Well, as you all know by now I made it home. West Virginia was very wet. It was raining when I left and after about 100 miles I stopped for coffee. I must have looked really wet and tired because the gas station attendant took one look at me and said “Coffee is on the house.” He may just have wanted me to stop dripping on the floor.
But I am ahead off myself on the story.
As usual the riding was just great.
Pete and I arrived at the Old Clark in around 4 PM. We had not stopped laughing for the last 40 or so miles because we had run out of road in VA and had to ride gravel. 
Big bikes don’t like gravel but neither of us said “no, this is stupid” so away we went. It was not all that bad and made for some great memories.
One thing we learned very quickly in Marlinton was we had no cell phone service. The reason became clear on Saturday when we visited the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory just up the road. This telescope is in a radio free zone for about a 50 mile radius. You might be able to find ET but you could not call home! (Sorry that was very bad). The rest of the day was ‘spirited’ along slippery muddy roads around WV.
Sunday’s weather was looking bad all the way home so I changed my route to go straight home. I had planned to wind my way back but with the rain and riding alone I thought it would make more sense. After the coffee break I rode to Beckley and then south. By the time I got to VA the sun was trying to come out, and once I crossed into NC – sun was out and I was in the clear. I arrived home around 3 and immediately called the other riders to see if they had made it to Raleigh. Around 4 they confirmed that they were all home, wet, but home.
Total trip was around 800 miles and I would say 600 of it were under wet conditions. Two things I learned this trip:
Ignore the weather forecasts on TV – they really do not have a clue.
If you want to ride long distances you have good gear, lots of time, and confidence in your bike.
But I am ahead off myself on the story.
As usual the riding was just great.
Pete and I arrived at the Old Clark in around 4 PM. We had not stopped laughing for the last 40 or so miles because we had run out of road in VA and had to ride gravel. 
Big bikes don’t like gravel but neither of us said “no, this is stupid” so away we went. It was not all that bad and made for some great memories.One thing we learned very quickly in Marlinton was we had no cell phone service. The reason became clear on Saturday when we visited the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory just up the road. This telescope is in a radio free zone for about a 50 mile radius. You might be able to find ET but you could not call home! (Sorry that was very bad). The rest of the day was ‘spirited’ along slippery muddy roads around WV.
Sunday’s weather was looking bad all the way home so I changed my route to go straight home. I had planned to wind my way back but with the rain and riding alone I thought it would make more sense. After the coffee break I rode to Beckley and then south. By the time I got to VA the sun was trying to come out, and once I crossed into NC – sun was out and I was in the clear. I arrived home around 3 and immediately called the other riders to see if they had made it to Raleigh. Around 4 they confirmed that they were all home, wet, but home.
Total trip was around 800 miles and I would say 600 of it were under wet conditions. Two things I learned this trip:
Ignore the weather forecasts on TV – they really do not have a clue.
If you want to ride long distances you have good gear, lots of time, and confidence in your bike.
1 comment:
After looking at the pictures, the fog looks worse than i remeber it? Gravel roads on a wing.. are we nuts or what?
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