Myrtle Beach on the Bike: The People and The Bikes

May 21, 2013 by LB

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

Myrtle Beach Bike Week – motorcycles, music, people, bars (some only in business during bike week / 2-3 weeks per year) and restaurants – so many sites to see and things to do. I was there for less than 48 hours and still managed to walk on the beach, log some miles on the bike, listen to fun music, enjoy good food and drink, and spend time with great friends.

People watching is a favorite activity. Find a rocking chair, a beer, and watch the bikes and people go by.

The problem I had with the rows of rocking chairs is that they were lined up right in front of where I had to back the bike into a long line of bikes. Do you know how unnerving that is? Angle the bike wrong and the whole row goes down … or at least that was my fear. Knowing everyone was watching made me even more nervous. Deciding to make a positive out of a potential negative, I jokingly asked the crowd for a little love. Everyone began to cheer and clap and I backed in without problem. Phew!

Once the bike was parked, I was able to grab a cold one, hang with my friends and get down to some serious people watching.

Juli and I with our multi-tatted friend

Then there are the bikes! The models, colors, styles, and sheer individuality of them would keep you busy for hours.

Of course for me, the best part was having an unplanned, extra day off from work and using it to spend time on the bike and with friends. It was a fabulous mini-vacation!

Next Post: The Music, Bars, and Restaurants

Myrtle Beach on the Bike: Getting There and Back

May 19, 2013 by LB

This is the first of a few posts about the experience that is Myrtle Beach Bike Week.

I was anxious to put some significant miles on the bike. Because of the constant rain, I’d only been able to ride a total of 450 miles since purchasing my Softail Slim on March 29th. I’m not opposed to riding in the rain, but I’m still learning this new bike and wanted to get to know it better before riding on wet roads.

When friends told me that they would be heading to Myrtle Beach, it seemed like a good opportunity to get those much needed miles. I’d ride down Saturday and come back Sunday, accumulating a minimum of 700 miles. Most folks go for the week; I would go for 2 days.

Saturday morning dawned and it was still raining off and on … but I am nothing if not game, and decided to go for it anyway.

I followed my friends Lake and Juli, who had decided to trailer their bikes and gear down in preparation for a week long stay.

We’d not gone 2 miles when I noticed that the mirrors and cables were loose. Thankfully, Lake had tools with him and fixed me right up. I do have a couple tools on my bike but not an Allen Wrench … lesson learned!

Despite the weather, I was so happy to be riding and I was loving the new bike!!

Thankfully, by the time we got to Rockingham NC the rain had stopped and the sun was shining most of the time.

I was shedding clothing with each stop.

By the time we got to the beach, I was down to t-shirt and vest and that first view of the ocean from the deck of the house brought even more smiles to my face.

The ride back 48 hours later found me layered up and leathered up, too. I usually like to take my time and explore the route, but the further north I got, the more the temps dropped.

I took a few moments to shoot some pics in a cemetery in Blenheim, SC.

And a couple more of Pilot Mountain, NC

The views were beautiful, but it was 50 degrees and that makes for cold riding at 70 miles per hour. By the time I got home, 850 miles and 60 hours later, I was chilled to the bone. A hot shower was what the Nurse Practitioner ordered and it felt great!!

Even with the less than optimal traveling weather, it was a wonderful first road trip!

Veggie Cart

May 5, 2013 by LB

When walking out of Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen http://www.lucky32.com/cary.htm in Cary, NC this past Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice this veggie cart.

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, under the direction of Chef Jay Pierce, prides itself on serving “southern foodways and locally-sourced food”. Little did I know when I ordered the Black Bean Cakes that they are considered a restaurant tradition. So Yummy! (I didn’t take a photo, but if you check out the website you’ll see one).

I don’t know the name of this leafy green vegetable but aren’t the colors gorgeous? Perhaps one of you gardeners out there can tell me what it is …

History Preserved: Williamsburg

March 11, 2013 by LB

The majority of my time in Williamsburg was spent in meetings and seminars related to Nurse Practitioners and healthcare. Thankfully I found one hour of time, early one morning, to walk the restored area and take some pictures.

I’m back home after an 8 day, 900 mile trip for business and pleasure around Virginia! Thanks for following me along the way!

Day 4 – Good Morning From Williamsburg!

March 7, 2013 by LB

Almost 500 Nurse Practitioners have gathered in Williamsburg for the 2013 Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners conference. The conference is an opportunity for learning new concepts, gaining knowledge, and advocating for improved health care for all citizens.

It is TIME for transition and change in healthcare and to move away from the territoriality that is promoted by certain healthcare providers!

For now, a few quick pictures from the Williamsburg Lodge.

Day 3 – Ashland / Downtown Richmond: More Trains & Historic Buildings

March 6, 2013 by LB

What a treat it is to have a day off during the week!

With a meeting in Richmond on Monday and a conference in Williamsburg from Wednesday through Saturday, it just made sense to stay in the Eastern part of the Commonwealth. My friend Becky lives in Ashland, and I was lucky to spend last evening with her and our friend Tim. This morning when she left for work, I left to explore the town of Ashland. I enjoyed a hot breakfast blend and a bagel while catching up on email, blogging, and bills at Ashland Coffee and Tea.

Ashland is another historic train town and much of the quaint downtown area has a train theme.

Freight trains pass through town on a regular schedule and even better, you can still take the passenger to various places in Virginia and the Northeast

Ashland is more than trains, however, and the architecture of the buildings and the neat little shops and adornments made it difficult to put the camera away and made me reluctant to leave. I adored this sculpture of J Malcolm Pace III, also known as “Jay”. The plaque reads “Newspaper Editor / Publisher, Community and Church Leader, Randolph Macon College Supporter, Musician, Friend and Family Man”. What a tribute!

And then there are the windows …

Eventually, I had to move on to the next stop: Downtown Richmond. I spent 7 years in Richmond while attending the Medical College of Virginia and I have always loved the downtown area. Too may folks who live in the suburbs never leave the land of malls and chain restaurants and what a shame that is.

Today I discovered the Canal Walk, a project to restore a canal system that was started in 1784 and was heavily damaged during the Civil War. It truly is a walk through history!

With time running short before I had to leave for my next stop, I found myself at Sam Millers Restaurant on the cobblestoned Shockoe Slip. The bartender Nathan, in addition to bringing me a yummy cup of crab soup and a Southern Tier stout, was a good source for information and directions.

Finally, I could delay no longer and it was time to leave for Gloucester to meet my friend Janet for dinner a at wonderful Thai restaurant. Gloucester would be a fun place to explore and I plan to return when it’s still daylight! But tonight, the rain began to fall and I still had one hour to go before arriving at my final destination: Williamsburg – home of my parents and the 2013 Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Conference.

The Third and Final: What Will it Be?

February 22, 2013 by LB

I’ll never forget the thrill I felt after purchasing my first motorcycle!

I was just out of the motorcycle safety course, had a brand new, crisp license in my wallet and I needed a bike! I didn’t know much, but I did know that I wanted something small, used and practice worthy. I did not want to make the mistake of many new riders, who purchase a brand new “big” bike and, many drops and near accidents later, either sell or leave it sitting there, rarely to be ridden.

Enter my sweet little Honda Rebel, 28 years old with a $1000 price tag. The perfect starter bike for me! Three months later, I had learned much and was ready to move on up to a bigger, more powerful bike. I was a bit sad when I sold that purple rebel and hope it treated another newbie as well as it treated me. Read a bit more about that here: https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learning-to-ride-part-1/

A tinge of sadness was soon replaced with tremendous excitement after the purchase of my 2008 HD Sportster 883L. It too came to me used, although I was only the second owner and the odometer read just 3oo miles. The goal for this second bike was to grow in confidence, comfort, and skill. I’ve put almost 15,000 miles on my Sportster, taken week long solo rides each August these past 3 years, and ridden many, many miles with friends. What an amazing time I have had on this bike!

Last week, my bike went into the shop for the annual oil change and check up in preparation for the riding season. (It needs to be said that I’ll ride all year long despite colder temps, but the snow this year has kept me to only a few rides since November). As is not uncommon with “adult toys”, there are things to be done to this bike … some tweaks and some upgrades … and all of that costs MONEY!

What to do?

Spend a good chunk of change to get this lovely little bike ready for the year, and to upgrade it a bit?

Trade it in and get the third and final bike?

If you’ve read Learning to Ride, Part 2, you’ll know that my goal all along has been to eventually sell the Sportster, the bike I have called my intermediate or “middle bike”, and to then purchase the bike of my dreams. The biggest obstacle to that, of course is financial. A new bike means a monthly payment … ugh!

But I can feel a new one calling my name. Just the thought of it is seductive. In fact, tomorrow I will pick up the Sportster from the shop and bring it home. Next week, I’ll be visiting my friend Jay and start talking about a new bike. I don’t know what that bike will be (and I may not be able to work out the financial side of things) but in the meantime …

Isn’t this one a beauty?

The 2013 Fat Boy Lo.

Just add some saddle bags and a windshield and I’ll be ready for the road.

I’ll keep you posted …

50th Birthday Solo Ride Part 2 – The Tail of the Dragon

February 1, 2013 by LB

This is the second of a two part post about my 50th Birthday Solo Motorcycle Ride (2010). All pictures were taken with my old point and shoot camera. Part 1 can be found here:

https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/50th-birthday-solo-ride-the-blue-ridge-parkway-part-1/

Day 3 – The End of the BRP and the Folks Along the Way

Hello from Bryson City, NC, located at the southern end of the BRP.

I rode the last 78 miles of parkway today and it took me a long time because I kept stopping to stare at the beautiful mountains! The section between milepost 400 and 425 is stunning with the elevation between 4500 and 5500 ft and the highest point of the BRP at 6053 ft. I have taken so many pictures, always thinking “THIS is the best one”.

I had hoped to be able to say I was writing from the Gearhead Motel outside Bryson City as recommended by a couple bikers I met, BUT when I went to check it out, it just didn’t feel right – no one was there and it seemed deserted. So, I headed on down the road and checked into the Sleep Inn instead. Later that evening, I rode back by The Gearhead and it was full of bikes and people and it looked like fun! I’d made a mistake by passing on it earlier.

The lively folks outside the motel reminded me that I haven’t said anything about the great people I have been meeting along the way. I met two bikers from Indiana (the ones who recommended the Gearhead) who used brute strength to adjust my highway pegs (which got out of position when I dropped the bike yesterday – yeah, I didn’t tell you that, did I?).

I also loved the folks, about my parents age, who said “if you were my daughter I’d kill you for riding alone”, to which I replied “why do you think I haven’t told my parents?”

I met a guy who hauled his bike from Missouri so that he could ride the BRP while his wife went shopping in Asheville. Smart man!

There have been lots of other fun people along the way … and I’m grateful that some have been willing to take a few pictures of me along the ride.

After checking into the hotel, I rode back down to town and had a great taco salad and a couple micro brews at a local dive bar (located in a 70 year old WWII quonset hut with no A/C). I followed that with a quick dip in the hotel pool and am now so ready for sleep.

Across The Tracks Bar and Restaurant, Bryson City, NC

I’ve ridden about 500 miles so far … not much compared to my friends who ride cross country but I’m proud and happy.

Tomorrow … The Dragon.

Day 4 – Curves

If you’ve been following along so far, you know that I’ve written about some of the fun curves and elevation changes that I’ve experienced during this trip. Those curves were nothing like the ones I have ridden all day today!!

The Tail of the Dragon is known world wide for its 318 curves in 11 miles. You get to put a sticker on your helmet and your bike if you finish (you have to ride it both ways), but your broken bike parts go on the Tree of Shame if you don’t.

The Tree of Shame

Well, I am proud to say I have a sticker on both the bike and the helmet!! Woo hoo!! So proud! And just like when you raft a river, there are professional photographers posted along the way taking your picture.

The road is a blast to ride – even though I went at granny pace- 30 miles/hr – but the route to get to The Dragon was fun, too. Rt 28 is just as curvy and I loved riding through the lush, green Nantahala National Forest.

I rode by signs like this all day long.

After 8 hours on the bike, I checked into the Iron Horse Station in Hot Springs, NC. The road to get to Hot Springs (Rt 209) was just as curvy as the Dragon and runs for 30 miles, a lot of it through the Pisgah National Forest. Beautiful! I was often entirely alone on that road, and I am grateful I had no problems.

The Iron Horse Station Inn and Restaurant, Hot Springs, NC

http://www.theironhorsestation.com/

Hot Springs is a cool little (very little) historic train town. I am staying in a restored train depot and my room is perfect! The “tourists” are an interesting mix of bikers, river runners, AT hikers and those seeking a getaway from as far away as Atlanta, Knoxville and Asheville. As always I had a cold beer and a shower, and after that, I enjoyed a wonderful glass of red wine with some delicious white bean & chicken chili. Yum!! I am soooo content. How perfect that the train came through as a fitting end to a wonderful evening.

Almost 700 miles so far! I’m supposed to hit the road for home tomorrow … I am really not ready for that!

Day 5 – What a Ride!!

A huge storm woke me during the night and I wondered how wet my bike would be. The sun was shining brightly this morning though and I thought all was well. I am not sure why I didn’t think about all the water that the seat had absorbed during the storm – I rode with a wet ass all day! Lessons learned! 🙂

I truly enjoyed my stay in Hot Springs. I loved the fact that every single person wished me a good morning as I walked to the Smokey Mountain Diner for breakfast. I passed several buses loaded down with rafts and tubes and I kind of wish I had stayed and spent some time floating the French BroadRiver.

But … it was time to ride on.

I rode 275 miles today (a record for me) and I spent almost all of it on back roads. I rode through parts of the Cherokee National Forest, the Jefferson National Forest and the Mt Rogers Recreation Area. I rode on a long stretch of road that passed through multiple “no stop light” towns in Tennessee. I loved the names – Minneapolis, Cranberry, Plumtree (which had flower boxes on the bridge through town), and one place called Lick Log. Really? Who names a town Lick Log?

I’ve been really lucky in terms of weather on this trip, but today was the best day yet! An “Idaho sky” for sure! I have loved these past 5 days – no plan and the freedom to spontaneously pick my route. Today I literally went from one town to the next, choosing the roads as I went along. The folks I met, who helped to guide me, were wonderful.

I often hear bikers talk about the wind in the face and the freedom of the road … I feel like I finally get it!

It has been such an amazing trip and I really was not ready to come home. Even still, I was glad to cross over the New River for the first time in 5 days. Thanks to Fred and Cindy for welcoming me back home with a glass of wine, and to Amy for sharing my traditional end of the day beer with me.

What a ride!! 925 miles over 5 days and 3 states. What a great way to celebrate my 50th Birthday!!

50th Birthday Solo Ride – The Blue Ridge Parkway, Part 1

January 8, 2013 by LB

“To some, turning 50 is anticipated with dread. Me? I started planning my 50th birthday celebration a year or two before I even reached that age. I considered 50 a milestone to celebrate; a time to revel in the joy of feeling young and alive with endless possibilities!”

This blog entry is based on my 50th Birthday Solo Ride journals and emails. Each summer when I take my solo ride, I send an email to the folks back home – to let them know I’m okay (they worry) and to share the joy of the ride. I was not blogging back then and have been wanting to post about the ride ever since I started this blog in June of 2012. Since 2010, I have taken two other solo rides. I rode to, from, and along the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 2011 and in 2012, I rode through Tennessee. The Tennessee story can be found in the August 2012 archives.

I have used journal entries and publications to write this post. My ride was featured in The Roanoke Times http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/community/wb/258574, WomensRidersNow (http://www.womenridersnow.com), and my local HOG chapter.

All pictures were taken with my old Canon power shot. This is the first of two posts about the 2010 trip.

I decided to simultaneously celebrate my big 5-0 and the 75^th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway by riding the North Carolina portion of “America’s Favorite Drive”. This route offered me the spontaneity I longed for while never being more than 400 miles from home … the perfect way for an intermediate rider to venture into solo riding. Yes, other women have gone farther and stayed out longer, but my 925 mile / 5 day / 3 state ride were perfect for me and one that I think any woman would feel comfortable attempting.

T-Minus one day “til the 50th Birthday Solo Ride

Tomorrow morning I leave on my very first solo motorcycle trip (and actually only my second long distance trip altogether). I am so excited … mostly because of the trip, but also because I have two weeks off of work. I know that some are nervous about me traveling on the bike on my own, but I am taking every precaution and I am well prepared. I’ll only be gone for 5 days and will never be more than 400 miles away.

My plan is to tour many of the places along the North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have no specific schedule nor do I have any hotel reservations … I’m looking for a bit of spontaneity! I do know that I want to ride a lot, eat some good local food, enjoy a cold beer in the evenings, hike and swim along the way, and end it all by riding the Tail of the Dragon on the NC/Tenn border … 319 curves over 11 miles!

Day 1 – The Adventure Begins

I can’t believe that the first day of riding is done!

I was wide awake at 6am – so ready for vacation and this long planned ride. Michael and I pulled out of Radford at 9am (after taking pictures and making sure that my bags were tied down well). He also rode behind me for quite awhile to make sure things stayed tied down. I’m so glad I had such a great friend to ride part of the first day with!

We rode to Stations Inn in Laurel Springs, NC where I ate a “Harley Dog” (hot dog, bacon and cheese – no calories there, huh?). That is where we parted and I have to confess to a few tears as I headed off on my own. But within 5 minutes I was fine and ready for my adventure.

I got caught in my first rain storm and spent 20 minutes hanging out under an overpass. Guess I’m a real biker now – ha! The rest of the ride went smoothly and the NC portion of the BRP is beautiful!

I rode on to Blowing Rock, NC (200 miles the first day). What a cool place! There are lots of shops and restaurants in this little mountain town. I found a cute little motel where the owner offered to bring out towels to wipe down the bike in the morning. My clean comfortable little room , with a porch out front, only cost me $69! How cool is that?

I just finished a couple of cold beers and some Fish and Chips at a local pub. I plan to read a bit on my little porch and then I promise you, this woman will sleep well tonight!

Day 2 – Exploring the BRP on Bike and on Foot

I slept better than I have in weeks!! And started the day by enjoying scrambled eggs on the porch of a cute little coffee shop … And for only $2! I really enjoyed my short time in Blowing Rock.

I was on the BRP by 9am and rode back and forth several times across the Linn Cove Viaduct, a part of the parkway that swings out adjacent to the mountain. It was designed to preserve the scenery and the fragile environment and I just laughed and hooted out loud as I rode, it was so cool!!

From there I headed to GrandfatherMountain and walked over the mile high swinging bridge.

I followed that by hiking to LinvilleFalls. It was overcast all day so the pictures won’t be great but my memories are wonderful.

I knew that today would find me stopping a lot but when 1p came and I’d only gone 40 miles I decided I’d better head on down the road. The NC part of the BRP is beautiful – so much different than VA. The route is full of constant elevation changes, curves, tunnels and gorgeous views. Makes for very fun riding!!

Next stop was 40 miles later at Mount Mitchell, where the elevation is over 6500 ft. Even though I couldn’t see far, it was neat to have the fog swirl around me as I walked around up there. From that point it was a curvy ride back down out of the mountains.

I checked into a hotel in Asheville (where I was able to talk down the price by telling the desk clerk about my 50^th birthday solo ride – my friend Dave told me never to accept first price and it worked!!). I enjoyed beer, fried pickles and bluegrass in a place called the Fiddlin Pig. They even played the Hokie Pokey! And I just happened to have a VT shirt on! Life is good!

Southwest Virginia!!

January 2, 2013 by LB

If you’ve read even a couple of my posts, you know that I frequently tout SWVA as a beautiful and fun place to live. Now, it’s not just me who is spreading the word! Thanks to my friend Brandon for sharing this article from Mens Health Magazine entitled 13 Places to Visit in 2013.

The world’s an endlessly vast place for exploration. And the more you travel, the more ground you realize you have yet to cover. With that in mind, here are a baker’s dozen of places—close, far, known, and relatively obscure—that you should visit in the coming year.

Guess what #12 is?

12. Southwest Virginia (woo hoo!)
It’s hard to beat the Blue Ridge mountains for watching the leaves change in the fall. The 12,000 acre Primland resort offers postcard views along with a wide range of activities, like tree climbing, geocaching, clay shooting hunting, and mountain biking. Drive south along to the crooked road music trail (stops include the Carter Family Fold, the home of Johnny Cash’s in-laws) to Abingdon, a scenic town with vineyards, breweries, theaters, and the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Also of note, the Star Museum, which showcases an extensive rotating collection of movie memorabilia including a smoking jacket worn by Clark Gable.

When to go: October, to watch the leaves change.

http://news.menshealth.com/13-places-to-visit-in-2013/2012/12/27/