Oldodge

Well said. It is all about accountability.

You can almost "see" the air in that one. And that is never good.

Sweet!

Nice bike. I almost bought one when I got my RSV. I will be watching to see how you like it.

A friend of mine used to bore us to tears with his Saab stories.

My current "olDodges". 1969 Dodge Dart GT and 1941 Dodge Business Coupe.

1970 Plymouth Duster 340 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner 440 1973 Plymouth 'Cuda 340

220 was a very nice ride. Enjoy your trip.

Trip complete! Plans changed somewhat but we had a great trip. Saturday 6am left home at 38 degrees F. I met my friend Gene and we rode to Huntingdon, PA where we stopped for breakfast. From there we took 522 South stopping for fuel and to shed a layer of clothes in Winchester, VA.. Continued on 522 South to Front Royal, VA where we picke up 340 South to Luray. At Luray we crossed the Blue Ridge on 211 East. On the way over the mountain we stopped briefly to see a black bear high up in a tree. We took 15 South stopping in Culpepper, and Arvonia, VA for fuel as well as a fuel stop in Stovall, NC. We arrived in Chapel Hill, NC at 5:30 PM. It was upper 70's and sunny. 468 miles. Sunday morning at 6:45 it was in the low 60's when we left for South Carolina. We rode south on 15 until we entered SC. We then turned around and rode back to the hotel as our conference started Sunday evening at 5pm. It was warm and sunny all day. Monday thru Wedesday was spent at the University of North Carolina at a utilities conference. After sitting for three days at the conference we were ready to be home. We decided Wednesday evening to head home Thursday morning. Thursday morning was 62 deg. F at 6:40am when we left Chapel Hill on 54 West. We picked up 87 North, then 14 North, 87 North again, and finally 220 North which we rode thru Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania till we picked up I-99 North about an hour and a half from home. We split from each other at Tyrone, PA for our final legs home. I arrived home at 5:50pm to upper 80 deg.F temperatures and sunny skies.

I am planning a ride from State College, PA to Chapel Hill, NC. We will spend a few days there on business and then hope to travel over to ride the Tail of the Dragon and Cheraohala Skyway before heading home. I will possibly have one free day to ride around the Chapel Hill area as well. We plan to dedicate one day to ride to the area of the Dragon with a stop at the museum in Maggie Valley. I have one day set aside for riding the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway area. The following day we will head home. My plan for the ride down is to take US-522 to Winchester VA, US-17 to Warrenton, VA and then US-15 to Chapel Hill. Is that a decent route? Any suggestions on a better route? I am familiar with 522 to Winchester but not 17 or 15. Looking for nice roads without Interstate traffic that we can make decent time on without pushing hard and searching for too many route changes. I am also looking for suggestions on a day ride around the Chapel Hill area as well as a nice ride from there to the Tail of the Dragon. I would also appreciate any motel recommendations near the Dragon. What about a one day route back to State College, different from the route we plan to take going down?

Puc, thanks for the ride. I love the old WWII stuff. I understand the feeling you describe completely. I have an old 1941 Dodge that I just love driving around. A lot of people don't understand why I don't street rod it. I believe you would understand completely. Thank you for the ride!

I got a short ride in each day this weekend, beautiful weather in Pennsylvania. Rode to work today and it rained on the way home . I hope Newfoundland weather cooperates soon for you Stache.

Made me think. Why do I ride? Why DO I ride? I don't know! I really don't know! I guess I ride because I enjoy it. I've been riding for 34 years and I gave it a lot of thought too. I just enjoy it, period.

Sweet!

Congratulations!

Black caps would look good.

I am a little short legged to just step over, but I do step my left leg over and give a little skip/hop with my left to get my butt closer to the seat. Getting off I can pivot without the skip/hop. I loved the backrest on my Vulcan (Grasshopper backrest)and put the same on the RSV. It hits me further up my back on this bike but I haven't ridden more than a mile with it in place yet. I think I may need to bring my handlebars back closer to me to allow full use of the backrest.

I really like the old Shovel Heads. They were not the best engines by far but they have the sound and look I associate with Harleys. My cousin, and best friend, bought an FLH new in '81 and it is still in the family. Bright red and the prettiest bike I have ever ridden. Also the bike that made my decision not to buy a Harley at that time. I had an old worn out Gold Wing and he had a shiny new FLH. Every time we rode together something would break or fall off the Harley. But, people flocked to it and kept telling him how great it was as we wrenched on it in parking lots and such. That old Wing had to be cursing under its breath as it never got a second glance. The odd thing is that Wing is long gone but the FLH is still in the family. Something about that bike that endears it to you. Like it "needs" you or something. I did buy a Sportster in '88 and it was a great bike but didn't have the soul of that Shovelhead. My cousin still rides a Harley Ultra Classic. Nice bike, dependable, but the emotional connection isn't there for him. He rides it if he is "going somewhere" or wants to be seen, otherwise he rides a Kawasaki KLR 650. He hasn't ridden my Venture yet as I got it late last fall. I can hear him now " that is a great machine", "I couldn't ride one though, because everyone knows me as a Harley guy". I will laugh at him, he will shrug and chuckle. It is that way between old friends, you know. Thanks Cowpuc for a trip down memory lane this morning. Must have been the sound of the Harley in that video that took me back.

Made it to near 60 hear yesterday as well. Too much salt and anti skid on the road to ride much yet. I did uncover the bike and install a trunk rack. Glad you got to ride. Hoping Old Man Winter is moving outta here soon.

Around here you have to stay alert when driving the Prius because it is apparently as "invisible" as a motorcycle. People cut you off, pull out in front of you and generally act like they have the attitude "my vehicle is bigger than your vehicle, so you have to move out of my way". It is probably the sense of survival built in to motorcycle riders that allow you to even notice the Prius is there.

My Prius is one of, if not the best car I have ever owned. I drove it for awhile and then told my daughter to take it and I drive her crappy old unreliable Chevy. The Prius is a great car and you can drive it just like any other car. If you want to drive fast you can, if you want to drive slow you can. It is kind of like riding a Yamaha when all the cool kids have Harley's. Some will look down their nose at you and find stuff to complain about. I am only spending my money, so only my opinion matters to me.

Stay strong Skid! Prayers for you and your medical team.

Sometimes when I am trying to get to sleep I will have a high energy song just going over and over in my mind. I have force myself to think of something relaxing, like riding, to get to sleep.

Muffler bearing?

"18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger." I relate!