WillvilleVA Weekend with Spklbuk

[HaulinAshe]

It was my first weekend camping from the FJR. It was also a very impromptu decision to camp. Jim Meadows (Spklbuk) agreed to meet me halfway between his WV home and my house. We chose the Willville Bike Camp near Meadows of Dan VA. It's a nice and basic campground strictly for motorcycles. $15/night/person, a good bath house, power and water dispersed across the campground, a very nice picnic shelter, a babbling brook running alongside, and a racoon. Sorry, no pics of the racoon. He wouldn't hold still long enough. But he sure visits close to people. He managed to steal my snacks from the picnic table while we were out riding Saturday! I was sooo looking forward to those Ritz Bitz.

Jim sure made that 650 Kawi earn its keep. You could see its tongue hanging out several times during the day, but Jim handled the machine extremely well and kept pace with the FJR in most situations. I was trying to finish off my last POS Stinko tire, so my bike was handling like crap! Next time we'll both have good tires and swap rides for extra fun.

Here's a shot of Jim at our campsite, standing beside his new Kawi Versys. His Feej needed tires and had to be left behind.

Another shot of the campground looking up the hill.

Burke's Gardens VA. You really must see this valley in person to appreciate its magnitutude and magnificence.

Fort Chiswell Road and I-77. Now that's a bridge!!!

One of those times you wish you had something like an 18mm fisheye lens.

 

[spklbuk]

Damn that's a pretty red bike, oh wait they are both red

Jim kept pace with the FJR in most situations.

only b/c Jeff slowed or stopped about every 2 or 3 miles or less to let me catch up, just like his signature says! He rides just like water rolls downhill...fluid is the only way I can describe it. I rode 175 miles home, left around 8 same time as Jeff and got home at 12:30, he rode 300 miles home and arrived at 1:00!!

Jeff breaking camp and getting ready to ride.

Jeff just after doing what he does 2nd best - eating breakfast!

If I could have caught up with Jeff, I would have taken his picture rounding this curve. We saw these all day too!

Found this overlook near Pulaski after taking a wrong turn on the way down. We saw vistas like this all day.

Did six fiddy on my new six fiddy's first camping trip

 

[rushes]

Pretty cool.

I'd like to know more about the Versys as you get to know it. I had almost decided to get a DL650 but met a guy with the Kaw that just loved it. So I'm kinda waitin' to see how other people like it. Right now 2 big pluses for the Suzuk are aftermarket upgrades and ABS. But I've been a Kawi fan for a long time.

Thanks!

 

[luvtoride]

OMG! Jeff stopped to take pictures! I am hugely shocked!

Glad you guys had fun, Heidi

 

[spklbuk]

Pretty cool.I'd like to know more about the Versys as you get to know it. I had almost decided to get a DL650 but met a guy with the Kaw that just loved it. So I'm kinda waitin' to see how other people like it. Right now 2 big pluses for the Suzuk are aftermarket upgrades and ABS. But I've been a Kawi fan for a long time.

Thanks!

Keep tellin' yourself that Wee Strom ABS bikes actually exist. You tried to find one, good luck w/ dat?

2000 miles in, I'm happy as a clam w/ the Versys, though it looks like it goes thru tires nearly as quickly as the FJR :glare: Rumor has it Versys ABS might come across the pond, I'll catch hell, but I will trade if so. Aftermarket will catch up if they keep selling 'em.

 

[spklbuk]

OMG! Jeff stopped to take pictures! I am hugely shocked!
Glad you guys had fun, Heidi

I told Jeff you would say that! Not only that, he has a tourist sightseeing pace B) , its just that he is still going so fast that us mere mortals don't recognize it :bike: . All day no less, though I do think I saw him reach into his side bag to fondle his radar detector just after lunch Sat.

And thanks, you were right that little alcove by the creek is THE camping spot at Willville.

 

[HaulinAshe]

OMG! Jeff stopped to take pictures! I am hugely shocked!
Glad you guys had fun, Heidi

Paging JimLor... Paging Mr. JimLor!!!

Hey there JimLor,

I actually rode an entire day in the Forbidden Zone sin RD. I need a therapist and a bottle of tequilla, but Spklbuk talked me through the whole ordeal. And I have pictures to prove it!!!

 

[Bungie]

You don't know how close I came to buying a Versys instead of the FJR. I did a LOT of research on them and even found screaming deal on a leftover 07. But in the end the FJR had me. Maybe someday. The thought of a Versys with a set of Givi's and some trailie friendly tires letting me get back to my roots plonking down trails and fire roads still makes me smile.

 

[AdrianNKY]

OMG! Jeff stopped to take pictures! I am hugely shocked!
Glad you guys had fun, Heidi

Paging JimLor... Paging Mr. JimLor!!!

Hey there JimLor,

I actually rode an entire day in the Forbidden Zone sin RD. I need a therapist and a bottle of tequilla, but Spklbuk talked me through the whole ordeal. And I have pictures to prove it!!!

I call BS on this one. Our beloved Jeff rode for most, or any of any day in VA sans radar AND you're telling me he did this at for him a moderate pace AND stopping for pictures? BS!

I bet next he's going to try and sell us that bridge in the photos. I'll see you guys in Florida for EOM.

 

[keithaba]

You certainly dress nice for a camping trip!!!!

Jim looks better than I usually do at a board meeting!

 

[angus]

I rode Burks Garden last fall while on way to New River Gorge Wife and I love it then spent two day on parkway.

 

[spklbuk]

You certainly dress nice for a camping trip!!!!

Jim looks better than I usually do at a board meeting!

It ain't the rags bro, it's that I'm such a handsome ******* that I can make anything look good!

 

[wheatonFJR]

You guys do know this is being posted on the innernetts... and everybody can be reading this. :lol: