Surly Long Haul Trucker

   After much research on various touring bikes I decided on the Surly LHT as an additional dimension to my Adventures, primarily for the physical fitness aspect.
 
 Although I was shooting for spring on the bike purchase, I picked up this brand new 2011 leftover a month ago from Jacks Bicycle Shop on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, Michigan.

 I also liked the nostalgic flavor of the Olive Green color.

    Here is a shot from my first ride of 14 miles. The picture is taken on Hines Drive at the I-275 bike path junction.

  So far I have only added a couple of items to the Surly: water bottles/cages, bike computer, air pump, and lights to be seen. But I plan on setting it up with fenders and a rear rack and bag soon so it will be ready for commuting to work in the spring ,which is one of my goals.

  I still have my KLR but will be splitting the time with the LHT.

Tunnel under the Pennsylvania Turnpike

   While traveling North on PA backroads I came across this Unique tunnel passing under the PA Turnpike.

Hyner View State Park, Pennsylvania

   I stopped at Hyner View S.P. in Northern Central Pennsylvania and rode the switchbacks up to the beautiful overlook. The river is the Susquehanah.

Jamestown,Virginia

   I took the Ferry from Surry over to Jamestown.It is a free Ferry and they run all day.
There is a top deck you can go up onto for the ride also.

  I spent a couple of hours walking through the Historic Jamestown. You can see it as you are on the Ferry as it is right on the bank of the James River.

  I really liked this old Church.It was from around 1907 and in very good condition.

From Jamestown I took Colonial Parkway to Yorktown. Just outside of Yorktown I came across this stand of what I believe is Bamboo.

Fathers Day surprise Surry,Virginia

   On fathers day I showed up at my Dads house around 6 pm and I did not tell him I was coming down.

   He works in the shipyards in Newport News and has been down there about 10 years now.

"Skyline Drive" Shenandoah NP - Virginia

        Starting out in Front Royal, Virginia - I rode the Skyline Drive from north to south, about 110 miles.

     About 15 miles in I came across a Mother Bear and her two tiny cubs. I stopped about 15-20 feet from her and watched them. The Mother looked back at me - right in the eyes - and the two cubs put their front paws up on the tree (one cub on each side of the tree) and looked back at me nervously - ready to climb up the tree if need be.

     Then they just slowly wandered back in the woods. Thats when I grabbed the camera and took a picture of the mom as she was leaving, but the cubs were already out of sight.

   I took a little riding break and stretched my legs a bit on the Appalachian Trail.
Someday I would like to take the time to hike the AT.

Seneca Rocks,West Virginia