New Media from a Journalism Veteran
Kevin Spangler lived for Harley-Davidsons
“We live for Harley-Davidsons,” Kevin and Sandy Spangler declared on their Facebook page. Kevin Spangler, 49, loved his Harley. He loved Sandy and his two children even more. The young couple — married just a few years — lived just outside Buchanan where Kevin graduated from James River High School. I met them through the [...]
Instant danger
Riding the Harley home on Rte. 8 after visiting my mother Monday afternoon when the car ahead decided to brake hard and turn left — without warning or a signal. Too much oncoming traffic and no place to swerve, so I locked up the rear tire in a panic stop. The rear end of the [...]
Gray-haired bikers, old bones and Chimney Rock
It might be called an act of lunacy for a 63-year-old man with a history of back problems, bad knees, a questionable hip, cobbled together ankles and some non-OEM parts to climb more than 400 step steps to the top of Chimney Rock in North Carolina but I’ve never claimed even a passing acquaintance with [...]
Biker fun and games in Spartanburg, SC
In Spartanburg, SC, with other members of the Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group (HOG) for the South Carolina HOG Rally. Here are a couple of pix of RVHOG Members in the bike games.
Somebody was watching over me
Heading home on Rte. 8 at twilight Monday after visiting my mother — a trip I make almost every day since she moved into an assisted-living facility more than a year ago. As I banked the Harley into the series of turns between Riner and the Litlle River bridge, I caught the glimpse of a [...]
Riding into fall
My favorite time of the year for motorcycle riding is here. With fall colors approaching — assuming any leaves are left on the trees when the colors reach full fall hues — and cooler weather without the stifling heat of summer, I can piled more miles on the Harley. A good time to be alive.
Rolling the dice on a poker run and a twisty mountain road
Riding a poker run to benefit autism Saturday with the Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group (HOG). Helped out with the first card stop at Craig Creek Mercantile on U.S. 311 just outside New Castle, then joined the last of four groups. Riding second in the group on a spirited run on Rte. 615 out of [...]
Anybody seen my anti-monkey butt powder?
On April 30, registered the mileage on my Harley Super-Glide with the Roanoke Valley Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). From then until Saturday (Sept. 10) each mile ridden on the bike was worth a penny — pledged by the rider and his sponsors. Only a penny, you say? When you ride a lot, a penny a [...]
Taming The Snake
Motorcyclists call it The Snake — two twisting 11-mile sections of U.S. 421 from Bristol to Mountain City in Tennessee with Shady Valley in the middle providing a rest stop. The Snake is 489 turns in all, many of them switchbacks. I first rode The Snake last year, discovering it by accident when I headed [...]
Riding for worthwhile causes
Rode the Harley in last Saturday’s annual poker run for the Floyd County Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 1. Good ride and a good time for a good cause. Bikers spend a lot of time in the saddle helping raise money for worthy causes. From the ride for Jack Tawney two weeks ago to the area [...]