Day 2 - 98 Miles

Our morning started early with the blessing of the bikes. A local Powhatan Chief Ken sent us on our way to leave this world a better place than we found it. Sounds good to me. We didn't leave till Bill blessed the bikes as well with Holy Water from his mother Ida.

Our first stop was a trip to Historic Jamestown. A canopy of trees lined the narrow winding road towards the East. We got a few breaks waiting in construction zones and a few group photo ops.

Once in Historic Jamestown, we split to take in the Museum and Exhibits at our own pace. The Museum had a special exhibit of Bermuda and the influence it had on the early settlements of the Americas. Interesting for me, several artifacts I have enjoyed in my journeys to Bermuda were on loan here.

Several replica ships were moored on the river and were open to tour. I can't imagine living in the cramped quarters of these ships as they sailed across the Atlantic. I also can't imagine working at the museum as a re-enactor. These actors were decked out in heavy clothing, and the temperatures were in the 90's with high humidity.

Several of us were historied out, and decided to take the ferry across to Surrey and try to find the Virginia Diner we were told about rather than continue on to Williamsburg and Yorktown. Supposedly it has a delectable selection of pies. Our small group got split up when the TSA, or whoever thinks we're wanting to blow up the ferry, decided to stop half of us for a "random" search. It was Chris's turn to strip his bike for one agent while the other examined the underside of his bike with a mirror. The rest of us waved good-bye to the other half of the group as the ferry pulled away from the dock.

We managed to make the best of it. Greg handed out kazoos to kids in several cars on the next ferry. Kazoos became the calling card for the Long Reach Long Riders several years ago, and it makes for a lot of happy kids, if not happy parents, for a while anyway. The kazoos are a perfect ice breaker for a bunch of motorcycle riders trying to raise money and awareness for the charities we are supporting. Two small boys came back to Greg with a small donation themselves. Thanks kids, it really does go for a great cause.

Needless to say we never found the Diner after we caught up with the rest of the group that made the first ferry. We managed to dodge several rain showers on the way back to Richmond.

Last night Darren suggested we might enjoy a local biker hangout called the Sportsman Lounge. Pool tables, darts, shuffle board, horseshoes, and locals. Good food, good beer and good times. More kazoos for the local patrons.

A double rainbow greeted me as I left the bar. Tomorrow we're off towards Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Today's slide show is a bit longer:

Day 1- 195 miles

I actually got out of town within 15 minutes of my goal. It's rare for me. My journey to Richmond, VA takes me up US1 on familiar roads. I've made more than a few trips here in the last year to help my friend from Columbia, Lynn, to re-build her Lambretta. She's been working with Darren Lopez, restorer extraordinaire, and I've learnt a lot myself. I stick to US1 rather than the interstate, and this ride is relaxing and enjoyable. Once into Virginia, the road becomes speckled with sunlight along the gentle hills and curves towards Richmond.

The Lambretta bug bit me a while back, and I learn something every time I visit. I planned to stop in to see Darren on the way. His yard and shop are scattered with Lambrettas and Vespas in all shape and forms, waiting to be restored. Once there, Darren's lovely companion Charlotte, treated me to the fresh spoils of their garden on warm pita with hummus. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, marinated in vinegar base with fresh herbs. I really didn't want to leave, but I had a riders meeting at 5pm.


Many old faces and many more new faces this year with the Long Reach Long Riders. We have almost 30 riders on 20 bikes or so. Some have come as far away as England, Canada, and California. Many of us are from the East Coast. Mostly Harleys, with a few Hondas, the rare Suzuki, and me on the lone Vespa.

We leave after the briefing to a splendid dinner hosted by the Chickahominy Indian Tribe at the Tribal Center. The tribe located near the James River helped the early settlers survive the the first few winters. We get a rich history lesson along with a feast of deer meat, both braised and barbecued, fresh fish, potatoes, and succotash.

A few raindrops on the way back to the hotel was not so bad, although I didn't bring my rain gear. We enjoyed another impromptu rider meeting along with some fresh spoils of someone else's corn crop in the liquid form. I'm looking forward to tomorrows trip to historic Jamestown and Williamsburg.

A short slide show from today.

I'm Off on Another Journey

Day minus one-

Well, I'm doing it again, but not all the way across the country this time. The Long Reach Long Riders Charity Ride this year will be on the East Coast, snaking along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm no less prepared for this journey than I was for the last. It's easier for me to pack and prepare, since I made the first of these journeys last year. I tend to start packing in my head a few weeks out, so the real act of getting my act together is not so stressful.

I did however discover in my prepping my scooter for this journey, I have sheared off on of my exhaust manifold studs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't cause me problems, but I have taken the precaution of a wire tie to loosely divert my rear brake line away from the hot exhaust gasses leaking from the exhaust header. I figure I've been riding around like this for along time, so I'm not too worried.

A drive to Greensboro tonight to take my Mom to dinner to celebrate her 80th birthday is a welcome diversion to the 'last night before a long journey' doubts. I really don't have the time stress about what I have forgotten or not. I've just gotta go...