BRP Harley Trip - Day 4: Ashland, KY to Waynseboro, VA

The terrain

The ride has gotten progressively prettier as we go east. The mountains are amazing, and the cuts we’re riding through the mountains are great. You can see at our lunch break on I-64 the incredible mountains in the background. We started the day at 550’ and climbed to about 2500’, ending at about 1300’ in Waynesboro.

Temp swing

We started the day with a lot of clothes on (including rain gear) because it was chilly. By lunchtime we were peeling layers off as it hit 80-degrees. This is a good lesson in keeping your gear accessible, because shortly after lunch we were putting rain gear back on. Our hotel-related clothes were in our tailbags, but we kept our bike jackets and rain gear in the trunks of our bikes. Easy on, easy off.

When we’re riding in heat it’s often too warm for a full-blown motorcycle jacket, but I want more protection than a t-shirt offers. That’s when I switch to my motorcycle shirt. It’s mesh, so it is cool to ride in, but has long sleeves and pads in important places.

Bike accoutrements

Don’t underestimate the value of heated hand grips. On these cool, rainy days my grips were turned on, low heat setting, more often than not.

Cruise control is a wonderful thing, and a big part of what’s keeping us comfortable on this trip. Being able to swap hands on the handlebar is great. Set it and forget it.