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29 July 2009
The Marshmallow Butt Association
sanctioned ride

Saturday morning Flo and I were on the road early. We were headed to Cycle World on Virginia Beach Blvd. We were meeting up with some of Motorcycle Mania's listeners for a ride to Knott's Island and a ferry ride across Currituck sound.

The PC, actually is pretty comfortable two up, both Flo and I were pretty comfy on board. We did well to get to our starting point by ten minutes to eight. For some reason whenever I have Flo's company I'm always running late….

We cruised up 64, through the Hampton Roads Tunnel up to the HOV lanes and on to 264 without any real problems; it was early on a Saturday morning. I got off on the Rosemont exit and meandered around on the surface streets to Cycle World.

Mike and his lady, Marty pulled into Cycle World right behind us. We were a group of six motorcycles. Steve and Quinton were waiting with Bawanadon sitting on the Cycle World's doorsteps. I don't know why it surprised me but the CW wasn't open for business yet and we had the whole parking lot to ourselves.

We rolled out right at 0800 to our first stop on the Marshmallow Butt Association sanctioned ride. It was all of one block and a turnaround to Krispy Kreeme, for some needed coffee. You can't start a marshmallow ride without some doughnuts and coffee…. That's one of their rules according to Steve the founder and president of the International Marshmallow Butt Association.

After filling up on dough and coffee we headed out traversing city streets and then on to some back roads to Knott's Island. In the early morning the traffic wasn't too bad and the air temperature once we were rolling wasn't bad either. Steve led us to the ferry landing, he took all of the detours in stride and we just kept moving along until we arrived at the ferry.

Compared to the ferries and the landings at Surry and Jamestown this landing and ferry were tiny. Of course the same sign was posted about the need for inspection and something about the Dept of Homeland Security… For some reason this ferry was in much less chance of being taken over by terrorists than the ones at Surry. They didn't have any armed security; no one checked any of the motorcycles or cars that loaded on the ferry. Four cars and ten motorcycles filled it up.

The other motorcycles were a group of sportbikes we ran into at the ferry landing. They were out for a ride and were headed the same way.

Once we got to the other side in Currituck, N.C. we disembarked the ferry and headed to 168 for the way home. After a little confusion, confusion is always necessary on a Marshmallow Butt run, we pulled into Hardees for a little quick lunch…. Well it wasn't quick but it did hit the spot and so did the AC.

After eating we said our good-byes because we were all going to head in different directions to make our way home. I did want to head over to Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth but I couldn't figure out how to get there; besides my co-pilot was tired and wanted to head to home.

We followed 168 to 64 and headed towards 664 and home. All in all it was a pleasant day just a little more than 200 miles.

Sunday morning I got a late start, I was about ten minutes late arriving at South of the James, and as it usually is, no one was waiting… I did a quick U turn and went back to Racetrack to fill up the tank and then make my way back down 17 south to Brewers Neck Road and headed over to Benn's Church. From Benn's church I up ten toward Chuckatuk.

Just before Chuckatuk I broke off and went into the back country. I was worried about deer this morning, but I think I should have been more concerned with rabbits. Those pesky little guys seemed to be everywhere this morning.

I took my time doing my first lap of favorite roads; I hadn't been out here for some time and didn't want any surprises. I was impressed by how high the corn was and how many of my cow friends were in the fields.

My pace picked up after the first lap, it felt good rolling on these favorite familiar roads. The MV was becoming a little more familiar with each trip out. This motorcycle will handle, although it does like to stand up under braking but once off the brakes and back on the throttle it settles into its corner line like it was on tracks. How nice it would be to actually open this beast up and let it fly…

I made my way to the coffee stop at Seven/Eleven and refreshed my need for coffee. I met another rider in the parking lot and we talked about all things motorcycles… Leaving the Seven/Eleven I headed out to get in one more lap before heading to Norfolk.

I did get in a nice run on the Twilight Zone and a great ride around the lakes before heading to Norfolk.

After the radio show Mike and I headed over to Portsmouth to take a look at the exhibit Freedom; Evolution of the motorcycle at Courthouse Galleries. Mike was meeting his lady Marty, and her Dad at the gallery. I was curious to see if they had changed out any of the bikes on display.

They are not, according to the fellow we talked to, going to change out any of the motorcycles in the display, so what they have now will be on display until the show finished its run.

I do have to admit that while I was showing Marty's dad through the exhibit I did notice some things I had missed the first time through. Perhaps I need to come back again and look a little deeper into the exhibit.

The people at the exhibit were really nice to Mike and I and let us park right there in front of the door in their little courtyard. I have to admit Mike's Moto Guzzi and the MV Agusta did look great flanking the door to the exhibit.

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