Photo Credit - Lee Wonnacott
When the opportunity comes for a Michigander to escape winters grip for a few days it must not be ignored. I eagerly drove southbound during the last week of January and late in the evening arrived for a short stay with the families of my oldest son and daughter at Concord, North Carolina. After enduring a bitterly cold stretch of winter weather I spent February 2nd riding my old Honda Silver Wing up and down twisty mountain roads in bright sunshine and temps above 70 degrees. Children, can you say "YeeeHA!"?
I must admit, the old Wing sure wasn't what it was years ago. It had well over 120,00 miles on the motor and frame when I gave it to my son four years ago and he managed to log another 25,000 abusive miles before taking it from service almost two years for a slight rebuild.
The paint is fading, the windscreen crazed beyond usefulness, a mirror fell off before I could get 40 feet, and the brakes were dragging and squealing like no tomorrow. But, it was a roadworthy bike and the road beckoned me to what was to be my last time on this good old friend.
I selected a route that would take me on a 100 mile loop from Concord, first east through some unpopulated mountains areas and then north into some historic parts of central North Carolina.
From the heart of Concord I rolled eastbound on State Route 73 toward Albemarle. Getting reaquainted with the bike was a simple process of remembering a few oddities that come with age, but a couple of miles shifting up and down through the gearbox put me in a good frame of mind, ready to enjoy this glorious day.
As I came through Albemarle I was reminded there are several shades of glory and not all of them are pleasant. I glanced toward the local high school gym building as I passed by and saw 50 or more Army Reservists forming up to board vehicles. Families and friends, many with small American flags in their hands, clustered in groups; some muted and others boistrous. In a moment I was past this vignette of our life in the 21st century and was able to concentrate on the road ahead. But still, my mind wanders back to the boys and their families. I hope they all make it home with a smile on their face.
Passing over a scenic river bridge I had to make the decision to head south or north and I moved into the turn lane for State Route 24 and the leg into Troy, the seat of Montgomery county. The people of Troy must really have their priorities straight. It impressed me a great deal with their friendly attitude and well kept town. As I rode into, around, and away from town I was greeted by cheerful smiles and friendly waves from nearly everyone I saw. The fact that it was a beautiful 70 degree day in the middle of winter may have had something to do with it, but I suspect the residents here gleefully respond to visitors at any time.
The town was founded in the early 1850's by a large number of Scottish immigrants. Through the generations it has held an obvious respect for civic pride and public service. An interesting sculpture on the courthouse grounds was placed sometime after World War I. The statue shows a soldier leading a cheer, his right arm held high and his rifle held low, in his left hand. Three of four inscriptions honor the men of the county who gave service in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and the World War. The fourth says volumes about the residents of the county: "In memory of Montgomery County women who did their part in all wars."
And what a pleasant place to be if you must stay home and pitch in! The Uwharrie Mountains are the most prominent attraction with an unusual geological history. Geologically they are the remains of the oldest mountain range on the continent, topping out at less than 1,000 feet. The prevalent theory is that these hills are the remnants of a much greater range that has been worn down by the impact of the tectonic plates of West Africa and North America. A wide range of outdoor activities here include hiking, swimming, fishing, horse riding, off road vehicle trails, and camping.
State Road 109 from Troy through the Uwharrie National Forest area into Davidson County is a stretch of two lane that I would recommend. A couple of little crossroad towns give you a bit of time to lessen the concentration of the ride, but generally it is a good mix of uphill, downhill,left and right riding through the pine forests. By the time you get to Lexington, and a choice between Interstate or continuing State Routes, it's time for an RC cola and a Moon Pie.
Lexington didn't seem to offer much for me today, so I ran the Interstate 85 down to the US-29 exit and motored into the pre-Revolutionary town of Salisbury. It's built upon a series of small hilltops that offer neat vistas down the main streets of the business district. The varied architecture tells the story of a southern village that prospered with the arrival of the cotton crop and the railroad.
After a short walking tour I wandered back to the old bike and prepared to mount up. A gentleman about my age walked up with a glint in his eye and says, "Great day to ride isn't it?" I responded in the affirmative and he just stood there with a grin for an instant before bidding me good day and continuing his walk back to a nearby office building. At that moment I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the state, I have the chance to ride today!
Traffic along US-29 to Kannapolis and back to Concord is terrible, so I opt for a fast run on the I-85 and quickly reach my next planned stop, the Dale Earnhardt Memorial. The city fathers here know a good deal when they see it, and have siezed upon the folk lore status of the late NASCAR® driver. The half block plaza sits in a perfect spot to lure visitors to their core downtown area.
The sculpture isn't particularly exciting, as a matter of fact it seems more of what you would expect to see at the top of a trophy. But the purpose is not art, but homage, and it fits the intended purpose nicely.
I remount for the last leg of the day, back through the traffic of Concord to my son's house and some more time with his family. I look back upon that ride today and mark it as one of those that you could easily enjoy again and again. Wow! A simple ride on a beautiful day is a wonderful thing.
Remember, "Ride today - Tommorow you may not be able!"
-LW
Postscript: March 2003 - I received word today, the Silver Wing has been retired, a victim of a burned piston and old age. You can bet I'll remember that bike and the thousands of touring miles it gave me.