Tag Archives: Motorcycles

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Join Me on a Little Local Ride

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One of the challenges for any weekend is to somehow get all the chores on the “to do” list done, yet still find time to play.  By 3pm this past Sunday, I’d accomplished enough to be able to head out for a little local ride.  Luckily for me, local riding often means country roads, fields, lakes, and historic communities.

Dry Valley

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Claytor Lake is a reservoir of The New River, created when a hydroelectric dam was built in 1939.  I stopped for a water break and the chance to watch the geese and ducks.  It was a perfect afternoon to ride, but the bright sun made for challenging photography.

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Yes! That is a lighthouse! On the lake 🙂

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Soon it was time to ride on down to the end of the road.

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I’ve photographed this slowly decaying barn from many angles … it’s a beauty.

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From there, I rode through the community of Newbern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I’ve ridden through the Newbern Historic District many, many times but somehow had missed these two structures.

The Old County Jail and site of the First Courthouse of Pulaski County

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The original reservoir for the Newbern Waterworks

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A little beauty, a little history, a little photography … all seen from the bike. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.

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Life on the Bike!

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Those of you who are new to my blog may wonder where the bike of Life on the Bike is.  Rest assurred that the original reason for the blog is back and after being sidelined for 8 months, so are my days riding!  I’ve had the bike just 3 weeks and I’ve ridden as many miles as I can squeeze into my schedule.  My first ride was with my friend Juli who took me to the dealership to pick up my beautiful new bike.

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My second ride was with my friends Dave and Michael, the two guys who taught me most of what I know about riding.  I wrote about them here almost 2 years ago.

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The other night, seeing that a storm was brewing, and thinking that the evening light might make for great photos, I headed out on the bike.  It felt great to feel the wind in my face (even with my new full face helmet).

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 I took off down a dirt road, near the train tracks, and proceeded to happily shoot the surrounding farmland.

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I couldn’t decide which of these I preferred.  What do you think?

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It was a lovely evening and the storm held off long enough for me to play a little longer.

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Even the structure of the new bridge appealed to me that evening.

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More riding photos soon!!!

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Women Riders

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A friend of mine was the focus of a Women Riders segment produced by one of our regional television stations.  Missy and her husband own an indepedent motorcycle shop, and Missy, who has been riding for years, invited several women to come ride with her and help put the spotlight on women who ride.

It’s been 6 months since my wreck and unfortunately, I am still a rider without a bike (although not for much longer!).

Thankfully, I was able to indulge in another passion of mine.

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I’ll be posting more photos soon, but meanwhile remember this:

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Planning for the Near Future

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We woke to a brief but lovely snow the other morning.  The few flakes that fell were gone in an hour, but it was peaceful and pretty while it lasted.  Lynda (Life on the Farmlet) – those sparkles are for you!

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For some reason, the pace of life has kept me from spending much time with my camera even though I carry it with me everywhere.  I am so ready to improve and have the outcome match my vision.  No negativity here … I am patient (sort of!).

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I do have some trips, for both pleasure and business, coming up in the next 6 weeks and I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

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And then, of course, I’ll be test riding some bikes and hoping the joy of the wind in my face is far greater than any anxiety I might feel.

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Luck of the Dog!

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What a lucky guy!!

He rides around in this padded cart and his motorcycle drivers told us that they go nowhere without him.

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I’m telling you … it was so cozy in there, I almost wanted to get in there with him and ride along!

Isn’t he a sweet old guy?

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And since my camera is in the shop (no photography) and my bike is totaled (no rides- are you feeling sorry me yet 🙂 ) I’m finally posting these photos which have been in draft since September.

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Peak Weekend in the Smoky Mountains

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In my previous post, I promised that I’d be sharing details and photos from my trip to Great Smoky National Park (GSNP).  Somehow I just haven’t been able to get that done.  I don’t know … maybe it was the extensive oral surgery I just had 🙂  (excuses, excuses!)

I’ll get it done soon, but for now, let me know what you think of these.  Leave it to me to post 2 images in B&W, despite the fact that I was in the GSNP during “peak weekend”?  And as you photographers always say, they really do look better if you click on them (I learn so much from you all)

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Photography: From the Bed

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Since I can’t get outside, and I definitely can’t get on the bike (it was declared totaled …sadness!), I’ve been shooting from the bed.  I’ve received so many beautiful flowers and they’ve brightened up the room and my spirits!

Thanks for all the lovely messages of encouragement and support.  Now that I am able to use the camera and the computer at intervals, I am anxious to visit your blogs!

You’ll be seeing my comments on your posts – SOON!!

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Blowing in the Wind

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After riding 125 miles, much of it along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you might expect me to post photos of the changing fall leaves.

While I did see many beautiful sites as I followed along behind my friend Dave, we didn’t stop for photos because we had a destination in mind.

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Raps is a full service 1950’s / 60’s Renaissance Store and Ice Cream Shop adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Raps also has a restaurant / bar and grill and features live music on the weekends.

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The beer was cold, the music was classic rock, and several in the crowd were dancing.  What really attracted my eye though, were the bright flags flapping in the wind against the brilliant blue sky.

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You must be thinking: “really, LB, a post about flags?  The kind that can easily be found flying at any car dealership”.  What can I say?  They made me happy!

Eleven days ’til the Fall Bike Trip!!  Now THAT really makes me happy!

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Now I Know Why …

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… people might want to employ someone to bring them coffee in the morning.

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It was a beautiful but chilly ride home after the 7th Annual Layne Creed Memorial Ride last night, and so I decided that for once, I was not going to multi-task my way through the morning.  You’ve been there … throw in a load of laundry, bake biscuits for a friend, edit photos, and have a cup or two of coffee while checking FaceBook and WordPress, writing out the grocery list and doing the bills.  For one hour, I was going to sit on the couch, with a cup of coffee, under a favorite quilt and just enjoy.

A perfect plan!

Until I realized that I would need to get up and out of my warm cocoon and get another cup.  Curses!  (yeah, I know … life is tough).

The ride was a huge success!  In the memory of Layne Creed, over 150 bikes with over 220 drivers / riders set out to raise money for the Children’s Center of Surry County and two Surry County Community College Scholarships.  I really didn’t take many photos since I spent most of the day on the bike.

This is the morning of the ride, looking out over Draper Valley towards the Blue Ridge.  The morning mist still hovers over the mountains.

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Waiting to ride

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Halfway home, along Rt 52, near Cana, North Carolina

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Now … about those chores (after I check out your blogs!)

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

(Update:  The 7th Annual Ride raised $8000!)

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It’s All Good!

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Waking up to thunder and lightning at 3am had me wondering if I’d be pulling out in a downpour.  By the time I got up at 6am, the rain had stopped, and now that I’m ready to go, it looks like I’ll stay dry … for at least awhile.

I’ll be posting along the way.  Thanks for your enthusiasm about the ride – I’d love to hear from you!!

(this is me on the old bike from the 2010 50th Birthday Ride)

WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!