Yep. It’s pretty much about the campaign. I’m still caring for women every day, and like many of you, I’m still managing the tasks of an already full life. The campaign, however, dominates my life.
Never fear, though!
I’m traveling this weekend and look forward to sharing the adventure!
Even better, the temps are coming up and I’ll be on the bike as soon as my boots are back from the shop!
I simply cannot wait!!
Some of you may remember a post from November called Gifts, where I hinted that a major life decision had been made (it’s a post I’m particularly proud of, so please check it out if you have time). I’m finally able to reveal what that big decision is, and it will explain while I’ve not been as active on WP this week.
Yes! I’m running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, District 12!
I’ve contemplated running for years, from back in my days serving on Radford City Council, and I am excited about this new endeavor. The election is not until November so this will be a year long journey. I plan to travel to events on my bike when able and to photo-document the journey as well.
Many of you already know Joe from three different blogs on WordPress – The Visual Chronicle, X-Tended Vision, and Monochromia. Joe has adapted a few of his photos, and one of mine so far, to use on my campaign website and FB page. Aren’t they fun?
I’m hoping that Joe will be able to find time to add this logo to more of my photos from around District 12 as the campaign progresses. How lucky am I to have Joe on my team?
It’s going to be a wild ride and I’m looking forward to it! Motorcycle rides and photography will remain the dominant focus of my blog. Yet truly, this journey is more of Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things.
If you’d like more information, visit me here:
Website: www.LaurieBuchwald.com – the site just went live yesterday so it’s still a young site
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieBuchwaldForDelegate
Clever title, eh? Since the bike has been absent from the blog for several weeks, I decided it should be front and center for Christmas.
May your holiday be full of laughter and joy, and find you surrounded by the love of family and friends.
As we open our hearts and arms to those in need, may our roads be dry, our travels safe, and our adventures abundant.
Peace to you, my blogging friends, no matter what holiday you celebrate.
How wonderful to have a photo of me on my bike serve as an illustration in a blog post. Please visit Meditation Travelogue to view the photos and read the thoughts from Noelle. Her blog is a lovely place to visit.
Photo by Laurie Buchwald from http://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.com
On the soul highway it doesn’t matter if you’re souped up on a Harley or riding a tricycle. Speed is not determined by the vehicle, but rather the clarity in vision of the driver.
Thank you Laurie Buchald for the great Harley shot. If you’d like to see some other great photography from her travels on her bike please visit her blog at http://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.com
Just one week ago, it was so cold that I had to jump start the bike.
Today though, for a brief time it was 60 degrees and while I had not yet finished with the post Thanksgiving clean up, I knew I wanted to ride, even for just a little while. With the sun low in the sky, I pulled away from the house.
I’d only been riding for 20 minutes when I pulled over to get the camera out of my the saddlebag.
The setting sun cast everything in a golden glow, and when back on the road, the wind was cool but comfortable.
Safety dictated that I get on back home, but I’m grateful to have had even a little time with the wind in my face.
It was hard for me to believe, but it had been FOUR weeks since I’d been on the bike! While travel, weekend conflicts, and sub-freezing temps kept getting in the way, Saturday promised a break in the schedule and from the 20 degree temps. It was time to ride!
Friends who own an independent bike shop called The Shop, were hosting a party to celebrate the end of another great riding season. Many of us will continue to ride through the winter as weather permits, but that didn’t keep the owners from throwing a “thanks for supporting our business” party anyway.
Despite temps in the 40s, it felt so great to be riding! The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and I was smiling the whole time. When we got to The Shop, we heard the music, and saw adults and children alike enjoying the food, drink, and sunshine.
The party was a time for enthusiastic conversation,
festive bike decoration,
smiling face masks,
colorful clothing,
and the shedding of leather coats.
And me? After shooting a few pics, I put up my feet and set to relaxin’ before heading back down the road for home.
Happiness!
Family and Friends.
I’m so very fortunate to have been loved and surrounded by both this past year, and I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without them. One year ago this coming Saturday, the final destination of a 4 day fall bike trip was the Harvest Festival at a winery in North Carolina. After being struck while riding my motorcycle through an intersection, the plans changed dramatically.
As the anniversary of the wreck drew nearer, friends and I talked about ways to recognize the one year mark. If I think too much about the wreck, it freaks me out (just a bit!), so I just keep focusing on celebrating life!
My friend Amy suggested that we come full circle and “finish” last year’s trip. So despite the rain, we headed off to North Carolina’s Wine Country. Home to more than 100 wineries, we decided to visit 3 of them. Amy doesn’t ride, so we took off in the truck.
I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear that I have many, many photos to process, but I wanted to share a few with you today. It rained on and off the whole time but we had a blast none the less.
Thank you, Amy, for coming full circle with me!
As you read this post, I’m driving to Pittsburgh with my friend Ruth to watch the Virginia Tech / University of Pittsburgh Football Game.
Life never offers me a dull moment, and I’m doing my best to practice gratitude daily!
Fall is here and while the morning temperature was under 40 degrees F, by early afternoon, it was over 50 and it was time to ride! Make no mistake, I ride in the winter when the roads are clear, but the first cool ride of the fall is such a change that it requires a bit more thought in terms of gear and clothing.
We set off for Floyd, a small county in Southwest Virginia known for it’s music, artisan products, and local restaurants / businesses. The Friday Night Jamboree, held at the Floyd Country Store, features traditional, old time, and bluegrass music.
Floyd Fest showcases roots and progressive world music, and each year draws thousands of music lovers from all over the world (these photos from 2012).
We stopped at Dogtown Roadhouse, and while waiting for our pizza and craft beer, I wandered around town to capture the scene.
Once back on the road, the others headed for home, but I kept on riding. I just wasn’t ready to get off the bike. First, I rode to the old Radford Water Tower,
and then down to the river.
I could have ridden even longer, but evening was coming on and I still had chores to do.
Some rides are short on miles, this one only 85, but it was long on curvy roads, beautiful scenery, and fun times with friends.
Here in Southwest Virginia, we are just starting to see some color in the trees and underbrush. Heck, the flowers on my patio are still going strong – lucky me! This past weekend I was able to spend some time on the bike, and on foot, and captured just a bit of our early color.
Don’t you think that my freshly washed and waxed bike fits beautifully in with the fall colors?
After 2 months of riding in rain and on dirty roads, my sweet bike was long overdue for a clean up.
How is the seasonal change looking in your part of the world?
The 8th Annual Layne Creed Memorial Ride was held this past Saturday in Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
(photo credits Layne Creed Memorial Ride)
You may remember that I wrote about this ride in 2012. Check out this link to learn about Layne Creed, his family, and the reason behind the ride. Over the years, the Memorial Ride has raised well over $55,000 for local EMS, the Surry Community College, and the Children’s Center of Surry, which is where all of this year’s proceeds will go. In honor and memory of Layne Creed, this memorial ride has become a favorite of North Carolina and Virginia bikers, and has done incredible things for the community that Layne called home.
Each year a group of friends rides down from Virginia, and this year we were geared up for rain.
As always, the Poker Run starts at 13 Bones in Mt Airy, NC, a local restaurant known as much for their charitable donations as they are their good food. A poker run is an organized event where motorcycles (or boats, cars, bicycles) and their riders visit five checkpoints, drawing a card at each one. The one with the best poker hand at the end is the winner … although really, it is the children that are the winners.
A new checkpoint in the ride this year was Round Peak Vineyards.
As is obvious from the photos, the clouds threatened rain all day long.
Luck was with us though and we rode on dry roads.
The donations are still coming in, but the last I heard, around $7000 was raised. An incredible amount of time and energy is put into the ride each year, but the Creed family gladly does it to benefit the children of Surry and Yadkin Counties …
(photo credit Velvet Creed Leonard)
… and in honor of their loved one, Layne Creed.
You can visit the Layne Creed Memorial Ride on Facebook and see lots of photos of bikes, riders, and fun!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 