The text came in on Friday: Meet Saturday morning, 10:30am for the first long ride of the season.
Well, it would be the first long ride for me, anyway. Lots of travel, civic events, and weather have kept me off the bike for other than short trips, and I was determined to devote at least one day of the weekend to riding.
It was a beautiful day for the bike, and our destination was Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company in Lexington, Va. We rode through multiple counties and across several mountain passes. Lots of curves and twisties which made for fun riding. We didn’t stop for photo opportunities along the way, so I’m sharing this photo from a similar ride in 2011.
I was able to pull out the camera at the brewery, though.
I crawled underneath the tower to capture this one.
And a friend took these as I climbed part way up the tower. I was nervous about going further, not because of the height but because I didn’t want to get fussed at.
Devil’s Backbone Brewery has 2 locations and the one in Lexington is called the Outpost. According to the website, the Outpost “houses our custom built brewery featuring a 120bbl Rolec Brewing system, SBC bottling and canning lines and Tap Room” (I have no idea what those brewery terms mean). “You can belly up to the bar in the Tap Room for a pint or sampler flight seven days a week”
“or bring some of your favorite local food and have a picnic in our bier garden out back”.
It was a great day on the bike AND I got to wear my new Women’s March hoodie. Yep! I’m a feminist bike chick and proud of it.
300 miles later, I was home in time to watch my Gonzaga Bulldogs win their Elite Eight match up with West Virginia, which sent them to their first Final Four in school history!
The riding season has officially begun.
It’s also March Madness and this basketball loving biker is happy.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
I always love going directly to the brewery to enjoy a cold one. The beer is so much fresher tasting. I have already been to Blue Point, Yuengling and Samuel Adams breweries and I think a trip to Cooperstown NY is in order this spring to visit Brewery Ommegang. Great images Laurie and I know you had a good time.
We should plan a brewery / photography tour someday! What a blast!
Glad you were able to get back on the bike for a long ride. Like the hoodie!
Remind me to tell you about the interesting conversation with two bikers that I met that day …
That is one great post, you hit so many senses. Cool!
Glad you enjoyed it, Jim. It was a great day!
I trust the beer was worth it. Good long ride and great shots.
It was definitely worth the ride … although, of course the riding prohibits more than one beer …
Excellent to hear you had a day out having fun! Love the hoodie and the thought of you getting ‘fussed’ at because you are halfway up a tower amuses me 🙂 I think most people would be bemused and cheer you on…….
Yes, my friends were encouraging me; not sure what the owners would have though. Next time, I’ll do it!
It was such a fun day and I told everyone that I’d be riding in NZ!
Very good! Maybe if you offered them a photograph they’d let you…. You might need to practise riding on the right side of the road, which is left 🙂
We were talking about that, too. I better do some homework!
Sounds like a fantastic first ride out Laurie! We were up in Ottawa this past weekend visiting our son, daughter-in-law & granddaughter & we too, had the opportunity to do a little beer tasting! Not as grand as this brewery but there a number of little micro breweries that have opened in the city & are fun to visit!
Visiting breweries makes for such a fun day, doesn’t it?
So how s that grandbaby? I’ll be you had a wonderful visit!
She is so sweet Laurie! Growing & changing so much.
Great post, Laurie. Brewery tastings are great fun and i love your photos. My fave is your new hoodie! Congrats on Gonzaga. Sad that FL lost but it was a good run.
The tournament has been so good this year, hasn’t it? Well, except when our teams go out. The Hokies are my other team and while I hated to see them lose, I’m so proud of them for making it to the tournament this year.
Agree– the FL/WI game with FL winning in that amazing 3 point buzzer beater was a thrill. “One final moment..” 🎶 🏀
Looks like a great day and a great day to be on the bike. I miss riding a motorbike sometimes.
So you used to ride, eh?
How long has it been?
I was at Devil’s backbone a year and a half ago with the brother. Nice place, good beer, although it was crowded due to a music festival. I would like to go back there when it’s more peaceful.
This was my first time at the Outpost, but I’ve been to the bigger main brewery a few times. That one does get crowded! and they’ve added another venue, and room for food trucks.
Be sure to let me know if you are ever in the area again!
LOL! I know what you mean!
Never mind that last comment, Laurie. I have fat fingers and a stupid phone. I meant to say I will let you know when I take another trip to VA. Would love to meet you!
🙂 I’ll look forward to it!
I love the structures at the brewery. Nice shots of them.
I’m so pleased that you commented on those shots, Lisa. They really appealed to me, too, and I’m glad someone saw what I saw
I love industrial structures…
300 miles for a beer?
I’d be in that.
absolutely! 🙂
What a day! You packed in a lot of your favorites–and how thoughtful of the Zags to win for you!
There are many reasons to love those Zags 🙂
Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company? You bet I would be on for a ride to any place with as cool a name as that. Great post. Enjoy your biking!
Well, as long as you’re happy, you beer-guzzling, basketball-loving, feminist biker chick! 🙂
I’m happy for your beer-drinking, team-winning, bike-riding weekend. You work long and hard for your patients and for your community. I hope this becomes a regular event in your lives. And as always, gorgeous shots. I’m glad you didn’t get a dressing-down when you posed for your picture. That looks like fun.
300 miles seems reasonable..
Seems like a great day for a bike trip!
totally worth 🙂