Riding on Day 3 (April 4, 2020)

 Felt like a good day to get out, though cooler then the last two because I wanted to get out before the rains expected today came. So was in the low 50's when I headed out this morning. Rolled down through the country and made a stop in Huber Heights at The Rose.
The Rose is an outdoor concert hall and said to be a great place to see bands. They are usually national acts on the way up, or old favorites from the past. Acts include rock and roll, country and even some hip hop. I have never been there except to roll by it as I did today, but when everything gets back to normal, will be giving it a look. 

 Rode by one of the local parks, this one is designed for some hiking, fishing and yes...some horseback riding. Lots of horses there, and thought it would be cool to pose my motorcycle in front of some of its fellow ponies. They call motorcycles "Steel Ponies" so it seemed to fit.
Fun riding around that park, traffic was light and it was fun seeing the animals. There is also a really nice lake there and even a place with some exhibits on the local area. There is also an old farm to explore which I have in the past but not today. After a few months of not riding, sure enjoying doing that. Last three days have really been wonderful.
Anyhow, rode at last out to the New Carlisle Airport where they were running up this biplane. Neat to hear the radial engine operating and though did not get to see it fly, was a cool thing to run into. I like having an airport, even a small one, just a very short distance from my house. I was last there a couple of days ago. For the three days of riding have been right around 90 miles and have enjoyed it a great deal. Looking forward to some really good riding in the upcoming days ahead.

Ride to Huffman Prairie (April 3, 2020)

 Had a great time yesterday and felt like repeating that after a long winter without riding. So on another beautiful day got the motorcycle out and took to the roads of the area. This trip I was on a mission to pick up some vitamins for my wife Debbie, but went the long way (as those of us who ride tend to do).
Ended up at Huffman Prairie which is where the Wright Brothers perfected their Wright Flyer. Below is a replica of the hanger and catapult they used. Below that is a view of the field, loaned them by a farmer. Below that is the hanger (which is copied from a photo of the original and is at the same location) and then a look inside. To get the plane in there they had to take some items off. Finally is the catapult and the launch rail. Without the winds of Kitty Hawk, NC and due to the low power of engines of the time, they needed that to fly. It worked and enabled them to take off with just 60 feet of rail. The Wright Flyer III set a number of aviation records early on. 

Finally during the ride enjoyed the sight of the dogwood trees all ablaze in white as if they all had the same idea. It was a beautiful day for the ride and I really enjoyed being out and about in the area on this damn fine day. Looking forward to the next ride which if all goes well will be tomorrow morning.   

Back in the Saddle Again (April 2, 2020)

Hard to believe my last ride on this Triumph Speedmaster was November 10 of last year. The weather though is getting warmer, plants are blooming, trees are flowering and its getting warmer. So, got out this morning and put the battery back into the motorcycle. It was pretty easy and did not take very long at all. Oiled the chain and checked the tires air pressure. Had to put a few pounds into both tires, but not bad (around 4 pounds each) to get them back into running shape.
At 1 pm, got on the bike and took a quick selfie with the timer function of the cell phone. Temperature was in the upper 50's and got headed on down the road.
Felt really good from the start, there are few things I like to do as much as riding motorcycles. I have done that for a number of years and glad to still be here and still doing it in 2020. Sure is a terrible time as this are the days with the virus and the impact on this country is still hard to get a handle on. Just thought this would be a good thing to do, and sure put a smile on my face.         

 One of the first places I went to was a small park just off of Spangler Road in Medway. Seems to be a good area to see Great Blue Herons, though did not see any today. The sign is down below in a straight line with the additional photos.
Took the photo at right at the lake at George Rogers Clark Park which is a few miles from the house. Always a favorite place to ride too, has a replica Indian village there and good place to have a picnic and apparently fish. Its still open but all the planned activities are on hold at least for the immediate future.   

I did ride into New Carlisle, which is always a fun place. Course its kind of sad now, as most places are all closed due to the virus, though places with drive thru's are still open. I took a short ride around the area.
The city is an interesting place to ride, many of the houses date back to long ago. I like old historic places and had a good time there in the past. The Festival of Flight in the fall is a really good time, and had a blast there last year with my wife. Hopefully will have that again this year, so much is up in the air as far as when they will be doing things again. I am hopeful that this all is not as bad as the terrible estimates are but it all remains to be seen.
At any case, was good to check in on New Carlisle and took the photo of the bike  at the water tower there. I have read that it is very cold also, dating I believe to the 1930's.   

Finally made a short stop at the Airport in New Carlisle. I like the old Cessna there and often enjoyed watching planes flying around the area. I like to see the planes at the US Air Force Museum also, but that is also closed. I have noted few planes in the air since this virus hit the US. Keeping everyone in my prayers. Anyhow, have a few photos below to see from the ride today, and also putting just a few on my "Ohio and Me" blog page. This is certainly a very good day and looking to many more on the motorcycle this year. 

Ride Before the Storm (November 10, 2019)

After a trip to Florida, Tennessee and Indiana for the past two weeks, got a ride in this fine day (got back yesterday). It was a nice ride, though a bit cooler than it has been here with a high in the low 50's. No problem though. I got a ride in to North Hampton, Springfield and back though Medway in an hour ride. What will be interesting will be to see what tomorrow brings. Expecting possibly the first snowfall of the year and temperatures much lower than today. This is the big cold front that is going to impact everyone as far south as the Gulf Coast. Will certainly be interesting to see what this brings. As for the ride today...it was wonderful. 

Fairborn: Horror and Fall Color Ride (October 24, 2019)

Looking at the forecast for the next few days...and you can see it start to roll in during the ride in the last photo below) got the motorcycle out again. Rode around the nearby area of Fairborn. Back to the site of the last weekend's Halloween Street Festival (have photos of that on my Ohio and Me page) at left. Really wanted to get out to get a few photos of the fall colors which can be seen in the next two photos below. I was more dressed for the lower temperatures and the ride was very comfortable. This was a very good time and really liked being out on this very fine day. 

The Fletcher Ride (October 23, 2019)

 Beautiful day and decided to get the motorcycle out as the season starts to wind down. Snow coming in the next few weeks, got a feeling it is not far off. Cooler out but still not difficult to ride. Went past New Carlisle and then up 235 to 36. Usually I go right on 36 but this time did a left turn. Came to the town of Fletcher, a small town in the middle of a number of farms. Was a nice visit there as I wandered the cemetery and the covered bridge which can be seen below in the photos. Just a really nice day to get out without a cloud in the sky. It did get a little bit chilly but overall it was not bad at all. 

Sunday Ride and the Highway Hikers Toy Run (October 20, 2019)

Interesting Sunday, which started with a ride around the area. One last look to find a spot to watch the ride for the early afternoon. Thought about riding in the Highway Hikers Toy Run, but thought it might be a good idea to observe it as this was my first chance to see it. Had been on a few toy runs when I lived in North Carolina. Never came across any in Virginia though sure they have them. At any case, was a remarkable ride and the photos are below. Had a great time with my wife Debbie enjoying the parade. It is a remarkable event and a wonderful start to the holiday season. Early but it gets really cold here in the next few weeks!