Breakfast Ride - Williamsburg, VA - December 19, 1999

Clyde rounded up the usual suspects at the Friendly's in Williamsburg. Tony "the Ticket" and I stayed down the road at the Howard Johnsons and were the first to officially arrive. The gathering grew to nine total bikes including a Streetfighter, an ST, and one of those Barco-lounger K12LT complete with Direct TV and video uplinks to the BMW satellite network. The waitress even gave Backroads Bob grief for being "late". John "I have new toys" Hinton was the last arrive at 10:01 just as we were finishing up. He learned the same lesson I learned on my first COG ride two years ago; the schedule might say 10:00, but that doesn't mean that 9:15 is too early. It was overcast, in the high 40's and threatening to drizzle, a good day for a COG ride (come to think of it, every day is a good day for a COG ride). 

After catching up on what everybody had been up to since we last rode together, reflecting on Guy's loss, and having a good laugh at Pat "show off" Sprague's expense, we headed towards the Colonial Parkway. Clyde's plan was to head over the Parkway to Yorktown and then up to the Potomac to try another one of those "free ferries" I have heard so much about but have never seen operating: this one across the western branch of the Corrotoman River. Our group had a couple LEOs follow us for a bit. The one in Kilamarnock must of heard Tony was in the neighborhood because he followed us until we were well out of town. It was kinda unnerving, you know us badass COGers have a reputation to uphold. 

We passed the same two Bank of Lancaster time-temperature bank clocks that were on the February BRR ride; needless to say, it was a whopping 17d warmer this go round than last. Boy did it feel it too: whoowee. Now to be fair, Clyde has a legitimate fascination for these free ferries; they are true Americana. I have a fascination with railroad trestle bridges, especially steel ones; they are also true Americana. The difference is, I don't expect to use the railroad trestles to cross bodies of water; that's what ferries are for. We hang a left out of Lancaster and head towards the ferry dock. If you recall form our February BRR Ride, that free ferry didn't run on Sundays; so it shouldn't be a surprise to find this one not running either. We weren't. I made the comparison to Rick Shirk's ability to close restaurants just by picking them as starting places for COG rides. Clyde was not amused. 

We stopped briefly, checked our maps and then retraced our route to Lancaster. From there, Clyde "the ferryman" figured we could trudge around the grounds of Stratford Hall, the Robert E. Lee homestead for a few hours, catch a late lunch/ early dinner up the road at Port Royal and head our merry ways. Now down to the six Connies, our little band turned into the driveway of Stratford Hall. Cost of admission $7 per person. I don't know about you, but the idea of traipsing around the home of a general for the losing side is odd to start with, but to pay $7 when George's place is just up the river for two bucks, well, it's kind of insulting. The nice lady at the toll booth let us know there is a turnout back on the main road where you can get a good look at the home. We took her advise and got our "good look". Clyde pressed us on to the Port Royal eatery. 

When we got to US301, the group of 5 headed south; Tony heading back to Williamsburg for the evening for his long trip home on Monday. Since 301 runs nearly to Baltimore, I reluctantly turned north and headed home. Fortunately, some maroon in an older Caprice decided that 75 was the "real" speed limit over the 55 posted, and I tucked in behind until I had to stop for fuel and to warm my now frozen toes and fingers. Windchill is murder at the combinations of these speeds and moderate temperatures; don't let it fool you. 

As we approach the end of another year (don't ask my about the new Millennium crap, I know I lost that battle, but it's January 1, 2001 folks, check your calendars, no year 0- rant mode off), I get reflective of what has passed- the people I have met, the miles we shared, the good and the few bad times that were had and look forward with anticipation to the future. Already, the National is just over the horizon. Before that even occurs, the Capitol 1000 (my first time), Crab Cakes, the North Meets South, and several other COG rides are on deck. If the weather cooperates, I even have a ride to Key West tentatively planned for Lincoln's Birthday weekend. Sort of a tune up for the Cap1000. Benny is behaving pretty well for a 10 year old. He's got some saddlebag flop on the right side and a pesky fairing buzz I can't seem to track down, but he still rolls on the miles and doesn't complain too much - except in rush hour traffic. Thanx to all of COGdom for their efforts to make this a fun experience. This is the first group I have ever ridden with as an organization, but it feels more like my extended family than an organization.

Thanx.