Like mashed potatoes and gravy, road trips and music just belong together. Either alone is fine, but the pairing makes a memorable, comforting combination, better together than separately. But better yet, now imagine the road and the music and you on two-wheels, with a real-time, real-life musical soundtrack underscoring your ride. Welcome to Virginia’s “Crooked Road,” the … [Read more...] about The Crooked Road: Two-wheeling and Two-Stepping Across Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
history
Lines of Speed, Shadows of Time: Hans Muth and the motorcycles that move us
In many ways, 1935 was a pivotal year. In February, my father was born in Princeton, New Jersey, at a time when it was hoped that the worst of the Great Depression was behind us. In November, Hans Muth was born in Brandenburg, Germany. Also, 1935 was an important year at BMW, where both the R12 and R17 models were introduced. In addition to carrying BMW into the future, they … [Read more...] about Lines of Speed, Shadows of Time: Hans Muth and the motorcycles that move us
Looking Behind, Looking Ahead: Barber’s Executive Director Brian Case
If the Barber Complex is motorcycling’s Oz, then its Executive Director Brian Case would be most akin to Oz’s mayor since founder George Barber holds the wizard title. Case has helmed the museum since 2023, overseeing an expansive and extensive collection of more than 1,800 motorcycles (with one thousand always on display) and more than 160 vintage automobiles, including the … [Read more...] about Looking Behind, Looking Ahead: Barber’s Executive Director Brian Case
Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
A few days earlier, a buxom, wet and nasty bitch named Helene came our way up from Florida, uninvited and unwelcomed, and for many people in many places throughout our divine mid-Atlantic mountains, life would never be the same. The hurricane absolutely devastated several communities, large and small, mostly in North Carolina and Tennessee, but also in far southwest Virginia. … [Read more...] about Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
A Star is Reborn: Returning a Bavarian tourer to its place on the open road
There clearly was no reason to be looking for a third BMW R100 RS. Our garage already is home to a pair of my favorites, a 1977 non-CFO RS that was once owned by Malcolm Forbes, and a smoked red ‘82 which was a Euro delivery Beemer for a U.S. Army Officer stationed in West Germany. And yet, classified ads continue a siren song of sorts that requires periodic attention. A … [Read more...] about A Star is Reborn: Returning a Bavarian tourer to its place on the open road
