Merry Christmas/Happy New Year

A few days early, but heading back to Concord, NC and will be spending the holidays there. Its been relatively nice there; temperatures in the 50's, and sunny for the past few days. Family, friend, and of course the motorcycle (still needing a battery) await there. I plan to spend a lot of time with the family and friends; and yeah...will get that battery and get out on the bike. As for the Richmond area, while doing the last of my Christmas shopping at the nearby Diamond (Home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels) I stopped by Velocity Motorcycles. They carry some different motorcycles, but have to say its my favorite motorcycle shop in the RVA. I like unique bikes like this Ural Motorcycle with sidecar in the snow (one would think a Russian made motorcycle would be perfect in the snow). Richmond got hammered by the white stuff over the weekend, and it has been quite a few days since I have seen any motorcycles on the road.
So anyhow, its back to Carolina in the morning. I did want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (and if there is something else you celebrate also/instead...well hope its great for you too!) Certainly been a wild year for me living my very own "Tale of Two Cities" but it has been interesting and have enjoyed what I have been able to experience (though unfortunately as a non-rider here in Richmond) of the Richmond motorcycle scene. I hope to do even more in 2010. As for the Carolina rides; ditto on that. Due to work and weather, some of my favorite events did not work out for me; but hopefully will have some better luck this year. On the bright side the ride with Steve to the Blue Ridge Parkway (Blowing Rock and Boone, NC) was a perfect day. Looked like the skies would unload, but it was fine.
That is what I hope your rides are in 2010. Be safe, and enjoy the wind in your face, and power at your wrist.

December in Richmond VA

December 5, 2009 to be exact. Went to Ultimate Cycle to see if their motorcycle batteries were cheaper than the one I priced at RideNow in Concord (and that would be a....nope!). Will be ordering that this week probably. Might get back and see if it starts when I get home to Carolina. Of course, be nice if it would quit raining. Another wet day in Richmond (and in Carolina too, though since I am not there, no big deal) but nice to visit the bike shop. When I am not riding, I am thinking about riding; so great to have Ultimate Cycle nearby.
Been also doing a lot of looking at new bikes (though not in the market, very happy with the Vulcan Classic) but some interesting bikes coming out in the next few weeks and months from the manufacturers. Though the economy blows, there will be some interesting bikes in 2010. A bit of manufacturer news; HD is NOT going to put a factory in Kentucky after working out contract problems with the Union at the York facility. Also speaking of Harley (sort of) have been enjoying greatly episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" which I watch on Hulu. Hulu is great, but being part of the upcoming Comcast purchase, will probably get ruined under their ownership.
Saw that Buell is still going to be making some bikes; based on the 1125R and its Rotax engine (no more Harley engined Buell's). That motor (unlike the HD engines) is a real modern beast with a lot of power. Think that Erik Buell is one of the most innovative designers out there, wish him the best of luck.
As for me, enjoying a rainy day in Richmond, waiting till the next ride.

Thanksgiving in Concord, NC (Nov 26-30)

Had a previous photo of the Honda Fury at RideNow in Concord, NC; they apparently sold that one, and have this new color in. Still think its a neat looking motorcycle, and the new Honda Sabre, and Interstate which comes out in February will be along much the same lines. Took this photo while at RideNow checking on a battery for the Kawasaki Vulcan (which of course will have to be ordered). The five year old battery on the bike is giving up the ghost apparently. On a Friday ride it did not start. A borrowed battery charger from a friend got me back on the road, but a new battery is upcoming. Need to be able to depend on the battery.
Santa though in front of my house does not have that problem. Had a great visit at home this holiday. Put some lights in the bushes, items in the windows (different light displays which stick on with suction cups) and got the tree up. It was an all day project (and part of the night) but at least in the house in Concord it looks a lot like Christmas! Love this time of year though not the best riding time of the year; but I do manage to get a few in. In fact while Friday was a bit cool, it got into the 60's on Sunday. Of course, being a "resident" of two cities as I am now, don't get quite as much riding in as I usually do; but I do the best I can.
Despite the battery problem once it was charged did get in a Friday ride. Rode out to Extreme Motorcycles in Salisbury, NC, and as I thought, it is out of business. Was a neat dealership which carried a lot of different bikes (Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Big Dog Motorcycles). Bike did start on Sunday and I went out around Concord. Went to Cannon Village in Kannapolis, NC to see if the lights were in the trees. They were...and Patty and I drove out later Sunday night to see the trees all lit up...a nice Christmas time display! All in all got in close to 100 miles of motorcycle riding over the two days I rode; not too bad for late November. Good thing about North Carolina riding though is that with the proper gear for the weather, its possible to ride all year. That was a whole lot harder to pull off in the Ohio Valley during my Louisville days. Best wishes to all of you for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

November Rides in Concord, NC (November 8+9, 2009)

After the big mountain ride on my last trip (see previous posts) to Blowing Rock, NC this trip home rode a bit less distance (to say the least) sticking close to Concord, NC. Wanted to see how the bike rode after almost falling over at the end of the last ride, but its fine.....just a bit of a cosmetic thing, but no real damage. Took a November 8 ride to Concord Regional Airport which was fun; like to check out the airplanes, and a ride down some local backroads in a 90 minute ride. It was a fantastic day, with sunny cloudless skies, and temperature close to 70 degrees. Not a long ride, but sure felt great to be "back in the saddle again" after a long two week pause.
On Monday November 9, I went to Speedway Harley-Davidson which is where I took these two photos to the left. Those are a couple of new 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I wanted to go by RideNow to see some of the new Japanese/Victory bikes they sell but they are on "fall hours" (closed on Sunday and Monday) so that will have to wait for one of my future rides. Monday was also a very good day, but did cloud up quite a bit due to an approaching tropical storm (which I am told really hammered Concord rain wise on Tuesday morning). I just missed that on my drive back to Richmond today in the car. It was great to see my family, and got in a longer ride on Monday; so some good motorcycling on this visit. I always say it is better to get a short ride in than none at all; in my case, had two good ones. Looking forward to the next visit and the next rides in the Carolinas.

Motorcycle News of Note

Killing some time a few days before I get some riding in (weather permitting) back home in a few days. In the meantime, have been looking at some motorcycle news; and found a few things of note this week. Photo at right is of my friend Steve's Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, which he rode on during our ride (I ride a Kawasaki Vulcan) to the mountains of North Carolina on Monday October 26 (featured on my previous post below). That ride was a great ride, and probably the best and longest of the rest of the year; covering right around 246 miles that day.
Harley is having (as are most if not all) of the motorcycle manufacturers, though a good selection of new bikes coming out this year (and I hope to be showing some more of them soon over the winter months coming up). Harley reported its sales for the 3rd quarter of 09 down 21.3% from the same period of 08. They also announced that they would be ending production of Buell Motorcycles (built since 1983) and would be selling the Italian firm of MV Agusta (purchased by HD in 2008). Harley is not alone as noted in their troubles; believe sales are down all over in this economy.
Wanted to note that the 7th Annual Arzie Rogers Toy Run (sponsored by Speedway Harley-Davidson of Concord, NC) will be held on Sunday November 22, 2009. Information on the ride can be found in the Customer Corner of the Speedway Harley-Davidson web site, ride cost is one unwrapped toy, lunch will be provided, and the ride starts forming up around 10am at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis, NC. Due to the "Richmond thing" I will not be able to go this year, but did make the ride last year, and had a great time. Its a huge ride in the numbers of bikers, and also covers some of the best roads in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties. The ride ends at Speedway HD; make it if you can (and tell them I sent ya!).
I enjoy motorcycle racing (watching it, not doing it) and noted that Valentino Rossi won his 9th MotoGP championship this year; "The Doctor" as he is known is one of the legends of motorcycle racing, and still going strong. Ben Spies won the World Superbike Championship....both Spies and Rossi both won racing Yamaha motorcycles. Yamaha has a long history of success in motorcycle road racing, and continues to add to their long list of wins and titles.
As for me, looking forward to getting in at least a short bit of riding soon with an upcoming trip back home for a few days. Love this time of year and the Charlotte area should be full of color from the trees, and its a great time to ride with cool temperatures as well. There will be a lot of fall rides and toy runs in the Carolinas over the next few weeks; get out and enjoy some of them if you can!

Mountain Man Ride (October 26, 2009)

Got up Monday October 26, 2009 to a cold and overcast day. What was going to be a five person ride, turned into a two person ride; Steve and I headed out on the bikes to Blowing Rock, NC. Due to the road construction on NC-321 (our favorite route) we got on NC-115 and then took NC-421 to Blowing Rock. Photo at left (indeed all of these) were taken at "Grandview Overlook" on the amazing Blue Ridge Parkway. We went with a forecast of WSOC Channel 9 that rain chances were zero, was ugly looking all day long, but they were dead on with the forecast, it was perfect. As for the cold (temps in the 50's all day) being from the great midwest I was dressed for it; thats the key to a successful fall/winter ride.
We stopped at the Daniel Boone Inn for lunch, but was packed, so went back to Blowing Rock to The Canyons and ate (its right at the top of NC-321. It has great views and the prices were really great. Most mountain places to eat like to charge an arm and a leg, but they don't. I went by there on a previous visit, but did not eat, glad I got to this time...I will be back! Time was a factor this trip, so did not get to make a ride into downtown Blowing Rock itself, but did get out on the parkway. Colors were probably a bit past peak; not a lot of yellows, mostly some brown and red remaining, and a few bare trees too. One thing I like about weekday rides...light traffic.
We did see a few motorcycles (and some cars) but not the bumper to bumper weekend traffic. We also rode through Boone; another beautiful area. I was also very impressed (though a quick view) of ASU, looks like a fine school (and they normally have a kickass football team). Nice ride back to Concord, and got home near 5pm (we met up at 10am at the Texaco on Popular Tent Road). One bad deal, bike kickstand in the garage came up, and the bike went over. I caught it, but did a bit of damage to the floorboard bracket on the bike (luckily nothing else hit). Looks like Kawasaki saw that coming; looks easy to replace (though sure the price will give me pause). Still things happen, and could have been worse. Still rideable, but like to get that fixed. All else well, hope you all have safe rides; and bundle up guys!

October Rides in Concord (October 3-12)

Got back to North Carolina for a week off, arriving on a Saturday morning (October 3) and did get in a short ride around the area. Was a nice sunny day, and cool...for the first time in a long time wore a jacket and gloves. Nice to get out after a longer than usual period. I got in another ride a few days later but ended up dodging rain showers, and that was less than an hour. That is where I took this photo though of the bike and the store I came across at left. Short rides, but good ones (better short rides than no rides at all). A busy week, with a five day visit to Louisville, Ky to see family and friends, purchased a new car (2009 Nissan Versa), and went to the Panthers/Washington football game.
Was wild being back in Louisville. Kentucky and Indiana have no helmet laws, and saw a mix of people; some with helmets on, some without. South Carolina (except for Myrtle Beach, which has passed a helmet law to stop the bike rallies, currently being fought in the courts)does not either. I don't have a problem with people not wearing them, though I don't ride without one. Have a few friends who have taken serious injuries without a helmet on.
Watched Sons of Anarchy while on vacation, really like that show. It has taken some interesting twists and turns of late, also one of the most popular shows on cable. Speaking of motorcycle gangs, the Pagan Motorcycle Club has been in the news in Richmond, one of its members got killed in a police raid in the Richmond area, they had a big funeral in town (all that while I was gone).
Two new bikes have caught my eye, and will be looking at them when they hit the dealers. The first is the long awaited Honda 1200 Interceptor with the V-4 engine. It has a lot of interesting features. I also like the new Kawasaki Z-1000 which has had a major redesign. Interesting that the bike manufacturers even during this recession (or perhaps better put in spite of the recession) are putting out some very interesting motorcycles.
I am hoping in my next visit home to get a good mountain ride in, from being in the mountains (between Charlotte and Louisville is Tennessee) saw the leaves even at the highest elevations are just starting to turn. That though will soon change. Makes for some great rides in the fall of the year on the remarkable Blue Ridge Parkway, and I hope to be there soon!