Last Ride of 2010 (December 31, 2010)

What a week, a big snow on Christmas Day, some brutal cold, and just a feeling like winter for quite a few days. However, December 31 it got up to close to 60, though not when I first headed out, but bundled up; and wanting to get a ride in for sure, I headed out. Have to take advantage when the weather works out (sometimes even when it quite does not) when you are in my situation, but a great ride nonetheless. Last Christmas photo here at left, this is Jay Little's House in China Grove, NC. Used to work with him and this is something to see at night..but unfortunately something I did not get to see at night while home but even impressive in the day time.
Covered a lot of ground this ride. Went from China Grove to just outside of Salisbury, NC where the Rowan County Airport is located. I am a big fan of aircraft and like checking out aircraft. Ialso rode out to Kannapolis, NC where I got a photo of the NC Research Center there. Have always hoped that it would be a great place to work, but the economy has not cooperated with that, but some fine buildings, a major investment, and perhaps it will work in the future for many of the people here.

Last photo is of some Kannapolis fireman training on a building in Kannapolis, which I thought was pretty cool. They were going from the truck, up the ladder to the roof. A really great end of the year ride; weather was nice, traffic was light, and the sights were fun to see. I have to say, this is a remarkable place to go riding, and I do love riding here in North Carolina. This will be it for 2010, but will be doing some more in 2011 for sure, have a great motorcycle to do it on. For this ride, got in a hair over 75 miles, and that was a very fine ride indeed. Looking forward to my next adventures on the Vulcan; hope you all have a great 2011!

Visit to RideNow (December 28,2010)

Over Christmas, has been a most interesting holiday...got a bit of snow here as part of the virtually national blizzard. Been a good week so far to enjoy "American Chopper" reruns, and to also catch up on Sons of Anarchy on Hulu. Temperature outside is rising, the snow is melting, and a ride is coming up this Friday on the Vulcan. Did get out in the car for a bit to check out some of the bikes at RideNow in Concord, NC. Under new management, the store had some really good deals. Motorcycle sales I have read have taken a real pounding during the recession, plus some other factors have come into play as well from what I am reading.
This is a look at some of the sales floor, and that is a nice looking Yamaha cruiser in the foreground. I am a big fan of the cruiser style of bikes, course there is a lot of variety in types of motorcycles, and that is one of them. Size and power are the big deal in American motorcycling. Most cruisers (with some exceptions) are down on power (big on torque though); my Vulcan with its 1500 cc engine puts out a little over 50 hp, many sportbikes get close to (or at) 200 hp. I like the room and the weight of the big bikes, but with size and power costs rise both to service, insure, and even to fuel the big motors. Course have not even mentioned the purchase prices!
Been reading that gas prices are back at $3 a gallon (and that for regular, many of the high performance bikes, and even my Vulcan require Super) and these bikes seen here (Kawasaki Ninja 250's) will probably make a big comeback this year if that is so. Already a huge seller for Kawasaki the Ninja 250 gets remarkable fuel mileage, and can run at a top speed of close to 100mph. Sure does not have neck snapping horsepower, but cheap to buy (MSRP $3999), cheap to maintain, and a fun bike to ride. Plus, you can get a lot of riding in while riding past a whole lot of gas pumps. Honda is joining the 250 ranks, with a new bike this year, and looking forward to checking that out, will have photos here this Spring when it reaches the sales floor. Unlike the Ninja 250 (which is a twin) the Honda will be a single.
As for me, got a ride coming up in just a few days. The temperature is rising, the snow is melting, and the road is calling me out. That will be the subject of my next post here soon!

Cold Ride to Harrisburg (December 11, 2010)

Back in North Carolina for the weekend, got the bike out on December 11 for a one hour ride to "rotate the tires". Rolled down Flowes Store Road and took a ride down some backroads. Two reasons for that: one is that I like riding the backroads, and two on a day like that was, nice not to roll any faster than needed. Wind chill is a combination of temperature and wind speed, and wanted to keep my generation of wind speed down as much as possible. Did enjoy the ride though, always nice to get out, and when you spend so much time far away, any ride is a good ride. The photo at left was taken in Harrisburg, NC and is a recreated cabin under construction.
Also at the same site is this old building. I believe it is a Post Office/General Store; both the cabin and the store have been a work in progress for some time. Went back basically the same way I came to the house with a few different turns. I did stop and see the site of a bad house fire I heard about last week at Zion Church/Central Heights; house was well and truly burned to the foundation for the most part, had to be a really bad fire. I had read about it, seeing it was something else. Got back in an hour, which frankly even though I was well dressed for the conditions was a good enough ride. Rain on Sunday ended any chance of another twist of the throttle for the weekend, but the ride was good, and enjoyed the time on the bike.

December Motorcycle News

First off want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Photo was taken in my front yard in Carolina. Santa rides this time of year, and often in Carolina we do too. Big ride was held on December 4; the Gaston County Toy Run. The Charlotte VRA rode in that (I unfortunately was here in Richmond) along with a huge number of riders. The video of the group heading out was 11 minutes long...a few hundred riders in all, and on a cold and wintry like day. There was even some sleet at the end of the ride. Well done guys, wish I could have been there! A great group of bikers out for a good cause, the need is real this year and people appreciate your riding for a good cause.
Much of the fall has been a combination of some really nice warm days, followed by some damn cool ones. Now with winter which officially starts on December 21 near, the cold days are here. Still some good riding, but requires some bundling up. Cover that exposed skin, watch out for leaves which can be really slick on the roads, and especially watch out for the other guys out there out on Christmas shopping expeditions. Their minds are often elsewhere, not on the motorcycle in the next lane!
Some interesting news on the Honda front; Honda has pricing on its CBR1000 (a very nice looking bike) and its (also nice looking) CB1000R at $10,999, and its CBR250R at $3,999. This matches the price of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Will be interesting to see what happens with these two manufacturers on the 250 front. The Ninja 250 is a very fun, and very popular motorcycle. Frankly, I would like to see more being done toward smaller motorcycles, had some great times back in the day on my 250 and 350cc bikes. Good combination of power and price can be had if the development is there.
Read that Harley-Davidson got $2.3 billion in loans from the US Government in 2008-2009. I also read that it has been paid back. There was a lot of grief from the right wingers over the bailouts, but glad that it was done to help out this iconic brand which along with Victory is the only remaining American manufacturers (though many foreign bikes are assembled in the USA). My only problem with Harley is that, being over 6 foot tall many of their more affordable bikes (such as the Sportster) are built for smaller people. They don't make a smaller bike that fits a tall person. Heck the Japanese do a better job in that regard with their Ninja 250R. I have sat on it, and have more room than on a Sportster. Be nice also if they could get the prices down a bit; they make some really pricey motorcycles imho. Beautiful bikes and I love the sound, but the wallet does not want to take that sort of hit.
Oh well, looking forward to some great riding at the end of the year, and a very good year of events and rides in 2011. Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy New Year to you all!

Brrrr......Late Fall Ride (November 28, 2010)

Got out around 12:30pm on a Sunday, on a cool and crisp day in Carolina for a motorcycle ride. Went to Onemor on Union Street, and waited there for Phil. He and I worked together at the factory in Concord, now he is retired and I am working at the other factory in Richmond, VA. We don't get to ride as much as we would like, but we do get out from time to time. Even though it was cold, as the riding opportunities are not as good as they used to be (with me being there, and the bike being here) you do the best you can with the weather that is handed to you. So bundled up and we got out on the road for a very good ride. Any ride is good when it is a rare treat.
Phil and I rode out to Concord/Salisbury Road and rolled out under the blue skies to NC-152. That took us out toward China Grove, nice place with a house there (though have not seen it yet this year) with a great Christmas display (I have a few Christmas photos on my "Richmond and Me" page taken this weekend in Concord and Kannapolis, with more to come). From China Grove we made some back road rides to Enochville, and though Kannapolis via the Kannapolis Parkway. That last is a fairly new road and is really nice; I can see that being a great development route in the years to come. It is really nice out there.
We came back to Concord and we split on NC-29. I had the fuel light shining brightly, and stopped at the BP for some $3.01 Super Unleaded for the bike. Got back to the house, where I got a cup of coffee (made by my wife Patty), and unthawed after a good ride. It was short, but a nice run down some great roads, with a good friend,and had a very fine time. Can be tough riding this time of year, but with the right equipment (and the occasional stop) riding can be not only possible, but pleasurable as well. I had a really good time and was glad I got out for a while. Better to ride then to think about riding; do enough of that in Richmond anyhow!

Shockoe Bottom Bobbers (November 20, 2010)

Far from my ride, went wandering with Dennis Lowery (a fairly new arrival) from Concord to this area to show him some of the sights. Those can be seen on my other blog (Richmond and Me) for those interested. Noted while in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom this couple checking out the motorcycles parked at Bottoms Up Pizza. Always interested in checking out both new and interesting motorcycles, and these really captured my attention. These were not "new bikes" and certainly not what you would get off the dealer floor, but modified and customized in a number of interesting ways. Always cool when people make bikes their very own!
I believe this is a bobber style bike. It is powered by a Suzuki in-line four engine (which would make lunch of your typical cruiser V-twin). Everything not needed has been removed such as fenders (the rear one has been cut off mostly; or "bobbed", turn signals...this bike is built to be as light as possible; even the seat is lighter. I like the ape hanger handlebars, though don't ride with them on my bike: have noted though that they are seen more and more on the highways and bi-ways of roads both in Virginia and North Carolina. Harley has taken up the "bobber" movement with its Cross-Bones model, but this bike was really fine.
Following a like pattern of sorts to the Suzuki is this Honda in-line four which again is lightened substantially from the bike it is based on. Unlike the Suzuki it has a chain drive (the Suzuki being shaft) and instead of ape hangers, it has more of a drag bar look. It also retained the front fender, but either has totally removed or radially cut back the rear fender. Big horsepower (for the time) aided by light(er) weight, this and the other bike would be a fast pair. What it also shows is that it does not take big money to ride. Take an older bike, make some changes, and you can have a really fun ride for little money. I did that a few years ago with my 77 Honda 550 four. My complements to the owners of these bikes for some very creative and interesting rides!

More from the November 14 Ride!

Previous post had some photos from the Morrow Mountain ride, but prior to getting to the Overlook to see the wonders of fall laid out before me, took a couple of stops in Baden, NC. A very nice town; it is the home to Baden Lake. There was for years an Alcoa Plant there which provided a number of jobs; since closed the town goes on. I took this photo at left of two Gold Wing riders checking out the lake. The lake is a beautiful and popular spot and I enjoy going by there. The ride to Baden is also very nice, I enjoy the backroads that take me there. This trip rode up NC-49, to NC-52 and then up 740 into Baden past a great deal of country scenes.
This is downtown Baden. Founded at the turn of the century many of the buildings are old, and it is a "small town" that John Mellencamp would certainly find song worthy. Quiet on a Sunday, and peaceful, like the old stone wall in the background photo with my trusty motorcycle in the foreground.
Baden is just outside of Morrow Mountain State Park; which I mentioned (and had a number of photographs of) in my previous post. I also have a number of photos published on my photo page which can be seen via the link on this page. It is a very nice place to explore, and has a very nice festival which unfortunately I missed this year.
Riding back from Morrow Mountain, I took this shot of downtown Albemarle, NC. Like with Baden, and typical of many North Carolina towns, they largely take Sunday off so it was very quiet. Albemarle is famous I suppose for being the home town of American Idol contestant (and country music star) Kellie Pickler. Like with many Carolina cities, it has an "old" downtown, and a more active "other downtown" with malls, gas stations, stores, and a number of (usually) chain restaurants. I prefer the old downtowns though for the history and the different stores. Have found some great places to eat in places such as this.
One such great place to eat is Harmanco's which is located in Albemarle, NC. I like to stop here when I am in town, and this is a very popular place with the local community (also a favorite stop of bikers). One summer day a couple of years ago, during a major thunderstorm in the area, we all stopped here (had my riding buddies also a few dozen other bikers) to wait it out and to enjoy the great food and the big screen tv's as the storm raged outside. Rain happens when you ride on two wheels, but lucky to have a good "port in the storm" to ride it out. I have found that the local places, the non-chains are great places to eat. This of course is the "smoking area" as most of the bars and restaurants in NC are now totally non-smoking inside. At any case, a great days ride and a fantastic time on the motorcycle in a fine area of the great State of North Carolina on a remarkable fall day!