My Eclipse Ride Report

Thursday August 17, 0500.
The valk is all packed, I’m all packed, up early consuming caffeine for the 600 mile ride to Waynesboro, VA. We’re staying at the Day’s Inn that Mark (3fan4life) met us at for the Meet in the Middle ride 2 years ago. Thanks Mark!
I couldn’t wait to get going so I rolled out 20 minutes early to meet my ridin buddy Steve at the gas station up the road. He also arrived early, and it was KSU at 0600, south bound.
We hopped on the Mass Pike for a short 40 mile ride to Westfield MA. There we picked up Rt 20 to Rt 23. Now Rt 23 was freshly paved and winds thru the beginning of the Berkshire Mts. We stopped about half way to NY and had breakfast at a diner in Otis, MA. Back on that nice smooth road into NY where we picked up the Taconic Parkway south to Rt 44 west. This section of the route does go thru Poughkeepsie, but the next section, going thru Mohonk Preserve, is nice & twisty, dropping us off on Rt 209 in Kerhonkson, NY. 209 leads us to I-84 and some slab time.
I have driven and/or ridden this route to I-81 half a dozen times and this time was the worst! From Scranton to Harrisburg was 1 big stress test. And the northbound side looked worse. Note to self, find another way home!
When we exited 81 to 64 in VA for the hotel, the sky was threatening big time. I rolled the dice and tried to beat the rain to the motel. I shouldn’t gamble…..pulled off the ramp for the motel, got the red light, and the skies opened up…but it kinda felt good…supper at Outback & sleep came easy.
Friday August 18
Up and at em at 0600, caffeine, free breakfast, pat the cat in the office, and on the way to Mt. Airy, NC. Yes we’re both old enuff to have watched the Andy Griffith Show. We ate at Snappy Lunch, walked around & took in the sights then went to Wally’s Garage.
We pulled in and there were 2 seasoned gentlemen rockin away the day out front. One got up as soon as he looked at my bike and said “I know exactly what you’re ridin there (add drawl here) that is a Honda Valkyrie!” I took off my helmet shook his hand and told him he sure knows his classic bikes. Turns out he has an 1800 VTX, ya do meet the nicest people on a Honda…I took pics of my bike with the old police cars, next thing we knew, it was couple hours later and we had to get going, wanted to make Grandfather Mt. before dark. He hopped in his cruiser, lit up the gumball machine & siren and motored on home.
On the way to BRP, had a nasty t-storm come in at us, we ducked under the canopy of a gas station for 30 minutes and were on the way again. Made it to GM, but no bikes were allowed up because of 57mph wind. This is the 3rd time I’ve been turned away…ggrrr
Saturday August 19
Did the 0600 wake up & coffee consumption, and headed for GM. It was a perfect morning and I actually got up it this time. Did the swinging bridge and got the T shirt. Now it’s off to Robbinsville & the Dragon via BRP. Been to the area 9 times but this is the first on the big girl. Checked into the Phillips, dropped the xtra gear and headed to the Gap! Out to the lookout and back to the Topoco Lodge for a meaty pizza for supper. She handled well on the Dragon, but did scrape both pegs a bit….
Sunday August 20
Stopped into the Shell/McDonalds down the road for coffee and a breakfast burrito ( not the best combo at 6am…) got the call from Whiskey to meet on the Cherahola, he was coming toward NC we was going toward TN. We met up and checked out a place to see the eclipse the next day. Next it was Tellico Plains, 360 to the Dragon, ( never gets old does it? ) I tried keeping up with Whiskey, wasn’t happenin…
Sugar suggested eats in Highland so it was off we went. Down on Rt 28, couple of crotch rockets dusted us near the Stecoah Diner. Few minutes later we was running 80 or so & I see blue lights behind Steve. OH CRAP…We move right and figure this is gonna be expensive…He flies right by us and just before the stop sign he has the rockets stopped. Huh, we got lucky! Had a good meal and headed back to Robbinsville. Thanks again Whiskey for the great day!
Eclipse Day
Up & the Shell station for coffee ONLY. NO BURRITOS today! Arrived at Turkey Gobbler Overlook at 0830. NO parking spots left. We stuffed em between a truck & a van with owners ok. The eclipse was awesome! Worth the trip. No clouds, perfect day.
Until we left…got all the way to Rt 360 before the traffic stopped. Turned onto 360 and had clear rolling till the last 2 miles or so. Binkie, wish I had contacted you, like to have stopped in and say hi instead of waiting in traffic, next time. Ran the Dragon 1 last time & had supper at Topoco again. FYI, both meals were great, and biker friendly place.
Tuesday August 22
Shell station 1 more time for coffee, and we head to the Flight 93 Memorial, 587 miles to go. Hit some nasty traffic at all the construction areas. WHY do people race up the lane that is going to close? Especially when they got a 2 mile warning that it’s going to close…After 3-4 times of this crap a couple 18s would pull into the lane that was closing so they blocked the a-holes from creating havoc up ahead.
We hit rain about 100 miles before Morgantown, WV. Geared up and continued. We stayed in Morgantown that night and only have 91 miles to the Memorial.
Wednesday August 23
Free coffee & runny eggs for breakfast then onto PA. Got to the Memorial at 9-ish. We had been there in 06, when there was just a dirt parking lot & a fence that people attached mementos to. We wanted to see if the Gov’t had made it better or not. My verdict, it’s very nice now, tons more information available, and the structures are set up to show the glide path Flight 93 took when it crashed. All the info & artifacts in the building with a time line of that day is riveting. The rangers are very knowledgeable and do an excellent job. In 06, there was a volunteer that told us about the crash and the lives of the people on board. It was way more personal then & nobody walked away from there with dry eyes. I’m glad I got to see it before and now. All in all, they did a good job. If at all possible make a visit, worth it.
Next was some good old fashion back roads. We picked our way north and east determined to avoid 81 but still make Port Jervis by dark. Never saw so many miles of corn…all good roads, smelled like poop now & then, but that’s the price ya pay for country roads! Rolled into PJ & got a room at 9pm. Long day for sure.
Thursday August 24
Free coffee & waffles today then head for home via 209, 44, Taconic, 23 and the pike.
Got home around 2pm. 2,720 miles round trip. This is the longest trip I have ever made and really enjoyed it. After foot surgery last fall and hip replacement in April, I wasn’t sure I could handle the trip. Happy to report that after all them miles, the only thing that hurt was my butt. And I can live with that!
Hope I didn’t bore ya with this ride report.
Craig