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September 10rd, 2008
A Little Ramblin Can’t Hurt


muse@bikerenews.com

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My last day on the road was going to be a short one. I was east of Charlottesville with interstate all the way back. I could have chosen some secondary route back to Virginia Beach, but I had some "stuff" I wanted to get done before returning to work.

Nothing exciting happened during the ride to Richmond. I started at 7:00 AM and the traffic was light and steady. Keeping my easy listening groove going, I decided to start the day with a little Harry Connick, Jr. flowing through the ear plugs. As an unexpected treat, I had forgotten that I had loaded Harry’s Christmas album into my playlist. So, during my early morning cruise, I was singing along with his Christmas Carols.

As I approached Richmond, I just wasn’t ready to call it quits. I figured what I needed was a short extension. So, I turned south on US-288 (the Richmond Bypass on the west side). What the heck? I figured I’d ride to Emporia and take US-58 over to Virginia Beach. Not a long extension, but the decision helped to feed my need for a little more independence.

Interestingly, I had not been on this bypass before, and found it easy going. The only problem occurred where US-288 intersects with I-95 on the south side of Richmond. It was a little after 8:00 AM and rush hour traffic was still out in force trying to make its way to Richmond. Fortunately the exit lane for I-95 south was open and I cruised on by.


2008 Virginia Grand Tour

At Stony Creek, I stopped to fill up for the last leg of the trip back to Virginia Beach. I took this opportunity to check my playlist and decided that there was only one artist to choose for the ride, Hank Williams (Senior). Hank and I mounted the Sabre and scooted down I-95 to Emporia and headed east on US-58.

On this familiar road, I thought about the trip. It had taken place over four days. I had bought a new 2007 ST 1300 in Fredericksburg. I rode west to Charlottesville, then south, then east, then north to Front Royal, south to Warrenton, west to Luray, and that was just the first day. On the second day, I found VA-42 and was wishing I was still on it. I had rode south to Bristol and then a little west only to turn around and head east. On the third day, I finished the 2008 VGT and rode the best motorcycle road in Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Here I was on the fourth day, riding with Hank, and before the day was over I rode a short 239 miles, which made the four day total 1,688 miles. I had listened to 657 songs (467 were Blues). I had seen 5 deceased deer along side the road, and almost gave a ride to a deer that surprised the heck out of me.

Listening to Hank sign about that Lonesome Whistle and that Whippoorwill as he traveled down that Lost Highway, I realized that Hank was singing to all of us that have a touch of that Ramblin’ Man in us.

I can settle down and be doing just fine
Till I hear an old train rolling the line

Then I hurry straight home and pack
And if I didn’t go, I believe I’d blow my stack

I love you baby, but you have got to understand
That when the Lord made me he made a Ramblin’ Man

Hope your riding season is going as well as you expected and that you’ve had the chance to do a little Ramblin’ on your own. Ride Safe.

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