Ocean City Bike Week

Just had to go since it is a wonderful ride down and back. Met my brother at Sheets here in Dillsburg Pa. Supposed to be at 5:00 am but we both got there early since neither one slept that well. We both love to ride and it has been a while since we did more than a 100 mile ride in one day.

At 5:00 am it is dark and riding would be safer if we used Interstates instead of the back way to US 83 (too many deer trying to hitch a ride in the woods). US 15 to US 83, US 695 around Baltimore, US 97 to Bay Bridge across Chesapeake Bay, US 50 to Salisbury MD.

In Salisbury we stopped at both venues to look around and see what might be new or exciting to check out.

Brother is looking for horns to replace the ones on his Suzuki

Nice old car taken good care off

It is beautiful

Some unconventional trikes

Another home made one

Brother with his new helmet!

These shots are all from the first venue in Salisbury. We stopped at the second one across the highway for something good to eat.

BBQ with horseradish sauce

Me with my BBQ and horseradish sauce and fries

I bought an event t-shirt and a pair of waterproof gloves. I hate to ride with my hands wet and in leather gloves. They would come in handy later today.

Next we rode to Seaford Delaware to the next venue at Harley Davidson's there. Seemed there were fewer vendors there and since it was only Thursday the crowd was not a large as last year. We decided to go back to Salisbury to check into our motel. Comfort Inn was a reasonably priced motel with breakfast the next morning. We decided to take a nap prior to heading out to Ocean City. That was a great idea. 

The weather report said something about severe rain and winds after 9:00 pm that evening. Off to Ocean City anyhow since we figured we would be back prior to that time. Rode there without any incidents. Found a place to park. Had to use credit card to pay for parking. Machine in middle of block and you used your card, told it how long you would be there and it charged card and gave you a parking pass that had to be placed on your windshield. So only took up one parking space and took only one ticket.

Walked down to the boardwalk and ran into brothers best man. Seems he is everywhere when there is a bike show. Took a few  pictures on the ocean.

Kites on the beach

Brother and the ocean walk-way

Ferris Wheel on the beach

View of beach and boardwalk

Other direction

Pier into the ocean

Little waves coming ashore

More waves

We were very hungry so we walked down the boardwalk looking for a place to eat. I wanted seafood. No real seafood houses on this part of boardwalk but found an Irish Pub. 

Menu

Two crab cakes!

After eating this wonderful meal we discovered there was lighting and thunder making its presence known. Looking at each other we decided we had better get back to our motorcycles. They were about a mile away down the boardwalk and two blocks in. Needless to say we walked fast the entire way. It is a 45 - 50 minute drive back to Salisbury from Ocean City on a four lane highway. 

We started out and ran into sprinkles after about 10 minutes on the road. My brother was leading and stopped to see if I wanted to take off my hearing aids since they shouldn't get wet. I thought they were safe at the time so we continued on. After two minutes back on the road it started to rain and rain and rain. It was pouring. My brother was getting soaking wet since he has not protection from the elements on his Suzuki. I however have much protection on my Goldwing with the fairing and all the plastic that covers the engine and front forks. I hunkered down some and was pretty well protected. 

We found a gas station with a canape over it and pulled in. There were several other bikes there before us and many joined us for the protection in the half hour we were there. Also decided to put on our rain jackets for the rest of the 20 minute ride to Salisbury. The rain slowed down and off we went. Arriving at our motel and parking the bikes. I covered my with a tarp since I have cloth seats. The Suzuki has plastic seats so rain doesn't really bother it. 

After the rain back in motel

We took off all the wet clothing and dried out some. Took a nice hot shower and hit the hay. I forgot to mention when we stopped at the gas station I bought several beers for back at the motel. One has to stay hydrated! Although both my brother and wife tell me that it doesn't work that way. 

Next morning we took our time getting up after a very tiring day yesterday. Went down to the lobby and had a very good hot breakfast. Met some other retires at breakfast and chatted about how wonderful it is to be retired. I don't want to rub it in but it is wonderful.

Rode home with out any issues. It was dry today, much cooler than yesterday. Riding around Baltimore is always thrilling and today was no exception. Meanwhile back in Dillsburg we split up and I went home and brother rode onto Carlisle and home. 

I was very tired so I took a short nap and the phone rang. Stayed up and prepped the Martini's for when my wife comes home. Supper ready and just had to wait a little and we enjoyed the Friday evening chatting, eating, drinking and watching an Aliens movie. 

What a great two days! It don't get better than this!

Next up is Ride to Daytona and Key West.