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The 2022 Motorcycle AdventureThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

February - October 2022
No whining! The purpose of this trip is to enjoy motorcycling the US while seeing old friends, making new old friends, and accomplishing a whole bunch of mostly crazy goals. Read more
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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Welcome to Virginia Beach!

    February 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 41 °F

    I hated saying goodbye to my friends this morning. It was so good to see them all.

    I left their house at 07:30 hoping to beat the rain and possible sleet coming in from the west. Although it was almost 80°F yesterday, it was only 38°F this morning, so I gambled with the weather and chose to plug in my heated gear instead of putting on my rain gear.

    I hightailed it down I-95 to Richmond, then swung east to stop briefly at Yorktown National Historical Park. Just before I got there, the rain began to drizzle. I rolled on, stopping at two dealerships before arriving at a third where I had arranged for my 85,000-mile service. The rain was harder, but still not too bad. I dropped off the bike and walked across the street for lunch at a sports bar restaurant. They let me hang out the entire time I was waiting for the bike, from noon until about 15:30. Pretty cool.

    While I was there, the rain really came down, but luckily it let up some before I left. I was only about 15 miles from tonight's overnight location, so I still didn't use the rain gear. I didn't get soaked, just a little damp 🤣.

    For the next few nights I'm staying in a KOA cabin that's quite cozy. They haven't opened their tent camping yet, but at only $40 a night for the cabin, which has both a heater and an air conditioner, I'm happy to be indoors.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 11 mileage: 222.9 (total 3912.6)
    HD Dealerships: 2 (total 96)
    National Parks: 1 (total 18 in 11 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Still Yucky

    February 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 41 °F

    I arrived at Virginia Beach three days ago in the rain and cold...and it's still the same yucky weather. Thank goodness DoorDash delivers to the KOA 🤣!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 12-14 mileage: 0 (total 3912.6)
    HD Dealerships: 0 (total 96)
    National Parks: 0 (total 18 in 11 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Finally a Beautiful Day (But Still Cold)

    February 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F

    Today was finally a beautiful day, but it was a short run (and still really cold) from the KOA to Virginia Beach for breakfast at a great little family-owned place called Scrambles. I hung out for a while enjoying the music, lots of Billy Joel and 90s Alternative, then I went to my hotel, where I was able to check in very early (noon-ish). I did laundry, then said hi to a riding buddy I met last year who is also in town for the HOG rally. Did I mention that's why I'm here?

    Tomorrow is the beginning of the first Harley Owners Group (HOG) Touring Rally of 2022: Run to the Sun. We leave Virginia Beach on 2 March and ride down the Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina coastlines to arrive in FL on the 4th for my first Daytona Bike Week. Yay!

    Anyway, I hung out with my buddy Bob and met his buddy Chief Bob (former Coast Guard) for a few minutes, then went to a wonderful seafood dinner on Chesapeake Beach at Chick's Oyster Bar with two friends I knew in Germany, Nick and Ola. They have a gorgeous little girl now, and it was so fun seeing them again. Unfortunately, we forgot to take a picture. Next time.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 15 mileage: 21.2 (total 3933.8)
    HD Dealerships: 1 (total 97)
    National Parks: 0 (total 18 in 11 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Relaxing Day

    March 1, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    I had a relaxing day today. I went to the Virginia Aquarium this morning, which was almost empty except for a few moms and kids. Much of it is under renovation, but it was decent and the staff was super friendly and very knowledgeable.

    After that, I went back to Chesapeake Beach for lunch by the water at Bubba's Seafood Restaurant and Crabhouse. I had a delicious crab cake sandwich and shrimp cocktail while watching the cormorants and pelicans drying their wings in the warm sun and the small boats passing by on their way in or out.

    This evening is the dinner that kicks off the HOG rally. It's wonderful to see quite a few familiar faces from last year's rallies. Tomorrow is going to be fun!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 16 mileage: 43.2 (total 3977.0)
    HD Dealerships: 1 (total 98)
    National Parks: 0 (total 18 in 11 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Run To The Sun Day 1

    March 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    Today was just about as perfect as a day can get. The weather was clear, sunny, and warm, the roads were in good condition with very little traffic most of the day, and, perhaps best of all, our group of 10 bikes and 12 people were in sync even though some of us had just met each other last night.

    One of the great things about being part of HOG (Harley Owners Group) is the almost immediate camaraderie you have with other HOG members. Last night at dinner, the rally coordinator asked for a show of hands from anyone not riding with anyone else during the rally. There were a couple of folks sitting by our three-person group (me, Bob, and Chief), so I asked if they'd like to join us. By the end of the evening, we had a group of eight bikes and two more bikes showed up at the hotel this morning to roll with us! Awesome 🤣!

    Our dirty dozen made a lot of stops at dealerships, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and an old store called Gibbs Store LLC in Engelhard, NC. The sign outside says the store began in 1895, and it must be the only store in town because it has everything from antiques to shotguns to wrenches to snacks. Cool place.

    We ended today at Carolina Coast H-D in Wilmington, NC, with another terrific dinner and some door prizes. Now, I'm in my hotel room getting ready to lead the group again tomorrow. This is soooo much fun!!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 17 mileage: 353.0 (total 4330.0)
    HD Dealerships: 5 (total 103)
    National Parks: 1 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    RTTS Day 2 & Flat Tire (Again)

    March 3, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Day 2 of the rally was another terrific day. All but two of yesterday's group made our way from Wilmington, NC, to Savannah, GA, sticking mostly to back roads. There were lots of bridges because we hugged the coast as closely as we could. The salty breeze was a delicious treat in the heat of the day.

    The day was smooth sailing until about three miles outside of Savannah when I got another flat rear tire. I asked the group to go on without me, but they wouldn't, so Chief made a beeline to the Savannah HD while the rest of the pack escorted me. Running at 30 miles an hour with hazards on is not fun when traffic was going over 60. I was so afraid that the last rider would get smashed, but Dave didn't and we got there about 20 minutes before they closed. I figured it was another pinched tube, but I had run over a screw. Luckily HD had a tire for me and they even stayed late to fix it so I could continue on the rally. Awesome!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 18 mileage: 334.6 (total 4664.6)
    HD Dealerships: 6 (total 109)
    National Parks: 0 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Run To The Sun Day 3

    March 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Today was the last day of the Run To The Sun Touring Rally, unfortunately. We had another wonderful day riding from Savannah, GA, to St. Augustine, FL, again hugging the coast. We made really good time, so I decided to take them across a little ferry from Fort George Island to Mayport, just to the northeast of Jacksonville. It was a motorcycle first for several of them, and despite having to wait 30 minutes for a 5-minute trip, I saw a lot of happy faces.

    I am so very lucky to have met such great people during this rally and made friends out of familiar faces from previous rallies. These folks were absolutely terrific riding buddies and they made this rally very special for me. Thanks, y'all 🤗! Love you guys!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 19 mileage: 238.8 (total 4903.4)
    HD Dealerships: 2 (total 111)
    National Parks: 0 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 1 (total 1 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Up Then Down to Daytona

    March 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    I was fortunate enough to stay in the same hotel as Bob and Chief, so we had breakfast together this morning. I said a fond farewell to them at about 08:45 and went back to my room to make a phone call at 09:00. I had an interview with the Rider Relations Officer for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I was on the waiting list, but now it looks like I will be able to participate! Woohoo!!!

    (Read more here: https://hokaheychallenge.com/index.htm)

    I also called a long time friend Darryl this morning. We met in Iraq; he was the Chaplain. We stayed in touch, sort of, and when I found out he and his wife had moved to the Jacksonville area, I had hoped to see them while I was here. Unfortunately that didn't work out, but we had a very nice video chat.

    I left the hotel around noon headed north from St. Augustine back to Jacksonville to hit the dealerships. I spotted a Whataburger along the way, so lunch was delicious 😋. I took the non-interstate way to Daytona, swinging by the Hard Rock Hotel for a couple of pins before making my way to my campground near Daytona International Speedway 🏁. This place isn't as well set up as my campground in Sturgis, but it's okay. Probably won't stay here again, although I did meet some nice folks this evening, including a guy that was at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, the same time I was in 1992-1994. Crazy small world.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 20 mileage: 185.6 (total 5089.0)
    HD Dealerships: 3 (total 114)
    National Parks: 0 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    2 Missions; 2 Accomplished

    March 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    Although I didn't put on many miles today, it was a nice day. I found a leather guy on Main Street who fixed the snaps on my vest and sewed a patch on to my chaps. Mission #1 accomplished.

    At the New Smyrna HD, I got to see Pablo and Glen, whom I met at several rallies last year. Bob and Chief also swung by to meet Glen and some other HOG Chapter members since Chief is soon moving to this area. Mission #2 accomplished.

    This morning I test rode four new Harleys: Lowrider, Sportster, Pan America, and Road Glide. Wow on all of them! The Road Glide CVO was really top heavy, but rode like a recliner on the road. The Sportster is completely redesigned and has the same engine as the Pan American. The engine is very smooth and on the Sportster it's crazy responsive and soooo fast. The Pan American is much heavier than the 500-pound Sporty, so still fast but just a tiny bit slower on the response. The Lowrider, with the 117 Milwaukee 8 engine, is a beast. Only the air breather is an issue because my shin is against it when I use the rear brake...and that's with mid controls. I would have to change the breather to use forward controls. I also saw the new Lowrider ST with removable hard saddlebags and frame-mounted faring. This may be my next bike 🤔.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 21 mileage: 81.3 (total 5170.3)
    HD Dealerships: 1 (total 115)
    National Parks: 0 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarThe 2022 Motorcycle Adventure

    Over to Tampa

    March 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    I left the campground this morning around 07:00 in the soaking wet dew. I forgot how humid Florida is. Even the inside of the tent rain cover was wet!

    I left most of my stuff in the tent and headed to Tampa. I hit dealerships and the Tampa Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on my way and made it to my friend's home around 17:00.

    I don't remember Florida traffic being this insane. I was here last year, and I swear it wasn't this bad. Cars doing under or just at the speed limit in the left lane with never considering to move over. Passing in the far right lane at 15 to 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. Twice as many cars on the road as last year and that one left-lane blocker causes a backup for 5 miles. It's bad.

    Anyway, it is wonderful to see Leann, whom I met while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. She is also retired Air Force. I try to catch up with her every time I come to Florida. This trip I also got to meet her parents who are visiting from Arizona or New Mexico. I wish I could stay longer, but I have to get back to the campground tomorrow.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    Day 22 mileage: 406.3 (total 5576.6)
    HD Dealerships: 8 (total 123)
    National Parks: 0 (total 19 in 12 states)
    10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)    Read more

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