> 10,000 miles this summer; DC traffic blows!

[DucHead]

I did three trips this summer: one for fun (SD, ND, MT, WY, etc.), and two for conferences: FL (and then to IN for a wedding), and then RI via VT.  My '04 Bandit now has over 67,000 miles.  I take good care of it, so I hope there's 67,000 miles more left!

On the way home from RI on Friday, I stopped in NJ to see a friend from college.  I left NJ around 6 AM on Saturday and got to Washington DC around 9 AM.  Somewhere near Lorton on I-95, the traffic was bumper to bumper and barely moving.  I rode on the shoulder for a few miles and a State trooper pulled me over but let me go with a warning.  A few miles more, and I had all I could take (plus, the bike was overheating).  I got off I-95 at the US-17/Warrenton exit.  At the gas station, I was talking to a guy on a Harley who said he came north from Winston-Salem and that the traffic southbound extended to about 10 miles north of Richmond!!  THAT'S 80 MILES OF BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC!!!  Holy feck!!!!   

Needless to say, I continued north on US-17 and then to US-15 south.  I figured I-64 back to 95 would get me by the traffic, and it did.  I was in a bit of a hurry to get home, but the extra 3 hrs. on the road wasn't too bad all things considered.

I just took the side racks off the Bandit and returned it to its commuting garb.

I'd reeeeeally like to ride it to Alaska next summer...   

[djrashonal]

i think everyone was going to the beach :-) I used to drive from dc to richmond to visit my sister and would hate that stretch of 95....its all about timing, and where people are going....thats pretty much the fastest way to get to VA Beach and the likes.

[DoubleEagle]

God willing Pompetta, you 'll get to Alaska next year.

Dolph