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Main Area => Meet and Greet => Topic started by: vtlion on September 25, 2009, 03:04:10 PM

Title: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on September 25, 2009, 03:04:10 PM
Hey all,

I'm starting this thread to guage interest in a scoot around the Haymarket, VA area ending with a stop at my place for some burgers.  I've got a tentative 84 mile route planned out catching a few ridge climbs with minimal time on I-66.  As I get the time over the next week or two, I will see how much of the surrounding area I can explore.

Sound off if you might be interested sometime Oct  10-12!

Cheers, all.

(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/vtchemist/HaymarketRompV1-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: ver4 on September 25, 2009, 08:07:35 PM
Where are you leaving from?
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on September 26, 2009, 06:58:11 AM
woot, I'm in.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on September 26, 2009, 06:47:20 PM
Quote from: ver4 on September 25, 2009, 08:07:35 PM
Where are you leaving from?

at this point, i was planning on leaving from haymarket, but if enough would like, we could cut out from Northern VA in Alexandria or something like that.  there are no roads quite like these between Prince William County and DC, though.

Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: Porkchop on September 26, 2009, 07:04:42 PM
Pencil me in.  We can firm it up as we get closer.

-Porkchop
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: ver4 on September 26, 2009, 08:07:14 PM
I may be down for this.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 01, 2009, 08:09:54 PM
Hey all!
So I'm pumped about riding next weekend, but I'm hoping we can plan it NOT to be on Columbus Day itself. Its looking like I won't be getting a 3-day weekend like I thought. So, Saturday or Sunday please!

Totally random food for thought:
Someday I want to buy one of these!

(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2006models/2006-Ducati-Monster-620Darka.jpg)

Sooo hot. Want to touch the Heiney.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/1400585304.html
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 02, 2009, 05:35:41 AM
Hi, all!

Glad to see some interest in exploring Loudoun and Fauquier counties next weekend :-)

I will be running a scouting mission this Sunday (October 4th) to check out my proposed route and see if there are any intriguing attractions and/or views along the way.

Anyone interested in being part of the scouting party should report to the Sheetz gas station at the corner of VA 15 and 55 on Sunday at 11am.  Look for the dork on the red ZZR600 with the trunk on it  :cool:

As for the Columbus Day weekend ride.  I propose Sunday morning (Oct 11th). In that area, we should consider an early start so that we can get some good riding in before the bible-beaters hit the streets at noon and clog up the road system (and oh my, they DO clog up the roads out there in the afternoon!).

Cheers, gang.  I'm really looking forward to this!

Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 02, 2009, 08:37:00 AM
Alright! I'm down to be a member of the scouting party. I'd say my chances of making it are 75% because my friend is having a big party at his place on Saturday night, but 11am is that early so I'll probably be there.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 02, 2009, 12:34:30 PM
way cool  :cool:

The weather forecast looks positively perfect for Sunday.  I hope a few can make it out.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: ver4 on October 02, 2009, 12:55:23 PM
Not up for it if it's Sunday.  That's football time!
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 03, 2009, 02:57:45 PM
i'm in.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 04, 2009, 11:31:30 AM
Hey gang,

nakedGS and I just took a quick spin around the area and things went pretty well.  I will definitely be adjusting the route a bit.  Today I learned not to look only at the road maps on googlemaps.com, but to check the satellite, too!  There are lots of dirt and gravel roads that look otherwise very appealing on the road map.  I guess that was the whole point of the scouting mission, anyway.

There is a chance we will end up on Skyline Drive for part of the ride, so anyone coming should be sure to bring ten bucks to cover the park entry fee (totally worth it, for those who have never been).

I'm still offering to spring for burgers and beverages back at my place in Haymarket when the ride is done.

Cheers all
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 04, 2009, 12:00:52 PM
skyline drive is great.  211 is pretty fun too.

have we picked a day yet?  i have other stuff i am trying to plan around this ride for next weekend.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 04, 2009, 05:50:39 PM
Excellent times had today by vtlion and me. His master yoda backpack is the coolest, haha!

So the plan for next weekend is relatively early on Sunday, to get on the road before the church goers make alot of traffic. Vtlion suggested meet around 930. He also offered his place for a grill-out after the ride. Perhaps with an early start, we could be back in time to catch any 1pm NFL games at vtlion's pad?

Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 04, 2009, 05:58:14 PM
i'm in for grillin' and football.

need an address to meet up at sunday morning.

cool if i bring a two friends along for the ride?

now i just have to decide which bike i'm gonna ride... the gs500 or the sv1000.  i have a tough life :)
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 04, 2009, 06:35:10 PM
Today we met up at the Sheetz at Exit 40 off of 66. It was a convenient spot with alot of space. Gas, coffee, snacks, soda (and beer, actually) are all available there. I suggest that is a good spot, pretty close to vtlion's pad too.

Hell yea bring your friends, let's roll squad deep!
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 05, 2009, 04:33:02 AM
Looking ahead at the 10-day forecast, we might want to stay flexible on the day, but I am still voting for Sunday morning.  It is a little too early to be scheduling around the weather-guessers' forecasts just yet.

I'm penciling in 9:30am on Sunday at the Haymarket Sheetz.  If there is a more convenient meeting place for others, then I am happy to adjust.

Hopefully mother nature will cooperate and we will take a scoot in the morning, then catch some football on the 54" boob tube while we grill up some chow.

Have a god week, everybody!  :cool:
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 07, 2009, 06:37:04 AM
I vote that we lock in the route as follows:

From Haymarket - Rt 55 west to Front Royal, Skyline down to 211, then Rt 211 back up to Haymarket for some pigskin and some grub.

(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/vtchemist/HaymarketRompV2-1.jpg)

Googlemaps estimates 3 hrs 18 minutes.  Even with a few short rest stops, that should get us back in time for everybody to get their NFL fix  :thumb:
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 07, 2009, 06:56:25 AM
may i suggest switch the direction?  going UP 211 to skyline drive is usually more fun than coming down it.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 07, 2009, 11:11:06 AM
True.  211 is a blast heading up.  Sooner or later, you have to come down one way or the other, but I'm cool with reversing direction.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 07, 2009, 12:21:46 PM
Excellent, +1 for Skyline up.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 07, 2009, 12:22:39 PM
well we would just go up 211 and then hang a right on skyline drive and take that back up to front royal, right?
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 07, 2009, 05:23:47 PM
indeed.  reversing direction might actually make for a better ride, since lots of folks will probably be rolling south with their campers to get to Big Meadows.  We might hit a few less rolling roadblocks if we head north on skyline from 211
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: Porkchop on October 08, 2009, 04:58:56 AM
It looks like the weather will be nice on Sunday as well.

-Porkchop
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 09, 2009, 06:30:23 AM
looks like we have:

naked
jigger (+2)
porkchop

any others interested in coming along?  we should get a head count so we don't leave anyone behind if they are running late.  I will pm my cell to those above.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 09, 2009, 06:34:56 AM
i think i'm only gonna be a +1 actually.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: nakedGS on October 12, 2009, 04:50:20 AM
Excellent ride yesterday up to Skyline drive with vtlion and jiggersplat. Sorry to all the Redskins fans about the loss today.  :dunno_black:

I'll post some pics here and let one of the other guys explain more of the route, to be honest I'm not really sure what roads we took.

Pics!

(http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/saabnice2001/skyline_ride_101109008.jpg)

(http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/saabnice2001/skyline_ride_101109007.jpg)

(http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/saabnice2001/skyline_ride_101109003.jpg)

(http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/saabnice2001/skyline_ride_101109005.jpg)

(http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/saabnice2001/skyline_ride_101109006.jpg)
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: badguy on October 12, 2009, 06:31:00 PM
Glad you guys had a good time, wish I could've made it. 
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: BaltimoreGS on October 12, 2009, 07:09:28 PM
Cool pics, hope to be well for the next meet up!

-Jessie
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 12, 2009, 07:26:35 PM
yep, it was a good last ride for the gs.  we got pretty lucky in terms of traffic and only got caught behind a camper close to the end of skyline dr.  i'm glad we went in the entrance at 211 because the entrance at front royal was backed up all the way to the highway!

thanks again for the burgers vtlion.

stupid redskins.
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: vtlion on October 14, 2009, 04:24:35 AM
it was a good scoot.  I could have ridden that access road back and forth all day and never gotten tired of it!

Always a pleasure to feed some fellow GSers  :cheers:.  Never a pleasure to watch the 'Skins be the 'Skins :-(
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 14, 2009, 07:22:37 AM
fyi, here's the official explanation on that whole stupid fair catch thing...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101202711.html?wprss=rss_sports/redskins
Title: Re: Haymarket, VA Romp on Columbus Day weekend.
Post by: jiggersplat on October 30, 2009, 07:47:23 PM
anyone wanna go?

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=50670.0