Hull Street (VA360) and the Midlothian Turnpike (Memorial Day, 2013)

 Posted some photos in Chesterfield, VA on "Richmond and Me" but had a couple here. Saw this flag flying at a Honda auto dealer on Hull Street and thought my bike would look good under it. Hull Street is VA360 the same road I took a (much longer) ride on a few days ago and talked about in my previous post. Came from the Chesterfield County Airport and the old Courthouse and Jail in Chesterfield and then after traveling up "Beach Road" to Hull Street. As noted, this section was a lot busier and good to keep a good eye on the traffic on this part, but a lot of things to see there including many places to eat (always fun) or shop (if that is your thing) ...but a very developed section, unlike what I saw a few days ago. One of my favorite parts of the city, as a lot of cool things can be found on and around it. A good friend of mine and his wife live near there, so I stopped in for a visit. Sunny when I first started riding, here you can see the clouds are building as rain is expected in the next few days.

Here I am on Midlothian Turnpike. Like Hull Street, Midlothian runs a long way...in the car took it almost all the way (though had to turn off to get to it) to Lynchburg, VA a few years ago. Midlothian Turnpike is also (but not totally in its length) developed and is an interesting place to ride. As you can see, the clouds were really building, my other blog has the "sunny" photos. Last day of my Memorial Day "vacation"  but did enjoy getting two days of riding in during my time off. This was a shorter ride, covering some 55 miles of both urban and country roads. All this with the exception of the country roads were not new to me, but still a lot of fun and I enjoyed this ride...looking very forward to the next one!  

Ride to Tappahannock (May 25, 2013)

 Last weekend did not get to ride due to what turned out to be endless rain that came down in buckets all weekend. However, this weekend was wonderful...Sunny skies and much cooler 70 degree temperatures (a nice change from the 90s of the past week) and with no humidity. Being Memorial Day weekend, decided to forgo the highways (which are packed with cars as well as the motorcycles heading to Rolling Thunder in Washington, DC this weekend) and ride on VA 360. Though I have been on it before, never been so far up it, taking a 50 mile ride to Tappahannock, VA. Before getting there, made a suggested stop at KW's Tavern which was a very fine place to eat. Tried the Chicken Wings with Maryland sauce which was simply outstanding. Though it is a very good ride from Richmond, I think it will be worthwhile to return to KW's in the future. After a good lunch got back on the road past some farms and country views and soon reached the area.  

This is a bridge across the Rappahannock River which was a much bigger river than I had expected. Looks like it would be a lot of fun with a boat, and was quite wonderful to look at. I also liked the look of this old bridge, which was quite interesting as well. On a nice day it was fun to be in this area with many of the buildings being very old, though not as old as the town which was started in the 1600's. As is the case with much of Virginia, much of America's history starts with this place. In fact while passing a number of Civil War signs and battlefields, also saw a number of markers from the Revolutionary War.  

 Not sure how old this building is, but had a good time checking out this quilt shop in the historic section of downtown. There were a number of historic buildings and businesses, and frankly due to time I don't think I got to see them all. I will have a few more photos on my Richmond and Me page from this trip, but sure enjoyed the time I spent there, and will be making a return trip in the future. It was a nice destination after a very good ride. Traffic was real light on most of 360 and the views along the way were remarkable. A very relaxed and enjoyable motorcycle ride on a perfect day.  

In Mechanicsville, VA came across this truck....which is an old Chevy. There were a number of other old vehicles in this area, which was found along 360..and I stopped to check them out. It was  a good pause and again another worthwhile stop. Mechanicsville also had a number of historical markers from the Civil War, in fact there was one very close to here in the parking lot of a local SunTrust Bank. The area is also not far from the famous Cold Harbor Battlefield, though you will pass quite a few on your journey to this area. I have been to some of them, just not by this route.  

Getting close to Richmond, came across the City Jail (for the City of Richmond) which I had never seen, but of course had read about. Looked like (from following the road which turned left and along the side) that it is being expanded. This is just outside of my normal riding area, and soon found myself getting back into familiar ground, and back in the Richmond neighborhoods I have come to know so well.
Fun trip, got to see some new sights and got to ride though some new places. Which is one of the reasons why I am so happy to have the motorcycle here in Richmond with me. No vehicle is so great for exploring as a motorcycle, in my opinion. 

Back to Yorktown, VA (May 14, 2013)

 Did not have a great deal of time, but took a ride this fine day (if a little under normal temperature outside) to Yorktown, VA. I had been there in the past in the car and visited Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, which are all connected by the Colonial Parkway which is a very interesting road, and part of it can be seen at left. Reminds me of the Blue Ridge Parkway (sans mountains) but when you head toward Yorktown and come across the York River, it turns from a very good to great ride in my opinion. I have some photos of that on my Richmond and me page.

Yorktown is a very interesting and old town, here is a photo of my bike in front of the sign. There is a lot of things to see there, from the battlefield (which saw action in both the Revolutionary and later the Civil War) to the city which features a bunch of old and recreated buildings, and of course the beach. There are some sailing ships there also and some of them will take you out on the river (for a fee). There are a few (but sadly only a few) places to eat and a nice ship museum there, but the area would still be in my opinion "under development", but that does not in change that it is also a lot of fun and an interesting place to explore.        

As I noted, some cool sailing ships can be found there. I enjoyed walking on the pier to check out some of the ships there, and know from a previous visit that there will be more there later this year as the season really cranks up. Due to the time of the year, and the weather, crowds and the beach were pretty empty, which made it a great time for exploring. What is known as the tourist season is still  a few weeks off - but only a few.
Yorktown is a quick ride via I-64 though I am told is a better ride via VA Highway 5 and that is a future plan of mine. I did enjoy my second visit today to Yorktown and look forward to going back again soon.    

Mother's Day Ride (May 12, 2013)

 Just because, and because its been awhile, took a ride on the motorcycle this Mother's Day. Took photo at left on West Broad Street; he is riding a Harley-Davidson (we talked a bit at lights, nice visit) and that is my headlight of my Vulcan at lower right. Interesting road which runs from downtown to Short Pump which is a big retail area, but a nice ride and some interesting sights can be seen along the way. Yesterday it was in the mid-80's, today was 10 degrees cooler, but still a great day to be out. Clouds came and went from time to time, but it was a good day on two wheels.  

 My bike with another Harley, this time at Quaker Steak and Lube. Used to love the one in Concord, NC, but Richmond, VA has one too (and will have a photo of it on my Richmond and Me page). Nice place with good food and good beer specials...for those so inclined. The bike night here which is held on Wednesday nights is one of the bigger ones in the area I am told...told that because I am usually working on Wednesday nights, but should be able to make one of them at least this year, which will be my first. I also went by Buz and Ned's Real BBQ in Short Pump, but just stopped to look. 

Love Buz and Ned's, but it was packed (after all, it is Mother's Day, and what Mother does not love BBQ?) but rode back down West Broad Street, and though downtown into Church Hill and went to Alamo BBQ...which was much less crowded. They also happen to have some damn fine BBQ, and I had a good late lunch there. Getting to be one of my favorite places as well, and love going by there.
I did not get a lot of photos this ride, actually worked more on just enjoying the ride. It had been awhile, due to weather and a weekend in North Carolina been some time since I had taken a ride, but I sure did enjoy it.
Have been mostly just riding around the Richmond area, new to me on two wheels (though I have been here some four years now) but being on a motorcycle makes you see it in a different, and wonderful way. Got as I know from the car though some wonderful places to see in the region, and those will be coming up as the weather gets better!

Carytown and Church Hill Ride (April 27, 2013)

 Something a little different....have more photos of the places I saw on my Richmond and Me blog...but this is The Byrd Theater in Carytown. Started out riding on River Road and then on Cary Street. Got off the bike and walked around here, it is one of the most interesting sections of Richmond more so for the food that can be found there than the shopping (though that is a big deal to some people). It is also a great place to check out some interesting people; a great people watching area. Usually is pretty busy and parking and driving can be a challenge, but if you are up for it...a lot of fun to find there. 

 Here I am from the bike leaving the area, coming up on The Boulevard. Interesting section from Cary Street..go left and you get to Monument Avenue and out to the Diamond (Richmond's minor league ballpark) and to the Right is Maymont and Byrd Park. I went straight through the section called "The Fan" and into downtown. Interesting ride as there are also many places to eat in the Fan, and downtown is also pretty interesting with some really great buildings to see, plus as an extra bonus traffic is lighter on weekends. It is, after all, the state capital and gets to be pretty busy, but as you almost would figure, they tend to take weekends off which makes it good for checking out the sights. Course you will also go past the various VCU buildings all through town and get to see a lot of the campus and students wandering around. The Fan and Downtown are some good areas to explore as there is a lot to see and do there, and can be really amazing what you can come across. These pages have a lot of sights from the Richmond area, and you can see many there.     

 Took this photo of a Triumph in Church Hill which is one of Richmond's oldest neighborhoods. I went there to eat at Alamo BBQ which is a really basic looking place, but happens to have some really good food. That again is a very interesting part of town with some unique and old buildings, and some really interesting parks. I especially suggest Libby Hill Park which is one of my absolute favorites. Richmond has a lot to see and do, and Church Hill has some interesting riding. Do note though that some of the streets can have some interesting surfaces...so be aware and keep alert. You can be on asphalt one minute and brick the next!  

Saw this Honda (which I believe is a Honda CB350) out near Manchester which is another section of Richmond. Fun to ride and to see some interesting motorcycles, especially classic ones. Like that part of town as well, which had seen better days, but is getting a major remake. That seems to happen a great deal; a section of a city will sort of decline, people move in and then so do investors (cause the people are there). This bike for instance was in front of the former Philip Morris tobacco factory which closed and then was turned into apartments. Lots of other cool places to see there. As I said, on my Richmond and Me page I will have some more photos of some of the places, but this ride got to see a number of interesting things ! 

Sunday Ride in the RVA (April 7, 2013)

Kind of out of order but ok....was the best weather day of 2013 on Sunday April 7...sunny and 72 was the high. It was a bit breezy but it was still a lot of fun out there. Got out on I-95 after a ride though Richmond and headed for Prince George, VA. Made a stop at Colonial Harley-Davidson which was open on a Sunday. Wandered around a few minutes: they had a nice selection of bikes, but not all the new bikes out this year from "The Motor Company". I like going there and there were a lot of people there...Harley people tend to gather around Harley dealerships.    

 Made a stop at Tilted Kilt (that is my bike silver colored at the side far left front) to check out some of the race (Nascar at Martinsville) and to see some...women in kilts (better than the alternative). It is located near Colonial HD and also a Japanese motorcycle dealership which was closed on Sunday. Had a nice time there...short visit and then got on 288 to head toward Hull Street. As far as since I have gotten here with the bike, was the longest trip to date...70 miles in total from beginning to end. As the weather gets better the rides get longer, which is pretty cool.  

This was during the Colonial Harley-Davidson visit...its a V-Rod based Drag bike...pretty cool though. As I said a nice dealership, usually has a lot going on there.
As for me, visited a former riding buddy (he sold his bike)...Keith and I got in his car and rode to Buffalo Wild Wings and a new Guitar Center. Nice break in the riding, but then headed back on the bike down Hull Street and Midlothian Turnpike where I store the bike. Did not drive to get it...walked from my apartment to it, and walked back at the end of the ride. It was an outstanding day! 

Riding to City Point (April 1, 2013)

It was 70 and sunny, and being off work on a Monday, thought a ride to City Point was a real good idea. It was....just a beautiful day. City Point is part of Hopewell, VA which is a very interesting town of itself, and was a nice ride down I-95 and on Route 10. There I stopped to get a photo of the bike in front of the Union Fort, one of the few left in the area of what was an extensive defense line to defend the massive supply depot there during the Civil War. About all that remains of any of the Civil War forts are the earthworks, but some of the them at other sites are quite remarkable.

This is a view of the Appomattox River which was a big reason for the location of this camp. Here, ships came and unloaded the supplies needed to supply the army and fight the war. It is a very beautiful river, and like the James has been a highway for Richmond and Petersburg, VA. The town has a number of great views of the river, and this was a very good day to be there. Many of the old buildings are original to the Civil War and there are signs to tell people what they used to be...as some of them have gone to other uses over the years. It is a fun place to tour with a number of interesting sights. I have been there many times; and will be back again.

From City Point, went for a ride to Steel Horse and then into Chester until I got to Jefferson Davis Highway. I like that road, which like most of the places in the area have a number of interesting sights. There are stores, restaurants, a major sea battle sight, and a number of factories along the way.
I drive part of it to and from work, have often passed "Ace Cycles" but took a few minutes to stop by. It was not open, but there are bike parts in there, so it might be. Love the sign, and that is my bike in the front of it. In the background you can see Model Tobacco (which once was an old tobacco company I think) off in the background. Very interesting art-deco design on that one.
Rode was very very good, with wonderful weather,and other than the trip on the bike from NC to Richmond (which took some five hours) this was my longest ride in the Richmond area at least distance wise. I have been having a great time on the motorcycle so far; and look to have many more this year!