Memorial Day Ride (May 29, 2017)

A bit toasty this Memorial Day. Spent the morning at the Virginia War Memorial at a ceremony for those who gave all in service to this country. I served in the USN but was glad to salute the heroes who paid the ultimate price. In the afternoon, got out on the motorcycle. Temperatures were in the high 80's and it was pretty humid but nice to get out and get my knees in the breeze. Fun day to ride after not being out for quite a while after a trip out of town.  

Ride was just some 25 miles, to be honest expecting some rain tonight and in the course of the ride clouds did start to build. I took the photo at left at the State Capital where this statue of General Washington is found. It was a very good ride today. Traffic being a holiday at least on the city roads was real light. Did make a stop at Legend for a quick glass of tasty refreshment and then got home after around two hours. A lot of places were closed but that was fine with me.

Run to the Doughnuts (May 21, 2017)

 Rain expected on Sunday, but awoke to dry anyhow and a need for some breakfast. I enjoy Sugar Shack which has some unique ones. Stood in line and got two good pieces of heaven. Started out with a ride in the park and up the Boulevard which is one of the most interesting rides in the city. There is a lot to see and do there. After the doughnuts rode back toward and though downtown past some of the very interesting old houses.

It was a cool day again which again I enjoyed. Rains held off till later in the afternoon so got in the ride and also was even able to mow grass which based on the forecast I will need to do.
Just before getting home saw this in a window and had to get a photo. So many interesting things to see and do here. Finished the ride with a cruise down Riverside Drive and got home with some work hitting exactly a total so far of exactly 2800 miles on the bike I purchased last fall.

Night ride in the RVA (May 20, 2017)

The road called to me, and on Saturday I got the motorcycle out again on a much cooler day than the previous day when it was pushing 90. I like the temperature to be less and so was very enjoyable.
Bit of a nice surprise in that Saturday night traffic was very light for a Saturday. Rode around a bit through the fan, made a stop for some photos at the Virginia History Museum which was closed at the time, but some neat things outside.
Rolled into Church Hill, and took the photo at left from Libby Hill Park. Neat photo in that you can see how "Church Hill" gets its name as a neighborhood. There are quite a few points like this one. In fact the view of the James River seen from here is how Richmond is said to have gotten its name. One of the founders of the city said that view reminded him of Richmond (in England) as seen from the Thames River. Wonder what today he would think of this view just to the right of that one. At any case a nice time wandering around there. I do enjoy the sights to be found in this city.  

Liked this....one of the cool things around Church Hill are the gas lanterns. It is an old system that still works, of course you are talking about an old city which dates to before America was "America".
It was fun  to ride at night, and enjoyed the views I saw, the coolness of the night and just being out again on the motorcycle. It was a good weekend to ride and the rides continued as the weekend went on.

"Summertime" in the RVA (May 19, 2017)

Nice day for a hot ride. Got going early and headed out toward the airport. That trip had a purpose...was looking for a parking lot near the airport which I found. Had to stop in to see these last parts of the old aviation museum that was here - the A7 to the left and the F-14 to the right. From there headed to Stone Brewing to have a cold beverage. Cold being the operative term, as the temperature was pushing 90 and with high humidity. Its too early in the year for that.    

From there rode to Riverside Drive after a stop for some ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. Traffic during the ride was not too bad, and was good being out though a little tough at red lights at time. Had on full safety gear and that was a bit toasty. Did make a drive down Riverside Drive to check on the river which is down from my last ride. One of my favorite rides in Richmond. No idea this trip how far I traveled, if I had to make a guess it would be in the 50 mile range. About an hour after I got back rains fell in the area. Good timing on my part and a very good ride on a very fine day in the RVA    

Mother's Day Ride (May 14, 2017)

 After three days of solid rain (something on the order of two inches) awoke on Mother's Day to blue skies and temperatures in the 70's (which rose to the low 80's). In other words, a good day to ride. So right around noon, I got out on the road. Started out in Richmond with a stop at Hardywood Park. Crowd there was light but figure everyone was taking Mom out to eat. Looked that way by some of the roads and restaurants.  

With the traffic and everything packed, headed out into the country. Got to go to some cool places basically running down VA250 and VA6. Nice country roads so rolled past farms and fields with a few little towns along the way. Got as far as Gum Springs. There I saw this Vulcan 750. As I used to ride Vulcans (though mine was a 1500 Classic ) they still have a fond place in my heart. Anyhow got back around 4PM after stopping for dinner at the Anchor Bar. A few wonderful hours of smiling in the wind!

Sunday Flood Ride in the RVA (May 7, 2017)

Been getting a lot of rain the last couple of weeks with more on the way. In fact some three hours after I got back it rained again. Got a photo here of the James River which was you can see is up. Rode along Riverside Drive and the flooding was pretty intense and in spots got very close to the road. Luckily it was not over it, but would not take much to make it so. River was also running pretty fast with a lot of debris in it. According to signs it was closed to getting in it.

I made a quick stop to get breakfast at Galley but once I got in it was pretty well packed. I headed out on the ride at 10am but it was around 1040 or so when I got there. So went instead to McDonalds for "The Big Breakfast" just up the road on Forest Hill Avenue. Nice meal actually, one of my favorite places to eat. From there it was close to the long section of Riverside Drive so got back on it and rode all the way to its end. Nice ride which included Old Gun Road.  

This photo was at Riverside Drive. Once off there rode up to Midlothian and then down to Hull Street. I stopped there at Buffalo Wild Wings for a quick beer and then headed back toward my house as the clouds were gathering at that point.
It was a very good ride. Before the ride checked and adjusted the chain which was getting close to its limits. The Triumph did not miss a beat the entire 50 miles of the ride and I had a fantastic time!