Repreive
Rain moved out about 11 a.m. Fired up the bike, went into Floyd for coffee and then headed south on Virginia Rte. 8 to Stuart, enjoying the curves and switchbacks down Woolwine Mountain.
From Stuart, headed up U.S. 58 towards Meadows of Dan, stopping to enjoy the view at Lovers Leap. Then north on the Parkway to Rte. 8 again and back into Floyd.
Good day to ride after all.
Rainout
Tropical storm Hannah is moving through the area as I write this so the Sporty is sitting in the garage, waiting for another day.
I don't mind riding in the rain and have a full set of Gators in the tour pack but the high winds from this storm complicates things so I will wait for the wind to die down before hitting the road.
The sun is supposed to shine on Sunday and the Roanoke Valley HOG group has a breakfast ride planned. Will keep my fingers crossed.
Do as we say, not as we do
From the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles website index page on motorcycles:
"Despite the best prevention efforts, motorcycle crashes do occur. In a crash, the most important factor for reducing injury to a motorcyclist is personal protection. The proper riding gear—a helmet, eye protection, leather jackets and trousers, durable gloves, and proper footwear—can provide this personal protection."
Observe the two Virginia State Police Motor Officers in the photo at left (taken at the annual Carroll County Gun Show & Flea Market over the weekend). Like motor officers in many states and jurisdictions, they ride with short sleeve shirts in warm weather.
So much for leading by example.
Appreciation
The more I ride the 2008 Sportster Low, the more I appreciate what Harley Davidson has done with the closest thing they make to a "sport" bike.
I rode Honda sport bikes 40 years ago before moving to heavier Harley cruisers and tourers. Over time, I forgot what a joy a light, nimble bike can be, especially on a twisting road in the mountains. I can flog the Sporty around the turns and switchbacks that surround my Blue Ridge Mountain home and then put on a windshield, touring seat and bags and cruise down the wide Super Slabs.
In other words, lots and lots of fun.
Springsteen at the 105th Harley celebration
Bruce Springsteen ended his world tour over the weekend, toned down but revved up.
Springsteen played more than 30 songs over 3 1/2 hours Saturday night on Milwaukee's lakefront for Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration. He made few comments between songs.
Only for a few moments before "Livin' in the Future" did the rocker — who often brings his liberal-leaning political comments to the stage — stray into politics.
Springsteen performed to a crowd not unlike the one that gave Republican presidential candidate John McCain a warm welcome Aug. 4 at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. Many roared their motorcycles during McCain's speech.
Springsteen said "Livin' in the Future" was about what was happening now: cheese, Harley-Davidson motorcycles (tailoring it to his Wisconsin crowd), transfats, "500 channels of nothing on" and the Bill of Rights.
But he also mentioned wire tapping and rendition — the secret transport of terror suspects from one country to another.
"Things that basically at the heart are un-American," he said. The crowd gave spattered groans but mostly stayed silent.