Touring Weekend 2008
Christian Neuhauser Memorial Ride
Tours Overview
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is one of the finest motorcycling venues in the Eastern United States and just happens to be right in RoadRUNNER’S back yard. We spend a lot of time touring here and have selected some of the best routes the area has to offer. The rides we’ve chosen for the 2008 RoadRUNNER Touring Weekend encompass elements that suit nearly every rider’s taste. From tight, technical mountain crossings to relaxed, river bottom sweepers, there promises to be a little something for everyone.
Guided Tours
East-West Tour
220 miles (lunch included)
Get an entrée of great Western Virginia riding with a little Eastern West Virginia on the side. A generous helping of sweeping, pastoral valley roads are spiked with a couple rounds of Appalachian passes to keep things on the spicy side. From deep forests and rushing rivers, to sweeping mountain views, this daylong ride promises to satisfy any riding appetite.
Slammin' Sam Tour
245 miles (lunch included)
Take a swing through Hot Springs, home of the man with the perfect swing, Sam Snead. The legendary golfer grew up in these hills and “…only played golf so I could afford to hunt and fish.” Enjoy the relaxing sections of road while you can, because you will be called to tee off on the twistys at a moment’s notice. This loop is definitely on par with any great Virginia ride.
Unguided Tours
Grand Caverns Unguided Tour
175 miles (lunch not included)
If your Lone Wolf is howling, heed the call with this interesting unguided tour. Go ahead and set your own agenda with a scenic ride to one of Virginia’s many famous subterranean venues. The Grand Cavern, America’s oldest show cave, has been entertaining visitors since 1806 and is perfect proof that beauty in the Shenandoah Valley is much more than just skin deep.
Appomattox Court HouseUnguided Tour
146 miles (lunch not included)
Enjoy a quiet day of riding across the rolling, pastoral hills of central Virginia en route to the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Here, on April 9 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War. Plenty of scenery and history promise a memorable day of riding.
National D-Day Memorial Unguided Tour
68 miles (lunch not included)
Bedford, Virginia suffered the nation’s highest per-capita loss of life in the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II. That fact alone makes this small, foothills community a fitting location for the National D-Day Memorial. This 70-mile ride is an enticing mix of mountain twists and relaxing country lanes, with a sobering anchor that reminds us of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Brazil Motorcycle Adventures - Seminar
Experience the wonders of Brazil by motorcycle
Come discover Brazil with its extraordinary scenery, world-class cuisine, unrivaled hospitality and fantastic motorcycling. Davis Bales, co-owner of BrazilMoto, a former California attorney, graduate of Brazilian Studies from UC Berkeley, and 10-year resident of Brazil with nearly 20 years of Brazilian travel experience, will present an audio-visual introduction to fascinating Brazil. This 45-minute seminar will provide a glimpse of Brazil's unparalleled beauty, an initiation into its rich culture, a peek into its diverse history, a taste of its culinary delights, a feel for its warm and gracious people, a sense of riding its winding roads, and a desire to hop the next flight down. Find out why a motorcycle vacation with BrazilMoto will rank amongst your greatest trips ever.
The Benefits of Attending Advanced Riding Schools - Seminar
The RoadRUNNER Touring Weekend is pleased to have Harry Vanderlinden of the Kevin Scwantz Suzuki School leading an informative seminar on the benefits of attending advanced riding schools and open track days. An experienced racer and street rider, Harry will point out the differences between riding on the street and pushing your skills on a racetrack. Learn hints on safer, smoother, and more confident riding, an increased visual awareness, greater concentration, and the importance of staying relaxed. And thanks to his experience working with groups on the track, Harry will also touch on safer group riding and maintaining a "pace" that keeps everyone entertained while keeping within the law. Attendance is free for all Memorial Weekend attendees and the seminar’s location and time will be announced at registration.
Stayin' Safe Mini-Sessions
Larry Grodsky's Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training will conduct mini-sessions of their popular Neo-Alpine Training Tours during the 2008 RoadRUNNER Touring Weekend in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Conducted in real world, over-the-road, riding conditions, students will take turns leading and following, as they receive "real-time" instruction, commentary and feedback via an in-helmet communication system, enabling them to immediately apply new visual strategies and sharpen cornering and braking skills.
Session Information:
- Randy Kuklis, Senior Instructor will conduct each session.
- Total slots: 6
Saturday Morning: 8 am - noon (3 slots)
Saturday Afternoon: 2pm - 6pm (3 slots)
Friday Morning: 8 am - noon (3 slots)
Friday Afternoon: 2pm - 6pm (3 slots)
IMPORTANT: The classes on Saturday will be filled first, before Friday classes will be available.
- Each session lasts approximately 4 hours and covers about 100 miles.
- Additional sessions will be created based on demand.
Payment information:
- The cost is $195/person.
- Reservations will be made on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Full payment must be received when you sign up.
- In order to provide a commitment to Stayin' Safe, all payments are final, and non-refundable.
Additional Information/Requirements:
- Rain gear, sessions run rain or shine
- A driver's license with motorcycle endorsement and insurance card
- DOT approved helmet - full face preferred
- Eye protection
- Sturdy jacket (not required, but recommended- an armored riding suit) & trousers (minimum, denim)
- Gloves that cover the entire hand including fingers
- Sturdy over-the-ankle shoes
- Good tires, with sufficient tread
- Stock motorcycle exhaust system or quiet aftermarket pipes. Loud pipes not permitted.
For more information on Stayin' Safe go to www.stayinsafe.com.
