“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” – Winston Churchill

Today, I sat astride my horse of aluminum, steel, and plastic for 100 miles. The K1600 GT has a mind of its own, like a real horse, particularly when you come to a stop and need to wheel to the left or right. It also wants to run fast, and feel the wind blowing its mane back.

Here in the greater Richmond, Virginia area, we have many excellent opportunities to ride. Yesterday, we went out to West Broad, and turned west towards Centreville. Along the way, right near Mellow Mushroom we passed through the plastic debris from yet another three car fender bender so common on Broad. Will people just stop driving with their phones in their hands? Probably not.

Northward on Ashland Road, past Bogey’s Sports Park, then west on I-64, we sped along towards US 522. I opened up the fairing scoops thoughtfully provided by BMW engineers, which directed 75 mph air right at my chest. Better than air conditioning? Maybe not. But, better than still air.

Exiting on US 522 South, towards the rivah, we decided to go west on VA 673 Whitehall Road. Never having been on that country road, it was nice to have a BMW Nav IV GPS to show me the upcoming curves and intersecting roads. A quick glance told me if I needed to slow down or just cruise on. Even this road seemed too major for the ride today. At an abandoned building, we turned left on VA 615 Chapel Hill Road, and threaded our way past Hewitt Lane, and many other lesser-traveled trails. We made it to US 6 River Road and waited for traffic to clear. Here, the K1600 GT’s 763 pounds and the sharp left turn brought to mind the YouTube channel “Ride Like A Pro” where I was admonished to never turn first, but to roll first, then turn. Seemed to work just fine.

Along US 6 we faced the typical Goochland traffic, and one gold Ford Explorer with Sheriff decals. But, it’s not hard to behave at 35 mph through Goochland, where you feel a sense of community and peace. At US 522 again, we turned south and sped over the river bridge. On the right, at the Maidens Loop, hundreds of people with watercraft were enjoying the James River in the 90 degree heat.

US 522 led to US 60, of course, and we passed familiar byways of Hugenot Trail and Three Bridge Road. At Mechanicsville Turnpike, a Honda Goldwing pulled in behind us, and followed us eastward towards town. We slowed to allow the Wing to pass, to observe how it handled. Clearly an inferior stallion! Suitable for mere mortals, we supposed.

Then, at US 288, we screamed around the on-ramp at 80 mph, scraping the footpegs as we leaned over and showered the car behind us with sparks of steel. OK, maybe that was a YouTube video I saw; we just trotted around like a minivan driver. Because a minivan driver was in front of us ruining our chances to create sparks. Really. We could do 80. What, you don’t believe me?

And, back towards US 6, we opened it up to cruising speed. Patterson Avenue brought us to Pagebrook Drive, and southwards we climbed over the hill to River Road. We cruised in first gear around James River Estates, waving back at the Mayberry-esque neighbors. Some were on their porches just like Andy and Barney after church. And one woman was wearing a Hope Kids church tee shirt. It’s a good church, Hope Church. You should go there. http://www.hopecentral.com

After all those miles, and close to home, we found ourselves bearing down on a tiny fox crossing the four-lane highway. The blast from the dual-tone air horn encouraged him to skedaddle into the creek bed, while the prodigious disk brakes whoa-ed us down to avoid certain disaster.

Finally, back to the stable, and back to a reality we all share. 100 miles took far too little time. 100 miles seemed like a walk around the neighborhood. This steel horse is so amazing, so comfortable, so capable, 1000 miles in a day seems possible.

Sandy The Little White Dog was glad to see me, but sad she couldn’t ride with us. Lynn Weber Hewette gave me various chores to do, like putting aluminum foil up on the top shelf and returning the packing tape up high in the box over the washing machine. Someone has to do it. Might as well be me. But, I had to sneak away to tell you…Winston Churchill was right. The outside of this horse is good for the inside of this man.