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August 13^th, 2008
I Can’t Quit,
The Glass is Half Full

muse@bikerenews.com

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So there I was with a new ST 1300 in for prep and my faithful Sabre waiting on me in FMS’ parking lot. It was time to get back to the 2008 VGT.

On Josh’s recommendation, I took VA-3 across Fredericksburg and over to Wilderness where VA-20 started. I followed VA-20 through Orange and on into Charlottesville. This ride beat the heck out of I-95 and I-64 out to Charlottesville.

Now as some of you may remember, I have this thing about riding as many different roads in Virginia as I can. As luck would have it, the only part of US-29 I hadn’t been on was from Charlottesville south to VA-6. I needed to take this route to get to my first stop, Schuyler. Located on CO-800, I found the Walton’s Mountain Museum (which secretly doubles as a . . . I can’t tell you, you have to find out for yourself).

After Schuyler, I headed east on VA-6 to US-15. I turned south and worked my way to the Bremo Bluff Post Office on the north side of the James River. While writing down my answer, and getting my camera out, the local post master came out to lock up for the night. He asked, "Getting your stop checked off?" I smiled and wondered how he knew about the VGT stops. He mentioned that I was about the tenth rider to stop by his post office. He is a Harley rider and liked the idea of some of us low land riders visiting his neck of the woods. I tipped my helmet to him and we went our separate ways.

I turned north on US-15 to capture that part of US-15 that I had not ridden, Orange to Culpepper. I followed US-15 until it merged with US-29 and then to where it merged with US-17. At Warrenton, I stayed on US-17 up to I-66 and took CO-713 to the Rectortown Post Office.

With VGT question answered and typical picture taken, I turned south on US-17 until it intersected with US-211 in Warrenton. Heading west on US-211, I followed it over to Washington. In Washington, I identified the business next to the local Post Office, and took another picture. I’m not sure what was going on in "Little Washington," but the local seemed to be dressed up for a formal night out. If I’d known, I would have washed the bike before I started the trip.

I knew I would not be able to make my intended fifth stop in Kings Crossing, but I still wanted to get a little further west. I found a motel near Luray and decided to lie up for the night. It was 9:00 PM and after the one hour delay near Yorktown, the three hour layover for Christmas in Fredericksburg, and 477 miles, I was ready to call it a day.

Like Willie Dixon singing "I Can’t Quit You Baby," I had to put the bike down.

I can’t quit you baby
But, I have to put you down for a while.
You made me mess up my happy home.
You made me mistreat my only child.

It was a full day, bad riding (interstate bumper to bumper), good riding (3, 20, 29, 6, 15, 211), and presents for everyone who made the trip (that was ME).

Ride Safe and remember; the 2008 Riding Season is almost half full!!

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