Enjoy the riding and the mood!

It has been raining in the “field” the past 3 days and the 10 day forecast looks to be more of the same.  And since “April showers brings May flowers”  I will put on the ole’ TourMaster rain gear and ride anyway.  I actually don’t mind riding in the rain when I am prepared for it.  How about you, do you ride in the rain?  What gear do you use?

KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN IS NOW THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF “BIKE NIGHT” AT THE LEGENDS SPORTS PUB AND GRILLE!  This headline was front page, above the fold, in the Springfield News and Sun.  OK, not really, but it is true that KTRSD is the official sponsor of Bike Night at Legends Pub  in Enon, Ohio, beginning May 14th.

Help me out….  Share your advice…. Spout your Wisdom…. Tell me what you would do…

What makes a great bike night?

Folks always say that!  When asked about riding a particular type of motorcycle, most cyclist politely repeat the mantra;  “It doesn’t matter what you ride, but that you ride!“  AMEN! True enough.  It’s my opinion, that being kind and compassionate human beings, we almost believe what we are saying when we repeat that line, after all, it is a testament to our humanness, our inclusiveness, and our tolerance. When the true fact is, that deep inside our little glob of gray matter, the real conversation is more like this; “I would not be caught dead on that!”  I realize none of us want to admit it, that would some how mean we are selfish, arrogant pricks.  And after all, who wants to own up to that!  

Saturday’s ride had me twisting and turning, through the stunning foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  

Destination:  Holt BMW in Athens, Ohio.

Weather:  85 degrees, Sunny, with high winds

Route:  State Route 56

Mileage:  300 miles round-trip

Coordinates:  Latitude N39  19.620

                        Longitude W81  59.900

Holt BMW is a small dealership in Athens, Ohio, with a cult like following of riders from all over the country. Holt’s began its life as a custom paint and restoration shop for BMW motorcycles, and received its dealership license in 1991.  Today, this bohemian shop is a favorite stop for motorcyclist as they enjoy some of the premier cycling roads in the country.

Holt’s hosted their annual Open House today, and having never been, I decided to attend.  The weather was warm and sunny, but very high winds made it a more difficult ride.  Most of my trek was on St. Rt. 56, which becomes full of sweeping curves and tight twisties just south of Circleville, and remains so all the way to Athens.  It is a fantastic riders road! 

Once at the dealership we enjoyed perusing the eclectic mix of BMW motorcycles, and enjoyed great conversation with riders from many neighboring states.  If you ever get the opportunity to take a ride in the Athens area, I recommend a visit to Holt’s!  Believe me, getting there is half the fun!

read the story here

I wish I could be like those guys!  In fact, I have attempted to be like those guys.  You know, the guys who never wash their rides, the guys who don’t need to brag about their latest trip because the proof of their adventures are told in the eclectic mixture of road grime, bugs, and dirt, found on their exhaust, gas tanks, and windshields.  I wish I could be like those guys.  I would love to write more, but I need to get outside and wash the RT.  

You gotta get this book!  Dan Walsh, author of Endless Horizon is a riot, the kind of guy you would love to buy a beer.  In Endless Horizon, Walsh journals his ride from London to South Africa, then later to North and South America, and it wasn’t all fun…

“My “Vanish Point” fantasies were brought to a clanging end by the realisation that although the next checkpoint was only 20 km away, I’d covered 30 miles.  Arse.”

How many of us have been there!    He also pokes fun at himself, here Dan describes his appearance when wearing an African headscarf…

“wearing a headscarf isn’t as easy as you might think.  The idea is that they transform you from an everyday Joe into a piratical Omar Sharif-lookalike.  Unfortunately, they just make me look like my gran, or a low rent drag act called Florence of Arabia.”  Very clever!

You may recognize Dan Walsh from his columns in Bike and Motorcyclist magazines which have earned him a cult like following.

Endless Horizon is an easy read at 384 pages and includes some 68 color photos, perfect for bedtime or the beach. I am certain I will read this one again!  You can find it at Motorbooks.com

A gray and dreary morning greeted me on this Sunday, but it mattered little, I was ready to ride.  Destination: Oxford, Ohio, a small town best known as home to Miami University.  The town is located an hour and half southwest of Springfield, and about thirty miles northwest of Cincinnati. 

My ride began on Interstate 70W to RT 503 at West Alexandria (exit 14). I proceeded south for one mile then headed west on Eaton Lewisburg Rd. for 7.5 miles. This is a nice stretch of road with a few hills and sweeping curves and takes you to ST. RT. 127 in Eaton, Ohio.  I then turned south on ST. RT. 127 for approximately 10 miles to ST. RT. 73 in Collinsville, I turned right and followed this into Oxford.

Upon arriving in Oxford, I witnessed the local Presbyterians filing in for worship at the beautifully restored church, complete with a towering steeple, while the faithful flock of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, were just dismissing and on their way home. The well manicured lawns and blooming Spring flowers enhanced this towns upscale image.

Main St., the epicenter of Oxford, is a brick paved street, lined with small quaint shops, deli’s, University bookstore, and numerous coffee hangouts. My choice for breakfast was a bagel and coffee at what else;  The Bagel & Deli Shop.

After breakfast and a quick tour of the campus, the rain steadily increased and it was time for me to head back home. I can’t wait to bring my wife on my next visit to Oxford, she will really enjoy it.  If you decide to visit be sure and check out some of these near by sites.

Black Covered Bridge

Hueston Woods State Park

Miami University Art Museum.