The day dawned bright with sunshine and 40 degree F temps, and soon the text came in to ride. I worked quickly to get the groceries purchased, the Sweet Potatoes baked, and the Chicken Noodle Soup made and finally, it was time to pile on the clothing for a cold winter ride.
It should go without saying that I brought the camera, so not only did I get to ride, I got to shoot! Happy, happy me!
We stopped for lunch at Beamer’s 25, a local restaurant in Roanoke, and since it had warmed up a bit, we were able to sit outside.
We weren’t the only ones sitting outside, even though you’d never know it by these images.
The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was the perfect photo subject … and tasted good, too!
Don’t you love the reflections in this one? and yes, that is a photo of Coach Beamer on the wall.
My buddy, Dave, was willing to sit for a portrait, and I learned that he used to have his own light room. We’ve ridden together for years, and I had no idea!
What a great way to start off the year … 90 miles on the bike, with the camera, and a good friend. A short ride but oh so sweet!
Hope the year has started off just as well for you!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Very envious – cold and very wet in the UK so the bikes remain in the garage 😦
The cold is one thing, but that wet is sure another. Hope things dry up soon so you can get out on the road
Great photos. Dave was holding out on the stories. Maybe this made it all the more fun when he finally told you about the dark room.
You are so right, Bruce. I knew you like to take some photos every now and then but had no idea of his background. A fun new dimension to the friend that is Dave!
One year ago, I was in the early stages of the campaign …
These places you find are always so fun!!
There are sections of Roanoke that are finding new life, and this area is one of them. Several new independent breweries and local restaurants are popping up, and that makes for fun places to stop along the way. It was a fun way to start the year
Starting it off right, LB. A ride, a friend, and a beer. Oh, and of course your wonderful photos. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Jim. And yesterday, we finally had our first flakes of snow. None of them stuck around very long, but it sure made me happy
Dropped to minus temperatures here in Ontario this past weekend. The sun is shining gloriously today but a wee too chilly for bikers. Cheers!
Definitely too cold for bikers. I’ve ridden in temps as cold as 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which is close to zero for you, but that’s the coldest I’ve gone and doubt I’d go colder. The sun was shining bright, or else I never would have made it. Brrrr!
So why on earth did I think you were from Pennsylvania? Another Canadian friend to meet up with someday 🙂
Stay warm!!!
Pennsylvania you say, that’s funny! Nope, livin the dream up here in Canuck land, about 40 minutes east of Toronto. If you are ever riding this way, be sure to let me know!
Just goes to show you never know all there is to know about somebody 🙂 Love the photos and the two bikes side by side especially – no idea why!
Hi Pauline! I saw that you had a new post, and plan to pop by when I get home from work tonight! and yes, I liked the two bikes together, too … even though I took the shot in a parking lot!
Looks like you’re off to a good start, LB!!
Yes! If the rest of the year goes as well, I’m good!
I love the look of that ale as well as Dave’s knotted beard. Great saturation in that last photo!!! Good way to start the year!
Dave’s knotted beard is new for him this past year (he finally retired!). Glad you noticed it 🙂
I guess it’s all relative. Ninety miles doesn’t sound like a short ride to me!!
Hope you have many, many more ahead 🙂
2016 is going to be a whole lot different than 2015, and I look forward to some non-campaign adventures!
I suspect you will be making up for lost time!
That’s what I’m talking about Laurie! Thanks for the photos of your baby. That put a smile on my face, as did the photo of the Kentucky bourbon barrel ale. Had some of that over Christmas and I am in love. Happy riding in 2016! Be safe, ride much 🙂
Darn it! I actually meant to tag you in this post! I thought about you when I was riding, and took pictures of the bike just for you. Truly! How could I have forgotten? So glad you like the post, Mary
Well darn, there goes my 15 minutes of fame! :-p
A good blast in some wintry air, sure blows the cobwebs away 🙂
Oh yes, it was lovely ,,, and just a little chilly. I’m thinking about heated grips!
I used to use over mitts, mittens to go over my gloves, they are pretty good on their own, once you get used to em. You can get heated gloves, when you think about it, its not the part of your hand wrapped round the grip that gets cold, its the outside..
True. It was mostly my thumb. I wear mittens most of the time off the bike, but most gloves and mitts for riding are so bulky. My hands are very small and adding bulk makes me feel as if I have less control. Need to figure this one out
Heated gloves mate, cant go too far wrong with that, they should heat all digits. Check your local shop, there is some good gear available nowadays. If it got really cold I used to stop at a gas station and take of my mitts, wrap paper towels around my gloves than put the mitts back on 😀
Times were hard.. -13C has been my best so far, not including windchill factor.
Me jealous? Nahhh.
Great pics Laurie. I really love your work.
Thank you so much, your comments mean a lot to me. I’m hoping to visit blogs this evening after work, so I’ll get to see what you’ve been getting into!
That sounds like the perfect start to the year for you Laura💕I have been much less adventurous, but for me it’s been perfect, wandering the local woods with the dogs and watching the rain swollen rivers pour through the land, and spending fun time with friends and food and a bit of drink!✨
Ahhhh …. your less than adventurous sounds pretty perfect to me. Adventures of the heart and soul. Enjoy every moment, Seonaid!
A restaurant called Beamers–perfect place for you to spend part of what looks like a perfect day! The photo of the Beamer photo with the shadows and all is very cool.
Evidently there have been several restaurants around the state using Beamer’s name, and I’m thinking they haven’t been successful, as with many restaurants. This one though, seems to be doing well. fun day!
Hi LB,2016 so far has been the BEST!! Love your pics and I am jealous you got to sit outside and enjoy your meal. Nearly frostbit at 10-degrees F here! xo LMA
You definitely are chillin’ up there! It’s finally gotten cold here (11 degrees F this am), and evidently the crescent moon was a sight to see this morning. I went out to look (in my pjs) to see the moon (too low in the sky, too many trees) and THEN looked at the temp 🙂
Here’s to the rest of 2016 … may it stay the BEST!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. As always, interesting subject matter, viewpoints, and commentary. xxoo
Thanks Angie!! and thanks for following the blog, too!I can’t believe I’ve been writing / posting for 3.5 years.
It sounds like a wonderful start to the new year, Laurie. Cooking, riding, photography and friends. Brilliant.
I love the vibrancy and composition of that last shot. The leaning chairs tell their own story, and it’s a good one.
Good Morning Alys! On Sunday we rode in 40 degree temps; this morning it was 11 degrees when I awoke. and that’s okay with me. It is winter after all!
I was thinking about you last night and hoping that the walking is getting less painful, day by day …?
Oh my! 11 degrees is cold. I hope you get some snow, too. I’m glad you got in the ride when you did.
Thanks for thinking about me and my healing foot. I’m device free (no crutches or knee scooter) and this week started PT. So, I hurt, but in new and different ways. Ha! I love my PT so I’m looking forward to doing the work to keep me moving forward.
Man, I love it when you hit the trail. The the reflection photo in particular.
I’m so glad you liked that one, Noelle! I wondered if it was only me that would think it had merit.
Inquiring Marg
As you already know, I have a blog I write in on a fairly regular basis. The original purpose of the blog was to share info/rides/thoughts with other riders – and I’ve been able to connect with quite a few across the globe. I’ve decided to take it up a notch and get more interactive by adding a page which features other riders who have kindly answered a series of questions.
These riders will then be featured on a page with their picture ( and yes, the picture can be taken in full gear with a full face helmet if you wish 😉). There is no cost to this website and I’m not selling anything. You will need to allow me to post your responses on the page and leave it there for an indeterminate length of time
And no, I don’t have to use your real name if you don’t want.
If you’re interested please email me at mvatman@gmail.com
Thanks in advance for taking part in my little experiment
Twowheeledlife.com
Email sent!
It just occurred to me that each new year brings us the chance for more firsts! Here I was, thinking after all the life I’ve lived, I’m running out of first times, but your blog proves that there are lots of first times left for us. I got a kick out of the photo of ale with the chair slats reflected in the glass, all bulging to the shape of the glass. Portraits of characters are always a fave, and Dave looks like a character. So are you, so that probably makes for fun conversation at Beamer’s 25 (Beamer was a character too…). I also love those candy-bright bikes at the end.
I could not wait to go back and look at that photo of the ale, and you are so right … the slats curve perfectly in reflection. I cannot believe I missed that! Thank you for opening my eyes.
What a beautiful day! I most love the pic of the shadow of ‘Beamers’ over the picture hanging on the wall, that’s a cool POV. Is your first photo B&W or is it just the light? love that one too xo K