Wednesday, September 10th

Rode the bike to work fully packed, tried to get some work done, then went to do some banking and then an early lunch with the work crew. Headed out at 12:45 to meet Jim, who was waiting at the rendezvous point when I got there. Topped off the tank, hit the head, and we rolled out onto the highway around 1:15.

Ready to roll

Heading over the Delaware Memorial Bridge

The NJ Turnpike and I-95 passed without incident before we exited, and we soon found ourselves riding through the middle of the packed UDel campus. I had plotted the route through to PA through this area, just as I do when I go to the First Sunday in Ephrata once in a while. I neglected to take into account that 8am Sunday morning riding through Newark (DE) is a lot different than 2pm on a Wednesday. Crossed the Susquehanna on US-1 over the Conowingo Dam, and made our way to PA 851, a great twisty road suggested to me by JamminJere from STN. I only did about 1/2 this road on the way back from the Region 6 Winter Meet due to construction - it was completely open now, and a lot of fun. We did find ourselves stuck behind cars a few times, but still made good time.

PA216 and PA194 brought us down to MD77, which was a hoot on the way to Thurmont. Lots of jogs in the road just after the crest. Coming into Catoctin Mountain Park there was a long line of stopped cars, and no traffic coming the other way. Turned out there was a motorcycle accident ahead they were working on clearing. Knowing the road ahead was fun, and wanting to ride the park road up the mountain, we decided to stick it out for a while and hope it was clear soon.

Accident in Catoctin

While Jim and I were stretching our legs a bit, a guy on a Ducati 996s rolled up from about a dozen cars back. I was intrigued by the big luggage tailpack on the back of his bike - didn't expect that on a 996. Turns out his name was Grant, and he was on his way to Indy from Maine! He's got over 69,000 miles on the Duc, and has outfitted it with tons of upgrades (carbon-fibre this, magnesium that). I made him fire it up so I could hear the motor through the Termi's. Nice. He had no maps, and no real directions to follow. He wanted to be in WV Thursday, and in Indy by Friday. I pulled out my marked-up WV map and gave him a few route suggestions (33, 250, basically any E-W route over the mountains). We chatted for a few minutes, and then they opened the road. Grant asked if we'd mind if he rode with us for a while - no problem.

Grant's gorgeous 996

We did the gorgeous section of 77 that goes through the park, with perfect pavement and great turns. I was in front, then Jim, then Grant. We then made a run up the main park road for a few miles - that was fantastic. No traffic, just curve after curve in the deep woods. At the turnaround point we reversed order and followed Grant back down to 77. I thought his brake light was out, but turns out he never braked until we got to the stop sign at the intersection - smooth!

77 to 66 to 34 and through Boonsboro. I made a pass that turned out to not have enough room for the rest to get through, so I just tootled along for a while. Then I see Grant in my mirror doing an uphill pass, with a truck coming the other way. He tucked in behind me with perhaps a second to spare - scared the crap out of both Jim and I. Jim found a passing zone soon enough, and we were on our way to find gas for Grant, who was 10 miles from pushing. Sharpsburg appeared, and we were saved. Tiny little gas station, complete with restroom-key-on-a-chain-with-wood. Classic!

On the way to Sharpsburg, Jim on the Road King, with Grant's 996 in the back

A couple of backroads later found us passing Summit Point Raceway, and looking through the gate I was surpised at how small it looked. I missed the GPS-indicated turnoff just after that, so had to detour onto some really small roads for a bit. Saw some deer hopping across the road in front of us, and encountered the first bit of gravel. Mostly at intersections, it was pretty fine and gray colored. You would look at the road and think "why is that road kinda gray?" and then feel the bike moving around on the fine covering of gravel. Jim had a little wiggle at the intersection, but that was about it.

We got to the Red Roof in Winchester, got our rooms, and Grant took no time rolling his 996 into his room! We got settled in and walked across the busy street to the Texas Steakhouse for dinner. Good food and good conversation ensued. Grant's longest day ever on the 996 was 1200+ miles - yikes!

Home for the night

Cozy parking

That's a lot of miles! I like the 55mph callout.

Quick stop at the convenience store for supplies (Mr Pibb!) and then we went back to our rooms for the night. We told Grant we'd be on the road by 8, and he said he'd listen for us to leave in the morning while he slept. So long, Grant, nice to meet you!

Total miles, about 200