My friend, JB, a local motorcop, has been training me and helping me to prepare for my upcoming long motorcycle ride in Utah. He has been meeting me at the police riding range and putting me through the paces. I appreciate what he is doing for me, as I am noticing that my skills are improving.

Yesterday, the “pinnacle” of the training was…

… enduring a 350+ mile (580km) ride from Maryland to West Virginia back to Virginia to the entrance to the Blue Ridge National Park that JB led for me and two of his friends.

The four of us rode through the park and along its northern extension, the Shenandoah National Park and its well-known Skyline Drive. We exited closer to home in Northern Virginia, then made our way back home (mostly highway for the return.)

We stopped about every 60 to 90 minutes to have a break, stretch, drink water and rehydrate. I also reapplied sunscreen because it was a very sunny day!

Throughout the morning, I shed layers of riding gear. It started out at 65F (18C) and by mid-day, it was 87F (30C). I began with a long-sleeve shirt over a short-sleeve shirt with my new Aerotek Jacket (until lunchtime) worked really well. I wore chaps over utility jeans until mid-morning, then took the chaps off because I was too warm.

We stopped for lunch at a quaint small town diner somewhere in West-ByGod-Virginia along the WV-VA border on the Shenandoah River. Interesting place, and good food for a very reasonable price.

We did this entire ride in about eight hours of “road time” — from 0600 when JB met me at my house, until I rolled in my garage at 1530. (Neighbors weren’t all that happy at 0600 to hear JB’s loud pipes on his personal Harley. Woops.)

Today, Sunday, I am personally thrilled that I made it. I am tired and a bit sore, but I really think that I am ready for the longest and most crazy-awesome ride of a lifetime coming up soon with my good buddy and skilled rider, “S”. Can’t wait!

Life is short: training is important!