the last 11 years and a great ride it has been. No complaints at all...perhaps the finest motorcycle I have ever owned.
I was going up Broad Street and stopped in the Honda dealer there. Saw some good bikes (there is also a Yamaha dealer next door) and then went on to Carolina Ale House.
Headed back decided to stop into Scoot Richmond. Did not expect to do this, nor did it seem like the plan, but ended up getting a 2016 Triumph Speedmaster. Found prices are good in the fall, and this was no exception.  

Here they are for the first and the last time. Traded the Vulcan in on the bike and it was a bittersweet thing. On the one hand excited about the Triumph and the adventures to come, while at the same time sure enjoyed riding the Vulcan. However, the age of the bike and the miles are starting to take a toll on the motorcycle. Just felt like it was time for a change. Plus to be honest the age of me and the miles on me are starting to take a toll as well.    

What I have is a bike with a lower weight but plunty of room still. Love the power of it, for it has better horsepower than the 1500 with a lot less weight. It is also very smooth and much easier to back up. I also like cornering with it much better. Missed over the years rolling though the turns. Floorboards don't give much clearance, but footpegs give more and the Speedmaster is much more agile than the Vulcan. Bring on the twisties and the adventures to come.