Ride to Uptown Charlotte (August 7, 2011)

I took a ride to Uptown Charlotte on Sunday August 7. One of my favorite towns, and until the recession hit, it was one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Nice to explore on a Sunday, I got off the bike and took a walk around the area. Charlotte is a beautiful place, and a place where change happens rapidly and sometimes it seems without warning. During my walk, saw a few places that were brand new under construction, and that is not uncommon to find in that city. I love the big buildings, and enjoy seeing what is new. Charlotte is a city where many people both live and work downtown (or Uptown as the locals call it) and that makes for an interesting vibe.
I took this photo from the bike at Bruton Smith Blvd and NC 29. That is the intersection where Charlotte Motor Speedway is located, and that is the sign to it at the right. Unfortunately while in Charlotte, I started to have some electrical problems with the motorcycle. I talked quite a bit in previous posts about the importance of maintenance, and it is. However, sometimes things just break. Thankfully, the bike did get me home, though once home it did not start again. It could be a battery problem, though not sure at this time. For sure, being an electrical problem, it will be going to the shop for these repairs, and I will be reporting on what they find and (hopefully) fix in a future report. For the time being though, the riding is done for a bit.
Another view of one of the big buildings in Charlotte, NC. The city has had some remarkable changes over the years I have been there. I have more photos both on my Richmond and Me blog, and also on my Photo Page, a link to which can be found on this page. Thanks for visiting my blog, I enjoy sharing it with you!

Upcoming Motorcycle Events in Carolina (July 29, 2011))

Came across some interesting motorcycle events coming up as summer starts to wind down. Something always seems to be going on in North and South Carolina- these are just a few of what I consider the "best of the best". I have links to motorcycle event sites on this page if you are interested in looking at some more; including some in Virginia. However, the Carolinas really like to have a lot of motorcycle events and activities.
The North Carolina HOG Rally will be held August 18-20 in Hickory, NC. I did get to attend the Virginia State HOG Rally (Hog is Harley Owners Group by the way) in Richmond, Va and had a great time. Though I don't ride a Harley (Kawasaki is my motorcycle of choice) still a friendly group to hang with. This event in Hickory will feature all the cool things at a HOG rally, but this event will also have an aviation theme. Motorcycles and aircraft....now that is a great combination in my book. I in fact combine the two quite often.
Looking real forward to this next event, and will be attending it. "Biker Blues and BBQ" is a first time event for Tilley Harley-Davidson in Salisbury, NC. Free admission to the event which runs from 9am-11pm September 23-24. There will be a judged BBQ cookoff, plus food and beverages for purchase, vendors, a bike show, various rides, tethered balloon rides ($12), bands...it sounds like a great event, and I am looking forward to this one. You can find more info at the Tilley Harley-Davidson (Salisbury, NC) web page or on their facebook page.
Just came across this; a rather interesting event. Orange County Choppers Live will be at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on October 22. General Admission is $25, for a price of $130 you get photo opps with Paul Teutul Sr and other members of the OCC team. They will be building a bike on stage, the OCC Band will play, and a number of OCC's motorcycles will be on display.
Of course while there is still a lot of summer to enjoy, fall is not far away either. There are some great riding days with the remarkable fall colors and amazing roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway not too far off. From time to time will publish more events of note. Be sure to check event web sites (and also facebook sites also have more information) on these and other Carolina Motorcycle Events. Thanks for stopping by here by the way!

To High Rock Lake (July 25, 2011)

Much less humid day, cooler temperatures as well when we (Phil on his Star Motorcycle, me on the Kawasaki) rode to High Rock Lake, which is located just outside of Salisbury, NC. We rode via some really great (and favorites of mine) backroads off of Miami Church Road, including Five Points. Lots of farms and also past quite a few horses; many of which were out today. The lake was really nice, and enjoyed riding with Phil who is always great company. After a short visit at the waterside (they have redone the deck there, have a bunch of fans in the ceiling outside which is very cool) we rode up Bringle Ferry Road to Old Concord/Salisbury Road and back to Concord. It was a really good days ride, and always enjoy getting back there. This was actually Phil's suggestion, but it was a great one. Got in a good two days of riding, and enjoyed both of them; putting something over 120 miles on the bike for the two days.

Hot Ride in the Summertime (July 24, 2011)

Nice cruise on a unreal hot week; made an early morning ride on a Sunday in NC to Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville (where I took the photo at left). Whole area has been dealing with heat indexes of over 100 degrees (and talking of well over) so early morning or late evening rides have been largely the order of the day here. Been a long period of this very hot weather.
Did read today of a cool weekend ride, that would be up in the mountains. Of note, it is sort of a VA, NC thing. Details are at http://www.runtotheridge.com. Includes ($25 per bike/$30 per couple) a 15 stop NC/VA Poker Run, a free Rat Rode and Bike Show on Saturday with vendors, and a live music concert on Saturday night. That would be a much cooler place to ride, nothing like a summertime cruise in the mountains.
As for me, hope to get in another morning ride on Monday, and will have a few more photos following that ride.

VA Harley and a Hoosier Harley-Dog (July 17)

A friend of mine in Southern Indiana sent me the photo he took of this Motorcycle Riding German Shepherd there. John was told the dog is nine years old, and goes about everywhere the riders of the Harley do, he was also told the dog loves to ride a jet ski. I thought this was remarkable, and was worth sharing and keeping on my blog. I do get a kick out of unique things that I come across, or that come across my way in the wonderful world of motorcycling. Like that the dog even has goggles on which is pretty cool. Dogs to me are a special friend, and a great gift for people, and it is amazing what they can like to do, as well as the many ways they enrich our lives!
Harley-Davidson at right was seen in Richmond, VA where I spent the weekend. Not a lot of motorcycle events here this weekend (at least that I know of) but liked the look of this bike. Weather wise is was a much better weekend; the blazing heat and humidity made a temporary pause-though getting word that it will be coming back in time for my return visit to Carolina very soon. Hope to get a bit of riding then, though will not be doing a whole lot of riding if it gets close to 100 as is expected. In great heat, riding under those conditions can be really dangerous. Be sure to drink a lot of water if you are out in the heat. I will be checking on upcoming events in the near future here in the Richmond area.

For the Record...10 days in Concord

Great time on the Vulcan, as seen here. As I hoped, got a lot of work done on it; front brakes, new antifreeze, oil change, air filter cleaned, gear oil changed, brake fluid (front and rear) changed, cables lubed, clutch fluid changed, and new brake pads. Got in a total of 303 miles of riding over the very hot, humid and thunderstorm ridden period. Considering the weather, that was not bad. Enjoyed the ride to Albemarle, NC, also the ride with Phil to the Carolinas Aviation Museum (and an interesting ride though Charlotte, NC). Much of that is documented in previous posts.
I had hoped and planned to get a ride in on the fantastic Blue Ridge Parkway. Due to weather (storms fired up there daily around noon) did not make it, but the mountains have been there for millions of years and will wait for my return ride in the near future. Had a great time with the Charlotte Vulcan Riders; hope to get a ride in with them soon, and hope their national rally is a great success again this year. Just a fantastic time at home, and not only the riding. It was a remarkable trip!

Bikes at RideNow (July 9, 2011)

Good time at RideNow in Concord, NC during the Victory Motorcycle demo, though there was a lot of interesting other things going on, and some nice bikes. For instance, liked this all black Kawasaki Vulcan Special Edition (and in fact they had a few of those there). Real fond of my Vulcan, think it was a really good value and the time, and over the years (currently enjoying my sixth year with the bike) its been a great ride. I like this, being a "factory custom" model, which is pretty cool, and this has a really good look to it. Wonder though how the paint on the bike's pipes would hold up over time, but all black is pretty neat way to go.
They had a dyno truck, and one of the motorcycles waiting to make it's run was this Triumph Rocket III. The Rocket III name came from a BSA motorcycle; BSA (and for a time Triumph) went out of business in the 1970's, but Triumph came roaring back. The engine in this bike is the biggest by a major motorcycle manufacturer, something on the order of 2300 cc's. Tons of horsepower and torque, and a fine looking motorcycle. Famous for triples, this bike is also a triple, though its in-line and in a pattern that runs along the fuel tank. Very interesting engine and a most unique motorcycle with a long and proud history.
Speaking of old bikes, here is a trio of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Ape hangers are not standard on this bike (added by the owner, these are all used, RideNow is not an HD dealer) though Harley does have a standard model called the Cross Bones which does come with ape hanger handlebars. Harley is the oldest US motorcycle manufacturer, Victory also makes its bikes in the US, and Indian (which has just been purchased by Polaris, company which owns Victory also) will be made in the US as well. Indian motorcycles were built at their factory at Kings Mountain, North Carolina until a few weeks ago when the purchase was made.
Nice looking custom here, there was a guy doing some pin striping and this and the Honda behind it I believe was some of the bikes he brought to show off some of his work. Like custom bikes, and there were a few interesting ones. Many of the custom bike makers in this area have fallen on hard times, due to changing trends and also due to the economy. Grumpy's Customs has gone out of business, as well as a number of dealerships and other motorcycle shops in the region. Not only common to North Carolina though, the economy has impacted a great many bike shops and builders around the US. Still, fun to enjoy fine motorcycles such as this one.
Finally, not sure who built it (though it did tell me, "its for sale") but a fine looking Victory custom which I am told has been ridden all over the country. Like people who make bikes like these their own, and this was certainly a fine looking example of what you can do with a motorcycle. Unlike the Vulcan at the top, nice contrast here with black and red.
A quick note on RideNow; does seem to get a lot of grief at on-line forums, but overall I think they are pretty good to deal with in most areas. Few problems I have had with them over the years have been easily resolved. I get parts and tires from them, and overall I am pleased.