First Real Ride of Fall (September 30, 2017)

 Good ride today. Got out at 1pm...headed first (after a fuel stop) to Hollywood Cemetery. Lots of historical sights there....2 and a half presidents (Monroe, Tyler and the "half" being Jeff Davis) plus a number of other historic figures. This is the grave of J.E.B. Stuart...the famous Confederate Cavalry officer during the Civil War. Doubt he could handle this horse though. Had a good time though, always a nice place to ride around with some great views of nearby Belle Isle.
From there rode to Isley Brewing for a quick beer. First time to go by there, and a very nice place. Almost like having a beer in your living room with the chairs and couches. Nice place to relax and have one...which is what I did.
From there, which is located in the Scott's Addition section of Richmond, wandered down West Broad Street. Decided to head out to Staples Mill Road which is a long road. I believe it will take you all the way to the mountains. I have been up it quite a while but today decided to go even further. How much further was a surprise even to me. I ended up in Louisa, VA which is seen in the photo below. Took I-64 back as it was getting late and cool during the ride.

Picked up West Broad Street off of I-64. Stopped at Chicken Fiesta for dinner and then rode down West Broad to downtown and home. Before getting home I got this photo. It was in a story in the morning news and I remember seeing it before and thinking that is a remarkable design. As far as my remarkable British designed motorcycle, had a blast on a sunny, cool (70s) day in the RVA. Covered a total of 121 miles, further than I planned but no problem with the bike or that I did that. Looking forward to getting a few more miles in tomorrow. 

Dental Ride (September 25, 2017)

A simple ride today, had the 6 month check up and cleaning, how better to get there for the 10am appointment than the motorcycle. So fired up the Triumph and rode to it. All went well there, and after rode on to some other places in the area. Basically I took the long way home. Actually rode a hair further than the previous ride, hitting exactly 30 miles. It did get a bit warm at the end of it, still getting that taste of summer here but the extended forecast is saying it will be more fall like next weekend. I am hoping that is the case!

In Search of Doughnuts (September 24, 2017)

Looked for and found doughnuts too! One of my favorite stops in Richmond on a Sunday for perfect doughnuts...very unique. Course, this is absolutely my favorite way to get there. Rode starting early while it is still cool out as we are still getting summertime temperatures here, Started via Riverside Drive but there was some kind of run going on there. I got off and went down the main roads and got here via that route. Yummy!

Stopped here just for the photo. I like the Virginia Historic Museum. To the right is a horse statue to all the horses killed in the Civil War North and South. One of the most worthwhile Civil War statues I can think of.
Museum is a real jewel with a lot of history on Virginia and goes from way back to modern. Free admission and if you are in the area it is well worth seeing.
Next door to it is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and I have been there a number of times. You can find some photos of just a few of the many amazing things in there on my "Richmond and me" page. Think there is a link to that on this site.
I stopped by Virginia House which is also remarkable. It was moved here from England back in the 1920's I believe. Next to it is Agecroft Hall which was also brought over from England. Found a good video on You Tube about both houses. Just look up "Virginia House - Bob Vila" and take a short tour of both places.
 

This was an old firestation now put to other uses in Richmond. Lots of history here and many historic buildings from the past and all over the world it seems.
I rode to many places this morning but not as far as yesterday. Total for the ride was 26 miles but enjoyed it a great deal. Love the peace and quiet of riding on these Sunday mornings. Thanks for visiting this page, and will look forward to you coming back real soon!  

The First Full Day of 2017 Fall Motorcycle Ride (September 23, 2017)

 Got up early this morning and after a few cups of coffee and while it was still cool headed out to Blackstone, VA. Reason being that one there was new roads to get out on (well, new to me) and plus had never been to the town. So rode VA360 (have ridden that), then on VA153S ( a first ride on that) and then via VA460W to Blackstone. It is seen at left. Nice town, though not a lot going on yet. Love me some early morning rides.

 I rode by Fort Pickett. Maybe its a Virginia thing but funny how Army posts here are named for defeated Confederate generals. The gate was closed. Nice town though and enjoyed the ride on those roads. Nice going past the Hay bales and farms. Very scenic and cool early on, though it was rapidly getting warmer. May be the first day of fall but it did not feel like it.

I made a stop in Petersburg, Va..seen at left is the Old Train Depot. I believe this dates to the Civil War. Always enjoy visiting this town. They had a sort of Farmers Market thing going on, love those. Of note, they had dogs (and cats too I must add) for adoption. I got to pet a few...love dogs!
Rode on to the Harley-Davidson event at Colonial Harley Davidson. It was ok with a lot of bikers there (most on Harley's as expected). There was a BBQ cookoff, a band, and some commercial beer (by the big national brewers) which was fine. Overall it was fairly low key. It was ok...always like to go to these events and got to give credit to Harley dealerships...everyone I have been to in a lot of states put a lot of events for riders on. Might have been the heat. Day one of fall was pushing 90. Last weekend's rides were a lot nicer. I don't hate Summer, but glad to see Fall here. Ready for some nicer temperatures after a summer of some real heat.
On the way home I guy in a car next to me from Maryland asked what year my bike was, then said "that's one of the those new Triumphs I like it" and drove on when the red light changed. Like the complements on the bike, though its kind of strange. Not sure if I remember anyone complementing the Vulcan though I loved that bike too. Not why I purchased it, but rare someone does not say anything nice. Plan tomorrow to get out early again, and back before it starts getting hot. Expecting another hot day tomorrow.

Saturday and Sunday Rides (September 9-10, 2017)

 Second day of riding on Saturday. Like Friday it was 70 degree weather (cooler when I started around 9am) but a beautiful ride. Rode up the very busy VA360 but it soon thinned out. Got out in the country section of that and down some beautiful roads. This was a return visit to Amelia, VA which was a site on the Lee Retreat tour. Following the fall of Richmond the remains of his army stopped here for food. There was none and they continued on to surrender a few days later on.
 

After wandering in the country headed back the same way I came...down VA360. Made a stop for lunch at Glory Days and watched a bit of the hometown Louisville Cardinals defeat the North Carolina Tarheels in football (just a bit of the game, saw the rest later when I got home). Actually, both could be considered home as I spent 14 years in North Carolina thanks to a job relocation.
After lunch, rode to Steel Horse Harley-Davidson to see the new 2018 motorcycles. Always sometime later to see the new Japanese and British (as well as the Italian) motorcycles but the Harley-Davidson's come out soon in the fall.
Saw two...one of the new Heritage models and a Fat Bob. Both looked pretty nice. Harley is getting a lot of grief from the faithful but to me still keep the classic looks with a lot of modern features. Better lights, more power and supposed to handle better...with some weight loss thrown in. I liked them, but then again thats just me. Course, I have never owned one...have had a string of Japanese motorcycles and now this Triumph. Very fond of the Triumph and for the three days as for the past year...no problems to report. Ride in all covered some 84 miles.    

Sunday I headed out at 9am. Goal was to get some breakfast and a ride. Ride part started at Riverside Drive, went to see if I could come across a deer. That is common on this road and sometimes even get a photo. Not today though, no photo or deer.
As with Friday and Saturday, Sunday was a beautiful day. Maybe a bit cooler but as with the other two days I was dressed for it. Got warmer quickly.

Made a stop at West Broad Village. Reminds me of a place in North Carolina (Birkdale Village in Huntersville). Places to live along with stores to shop in. A few favorite places to eat at. I did not eat there, but did make a prior stop in Richmond at Sugar Shack. Doughnuts sounded good and they were. Plus as figured most of the places there were not open yet when I got there.
Got going and wandered on up the fast growing West Broad Street. It is still expanding outward with a lot of new places opening up. The road though eventually turns into country and it was a stunning ride. Got out as far as Oilville and then returned via VA6 to Goochland and back finally into Richmond. Being on VA6 got off and headed up 150 to Stoney Point Fashion Park. Had a light lunch at Anchor Bar (famous for their wings) and then headed back. A little less than the Saturday ride with a total of 75 remarkable miles. Enjoyed the Triumph on the twisty roads in the countryside on a remarkable day. For the three days I went somewhere around a total of 215 miles. Not sure exactly but do have to say it was one of the best three day periods on two wheels I have had in a long time. So glad to see this weather...cooler temperatures and clear blue skies!

4000 miles and beyond (September 8, 2017)

Awoke to a beautiful day. This is the season I am looking for (a little early) as it was in the 50's when I went riding. Warmed quickly to the 70's but only just to it, and that is when I enjoy riding the most. Got my bike to the neighborhood auto repair shop and got the state inspection done for next year. That out of the way rode out to the Triumph shop just to stop in and say hello. A quick pause but did get a photo of this Triumph Bobber. Cool damn motorcycle.  

Rode out to the Hanover County Airport and got this photo. Dale Earnhardt, Jr's airplane was also there. While there hit 4000 miles (well, shortly after but in the area) on the motorcycle. It sure is a lot of fun and to this point now with a year and two weeks, zero problems!

Rode out to Ashland, VA. Took this photo of part of the wall mural. Stopped in for a while at The Caboose Restaurant . Got to Ashland via I-95 but rode back via VA 1 which is one of my favorite rides. Scenic and sort of country but rolls quietly into Richmond. While there stopped at Boulevard Burger and Brew for lunch and then headed back to my house. Damn nice ride which covered 54.5 miles and kept me grinning the entire time.  

First Annual Triumph Anniversary Ride (September 3, 2017)

Got my Triumph Speedmaster on September 2, 2016 and wanted to celebrate its first year with a good ride. For the year I put 3780 miles on it due mainly to weather this year. It has been a blast though, that Bonneville engine is a jewel!
Anyhow Saturday due to Tropical Storm Harvey we got boatloads of rain, but it cleaned and got sunny on Sunday and I went for a ride. Ended up in Hampton, Virginia where I got this photo of the (fairly) new NASA sign at the center.  

While in Hampton I stopped at Hampton Air Park. This free site is a favorite of mine and hell..even Mollie dog liked her visit here a few years ago. Anyhow got a nice collection of aircraft and rockets such as this F-89 Scorpion fighter and the Jupiter rocket.
Nice museum and looks like they are doing some work on it, lots of things underway there and a fun place to visit.

While in Hampton visited Ft Monroe which has a long history. One of the (may even be The!) largest US built stone fort in this country. Had a lot of history prior too and after the Civil War, but especially after. It is a very interesting place to read about, and I encourage you to do so.  

Fort has some low areas, but was well constructed. Jefferson Davis was a prisoner there after the war for a time, and saw that they hung an American flag in the cell with him (and I like that) to remind him that he....lost! Robert E. Lee also while in the US Army (until he left it to join the Confederates) did a lot of work there. It is a fantastic place to ride around and explore and there is a lot to see inside and outside of the Fortress.

Ft. Monroe even has a beach of sorts and it is a pretty good size one. While there could see across the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk and got a photo of some aircraft carriers there.
Lots of things to do there and I found the time to visit too short. I will however be back.
As for the ride today, covered a total distance (thanks to my trusty trip meter) of 195 miles. The motorcycle did not miss a beat and is just an absolute joy to ride. Looking forward to the next adventure!