Virgin Ride; Bell Buckle & Lynchburg Bound

Suffering through all this cold rainy weather made us appreciate it all the more when the clouds parted and the temperatures took a turn for the warmer this past weekend.

 

It all started on Saturday. After a morning of running errands I was outside trying to get some stain off the camper shell when Chick comes out the door with the phone to her ear. “They want us to come down to Rocket City”, she blurted.

 

“Who?”, I asked.

“Pam and David”, she said in a tone that seem to say who else could it be! “They were out riding, stopped by there and she says Russell is there to.”

 

Well, I had wanted to ride earlier, so I was all for it. Next thing I know we’re rolling down Hughes Road.

 

David was there getting the suspension adjusted and Russell was dropping off Paris’s bike and picking up his. Russell couldn’t stay but suggested a ride to Bell Buckle on Sunday for lunch. Everybody liked the idea and Russell said he would post it on the forum when he got home.

By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman

Paris enjoying her “Virgin Ride” on the Vision

Rest stop in Shelbyville!

Click on any of the pictures to see more pictures from that day.

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To make a long story short and get to this one, the plan was to meet at Hazel Green High School at 9:00 and head out. I called a buddy of mine from work who had mentioned something about riding Sunday, and invited him and his girlfriend to come along. We found out later that night that Pam and David wasn’t going  to Make it due to a commitment she could not break from. One of these days, guys, we’re gonna get our schedules synchronized so we can ride together!

 

Mike and his girlfriend met us at our house bright and early and we took off for Hazel Green.

Once we got to Hazel Green, Mike and Jessica stopped by the McDonald’s for a biscuit while Karen and I went on down to the school to meet up with Russell and Paris.

 

While we were waiting Paris mentioned that this was her first ride on the back of the Vision. She started calling it her “Virgin Ride”. Seemed like an appropriate label so it stuck.

 

It wasn’t long before Mike and Jessica pulled up and we were on our way. Russell took the lead since it was his ride, with Mike in the middle while Chick and I wagged the tail. Taking 231 North we were in Fayetteville in no time and hitting Shelbyville Hwy. I just love that stretch of road. It has a nice mixture of lazy straights, easy, gentle curves and fun twistys going up and down the Tennessee Hill country.

 

We made a stop in Shelbyville much to Chicks approval. Russell told her when we stopped he was thinking of her. He couldn’t have timed it more perfect; not two miles back she started squirming. We’re working on fixing that.

 

 

Jessica found the Café.

Time for some of them fried biscuits!

Hidden Treasures!

After a bladder dump, refill, and quick smoke we mounted up and hit the road again. Russell and I were thinking that it was another 30 miles from Shelbyville to Bell Buckle, but about 10 miles outside the city limits we made a right onto TN-82. I always knew memory was the first thing to go when you got old but couldn’t remember the second. I guess it must be judging distance. A few miles later we were crossing the track into the whistle stop town of Bell Buckle.

Watch out for those rare White Bats!

It was around 11:00 when we finally got the bikes situated and made our way over to the Café. Russell had mentioned earlier that Mark (MCD) had answered the ride post asking when we were going to eat. He had told him around noon. Thinking he might show up we decide to wonder around a bit to kill some time. Most of the shops, with it being Sunday, weren't open yet and wouldn’t be until noon. Of course I had my camera out and was looking for anything that would make a good shot. We made our way up and down the row of stores and shops for a few minutes until we decided we had waited long enough. While I went around

The Vision draws a crowd!

We gotta come back for the Moon Pie Festival!

back to get a shot of the mural that Paris was telling me about, Russell went in the Café to get us a table. By the time I got back they were already seated.

 

We had a wonderful lunch, and those who have been here know what I’m talking about. The place looks like if you leaned against the wall it would fall down but the down home cooking is the best you’ve ever slapped two lips against. Just ask Russell about them fried biscuits.

 

With our belly's full we made our way back to the bikes to plan our next move. After a quick discussion we decided to head out and make a detour down TN129 toward Lynchburg. Mike and Jessica wanted to do some shopping and when we told her about Judy’s leather that settled it.

 

We hadn’t ridden two miles and I happen to think; “well shoot, should have called Pam & David and have them meet us in Lynchburg”. Sorry guys, just didn’t think fast enough. As we were getting off the bike Karen said the same thing.

 

When we pulled in, the square was a sea of bikes! I guess when you haven’t seen good weather in a while,

He’s a good player but he takes forever to make a move!

the first nice day and they come out of the woodwork. We like to have not found a parking place. Of course the minute we get off the bikes a crowd starts to form around Russell and the Vision.  After a few minutes of preaching the gospel according to Victory we head over to the place we came for, Judy’s. Karen started to walk in and I heard her say, “it’s closed!” I couldn’t believe it, they were closed for the week. First time I’ve ever seen that. I guess everybody needs a vacation. I shouldn’t complain, it probably saved me a at least a hundred dollars. I was just looking for a reason to buy a jacket.

 

 

With Judy’s out of the picture we hit the other shop around the corner (never can remember the name of that place) and then stopped by the Ice Cream Parlor for some refreshment. Sitting there we could see Russell’s bike through the window and there was a constant crowd around it. From there we made a complete sweep around the square and a stop at Lynchburg Choppers before deciding to hit the road.

 

Even though it was getting on into the afternoon, none of us was ready get back too quick. We took the long way back making a wide sweep around Fayetteville and coming out the back side. The final stop found us at the little corner store in Taft where we thanked each other for the wonderful day and said our goodbye’s.

 

All in all we accomplished quite a lot that day. We all got a good belly full of home cooking, I saw that wonderful smile return to Chicks face, we introduced Jessica to the world of Victory Riders, and Paris found out that she really liked this riding 2 up.  Only thing is; now she’s wondering what to do with that Vegas. Not to worry. Russell made it clear that with a little wider seat, it wasn’t going to get the least bit lonely. Until next time, ride safe!

The County Seat!