Northern Virginia Roll Call

If your tailgate is in the chicken hill lot or stadium lot, we run through there and high-five drunk people on our way into the stadium

@BigMacMcCoy I also second the good helmet. Seeing is important, and my welding improved a lot when I switched helmets. Autodarkening is nice to see where you're starting with the hood down, but the cheap ones (like sub $50) kinda suck. I've found I like a fixed #10 shade gold film lens in a sugar scoop style helmet

 

interesting. I don't think I've ever encountered hail in my life, so I was really confused when it started raining ice nuggets

 

Oh hell yeah I'll be looking for the red head playing the oversized trumpet!

 

BRP on two wheels is real nice. I've done the entire thing twice.

 

Haha, wasn't sure if you were serious. Hail can actually fall several miles away from a thunderstorm too, so it's really freaky when it's sunny where you are and it starts hailing.

 

As you can tell, I am inept when it comes to weather lol. I just saw ice nuggets and it was 90* out so I was really confused. That makes sense because it started thundering and raining right a few minutes after the hail started, then the hail went away

 

I’m more impressed and surprised you’ve never seen hail in your life before.

 

I honestly can't remember any other time I've seen hail. Lived in Mechanicsville for all but the past 3 years, so maybe I just missed it lol

 

That would be pretty awful, it rained every night but last. It was almost to hot a couple of nights for us.

That’s awesome, like in one crazy long day or over multiple days? We passed a few ADV’s and Harleys… always felt bad when it was in the pouring rain. Been there done that, no fun.

 

Two days. Both times I made it to Blowing Rock, NC the first day then finished the second.

Riding in the rain blows. I've had two trips I spent drenched. No bueno.

 

Ditto, I used to do multi day rides when we lived in Korea and riding in the rain really blows. Good rain gear helps though.

 

What kinda of bikes did yall ride on these multi-day trips? I’m also curious what your thoughts are about camping vs staying somewhere when your riding all the way on a bike.

 

So keep in mind this was my younger self. The first time was on a '98 Buell S1 and the second time was on an '02 Yamaha FZ1.

I would rather do a hotel. It's just more recharging for me. I did camping one time on a motorcycle trip and it was miserable. And I was on a more touring oriented bike for that one. You have limited room for stuff so you end having to forego some camping luxuries.

 

Same, we always did hotels, which were pretty cheap (and shall we say, rustic) out in the Korean countryside. Back then I was riding a Harley Sportster with ape hangers and a highway bar lol. I've got a Dyna now but havent really been able to find a good group to ride with over here so I just do short rides in WV when I get a chance. I would like to ride more once we move to Harpers Ferry next month, we shall see...I have too many competing (and expensive) hobbies

 

Nice! Yeah I'll pull up an ampacity chart and check what the circuit breaker is rated for. I need to put together an order of a bunch of various wire gauges, connectors, and whatnot to replace my SwitchPro that blew out on me. I'm thinking I'll go with a Bussman this time around.

The 10min of research I've done also suggested a gas welder since you can run flux. I'll definitely be looking at HF, I love their jack stands.

A good helmet is a requirement. After living in the middle east I can't even go outside without sunglasses. I've also hit the "old man" point where I'm wearing earplugs to concerts.

Same. That's pretty crazy

 

I'll be in Michigan.

 

Kicking around an idea for the fall next year. Both about 90 hours of driving over three weeks (Solo, I'd do 12 hour days, Fly my wife into Jackson Hole or Salt Lake City). Olympia and Glacier are up near the top of our NP bucket list.



or


(Winslow, because bucket list...)

 

Just an FYI: Winslow is pretty under-whelming. It's worth stopping, taking a picture in front of the "girl in a flat-bed Ford" and keep rolling. And that's assuming it's still there because it's just a mural painted on the side of a building. But believe me, as an Eagles fan, I get it. Just don't want you to think it's this glorious shrine to the boys.

 

I've seen the photo's and the Google Maps of the area. Most likely just what you said, and maybe a stop for the night. And Travis Tritt did a nice cover as well for the tribute album. Silly bucket list.

 

Might be in, I also need to test the adjustments and rubbing spots...plus the mountains are calling!!!