Night rider

Cool, crisp night air stung my face as I left the parking lot of Roanoke Valley Harley Davidson Tuesday night after the regular monthly meeting of the local Harley Owners Group (HOG).  Moderate traffic greeted me on Peters Creek Road as I headed towards Salem and Virginia Rte. 419 for the jog over to U.S. 221 and the ride home.

Some riders avoid night time, especially in Southwestern Virginia where a heavy deer population but I enjoy riding after dark. Traffic on 221 runs lighter and the cool, crisp air of approaching fall slaps me awake as I approach the winding road up Bent Mountain.

The car that had closed on the rear fell back as I leaned the Sportster into the turns up the mountain.  The ultra-bright driving lights on the Harley slice into the night as I snap the bike right and left through the twisties.

The last tight turn at the top of the mountain often brings a scraping sound as the lower exhaust pipe finds the pavement. Yep, there it is. I straighten out the bike and shitt up to 4th and 5th for the final run up the hill and the flat straightaway.

Some traffic coming north on 221 but I have the road mostly to myself as the 1200 V-Twin easily handles the turns and hills between Bent Mountain and Poor Farm Road, where I turn for the final mile-and-a-half to the house.

I pull into the garage refeshed by the cool air and smiling from yet another fun ride.

Life is good.