Great day to ride

The readout on the thermometer said 61 degrees at 7:30 a.m. Saturday when I fired up the Super Glide and headed north on U.S. 221 to Roanoke. The National Weather Service predicted a great day to ride.

And it was.

After coffee and too many donuts at HOG Hall at Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson, hooked up with two buddies and we headed for the mountain roads of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig and Alleghany Counties. Headed up Virginia 311 to New Castle and then through the Jefferson National Forest on winding roads that eventually took us back to U.S. 220 between Fincastle and Clifton Forge.

By then it was lunchtime so we headed over to Buchanan. Big mistake. A civil war enactment invaded the tiny Botetourt County town and packed the restaurants so we turned East on Virginia 43 and wound our way to Bedford and some Italian food. After stromboli and pizza we turned South on Virginia 122 to Hales Ford Landing at Smith Mountain Lake for some bikini watching and then on it to Rocky Mount where my friends picked up U.S. 220 to head back to Roanoke while I picked up Virginia 40 to Woolwine and then Rte. 8 up Woolwine Mountain to Floyd and some refreshment at the Floyd Country Store.

After filling the tank for the second time in a day, I stopped at Pine Tavern to chat with friends and headed home for sushi, a hot tub and some Aloe for sunburned arms and face.

Another great forecast for today, which leaves the question: Where to next?