This was my second attempt to get to Skyline Drive on my motorcycle.  Last weekend I headed out and made a wrong turn on route 29 and ended up in Falls Church looking for route 55.  After figuring out I was going in the wrong direction, which I do a lot, and turning around and getting back to the point where I made the wrong turn, I decided to do Skyline another day since I had been out for a pretty good ride by then.  So, I headed back home.  I looked over my maps determined the right directions and this time put the maps in bike bags so I would have for the next attempt.

The ride to Skyline Drive started in a bit of a panic.  Going through my normal routine before going riding, I check the lights, turn signals and oil level.  It appeared to me the oil level was low and after letting the bike warm up and rechecking the oil it still appear low.  So, now I have to put oil in, but I can’t seem to figure out how to do that.  I checked the owners manual and the picture and description didn’t help much.  So, I decided to go by the Honda dealer and have them give me some instructions on checking and filling the oil.  So, off I went Coleman Powersports in Falls Church which is about a ten miles from my house.  At the dealer, I explained the problem and the service guy showed me how to get to take off all the covers and where to fill the oil.  Then we checked the oil again and it was at proper levels.  So, we assumed that the ride to the shop got the engine warmed and that I didn’t allow the oil to drain back before checking.  Lesson one learned let the engine warm up thoroughly and allow it to drain back to the pan.  About all do not add oil to a cold engine.

            Now, I am off to Skyline.  The weather was looking a little iffy, but the forecast was good, so headed out even though I didn’t have my rain gear and other stuff in the bags.  Lesson two; always keep the rain gear and tools on the bike.  I rode down route 29 though Falls Church, Manassas and Centerville to route 55 and headed west.  After getting on route 55, there were a lot less traffic and the ride was good.  There were a lot of motorcycle riders out.  The only bad part of the ride on route 55 was that for about 3 miles route 55 and I66 runs together but once off of the slab the remaining ride to Front Royal ride was very scenic.  I arrived in Front Royal around noon and had lunch at McDonalds and got gas.  It was a short ride to the Skyline Drive entrance.  A $10 fee is required for motorcycle and it is good for seven (7) days.  Once in the park the ride is great, stopping and viewing over the vista and overlooks into the valleys.  It’s no wonder the name Big Valley is appropriate.

            I rode 30 miles on Skyline Drive to Thurston Gap at route 211.  I took route 211 east toward Washington, DC.  Route 211 off the mountain is a nice twisty route down.  I just stayed within myself and took my time getting back to the valley.  Once in the valley I continued on route 211 to route 522 along the eastern side of the mountain back to Front Royal.    At Front Royal, I just reversed the route back home.  A 200+ mile ride and an excellent Saturday afternoon on the ST1300 is always good.