UTR Rally 2021 Hillsville VA

 

UTR Rally 2021 Hillsville VA

The distance from home to the Holiday Inn Express is 455 miles.  At first we were going to tow but decided we would take 2 days to get there and ride.  The rally dates were also changed to run a Friday through Wednesday before Labor Day.  We had the bikes checked and serviced and packed Wednesday.  We loaded the trailer Thursday and pulled out by 7 AM Friday.  We were traveling alone and had reservations to stay in Altavista Friday night.  We fixed breakfast at home so we rode straight through to our first gas stop almost to Fredericksburg VA.  Covered a lot of miles.  Had lunch at Hardee’s in Gordonsville VA and then stopped at the grave to put something on Grandmom’s grave.  Then off we went about 100 miles again making it to Altavista by 3:15PM.  Ok 312 miles is my limit.  My back was burning and could not move my neck. After resting for a couple of hours and putting ice on my neck we were ready to head out for dinner at Applebee’s.  Way too much food; had to leave about one third but I’ve worked too hard on this diet to stuff myself.  Even brought the scales so we could keep track of our ups and downs.

Day 2 – we slept in a little (at least I did) and left the hotel at 7:30AM.  We only had 153 miles to go and most of it was good roads.  One section of 58 was up and over the Blue Ridge and there were a lot of sweet twists and turns.  We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Hillsville at 11:11AM but our room was not ready (didn’t expect it to be).  I moved my bike and Don’s bike wouldn’t start.  Thank goodness Bob and Cathy Fulmer had not gone on the ride today and he had a jumper and they got the bike started.  We went to Advance Auto and they had a battery and even put it in for us.  Ate lunch at Aunt Bee’s and then back to the hotel and Jimmy tested the alternator and it is bad!  No way that bike is going anywhere.  I’ve found 2 possible shops that open Monday morning; both 19 miles away.  Just hope they have an alternator in stock.  I even called Diamonds in Dover to see if they had one and they could ship it overnight but no luck.   Well unpacked and going to dinner soon with some of the group. There are 28 people here.

Day 3 – Sunday was listed as a free day so everyone kinda broke into groups and went off in various directions.  My plan was to ride a small loop first going to Harmon’s Western Outlet then to Old Cranks Vintage Automobile museum then to the Blue Ridge Music Center and back to the hotel.  We bought several shirts and a couple of vests at Harmon’s; the Vintage Auto museum was small but interesting and the music center music was very good blue grass music.  Don rode on the back of my bike and he teases about being white knuckled but it really wasn’t bad except his back was really hurting and his legs were cramped.  Tomorrow he plans to ride in the car with Bernie and Faye.  I’ve asked Gary to hold a meeting each night just so we can discuss the next day’s ride.  I talked to Cathy Fulmer about helping me watch for silly mistakes people make so we can get some little gag gifts for the last night’s dinner.  We have to do something.  At this point we don’t even know where we will go for dinner.  Dave Knight suggested I look on eBay for an alternator and wouldn’t you know I found one.  Checked with Jimmy before ordering it and having it shipped over night to the hotel.  Should be here Tuesday.  That’s it for the night.  

Day 4 – Monday morning and after breakfast we began uncovering the bikes and getting gas.  Don was going to ride with Bernie and Faye and I lined up behind Gary as we headed out to Fairystone Pit Stop to find fairystones.  We stopped at Hardee’s in Floyd for a break and 2 ladies came out and were admiring the bikes and I asked one lady if she would like to take a ride around the parking lot.  She quickly said yes so we climbed on the Silver Fox and took off around the Hardee’s parking lot and the gas station across the road and then back.  She was so happy said I made her year!  She took a few pictures and then left.  I never even asked her name.  I’ve never done that before but it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. The legend of the Fairystone is fairies danced over the water in this particular area of Virginia and when they head Christ had been crucified, they began to cry and their tears were trapped under the water and the ground.  When it rains stones wash to the surface with the shape of a cross in them.  The legend says if you wear a Fairystone it will keep evil away.  I found a couple of stones but they just look like stones to me; well one looks like it has a reindeer in it.  Anyway I purchased 4 cleaned up and nicely carved stones on chains.  After leaving the pit we rode to Stuart for lunch and then headed back to the hotel up and over the mountains and Lovers Leap which is some very tight curves but fun to ride.  Leaving the hotel in Gary’s truck we headed to Harmons to get a jean jacket for me and let Gary shop for a new western shirt and to wonder through the museum.  Back to the hotel to meet some of the group by 5 and head out to the Crooked Oak for dinner.  Boy I’m eating way too much food.  Back to the hotel for our 7:30 meeting.  Had a nice time talking to Bill and Sandra about church and the Lord.  Call from the kids and then off to bed.  It has been a good day.

Day 5 – Tuesday – it was my ride today and Don decided to ride on the back.  I thought I was taking the same roads I took several years ago when we were here; a nice scenic ride to reach Mt. Airy, NC.  Went 3 miles down 58 then turned left onto 620.  There was no paint on the road but it was blacktop so all was good.  Then a couple of miles in it turned to gravel and dirt.  Then the road narrowed and the dirt was rutted and washed out on the down hill side.  It was funny to see the cows looking at us like they had never seen motorcycles before – probably had not.  Every rut and bump poor Don was yelling and he said “you have not made any friends today.”  This went on for several miles.  Finally up on blacktop again for a few more turns and then I just changed the route to get to Mayberry and we ended up on US 77 for a few miles.  Arriving in Mayberry we went to Wallie’s Garage and the Squad Car tours.  Ruth and I had agreed we wanted Bernie to ride in the squad car and all the bikes would follow.  This is his last rally and we wanted it to be special.  We went to the quarry and all around town.  Back at the station the driver told Bernie to slide over into the driver’s seat and hit the siren and then we got some pictures taken.  Next we went down town and walked around, had lunch at Snappy Lunch where Don and others got the famous pork chop sandwich.  Next to the ice cream shop where I got Moonshine twist (you had to be 21 to get it).  At this point Bernie was trying to ride his scooter up a ramp into a store and flipped it over backwards and he landed on the pavement.  Everyone ran to help him up and I think only his pride was hurt.  Returned to the hotel and the part for Don’s bike was here so he and Bill started taking the old alternator off and they realized the new one had a different connection so the decision was made to wait for Jimmy to come back.  While we were waiting I sat on the bench outside then Sandra came then Gary and within a few minutes we had gathered chairs and had a circle of friends all telling stories and talking about the “great” ride on the washboard dirty road.  I will have a hard time living this one down. Jimmy arrived back from his ride and immediately sat down on the pavement and began working on connecting the alternator; of course Jimmy knew what to do.  Within less than an hour Jimmy had it hooked up and working.  Tested it and it is charging great.  Thank the Lord this has all worked out.  We were in Hillsville in 2011 and my bike had broken down just before the Bay Bridge and I was on the back of Don’s bike.  This year his broke down and he was on the back of mine.  I don’t think we should come to Hillsville anymore.  It started raining really hard so we ordered pizza and all gathered in the breakfast area for pizza and our meeting and then off to bed.  Tomorrow weather is calling for 100% chance of rain (I think it will rain) so we will gather in trucks and go to Floyd and then to the Mason Jar for our final meal together.

Day 6 – Wednesday – it started raining last night and was still raining this morning.  In fact it rained most all day clearing around 4PM.  At 8:30 Gary, Ruth, Don and I headed back to Harmon’s where I got a couple of nice western shirts and Gary got another one. Back at the hotel we took trucks to Floyd around 10:30 and walked around eating ice cream at the Floyd Country Store.  Shopped in several of the stores then we (Gary, Ruth, Don and I) headed out to go to Galax just to ride around because Ruth had not been there.  We had a great time with them talking about plans for next year’s rally.   Back to the hotel around 2 and Don and I went to get gas and hook up the trailer while the sun was shining and then it started to rain again.  This was an off and on thing all day.  Everyone loaded up in trucks at 4 to go to the Mason Jar for dinner/banquet.  Nothing had been planned but Ruth and Cathy did manage to pull together a couple of gifts; maps for me so I can find “good” roads and a sheriff’s badge and small sheriff’s car for Bernie.  I’m almost packed and we will load the trailer in the morning and hope to pull out no later than 8.  Traveling the fastest route to Orange looks like 219 miles 3.5 hours so there is no need to leave too early.