Virginia Grand Tour Day Trips: The Secret Portal in Williamsburg May 4th, 2005 muse@bikerenews.com

The plan was simple. Hit three tour stops on one trip. I mapped out my route, I prepped the bike, and I got a good start. I was riding. The first leg had me shooting up I-64 to the J. Clyde exit at US 17. The good thing about an early Sunday morning trip through the HRBT is traffic moves along pretty well and it's always a nice feeling seeing those big ships moving through the channel.

I was headed for Cobb's Creek Market and Deli located in downtown Cobb's Creek. For those not familiar with Cobb's Creek (I wasn't before this ride), you take VA-3 off of US 17 until you come VA-198. Turning off of US-17 onto VA-3, the scenery and roads (from a motorcycle perspective) start to improve.

Upon arriving in Cobb's Creek, I filled the bike with gas, filled my stomach with a very nice chicken salad sandwich, and got my Tour Book stamped (first of five tries). The ladies working the counter were friendly and took the time to ask me where I'd come from and how was the ride. I thanked them for the gas, the food, and the hospitality, took the required photo of my bike, and headed out for stop number two.

The next leg of the trip was the best ride of the day. I continued up VA-3 crossing the Rappahannock River, through Kilmarnock, and turning onto to VA-201 just west of Lancaster. Traveling along the back-roads of Virginia is sort of like going to the Mall and wondering about the people that walk by. As I ride past the small towns and houses, I can't help but wonder about the folks who live there and what goes on daily.

VA-201 led me to US-360 and then to VA-202. I followed 202 north to Hague and stop number two, Hague Market. Keeping in mind that the tour stops have been largely general stores (some with personality some without), it is the ride and roads that make the Grand Tour fun. This trip from Virginia Beach to Hague lived up to that evaluation criterion.

Wanting to make a third tour stop before heading home, I decided to back track along 202 to US-360 (west) over to US-17 and follow it down to Yorktown, so far, so good. I was headed for Surry and all I needed to do was catch the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown and follow it over to Jamestown, ride the ferry over to Scotland and head south to Surry. Easy right? Wrong. I have come to realize that my personal portal to highway hell is located in Williamsburg.

Rodin's Portal to Hell

Prior to this trip, I have gotten lost in Williamsburg (or the surrounding roads) twice. This trip was no different. Somehow, someway, I went from a very enjoyable cruise along the best local parkway in Hampton Roads to being befuddled, confused, and dazed. I'm not sure where or when, but a portal opened up, my brain went blank, the magnetic pull of highway hell pulled my bike off the parkway and I found myself going through the center of Williamsburg. I saw the edge of Colonial Williamsburg, the brick buildings of William and Mary, and it wasn't until I was on US-60 north of Williamsburg that my out of body experience ended.

Weakened from my trip through the "Black Hole", I resigned myself to accepting that the WILLIAMSBURG PORTAL had once again defeated me. I pulled my map from the saddlebags, carefully plotted my course back to I-64 and prayed to the Biker Gods that the Guardian of the Portal was as tired as I was. Holding my breath all the way back to I-64, I gasped for air as I roared down the ramp to the highway. Confident in my escape, I shouted, "I will be back demon of the portal. You have only won the battle, not the war!" With only an occasional glance over my shoulder, I was already thinking of my next challenge to Satan's gatekeeper.

I had to wait until the next weekend before I could ride to the tour stop that had been denied me. This time, I decided to stay on the south side of the James River. After all, water is a natural barrier to Portals leading to Highway Hell. I was headed for the power plant by Hog Island that doesn't use coal to generate electricity. I jumped on I-264 and was smoking towards Norfolk until I got to the downtown exit. The downtown tunnel was backed up and no one was moving.

After about 15 minutes of reading license plates (I really don't understand whether some are personal sayings or just random letters generated by DMV), I headed for the mid-town tunnel. I knew I could get to VA-10 with a couple of turns onto 17 and 258. Impressed with the accuracy of my internal GPS, I made it to VA-10 and headed for Beacon's Castle and the road to power plant (VA-650).

Once again, the ride was smooth and flowing. The weather was cooperating and I was in the zone. After an all too short ride up VA-10, I turned onto the road leading to the Surry ------- Power Plant. Checking in with the tour host, I got my book stamped, chatted with the host and headed back to the bike. Now, the HROT had sent out an email saying we shouldn't take pictures of the power plant, so I headed down the road until I found a road sign to photograph. With "MY BIKE" photo in the can, I rolled back to VA-10.

Cobb Creek Market

Hague Market

Surry Power Station

Entrance to Slades Park

Jamestown Scottland Ferry

As I came to a stop at VA-10, I noticed the most interesting thing. Across the street was a sign for Slade Park. For those occasional readers of Biker eNews, Slade Park is where motorcycle dirt drag racing takes place. Biker eNews field reporter Karen Rannings reports on the races and folks who make up the drag racing crowd.

Not having realized where the drag strip was, I tooled down the lane and circled around the grounds. Since it was a Friday, there were only a few folks out working the local crops. Given Karen's past reports, I could image how different the place is on race days. I hope to make it back one day for an actual race.

One of the things I like best about Biker eNews is its variety of coverage. Phil reports on the "go fast and be gone" scene as well as mechanical insight, Joe reports on the touring and travel scene, Laurie reports on the riding experience (and riding stuff), Karen reports on drag racing, Rich reports on local personalities, events, and the joy of riding. Me, I just use riding as an excuse to write about myself and to take pictures of my bike.

Hoping Karen's son was doing OK after his spill last weekend, I decided it was time to move to the real challenge of the trip. I was headed for Williamsburg. I had given this leg some serious consideration. My first thought was to cross the James River via the ferry (a fun ride) and drop down onto the Colonial Parkway. Too safe, that would not be a real test of the portal. Next I thought about following VA-31 up to VA-199 and taking it over to I-64. After some careful consideration, I rejected this route.

If I were to conquer the demon of the portal, I would have to face him head on. I couldn't skirt the side of the portal and claim that I had defeated him. This trip had to go through the heart of the beast and it had to have consequences. What would the Guardian of the Portal to Highway Hell and I wage on our victory? There was only one answer, Pierce's Bar-B-Q. Defeat the demon, and I would feed at the table of Gods. Be defeated, and I would be sent home dejected and hungry.

As my steady stead and I crossed the James River, we readied ourselves for battle. I burned the route into my head, I made sure all bags and switches were secure and operating, I adjusted my leather armor, and finally I donned my knight's helmet with my family colors waving.

I started up Jamestown Road (VA-31 for you lesser warriors). I wasn't fooled by the change to VA-5. I saw William and Mary. I turned and I turned again. I crossed over a main street and could see the Colonial pathway through old Williamsburg. I could hear the Siren's song trying to make me turn left or right. But I had inserted earplugs to keep me from being distracted and sailing into shoal waters. I turned onto VA-132 and then VA-143. I knew where I was. One more left turn and I would be on the side road that would take me to Pierce's. I made the turn.

I had defeated the Guardian of the Portal. I had driven through its heart and would feed on the spoils of our battle. I was not just a weekend biker, I was a victorious knight who had slain this demon that had robbed me of earlier biking pleasures. More importantly, when I met the enemy, I realized that the Guardian of the Portal wasn't waiting for me beside the roadways of Williamsburg, but was waiting inside my own head. It was when I focused, didn't allow myself to be distracted by sightseeing, and let my head lead the way that the Portal closed and I was able to transit the streets of Williamsburg.

Satisfied by the taste of victory (and Bar-B-Q), I headed for Virginia Beach. Despite the fact that it started to rain as I walked out of the restaurant and continuing until I got home, a warm glow burned in my heart. I could ride wherever I wanted. Now if I could just solve this problem about making a living, I could ride whenever I wanted.

By the way, if you see a knight in brown leather armor on a purple horse at a rest area, give him a wave. I'm sure he'll tip his visor to show he doesn't mean you any harm.

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