You ride in the heat and the cold; the sun and the rain.
But sometimes you pull over and wait out the storm.
All for the love of the ride.
Tag Archives: Motorcycles
Training For the Ride!
My friend Dave likes to tell me that it’s important to train for big summer rides. He’s joking of course (well, he’s sort of joking). Dave & Martha are heading out west this year, so they have a long and wonderful ride ahead of them. While they’ll be covering thousands of miles, I’ll be heading to Maryland and Delaware, for a total of only 1200 or so.
I’m so excited about my upcoming trip and I’ve been riding as often as time and clear skies permit. So many things about riding my motorcycle make me happy. The joy of the wind in my face, the thrill of the sweeps and curves of the road, the towns, historical sites, and people along the way, and absolutely, it’s the adventure. You just never know what gift the road will give you.
Two weeks ago, I took a short 80 mile ride through the back roads of Floyd and Montgomery Counties, and for a good 45 minutes I was worried that I’d run out of gas. By the time I came across a gas station that actually had gas to sell, I was down to my last 10th of a gallon. Phew! I have never been that close to running out of gas!
Then while outrunning the rain, I managed to end up on a road that had recently been flooded and provided some challenging riding. And all of this, my friend Michael always tells me, is part of the ride. I agree!
This past Sunday, a glorious day sans rain, found me riding through Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. I just could not keep myself from stopping to photograph the beautiful scenery.
And the reward at the end of the day (like the ride isn’t enough of a reward?) … a lovely single malt scotch on the deck over looking the river.
My new luggage rack came in the mail today and this year’s adventure begins in just 2 weeks!!
Southwest Virginia: Big Sky Country!
I know … you thought that Montana was Big Sky Country. Well, we’ve got a little bit of that going on right here in Southwest Virginia, too!
You pull the bike over to take a few shots and you fall in love with the close up …
and then you marvel at the colors of the various grasses in the field.
You look up and notice how beautiful the grasses look against the clouds …
And then it hits you … you are indeed in big sky country!
Hangin’ With the Big Dogs: A 500 Mile Weekend
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!
Myrtle Beach on the Bike: The People and The Bikes
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
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!
Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures
For those who don’t blog with WordPress and may not know, the Daily Post offers a Weekly Photo Challenge. Each week, the Daily Post provides a theme for creative inspiration and the blogger is supposed to take photographs based on the interpretation of the theme.
The theme for this week?
Pick the best pictures from your 2012 and have those pictures tell everyone about your year.
I wonder if this Challenge was as hard for other bloggers as it was for me. At first I was intrigued, then overwhelmed and finally resigned … resigned to the fact that I would never be able to narrow a year’s worth of pictures down to a few.
This exercise helped me to remember what a great year it has been and just how fortunate I am. Fortunate to have amazing friends and family, and to live surrounded by beauty! No doubt there have been challenges and some heartache, but the positives won the day (er … year).
I decided to share my year in two ways … life and beauty through photography and then life and beauty through family and friends. A few of the pictures were taken with my Blackberry (yes, I still use a Blackberry). You’ll be able to tell the difference.
Life and Beauty – Photography
Claytor Lake, Pulaski County, Virginia
The Booker T Washington National Monument, Franklin County, Virginia
The Ride of Silence, Radford, Virginia http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php
The New River, Radford, Virginia
The New River Valley Fair, Pulaski County, Virginia
Fall and The Virginia Tech Hokies
Labor Day and rain in Floyd County, Virginia
The Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, Tennessee (from the 2012 Solo Bike Ride)
Shooting Creek Road, Franklin County, Virginia
Somewhere in North Carolina
Along the New River in Pulaski County, Virginia
Foggy Morning, Radford, Virginia
The Home of John and Mabel Ringling, Sarasota, Florida
Just another lovely field in Montgomery County, Virginia
A train trestle over The New River, Pulaski County, Virginia
Life and Beauty – Family and Friends
Andrew’s Farewell Party before his move to Charleston, SC (in Blacksburg, Virginia)
Mothers Day / Fathers Day with the best parents EVER (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Sisters Celebrating 50 (Roanoke, Virginia)
The Annual GOA Gathering (Bath, North Carolina)
Hanging with the SoHos! (Dublin, Virginia)
Gathering with the BGs in Grayson County, Virginia
The annual Road Trip with Ruth to see the Hokies (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Mumford and Sons Concert (Bristol, Tennessee)
Some of my favorite Biker Chicks (Elkin, North Carolina)
Bikers riding for a good cause (Draper, Virginia)
“Divas” raising money for another good cause (Radford, Virginia)
Time on the farm with Bill
And time on the bike with some of my favorite guys (Philpott Dam, Bassett, Virginia)
I’m always ready with the camera while riding,
whether at the beginning of a trip with my good friend, Tim,
Or during the pouring rain on my annual solo bike ride (somewhere between Nashville and Knoxville)
And best yet, reconnecting with lifelong friends (not a quality picture but a quality friendship) Richmond, Virginia
So there you have it … how lucky am I?
Onward to 2013
Layne Creed Part 1 – The Reason Behind the Ride
Velvet says that those who didn’t know her brother Layne “would have loved him if they had. Everyone loved Layne”!
(photo credit: family of Layne Creed)
Layne Creed was evidently such a “people person” that everyone loved to be around him. He was quiet until you got to know him, but once you did, he was a man that you wanted to spend time with. His sister Renee says he was “just amazing” and had a great smile. He was a giver of time and self and was always willing to lend a hand. He never had children of his own, but he frequently gave time and attention to everyone else’s. When he wasn’t operating his paving business, Layne loved to spend time on the boat, and to ride horses and motorcycles.
In keeping with his habit of helping others, he spent the day that he died working at the family home on Lake Norman. After hours of working on the roof, Layne went out on the pontoon boat with 9 others to cool down after the day. He left his cell phone, wallet and knife with his mother Nancy, and headed out on the boat. Velvet says that she could hear in his voice that he wasn’t quite himself but when she called him (using his own phone) he said he was just tired. From the shoreline, she could hear Layne and the others out on the boat, laughing and carrying on.
But it wasn’t too long before all she heard was the panicked calling of Layne’s name. He had picked up Travis’ wife, Angela, with the intention of playfully throwing her into the water but he ended up going in too … and he never came up. Velvet frantically called 911 using Layne’s own phone, while friends desperately tried to find him. They called his name over and over and jumped in to try to find him, all to no avail. It seemed to Velvet that within minutes the place was swarming with first responders. During this same time, Renee and a carload of friends were on their way out to the lake for the evening. They ended up riding right in behind all the rescue vehicles and were horrified to find that it was Layne the rescuers were coming to help. Rescue Squads, Police, and Fire vehicles kept arriving and they all seemed to have come so quickly … even though in her shock Velvet had had trouble remembering the correct address.
For two days, they searched for Layne. That first night, they searched until it was no longer safe to do so, and then they came back early the next morning and started all over again. Finally after 48 hours, his body came to the surface and he was found. The family stayed awake for two days … in shock, sadness, and disbelief that he was gone. How could a man who spent so many years of his life in and around the water, have drowned? It turns out that he’d had a heart attack and drowned as a result. It was August 19, 2006 and the year was now doubly devastating. Joe Creed, the father of Velvet, Layne, Scotty and Renee, had died just 7 months before.
(photo credit: 13 Bones wall picture and Layne Creed Memorial Ride FB Page)
Velvet says that she, her mother Nancy, and Renee and Scotty never wanted to have another family live through the horror of those 48 hours … and soon the idea of a Ride for the Rescuers was born. The many, many tasks that had to be accomplished in planning such a big event gave the family “something to do and it was a way to try to manage the overwhelming grief”. Over $7000 was raised that first year and was given to the rescuers in Sherrills Ford Fire and Rescue to help with the purchase of an underwater camera. The donation of that money inspired the rescuers to seek grant funding and ultimately the underwater camera was purchased. Because of that the Creed family knew that no other family would suffer the way that they had during the long 2 days of searching for Layne.
(photo credit: Layne Creed FB Page)
According to Layne’s sister, Renee, “That was the most horrible feeling, because we knew where he was, but we had to wait for that sonar a whole day to find him. So that’s why we were so passionate about helping them get their sonar. After we helped them, we wanted to put the money back into our community, because there’s always something that needs to be purchased and you never know when you are going to need help”. The family just wanted something good to come out of the tragedy of losing Layne.
(photo courtesy of Dale Sands)
There have been 6 rides in memory of Layne since that first one in 2007. The committee has regular planning meetings that start 4 to 5 months before each year’s ride. Velvet says that there are so many friends who attend the meetings and help to plan the ride and the Creed family is grateful to each and every one. The planning has gotten a bit easier each year as the committee has learned how to manage the work load involved in pulling off such a big ride. The whole family pulls together to plan the ride. In addition to Velvet and Renee, Layne’s brother Scotty, mother Nancy and brothers-in-law, Ken Ross and Chris Leonard all help with the event each year. They believe that the large volunteer force, and the many folks who ride, is a testament to the person that Layne was.
The 2012 Layne Creed Memorial Ride raised over $5500, despite the fact that the ride took place in a driving rain. This year’s money was donated to the Children’s Center of Surry and Yadkin, which provides support services to strengthen family relationships and prevent child abuse. The Children’s Center received money from the 2011 ride as well.
Velvet says her “heart is overfull” and the family and the committee are grateful that so many people came out to ride even though the weather proved to be such a challenge. They say that the many hours of work required to ensure a successful and safe ride year after year are worth it when so many people come out to celebrate the life of their loved one, and in his memory, donate money to a variety of causes in the surrounding communities. Over the past 6 years, more than $34,000 has been raised in the memory of Layne Creed with donations going to Fire and Rescue Departments in Surry, Booneville, Yadkin, and Fall Creek. In addition, in each of the past 4 years, 2 students have received $250 scholarships to help with expenses at Surry Community College.
(Photo credit Mt Airy News)
The Creed Family recently posted the following statement on the Layne Creed Memorial Ride Facebook Page:
We are so THANKFUL to have so many people help us with all the hard work! We can not thank you all enough! You all mean so much to us. Taking time out of your life to help us organize, and work the ride, and raise money for the Children’s Home of Surry and Yadkin in MEMORY of our beloved LAYNE CREED. Thanks to all of the people and businesses who donated!
AND NOW A BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO RODE THE RIDE!!! WOW! OUR HEARTS MELTED AGAIN WHEN WE SAW JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT ON SATURDAY!!! We had about 60 bikes, 114 people that RODE the ride!!!! YOU ALL ARE GREAT! AND ALL OF THOSE WHO CAME OUT THAT NIGHT, BIG THANKS TO YOU TOO! Hope you all come back next year!
Again we greatly appreciate anyone who helped in any way with this event!
Again we greatly appreciate anyone who helped in any way with this event!
The CREED FAMILY
(photo credit Layne Creed FB Page)
Of the six Layne Creed Memorial Rides, two have been held in significant heat, one on a very cold day, one in the rain and two in perfect riding weather. Rest assured that no matter the weather, the 7th Annual event will be held in 2013. It will be a time to honor Layne Creed, beloved family member and friend, and it will be an event that will provide financial support for the community in which he lived.
Learning To Ride, Part 2
So the search for the “middle bike” was on and at the suggestion of a friend, I turned to Ebay.
Now, I had never bought anything off of Ebay, let alone a motorcycle, so I was pretty ignorant about buying and selling online. I did have a basic idea about what I wanted in the next bike. I knew I wanted a used bike – I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a new one only to find it wasn’t what I really wanted and I didn’t want to worry about messing up a brand new bike because of beginner’s mistakes. I was also looking for a bike with mid range controls, meaning that the clutch and the brake were within reach of my short legs. Other priorities included a lower seat height, low mileage and of course, it had to be within my price range.
A bike that seemed to fit my needs was available and I jumped into bidding. I was the high bidder for a couple weeks, slowly increasing the amount I would pay, always staying within my budget but slightly ahead of the other bidders. On the evening of the final bidding, I sat down at my computer, a gin and tonic by my side and played the game in earnest.
The problem with drinking gin and tonics while bidding on Ebay is that it’s easy to get excited and exceed the budget. Which is exactly what I did. Happily I moved onto my second G&T, entering in more bids and thinking “I WILL own this bike”! Well … anyone who has bid for items on Ebay knows what happened next.
I lost the bike in the last 5 seconds.
Initially I was devastated, but when I woke up the next morning I was somewhat relieved. Just two hours later, though, I received a call saying that the high bidder had dropped out! I had won the bike AND they would let me have it for my original budgeted amount. Needless to say, I was thrilled and the 2008 HD Sportster XL 883L with only 300 miles on it was mine!! Well, it was almost mine … first I had to get it home from North Carolina.
My good friend Michael agreed to drive me the two hours to pick up the bike. Just like with Billy and my Honda Rebel, I was so glad to have an experienced biker with me. Michael checked out the bike, loaded it up on the trailer and we headed back home to Virginia.
Buying the “new” bike, meant selling the old bike, so for a short period of time before I sold the Honda (not without some sadness I might add) I actually had two bikes in my carport!
I brought the Sportster home in November of 2009 and rode as many miles as I could in preparation for the next phase in my biking life: a 50th Birthday Solo Ride! I gained experience by riding solo, riding with friends and with my local HOG chapter. Slowly my confidence level grew and I was ready for my first solo trip. I’d taken a long trip before (1000 miles) but this time I would be the driver and I would be alone.
In July of 2010, I left on a 925 mile, 5 day, 3 state trip, (which will someday be the subject of another blog entry). I tamed the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee; rode through mountains and along rivers; on beautiful sunny days and during rain storms. I also rode the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I ate at great local restaurants, visited fun local pubs, and every where I went people asked me about riding solo and celebrating being 50 years old!
I absolutely loved the freedom of those five days—no plan and the opportunity to spontaneously pick my route. I went from one town to the next, choosing the roads as I went along. The folks I met and who helped to guide me added depth to the ride. I often hear bikers talk about the wind in the face and the freedom of the road. I feel like I finally get it. Even still, when I finally pulled back into Radford, that traditional end of the day beer sure tasted good (thanks Amy!).
So what’s next in this journey of learning to ride?
After 12,000 miles of riding, I’m dreaming about my final, “big girl” bike. I’m still not sure what that bike will be but I do know that I am ready for it!
Learning to Ride, Part 1
I’ll never forget my first ride on the back of a motorcycle (okay – not counting that ride on the back of a dirt bike in 1981,heading down a forest service road to the Salmon River in Idaho). This time, I was immediately and completely hooked! I got off the bike and wooped it up as I ran and threw myself into the arms of my friend. A passion for motorcycles was born that night for sure!
I spent the first year riding on the back of a 2003 Anniversary Heritage Softail (“the Springer”) and I loved every moment! Some women long to be the driver from the get go. Me? I was happy sitting in the back, watching the scenery and acting the part of the “traveling, babbling companion”. Yep, that describes me pretty well.
In May of 2009, I took the motorcycle safety course at New River Community College, and while I passed the class without a problem, I was the only one in the class who dropped the bike … in a parking lot … yeah, a flat parking lot. Despite that less than stellar beginning, I got my license the very next week and immediately started looking for a bike.
My good friend Billy helped me to find the perfect starter bike and I’ll forever be grateful to him for that.
Having an experienced biker with me gave me the confidence I needed to take what was for me, a huge step. Billy had a friend who was selling a 20 year old Honda Rebel and I jumped at the offer. He took me to meet the seller of the bike, checked it out for me, watched me ride it in a church parking lot (where I did NOT drop it) and even rode it home for me.
Looks like he’s riding a toy bike, doesn’t it?
Home for the bike for the first two months was a storage unit. I live at the top of a fairly steep driveway so having the storage unit gave me time to gain experience starting on, and getting up, hills. A nearby parking lot offered just enough of a hill to practice on (I look back on it now and chuckle that it presented even the mildest of challenges). Soon enough I brought the bike home and I was riding as much as I could.
I had such great support from my friends during this time. Billy kept encouraging me to get out of town, into the country and to stop “waving like Miss America” when I passed people I knew. Amy, Debbie and Jan insisted that I let at least one of them know when I left on a ride and when I returned home. Once I got my first HD bike, the GOAs and Tim gave me my first leather in the form of a vest and my father even gave me a HD winter cap to wear under my helmet. My friends have supported, encouraged, and been very excited for me!
Soon enough I was begging to ride with the big boys and I managed to keep up pretty well, considering that I was riding a little 250cc bike (I called it my “baby bike”). Within 3 months I was ready to move up to something bigger. I rode that little Honda so hard during one ride that the muffler vibrated right off the bike! It was the perfect starter bike. I encourage new riders to start small like I did. The confidence I gained as a novice on that little bike was invaluable. But after riding 1500 miles, it was time to move on up. I wanted my next bike, my “middle bike”, to be one that would offer me more of a challenge but still not push my capability.
The kind of bike that would be was still to be determined. All I knew is that I was ready!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 