Birthday Ride
Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Not just any day, but this is my birthday - 48 years young/old, however you want to call it. Since I was about to embark on a day of miles on my motorcycle with my favorite riding partner, I will say young. Maybe immature might be a better descriptor.
The mid-morning started out with the sky broken up with clouds, but the temperatures were good. There was a slight chance for liquid to fall from the sky, but we had hopes for the best. We met T-Bo at the Sunoco, and then headed out of Locust, North Carolina using Bethel Church and Coley Store Roads. At Mission Church we ran passed Running Creek Church, and then headed north for Millingport. We would this road through the town of the same name, and into Richfield.
We veered off onto SR 49, and headed north and east. We stayed on the State Road, crossing the Yadkin River and then entering the Uwharrie National Forest. On the eastern edge of the National Forest, we turned right onto Slate Mine Road. The wooded lane lead along to Bells Grove Road, which we took a left to ride on, heading north and east again. After a jog, we picked up Burney Mill Road.
The trees stood along the road, on the right was the Uwharrie Forest, on the left, more forest, but dotted with homes. We crossed the river named after the forest, and continued winding our way. A left at Lassiter Mill Road and then onto High Pine Church Road which actually led us through part of the National Preserve. At the next "T" in the road, we took Hopewell Friends Road, leaving the Uwharrie behind and made our way to Business Route 220. This would take us north, and avoid using the nearby Interstate, numbered 74.
We would come to the south edge of Asheboro and pull into a gas station to take a break. Back on US 64, east to SR 42, and wind our way south through the North Carolina rolling countryside. After a few Siler City Streets, we made our way into the parking of the Bestfood Cafeteria. We rolled up to the front of the eatery, and sitting in a pair of rocking chairs was an old college friend, Mike, and his wife. Even though Kasey had only met her once, on an overnight stay at their house on our way to Florida, they hit it off real well. I mentioned who was sitting there on the intercom, I had pulled off a birthday surprise, for her.
The lunch was typical of southern cafeteria style, and the conversation flowed longer than we expected. We made our way back to the parking lot, hoped on the bikes and headed out for a sweet treat. Leaving town on Siler City Snow Camp Road heading north, we made the journey to town of Snow Camp. We took a left, and headed north and west on Greensboro Chapel Hill Road. We made our way through Kimesville, and to Highway 62, and headed south. It was a short trip on this road, but quite a trip to wait for dessert. It was worth it, Homeland Creamery provided some wonderful Ice Cream. The only issue was the speed at which it would melt in the August heat.
As we left the creamery, Mike and his wife split off, heading east back home, while T-Bo, Kasey and I headed east and south for home. Though the air was warm enough to quickly make milk of our ice cream, clouds had been gathering, and we needed to beat the water from the sky.
We continued on Highway 62 into Julian, took a brief cruise on US 421, then peeled off onto Old Red Cross Road. A short stretch on SR 22 and we got on Old Salem Road to the town of Randleman. We ran through a few county roads, and made our way to SR 49.
Rain started falling so we stopped at a gas station to take a break, and debate about rain gear. Kasey and I had our jackets on already, so we stayed with that. T-Bo dawned glasses and a jacket. The rain picked up, and while steady, it was not a hard rain. We had some patches were it actually stopped, but wet roads still prevailed.
Back in Richfield, T-Bo continued on 49 while Kasey and I veered south on US 52, and eventually joined Austin Road. We made our way, carefully, on the less traveled curves of the road, and arrived at Bethel Chruch. The rain had passed, or we had passed through it, and by the time I backed the bike into the garage, rays of sunshine were poking back through the clouds.
Sure, my birthday ended like a wet blanket, but overall it was another amazing day of getting a year older, or younger, or less mature.
Not just any day, but this is my birthday - 48 years young/old, however you want to call it. Since I was about to embark on a day of miles on my motorcycle with my favorite riding partner, I will say young. Maybe immature might be a better descriptor.
The mid-morning started out with the sky broken up with clouds, but the temperatures were good. There was a slight chance for liquid to fall from the sky, but we had hopes for the best. We met T-Bo at the Sunoco, and then headed out of Locust, North Carolina using Bethel Church and Coley Store Roads. At Mission Church we ran passed Running Creek Church, and then headed north for Millingport. We would this road through the town of the same name, and into Richfield.
We veered off onto SR 49, and headed north and east. We stayed on the State Road, crossing the Yadkin River and then entering the Uwharrie National Forest. On the eastern edge of the National Forest, we turned right onto Slate Mine Road. The wooded lane lead along to Bells Grove Road, which we took a left to ride on, heading north and east again. After a jog, we picked up Burney Mill Road.
The trees stood along the road, on the right was the Uwharrie Forest, on the left, more forest, but dotted with homes. We crossed the river named after the forest, and continued winding our way. A left at Lassiter Mill Road and then onto High Pine Church Road which actually led us through part of the National Preserve. At the next "T" in the road, we took Hopewell Friends Road, leaving the Uwharrie behind and made our way to Business Route 220. This would take us north, and avoid using the nearby Interstate, numbered 74.
We would come to the south edge of Asheboro and pull into a gas station to take a break. Back on US 64, east to SR 42, and wind our way south through the North Carolina rolling countryside. After a few Siler City Streets, we made our way into the parking of the Bestfood Cafeteria. We rolled up to the front of the eatery, and sitting in a pair of rocking chairs was an old college friend, Mike, and his wife. Even though Kasey had only met her once, on an overnight stay at their house on our way to Florida, they hit it off real well. I mentioned who was sitting there on the intercom, I had pulled off a birthday surprise, for her.
The lunch was typical of southern cafeteria style, and the conversation flowed longer than we expected. We made our way back to the parking lot, hoped on the bikes and headed out for a sweet treat. Leaving town on Siler City Snow Camp Road heading north, we made the journey to town of Snow Camp. We took a left, and headed north and west on Greensboro Chapel Hill Road. We made our way through Kimesville, and to Highway 62, and headed south. It was a short trip on this road, but quite a trip to wait for dessert. It was worth it, Homeland Creamery provided some wonderful Ice Cream. The only issue was the speed at which it would melt in the August heat.
As we left the creamery, Mike and his wife split off, heading east back home, while T-Bo, Kasey and I headed east and south for home. Though the air was warm enough to quickly make milk of our ice cream, clouds had been gathering, and we needed to beat the water from the sky.
We continued on Highway 62 into Julian, took a brief cruise on US 421, then peeled off onto Old Red Cross Road. A short stretch on SR 22 and we got on Old Salem Road to the town of Randleman. We ran through a few county roads, and made our way to SR 49.
Rain started falling so we stopped at a gas station to take a break, and debate about rain gear. Kasey and I had our jackets on already, so we stayed with that. T-Bo dawned glasses and a jacket. The rain picked up, and while steady, it was not a hard rain. We had some patches were it actually stopped, but wet roads still prevailed.
Back in Richfield, T-Bo continued on 49 while Kasey and I veered south on US 52, and eventually joined Austin Road. We made our way, carefully, on the less traveled curves of the road, and arrived at Bethel Chruch. The rain had passed, or we had passed through it, and by the time I backed the bike into the garage, rays of sunshine were poking back through the clouds.
Sure, my birthday ended like a wet blanket, but overall it was another amazing day of getting a year older, or younger, or less mature.
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