Hangin’ With the Big Dogs: A 500 Mile Weekend

June 26, 2013 by LB

I just LOVE the first long rides of the summer!

Those who truly love riding motorcycles, will ride all year long. Even on cold winter days, as long as the sun is shining. Winter rides are incredibly satisfying but they’re often shorter in duration, with far fewer miles covered. So when the warm weather arrives, the long riding begins, and there is nothing like it!

This past Saturday, during the middle of an early morning hair appointment, I got the call to ride. My two favorite bikers, Dave and Michael (My Guys) are great friends, awesome mentors, and have taught me so much about riding these past 5 years. They told me I had 10 minutes to be ready (I made it in 15) and off we went!

We rode 350 miles, through 8 counties, and on too many country roads to count.

This bridge was built in 1896 and was just closed to traffic this past year.

I’m told that this tower was used to measure river water levels.

It was a glorious day for riding!

Lunch at Devils Backbone Brewery offered much needed fuel for our bodies, and then we turned and headed for home.

We hit the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and pulled back into Radford around 8pm that evening.

Sunday morning found us back on the bikes, this time joined by our good (and fun!) friends Cherie, Tim, Diana, and Jeff. Dave always leads the way and while I may not always know where we are headed, I am always confident that the ride will be a blast!

Total mileage today was 145 miles.

After a brief stop at Tuggles Gap, a restaurant and motel serving BRP customers for over 70 years, we took off in earnest.

Wide sweeping curves on the BRP and much tighter curves on Rt 8 in Floyd and Patrick Counties, eventually took us to Squirrel Spur.

Our final stop was the Kanawha Valley Arena. The arena “was formed in the interest of Equestrian Enthusiasts” and in addition to the professional arena, barn, and corrals, Kanawha has a Carriage House Museum and a Carriage House Saloon.

And a covered bridge!

This scene just made me chuckle and I had to take a picture!

What a weekend on the bike! I simply can’t wait for the next one!

Planning the 4th Solo Trip

June 18, 2013 by LB

My last post glorified the joy of being home, and I truly am excited to have the next four weeks at home without travel (other than day trips on the bike of course). It’s time however to get serious about planning the 4th Solo Bike Trip.

So many places to ride; so few vacation days!

You may remember that I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon (in Tennessee) in 2010 as a way to celebrate my 5oth Birthday (photos taken with my old Canon Powershot SD1000)

2011 found me riding to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (again, with the old Canon)

Tennessee was the destination in 2012

So it seems that I have, not with purpose, alternated between the mountains and the beach.

This year then, I’m going back to the beach! I’ll ride to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Annapolis, and possibly Delaware.

The near constant rain has had me less than motivated to pull out the maps, but this weekend I WILL get to it! After all, the day of departure is just 7 weeks away!

Let the planning begin!

It’s Nice to be Home

June 16, 2013 by LB

As much as I love to hit the road and explore new places, having traveled the last 5 of 7 weekends, I was missing what my friend Debbie calls “bonding with your house”.

I missed the baking and cooking …

Chicken Salad for a friend’s birthday

Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits for a couple other friends on Father’s Day

The potting and planting …

I can never have enough basil!

The time for photography …

Time to catch up on reading and blogging … currently reading Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

And even the time for cleaning and laundry (but you don’t need to see a photo of that now do you?).

Of course, there was time to call my father …

This is my father, mother, and me at our annual Mothers Day / Fathers Day Dinner 2 weeks ago

and this is Daddy, the most amazing father, back in the 70s. He is now Captain USN, Retired

If I’m lucky and it doesn’t rain, I’ll get some time on the bike …

Yes, traveling and exploring are two of my most favorite things to do … but staying home isn’t bad at all.

What’s in a Year?

June 9, 2013 by LB

Or at least … what’s in a blogging year?

I’m contemplating that very question as I sit out on my finally clean screened in porch. The rain and too many weekends of travel have kept me from enjoying it and I have missed spring and summer mornings out here. Breakfast is done and I sit here now in comfortably cool temps, hot coffee at hand and a multitude of birds singing in the background.

How lucky I am to live where I do! The house is far too big for one, what with the child moved on years ago, and 2 dogs and 1 cat also passed on. It’s now just me and Abby, and every so often I consider moving to a smaller place. Then I sit here on my porch, surrounded by nature (in the middle of my little city), basil growing in posts, rabbits (and deer) eating all my hostas (damnit), and I drop all thoughts of moving … for now.

But I digress.

One year ago, almost to the day, I started this blog as a way to communicate with family and friends while riding. Each year, I take a solo bike trip and I’m loved enough to have people worry about my safety. The first two years I typed a travel update via email from my Blackberry. I’d find a fun little pub or restaurant, order the house special and a good imported beer and write the days news. In searching for a better venue, I came to WordPress.

One thing led to another and I’ve now been posting for a year. I started Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things as a travel journal and method of communication and it has morphed into something much, much more.

Story Telling. Travel Journal. Photography Portfolio.

But after 12 months and 158 posts (now 159), it has become a passion, almost an addiction and has taken valuable time away from reading!

The two things that I did not anticipate?

1. Growth as a photographer – because of many of you! I have learned so much about the technique and artistry of photography and I have grown better (and more critical) of my efforts. I can not wait to find a weekend photography retreat to attend so I can continue to improve. Thanks to all of you out there for inspiring and teaching me.

2. Connections – I had no idea that I would find such an amazing community of bloggers. When I first signed on with WordPress and started trying to find my way around, I would read about the blogging community and was mystified. How would I ever connect with people? How would they ever find me? Then suddenly that first Like came … and then the first Follow (I still remember the thrill) and all of a sudden I was hooked! I love telling my local friends about the connections I have made in Australia, London, Norway, Canada, and in many other countries and various parts of the US. You all inspire me, uplift me, make me cry, and laugh out loud.

I have sighed, exclaimed and been envious over your photos.

I have been moved by your words and laughed at your jokes.

I’ve followed along on your adventures, been proud of your accomplishments, and wondered about you when you haven’t posted lately.

I’ve also lost hours of sleep and time spent with a books … ah well, it’s not all perfection.

To my family and friends: thanks for your patience with my requests to look at just a few more photos. My annual solo bike trip is planned for August (details pending) and I look forward to having you all along for the ride as always.

To my fellow bloggers: Thanks for coming sharing this amazing thing called blogging with me. You have made my life richer for embracing me into your community.

Charleston: Delicious!

June 2, 2013 by LB

After just 48 hours in Charleston, I had gained 5 pounds! Thank goodness I got some exercise riding the bicycle.

Some of you know that I live in a small town and the choice of restaurants, yummy though they are, is limited. So one of the reasons I love to travel is the opportunity to explore new restaurants, especially independent and locally owned restaurants, and new foods.

As I was getting closer to Charleston, Andrew asked if I had eaten. Was he kidding? I was waiting to savor the food of Charleston! Almost as soon as I got into town, we headed to a place called Five Loaves Cafe.

The food did not disappoint! The Tomato & Mozzarella Salad with roasted sweet peppers & asparagus over mixed greens was delicious and the Ultimate BLT Sandwich with smoked bacon, cheddar, thick sliced tomatoes, sweet basil mayo, lettuce & onion was even better!

Andrew had to work that evening, so I spent some time where he works, a restaurant called Taco Boy. I was completely distracted by the cold beer and amazing guacamole and am afraid I didn’t come away with any decent photos. The photo gallery on the restaurant’s website however includes lots of pictures of food, drink, and the wonderful decorations. Much of the artwork and furniture are reclaimed or recycled, and the place has a true feel of Mexico. (Of course, I’m guessing about that because I’ve never been to Mexico). I do however encourage you to check out Taco Boy if you are ever in Charleston … the Grilled Fish Taco and the Tempura Shrimp Taco were delicious!

(this photo is from the Taco Boy website)

The next day, we enjoyed an amazing brunch at The Grocery.

I started with a yummy cocktail called the Negroceri, made from Bombay Sapphire Gin, Aperol, Sweet Vermouth, and Grapefruit Bitters. I loved that the coaster was made from a menu and the drink was perfect for me – not at all sweet!

I enjoyed the Sausage and Egg Sandwich – a Ginger-Sage Sausage, Scrambled Egg, Cheddar, English Muffin, with ‘Dijonnaisse’ and my son had the Hangtown Fry – Fried Oysters and Green Tomatoes, Farm Egg Frittata with Bacon and Toast.

Another thing I love about Charleston restaurants, besides the tasty food, is that most of them are in spaces that are reclaimed / retrofitted. The decorations and artwork are unique, eclectic and beautiful.

Even the takeout was amazing! Basil Thai Restaurant offered me the yummiest Masaman ever (which I can’t get in my little city).

When Andrew moved to Charleston, I never really thought that FOOD would be one of the benefits of having him live there. I can’t wait to check out more restaurants on my next visit!

Charleston: Cycling to the Sun

June 1, 2013 by LB

One of the many great things about Charleston is that it is a community that bikes. Everywhere you look, you see folks riding bicycles. Unfortunately most are riding without helmets, but that story is for another time. I loved this dedicated “bike parking lot”.

A bookstore right in front of the bike parking lot uses cool combination advertising.

One of the purposes of the trip was to bring my son a bicycle so he’d be able to join the other cyclists in commuting and in play.

One evening, Andrew and I rode through Hampton Park and from there, found a curvy little pathway that led to the Ashley River.

It was the perfect place to watch the sun set over the river.

Such peace and tranquility … I was almost ready to move there!

96 1/2 in the Morning

May 29, 2013 by LB

I’m still editing the many, many photos I took during my 48 hour trip to Charleston and I’m looking forward to sharing some of them with you. Until then … something about this old home, and it’s address, caught my eye in the early morning light.

My Other Bike

May 26, 2013 by LB

It’s no use denying it … since I fell in love with motorcycles, my other two wheeled bike sits unused and collecting dust. In 5 years, I have ridden less than 100 miles on the bicycle that I chose carefully and used to ride almost daily, 12 miles before work and more on the weekend. Charleston is the perfect place to explore by bicycle and I loved riding it over The Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge.

Just a few … Charleston

May 26, 2013 by LB

What a joy to be in Charleston in the spring! Temperatures in the 70s, and the smell of Jasmine everywhere.

Myrtle Beach on the Bike: The Bars, Restaurants, and Music (and Pay to Pee!)

May 23, 2013 by LB

This is the third in a series of posts about Myrtle Beach Bike Week and my experience as a first timer.

No doubt, the people and the bikes are a big draw to Bike Week, but it is also the bars, restaurants and music that make for happening times. Our first stop was SuckBangBlow, the bar whose website boasts the fact that “you can ride through the front doors, right up to the bar, and order a cold one!”.

The food at The Dead Dog Saloon was so yummy!

And there is an entire wall devoted to photos of beloved dogs that have passed on.

At The Beaver Bar, Brooks Paul, The Prince of Rock, the 12 year old lead singer of a rock band (the rest of the members are adults) played Journey, Foreigner, Queen, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

Almost as soon as I got to Myrtle Beach, my friend Billy told me that he had a few things he needed to teach me about Bike Week. One of those lessons? The folks who keep the Porta Johns clean expect to be tipped.

Need to pee? Bring a dollar! I’d never heard of such a thing!

On the other hand, I’ve used a lot of Porta Johns at football games and outdoor concerts and it can be a scary experience. These potties? Sparkling clean! And you get to choose from a variety of hand cleanser, lotion and sunscreen once done! Great Deal!