Up at dawn, back by noon

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Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Kres » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:36 pm

Went nowhere that special today, just took a few shots to share...

Was up at 5, and out by 5:30. Lots of family stuff on tap for the day, but the weather was perfect, and I was in need of a ride. I rode for a good 45min in the pre-dawn twilight. Every stand of trees seemed to claw at the fog, gripping it like a blanket on a cold morning. Finally, the sun burst over the horizon, bathing my little piece of the world in a fantastic golden glow.

I stopped where I was and took a couple shots...

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It's a great feeing to be the only one on the road. I saw exactly 4 cars & 4 tractors on my way out west. I'm programmed to head west towards the Shenandoah Mountains - they are my loadstones. Left to my own devices, I always find myself among them, as my default destination.

I had gotten up and out of the house with only a glass of water and a cold shower. So by the time I'd gotten 40 more twisty miles under my belt, I was hungry.

I stopped in Front Royal and caught a bite to eat at L Dee's Diner. A good friend of my grandfather had built and opened the place over 26 years ago. Both he and my grandfather are long gone - but I get a kick out of looking down at the floor and knowing exactly which tiles I put down on the floor, and which barstools that I spun myself sick on at the lunch counter. I snarfed down my Sausage gravy and biscuits {There is no cholesterol down memory lane don't ya know...} and made my way back on the bike to hit the Skyline Drive and take it down a few miles to an old standby road, Rt. 211.

I took a couple of quick snaps before rolling outta town

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I buzzed up Skyline drive and immediately was swarmed by bicycles. Seems they like to get out early too. I wasn't in a hurry, so I just rumbled up the ridge, trying to keep them from getting them stuck in my spokes. Once I had out distanced them, I found an overlook with a great view and a patch of wild flowers

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After this I settled into the seat for a long twisty, lazy roll over the ridge tops, down the mountain through Sperryville, and accross the Piedmont to Flint Hill. I spied there a fetching little house for sale.

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This little place would be perfect for a B&B. Just look at that porch... *sigh* Someday I'll try to do one of the 40 things I'd rather be doing for a living.... someday...

I hopped back on the GS, and headed north towards Middleburg. I needed to make my way to Ashburn to pick up something for the wife, so I was drifting north by north east, picking and choosing old stand-by roads, and occasionally exploring new gravel trails. Ultimately I made it there for caffine and gasoline, in that order. As I pulled into a parking place on the street, a gentleman that was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his shop said to me in a thick German accent "Ah! A BMW! I'm glad to see them again. They still make Boxers, yaah?" We struck up a short conversation about the lineage of the boxers, and his lamenting the sale of his 1982 airhead. Saying my good byes, I crossed the street to get one of the best latte's in the DC area

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The people watching is still top notch too...

I finished my latte, topped of the tank and explored a few gravel roads between Middleburg and Ashburn, finding this wonderful barn that had been converted into a cozy home

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That's it. Nothing epic, but relaxing and fun.

Cheers!
Last edited by Kres on Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Kres
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Re: Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Unity » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:16 pm

Very nice morning's work, Chris.

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Re: Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Rick F. » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 pm

Kres,

Aha! Another ride report and another round of your beautiful photos!! I especially liked your early-morning-light barn picture. Keep 'em coming...

I'm envious that you know that area so well. I've ridden through various parts of it, but if I relied on my local knowledge and sense of direction, I'd still be out there going in circles.

The next time you're in Middleburg, however, I think you should get a full set of pictures of resident groups A, B, and C!

Rick F.
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Re: Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Kres » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:53 am

Thanks Rick...

Where you going next? I'm feeming for a good report.
{Hey! The rest of ya! Ya, YOU! Go some place and bring us back some pictures!}
-Kres
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Re: Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Ron P » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:41 pm

Nice pictures and story!

As far as stories go, I'm waiting for a few pics from the Tail of the Dragon to arrive and I'll write up something about my Tennessee trip.
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Re: Up at dawn, back by noon

Postby Graybeard » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:18 pm

Very nice! THanks!
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