On this day I did a couple more mechanical checks and test rides on the scooter in the morning before deciding to have the scooter towed to a repair shop in Yorktown, VA, 75 miles away. It turned out to be a very good day.
The first good thing was that I met Scott and Dee Martin while I was waiting for the tow truck at a Cape Charles service station. Scott and Dee are from Pennsylvania and are down here camping near Cape Charles. They were exploring the area on their bicycles when we met. Scott and Dee are an interested, interesting and caring couple, the kind of people you’d like to have as neighbors. I felt uplifted by our meeting.
As an aside: Scott rides a Harley as everyday transportation. Dee wants to get a scooter. Here is a picture of Scott and Dee, and one of me that Dee was nice enough to take and email to me later in the day.
The next piece of good luck I had on this day was to have Precision Motorcycle out of Virginia Beach do my towing. Eric, younger brother of the business owner Steve, was the driver. I could see immediately that he was experienced and conscientious , so I didn’t have to wonder what mishap would befall the scooter in this towing process. We had a animated conversation during the 75 mile drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and up to Yorktown. Eric is only 19 but it’s evident that those years have been full, and his plans for the future anticipate more of the same. I want to meet him again when he’s 60.
The final thing that made this day special was my experience at Redline Performance Motorsports in Yorktown. I had called earlier in the day, so they were expecting me. As soon as the scooter was off the tow truck Matt checked it in and it disappeared into the shop. I loitered around the sales area like someone awaiting the outcome of a loved-one’s surgery. At one point I asked if I could retrieve my iPad from the back of the scooter so they walked me back into the shop to get it. There was my scooter up on a stand, running, connected to an analyzer with Matt and the technician watching the monitor for the scooter’s vital signs. I tried to read their facial expressions and body language for a clue. Nothing. Back to the waiting room.
Before two hours were up Matt came riding my scooter around to the front of the building. Done. I was elated. The technician came out to brief me on the procedure (loose connection at the fuel injector). They took my picture with the scooter to put on their website (not there yet). I paid the very reasonable bill, we said out good-byes and I was off. Special thanks to Matt for travel advice heading west.
I rode 20 miles to the hotel without a hiccup from the scooter. I slept well.
I am glad I was able to present to you a “Harley” rider that you need not be afraid of. We are not all “bikers”. We share a passion that riding on a vehicle with only two wheels can give you. May God bless you on your travels and may you bring blessings to others as you did to my wife and I in our short encounter.
Glad you got the scooter fixed so fast. When Diane’s had a head gasket leak had to make an appointment several days in advance then it still took a few more days for them to even look at it!
Another day of adventure for you, Mike! If you have a chance in Williamsburg visit the Trellis restaurant. A very good spot with excellent food and treats!
Mike, sorry we didn’t catch up with you again at Appomattox Court House. We were hooked and ended up on a Ranger Talk and a long discussion with another Ranger at the McLean House.. That was a great place. We didn’t get to the DDay Memorial. I hope you did and will post your thoughts on it here. Be sure and let us know when you are going through MO. We’d love to see you again Have a safe trip.
Just a loose connection. That’s a cool fix and your back on the road.glad it didn’t need major surgery!
Take care.
Geoff