2009 Aug 26th, Pick Up Ride to Skyline Drive

[CWCM Rick]

We went on a pick-up ride with GWRRA friends on Wednesday, 8/26/09. The six of us had a great time. Along with us on Gold Wing motorcycles were GWRRA Virginia Chapter Y’s Bill Miller, Wil Bell, Rick Baker, and Keith Durham (and me); along with Virginia Chapter A’s Mary O’Connor on her GL1500 Trike. We met at the Livestock Grill just outside of Marshall, VA, for an awesome breakfast. Took back roads to Sperryville and entered Skyline Drive at Thorton’s Gap. Rode north to Front Royal, where we had lunch at Spelunker’s, which serves burgers, subs, and frozen custard! From there, we took mostly back roads home. A total of five bikes and one trike. Not bad for a Wednesday. Eric

Yes, it was a great ride! Six of us showed on Wednesday, twice what I was expecting. I was shocked. We took over the Livestock Grill, but the waitress and the owner where happy for our business. Keith had a steak with his eggs! Skyline was nearly empty of cars and motorcycles. Never once got behind a slow car or pick-up truck! Only thing was, the haze and humidity made for so-so overlooks and photos. Mary had a coupon that got three bikes in free! Three of us had park passes. Returning home, after the big lunch at Spelunker’s, we almost got behind a line-painting crew on Rt 55 East in 95 degree ambient heat, which would have put us in “siesta” mode; but, with dumb luck, we dodged that messy, rolling obstacle and caught I-66 E at the Leeds interchange and ramped up to some good 65 – 70 mph riding in team formation with lots of lane-change practice and plenty of air streaming through our Joe Rockets. At The Plains, Keith and Eric peeled off the Interstate toward Leesburg, and the remaining four of us kept pace for Chantilly, South Riding, and Herndon. Can’t wait for next week’s cooler, dry weather! Pick-Up Ride anyone? Rick

Check out photos from this ride at our wonderful Photo Gallery (click here): http://www.gwrravay.org/site/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4351