Posts Tagged ‘Motorcycle Ride’

Patriot Guard Riders Challenge Coin.

Posted: April 20, 2014 in Motorcycle
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photo by warren massey

As I mentioned in my last post I took the Army Bike in for to fix a fuel leak and to get its 30K service. While I was checking the bike into the dealership a gentlemen approached, admiring the bike.

We spoke for a few minutes and then we shook hands. During the handshake he passed a challenge coin. Turns out he is with the Patriot Guard Riders. It was the first challenge coin I have received in a while.

For those of you who do not know what a challenge coin is it is a medallion that typically bares the unit or organizations insignia. The coins are typically handed out on a limited basis during special event or when an individual performs a task at a high level. You can read more about the history of the coin here.

The Heritage Softail Classic is in for a fuel leak and 30K mile service

Posted: April 18, 2014 in Motorcycle
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I seems that after 28,500 miles the quick connect on the fuel line has decided to leak. I detached and reattached the line several times to no avail. It is a constant weeping when the bike is off and a dripping leak when it under power.  The service manual did not provide any real info on this issue and looking at the different boards it was not in skill set to repair. Not happy about it but, this is one of the reasons I bought the extended warranty.

So this evening I dropped it of at Frederick HD not only for the fuel issue but for them to perform the 30K mile service. I am only about 1500 miles short of the service point so I thought do it now or bring in back in a couple months.

Anyway, with some luck I will get my bike back tomorrow and be riding Sunday afternoon!WP_20131221_12_02_33_Pro

Motorcycle Ride: The first really nice day of the season for a motorcycle ride!

Posted: March 25, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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Wow, this was the first really nice Saturday for motorcycle riding of the year here in Northern Virginia and we took advantage of it. But, sadly, they are call for more snow this week. Not very much but still, MORE FREAK’N SNOW!

300_724129We pulled out of the garage about eleven; the temp was a cool 49F.  With mid weight jackets and chaps riding the Ultra Limited was very comfy. Heading south on US Route 15, our plans were to meet our friends Tim and Karma for a quick lunch and then visit the Belmont Farm Distillery outside of Culpeper, VA.  

We linked up with Tim and Karma at a Subway restaurant at the intersection of Route 15 and US Route 29.  What is interesting about Route 29 (which runs from Danville, VA to the Key Bridge connecting VA with DC) is it is also the known as the Lee Highway, the Seminole Trail, and the 29th Infantry Division Memorial Highway. 

After lunch (by the way I was unimpressed with Subway’s new Jalapeno & cheese bread) we all pulled out and headed to the Distillery. Even though everything is still brown (spring as now yet sprung) the ride through the Virginia farm county was just awesome! 

Because of the comfortable weather, purring motorcycle, county roads and good friends it was only a little disappointing that we found the distillery still closed for the season.   Just FYI if you decide to visit the distillery the last half mile from the main road to the still house is a gravel road.

After turning around we decided to just head out and ride.  A little bit down the road I noticed that we were only a few miles from Orange, VA and Waugh Harley Davidson. So, as lead bike, I decided to visit the dealership. We rolled up, took our stuff off and as we walked up to the door we watched them flip the sign to CLOSED!

But never fear, the owner of the dealership opened the door and told us to come on in.  We spoke with him for a while but not wanting to hold him up we thanked him for his hospitality and rolled on out. Heading back north, we rode through downtown Culpeper (much bigger than I expected) and when we got to Warrenton we stopped for dinner at an Outback Steakhouse. 

After dinner we topped off our fuel tanks, said our goodbyes and headed for the house.  Chasing the sunlight we pulled into the driveway a little before 8PM.  Putting over 200 miles on the bike we all had a great afternoon on the bikes….a very good way to start the riding season.

Motorcycle Rides: Well here is one website the Federal Government got right! America’s Byways.

Posted: March 11, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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plan a motorcycle ride

How did I just find out about this! The Federal Highway Administration (part of the US Department of Transportation) has an interactive website called America’s Byways.  It highlights the Scenic Byways of America and, no kidding, it is well done.  Now we have a new tool to help us plan our motorcycle rides.

The website describes itself this way; “The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.”

America’s Byways is an interactive, map based, website that will provide you a listing of each of the 150 different roads.  Those roads are comprised of the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. You can select the road from a national or state map to see basic information on the road (length, average time to travel the road and historical background) as well as route maps, directions and photos.

Motorcycle Product: Now have I seen everything?

Posted: March 10, 2014 in Motorcycle news
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from 2x2cycles.com

I can now say if I have not seen it all, I must be getting close.  These products are produced by 2×2 Cycles out of North Carolina.  Their motto of “Who says you can’t take it with you?” explains their reason for being.

They look safe and secure and if I could still golf I might consider this for my bike.  They make products for: Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, Aprilla and Ducati motorcycles.

Check out their website here!image from 2x2cycles.com

Motorcycle TV: Sturgis Raw

Posted: February 5, 2014 in Motorcycle TV
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CaptureTurns out there is yet another Sturgis show on TV, Travel Channels “Sturgis Raw”.  This show follows the typical “Sturgis behind the scenes” format, similar to Full Throttle Saloon.  This show spends time at the largest bar in town “One Eyed Jacks” and at the Buffalo Chip outside of town for its saloon time.

Where Sturgis Raw differs from most other Sturgis shows is that it also follows the Sturgis Police Department for a cop’s point of view of the rally.  The view of the rally through from the cop’s eyes, I found, is really interesting.  A quick review of what I have seen, so far, with the Sturgis PD on the show include:

Motorcycle DUI arrest (not sure how he was even riding!)

Emergency call to a hotel about a guest with a gun

Rousting people “under the bridge” for drinking and drugs

Responding to and helping a guy who was stabbed seven times.

sturgis-raw-s1-ss-102-003_596x334Of course there are girls, girls, and girls, on the show.  An interesting spin on the girl theme was a bit about a body paint artist hired to make a girl to blend into a custom bike.  His work on her turned out well and she looked like part of the bike.

They have also covered a couple of bike shows that were judged by editors of major motorcycle magazines (American Iron, Iron Horse and a few others that I forget).  There were some cool bikes that were judged but the same bikes seemed to appear in each of the shows.  Not sure if that was the case or just how they edited the video.

Apparently there are at least seven episodes of Sturgis Raw with names like “Midweek Mayhem, Throttle Up and Chrome & Glory.  I have watched the first three and have set my DVR to record the rest. I was surprised to notice some café and sport bikes in the mix here and throughout the show, but you had look fast to see them. Over all I have enjoyed the show and give it five stars, primarily due to the unique aspect of the filming of the police effort.

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5star

Motorcycle TV: Hell Roads

Posted: January 6, 2014 in Motorcycle TV
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hell-roads-1

While Discovery Channel’s “Hell Roads” is not specifically motorcycle related, it was close enough for me to add it to my blog. The show is about the roads, from around the globe, that are the most dangerous to travel.

Three of the roads are here in the United States the rest in South America and Asia. I have already ridden the number 7 road (US 129, Tail of the Dragon) and I am going to add number 2 to my bucket list, but I would have to get a dual sport bike to ride number 5 (Moki Dugway). Here are the top 8 “Hell Road”:

8. Camino De las Yungas, Bolivia

7. The Tale of the Dragon, US 129, North Carolina/Tennessee border

6. Guoliang Tunnel, China

5. Moki Dugway, Utah

4. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan

3. Chacas Road, Peru

2. Red Mountain Pass, Colorado

1. KG Pass, Afghanistan (more so for the chance of being blown up)

If you have not seen this show yet set your DVR or check You Tube, it is fun and interesting. I give Hell Roads 4 out of 5 stars.

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Polar Bear Ride with the Northern Virginia Motorcycle Club

Posted: January 1, 2014 in Motorcycle Rides
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NOVA MC in Fredericksburg, lock up the town!

NOVA MC in Fredericksburg, lock up the town!

As I pulled out of the garage at 9:30AM on January 1st the temp, according the app on my phone, was 28 degree F. So it was a little on the cool side.

The meet up with the Meet UP group, Northern Virginia Motorcycle Club (NOVA MC) was scheduled for 10:30 but I had to get gas, drop of some stuff for my wife (she had to work) and get some cash before I could dash.  I made it to the meet point with only a few minutes to spare, I was there for only five minutes before the group went kick stands up.

Riding through a variety of Virginia back roads we ended up in Fredericksburg, VA for lunch at the Capital Ale House.  According to my app it was now 42 degrees, better but still a bit cool.  The ride had started with seven bikes but one bailed out due to the temp, can’t say I blame her because without the full fairing I would have thought about it as well.

The food at the restaurant was good, I had the Ale House Burger, but the conversations and company were even better.  But, as soon as our bellies were full and everyone was warm it was time to head back.  When I was back in the garage, my trip meter indicated that I had put down169 miles today.  Not a bad way to start the New Year, well after a hot shower to warm back up!

 

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Commerical…. Should have been in the Super Bowl

Posted: December 9, 2013 in Uncategorized
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A really nice commercial that shows off their York, PA factory. I have been to that factory for an open house and it was as clean then as it was in the commercial.

Brunswick Vistors Center: C & O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: December 5, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
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A few weeks ago, just before the temperature dropped (and pretty much stayed) into the 30s (F), I was able to get a late afternoon ride to the Bunswick stop on the C&O.  For background on what I am doing with the C&O please look at this post.

Location – Brunswick Visitors Center 40 West Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD 21716

Mile Marker – 55

Historical Comments –This is all about the history of the C&O Canal.

The visitor center, which is shared with the Brunswick Railroad Museum, has several static displays regarding the canal (in classic National Park Service style), its development and its relation to the town of Brunswick.

Ride to Site – The Visitors Center is located in downtown Brunswick. There is no actual “stop” on the canal.

Amenities – All normal urban amenities are present.

Road Conditions (from main road) – Normal two lane roads.

Railway Situation – If you attempt to ride to the path (not really accessible via your bike) the rail line is on the surface.

Parking Lot Conditions – Typical parking for a small town.

Main Attraction –

My Thoughts – Nice little museum.  Brunswick, MD would make a nice little day trip from Washington DC or the surrounding area. Nice country roads will get you into town from any direction.

Map

c&O canal, motorcycle ride

 

 

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