Mountain Run 2001

Living and Riding Free in Hampton Roads

Rain be dammed, Sixgun and Sue arrived at my house right on time 0530. After a cup of coffee and some last minuet preps. I had been up for a couple of hours before Sixgun arrived, Bud the new pup likes to wake me at 0330 to go out, so I rolled out the bikes and checked to see everything was secure. But trip preparations never seem to be done until you're on the road.

At 0600 we left for our rendezvous point at Dunk'n Doughnuts on Jefferson Ave. to see who else would show up.

On all the previous runs, we do this every year; I know who is coming and who isn't. This year it was different. No one confirmed with me whether or not they were going to make it. And of course those people who told me they would definitely make it didn't show up.

But just in case we waited. Big Wally Armstrong who I talked to earlier in the week told me he wasn't sure, rolled in the parking lot at 0655 ready to roll.

Ken Hale who had made previous mountain runs and his big puppy Coda came to see us off.

After coffee and doughnuts we bid him good bye and we were on our way at 0705 right on time. We made our way up Jefferson Ave or Rt. 143 to Williamsburg and followed the Rochambeau trail or Rt. 60 to Bottoms Bridge our first comfort stop. So far we were running at a fast pace but we were all comfortable.

My Brother in Law John and my Sister Cookie were on a Kawasaki 650 Dual Sport. A single cylinder, 350 pound motorcycle sporting knobby tires.

This was their first road trip, and Cookie wasn't sure how well she was going to take being on the back of the bike. Up until today she hadn't traveled more than a couple of miles at a time. John made a backrest to make her more comfortable and it double to hold their backpack. So far she was enjoying the Virginia countryside and the ride.

After our first stop we headed up Rt. 60 to I295 to I64 and then to I95 South to pick up Chippingham Parkway to by pass Richmond.

Getting off Chippingham or Rt.150, in Midlothian to pick up Rt. 60 once again. The ride on I95 was to say the least exciting. Our speed was in the 60 to 65 mph range and we were being passed by cars and trucks running well over 80. Now leading a group I have to keep the speeds down or I try to. My normal speed for being on any of our intestates is running with the traffic. But, speeds over 70 were a bit much for the dual sport's knobbies.

Once in Midlothian we stopped at Aunt Sara's for Brunch. All ate well and the food was good and it was served hot. After more coffee we got back on the road.

We rode up Rt. 60 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then headed south with stops at some of the more scenic overlooks.

We were all impressed with John's Dual Sport, he ran with us at speed two up and it never faltered. When we stopped to gas up he only took on one gallon of gas in the five-gallon tank. The rest of us were just about out at the time.

John did himself and the bike proud maneuvering through the mountains. He will need to replace the rear tire, it was evident he had used the whole tread face all but a 1/16" of the edge of the tread surface. The soft tire compound was wearing pretty fast.

The scenery is awesome but we don't ride up for the scenery, we go to ride the roads, to take the challenge, and enjoy what motorcycles do best and we do it at our own pace. Some of us like to rock the mountain some of us just like to poke along, everyone in there own element or envelope no one trying to out ride the others or going beyond their comfort zone. On this trip the group stayed close no one lagged behind. I was pleased and proud of everyone.

We left the Parkway for Natural Bridge and stopped in Glasgow for fuel and of course the customary biker chatter, " Did you see Bob dragging his Floorboards, he had sparks flying." Everyone was excited and full of enthusiasm.

From Glasgow to Natural Bridge is about 12 miles and we arrived for the customary picture at 1400. From the Bridge to our Motel was another 10 or so miles up US 11.

Once checked in John and Cookie went to on to see the Bridge and the Wax Museum. Sixgun, Big Wally and I went to the Pink Cadillac to chase up a cup of coffee.

Now we were supposed to eat at 1800 as a group and then do something afterwards. But looking at the menu we decided to eat a little snack. It was a full-blown meal. Nothing at the Pink Caddilac is small and the service is just outstanding. This is a very biker friendly diner. It's worth the trip just to eat here.

Even though Elvis was back at the wax museum to be cleaned his images are everywhere in the dining room along with a very well restored 30's Harley Davidson big twin.

We ate and enjoyed real old fashion Shakes from their own Ice Cream Pallor, I just love this place.

We went back to the motel and caught a quick nap; well old people need em. And then returned to the Cadillac for more food.

We decided to take in the short track racing at the Natural Bridge Raceway, It was the first time I have seen dirt track racing live, it was a hoot. One of the drivers, all, who are local, went to school with Big Wally; he is from the area. So we now had a favorite to cheer for.

After the races it was back to the motel for rest.

Next morning we straggled into the Pink Cadillac for breakfast, now this is the meal which makes the day, and Steve the owner makes sure you don't leave hungry. John and Big Wally both were awarded their warrior bands for making the trip. It's our custom to award the bands to all the first timers to display on the left fork. All the repeat riders received the tenderfoot arrowhead to hang somewhere on the bike.


Back on the road, A slower pace today, with more stops planned.

We stopped at Rice Mountain; this is a historic spot. On our last trip we repaired a sick clutch on one of the bikes which rode up with us. And as usual Sixgun provided music. This time we danced on the mountain to celebrate our return. Everyone got to yell at the valley below and we once again were off.

To everyone's confusion I went back the way we came to the Otter Creek rest area, the girls wanted a rest stop and there are no places for a lady to drop her knickers and pee for about 70 miles. Otter Creek was only about 5 miles back.

Once everyone was empty we continued on north to return home.

Just as we were leaving the Parkway, John's dual sport which we were all amazed at for its minuscule fuel consumption, started to miss. We pulled over and John began the ordeal of removing the seat, tank and side covers to get to the spark plug. He was impressive. Once the plug was out to everyone's surprise it was clean and been burning clean in textbook fashion. John reached over and picked up his gas tank and with a very embarrassed expression on his face admitted to us he was out of gas.

We all laughed, and explained the rule about filling up whenever the group does, at our last fuel stop he figured he still had half a tank, and could easily get to the next stop. I think I would have been misled to, but then I have seen this happen before.


He still had reserve, After putting his bike back together we went in search of gas. It was a very touch and go situation but we did find a gas station for him to fill up at. His 5-gallon tank took 4.8 gallons.

We traveled back home the same route we used to come up. With some less exciting riding from the morning coming off the mountain.

All in all a very good weekend. I was glad my Sister and Brother in law made the trip with us. It was the first time we were able to spend time together and enjoy an outing with good friends and excellent weather.

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