What a bummer of a day. I figured I would do much needed yard work today. I looked out the window and saw the yard so I went outside and found that it was humid and looked like rain. I looked across the yard and saw the drive way. I went over to the driveway and saw the road. I went down to the road and saw I could not see much further than a block or two. So I called out to Alfred to fetch me the Bentley. I rode over to the dealer to get the “recall” done for the unusual rider input syndrome. Well, the internet was down and they couldn’t reach Al, so I figured there was more to see then the dealer showroom and headed up to the valley to see the folk. This is a 163 mile ride up I-95 and since I wanted to make time I decided to go that route even though I usually take the back way up via US522. I called them at a few minutes before noon and let them know I would be coming and should be there by 2:30pm. Though I preferred to have been on the twisties, traffic on I-95 was unusually light and at best I saw maybe 6 other two wheelers. The threat of rain must have kept the garage doors closed today. I heard on the news that one of my big-screen heroes died, Paul Newman. I immediately thought back to Cool Hand Luke and that great and defiant spirit that kept things on his turf until the very end. I never really cared for his salad dressing though, but will continue to enjoy the great movies he was in.

As I made my way up through Warrenton on US 17 and on to I-66w I found the ride to be most enjoyable part. I was riding along on I-66 which is paralleled by VA-55 and I noticed a couple of Beamers riding along keeping up with the I-66 traffic. We exchanged waves and a thumb up and then they were lost behind brush. After being in the saddle for 2 ½ hours straight, I finally make it to the folks house at 2:26pm, and my Dad says they weren’t expecting me until 2:30 and I had 4 minutes to leave and come back, now I know where I get my humor from. I had a great 2 ½ hour visit and pulled out of the drive at precisely at 5:00pm with a bag of apples on the luggage rack, galas in case you’re wondering. As I headed out it begins to sprinkle, then rain, but I figured it would be short lived. After 90 some miles, over half of the return journey I realized I figured wrong and had wished I brought my leather jacket. Along I-66 the sky got really dark and the rain was coming down hard. I was moving along passing traffic and as the rain got heavier I recalled a comment my Dad made. He said that if I ran into rain I could stop under an overpass like he’s seen others do. My response to that was that it was for the sissies. Now I’m looking real hard for an overpass to stop under and know there is not one on this stretch of I-66 so I continue to plug along. I drop the shield on my EXO-100 and find it begins to fog up rather quickly. So I put it back up and raise the Vision front force field and lean forward. This seems to help as I continue to make my way and after about 6 miles of downpour it begins to let up some and finally enough that it is a heavy drizzle. I look down at the speedo and realize I had increased my speed by 5 miles an hour when I thought I had slowed down. This explained why I was passing so many cars and they probably thought I was a complete nut. But the Bentley never handled better, even when I hit the heavy puddles of water it just kept on plowing along. It would rain hard and it would rain light for the better part of the trip and I decided to take US15 to Culpeper and US522 out of Culpeper to avoid any idiots on I-95 that comes out when it rains. Of course when I got to Culpeper I had a light or two to stop at during one of the hard raining moments, so that is when I got the wettest. Even in the heavy downpour on I-66 I was naturally getting wet, but wasn’t like I was at the stoplight in a moderately heavy rain. I could ramble on how well this machine performs, but I won’t, but I will say when I pulled into town at home, I still took the long way home as I wasn’t ready to put her up. You can do the math but I pulled in 350 miles in just 5 ½ hours even in the pouring rain. Not bad for a day ride to get a few apples. Now I have to go and get the leather die off my hands from my wet gloves.

Disclaimer: No intentional negative comment was made in this post. Only in jest did I title this post. As always, this motorcycle is a phenomenal ride and I look for the next moment to spend a few hours riding.

CoolHandLuke - 2008-09-28 8:07 AM +1 on RIP Paul. As you can see from my V-R handle, I love that movie!!! "What we have here is...." a sad day for movie fans & racing fans as well.

Paul always played regal even in his bad boy roles and I think CHL will go down as my #1 movie of all times. Not only for his role but those who played with him, truly a cult classic. "I never planned anything in my life", "Yeah them poor old bosses need all the help they can get." "Aw, calling it your job doesn't make it right boss." "I'm shakin' it boss." were some of my favorites.

pollolittle - 2008-09-28 8:18 AM Your were there early! Gosh! He gave you the thumbs up, is that an insult, and then go hide behind some brush, turkey leg BMW riders, what a bunch of Glory Fru Fru "BMW" Riders, bunch of ninnies! Waving at you are they telling you to move over, or are they signaling to the group, that you are not one of them. Hmm, I wonder, what could be the real truth in all of this. Where did you get the Force Field at, and if it was a true force field, you wouldn't have to raise or lower it. You must have one of the new foreign knockoffs. Man, what a ride, going to see the genetic donors and getting food, Wow, what a day and a ride. Sometimes I do wonder why they don't at least put a windshield wiper on so you can see out. I've always wondered that.

chickenpoco I tread softly if was you, it's just under a month for my planned trip to the Republic of Texas and I'll be passing through that region known for workers that take no pay. I'll need my Bentley washed, and you'd make a good volunteer.