It’s been a while since I headed off on my motorcycle with no particular place to go.

But Friday was one of those days when I needed to get out and ride.  The previous week, dominated by dealing with the death of my mother, left me both physically and emotionally exhausted.  I needed a break.

So Friday was a day to ride.

After a short hop to Wytheville for a 95k service on the Harley Super Glide, I headed south on U.S. 11, down through Marion, Chilhowie, Abingdon and Bristol.

South out of Bristol on U.S. 421 — two twisting 11-mile stretches of asphalt known as “The Snake.”

Stopped in Shady Valley, halfway through the run, for some water and a snack, and then on to Mountain City, TN and then south to Boone, NC.

Headed back up U.S. 221 to Independence, VA, then hit U.S. 58 for a ride to Damascus.  Hit a rain squall near Damascus but sun came back out and was dry by Abingdon.

U.S. 19 out of Abingdon to U.S. 460 to Grundy, then into West Virginia, through a collection of small towns.  Picked up Route 16 through War and then south to Tazewell and over the mountains to Marion.  Rte. 11 to Wytheville, then Route 21 to Independence, back on U.S.  221 to Galax, then Route 89 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and north to Rte. 8 and Floyd.

Short stop at the Friday Night Jamboree and then home.

Mileage:  A little over 611 miles for the day.