Category: Coddiwomple

This was going to be a rest day on the GA, NC, VA, then back home trip. I slept late, planned a quick route, and dropped a note to an old friend in town to see if they were free for supper. I’ll go ahead and note that they had plans. Since today was a last minute decision to stay the extra night, I didn’t have time to give them advanced notice.

VERY relaxing breakfast. The staff in the morning were top notch. I have been lucky with the people I have met on the road this trip. Even this evening, the bartender was super nice (great Whiskey Sour with Buffalo Trace).

I set route to avoid interstate. I don’t have any time requirement getting back to the hotel since I had extended the stay yesterday so tonight was already set.

The first stop was at Bulldog HD in Smithfield, NC. Construction as I got near required that I hope on the interstate a couple of exits. Great place. Boy, did they try to get me to trade bikes. This as the 20th dealership where I have had the mileage checked this year! I have accomplished all the milestones in the Ride for Heroes challenge for Harley Davidson.

Back roads from Smithfield toward Pinehurst. I love the meandering two-lane roads. Slow moving vehicles aren’t in the way long enough to bother me.

Cox’s Double Eagle HD was my next stop. As I pulled into the lot, I parked ne to the sign for the photo op. I got the picture then started to move the bike. I was going to park on the other side of the car, but as I turned toward where I expected a parking, it was the exit from the dealership. I quickly swung the bike back to the right. I didn’t have enough speed and lost concentration, the bike went down. Bike has 60,000 miles and this is the first time I have dropped it. And I did it in the middle of the parking lot! I don’t think it had fully fallen over before two of the guys ran over to help me pick it up. I wasn’t even off the bike yet! I helped by getting the kick stand down. I parked it and went in for a break. Small dealership, but the staff was super friendly, which is the norm for most Harley dealerships, more especially smaller shops.

Again, backroads to get to the hotel. Many roads that bring back memories. I rode through what I remembered as the “Drop Zone” where we would camp as Boy Scouts. I remember one of the GI’s who would help the leaders bring his dirt bike once. He let a few of us take turned riding in the dirt. Also, I learned to drive a “deuce and a half.” It was a big truck, with a manual transmissions, and we would do donuts while singing “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” by Elton John. Ah, the fun we had.

I passed so many little coffee shops, BBQ places, and even chicken statues. All of which are points of interest for the BMW Coddiwomple challenge. Most I saw too late to stop. I even passed a sign with a mule and passed it, TWICE!

As I neared Spring Lake, traffic was picking up. Luckily, the traffic was coming towards me. I noticed on the other side of the road a pawn shop with two chicken statues! I guess they don’t just want the three balls, they now want your… nevermind.

There was no place to turn around, and I tried to decide if I wanted to turn around at a break in the median. As I was deciding, I saw a Starbucks on that side of the road too! Okay, the stars are aligned to make the U-turn.

I make a quick U-turn and head to the Starbucks. I ride through the parking lot, hoping to find a spot close enough to get a good picture. Not a chance, but I did get a decent picture.

I got back to the main street and headed to Jery’s Pawn. I pulled through the parking lot and parked next to the chicken for the picture.

I left Jery’s and crossed the road to get back on track. I was just shifting when I saw a Dunkin! Another stop for the BMW Coddiwomple. Already here, no reason to not stop.

I turned back onto Bragg Blvd and there was a Seven Brew on the right. Already here, I might as well get this picture too.

I finally was on my way back to the hotel. I decided to not go on the express route, I opted for Honeycutt Rd., an old haunt of mine. As I got to McArthur Rd., I saw one of my favorite quick eats places, Peaden’s. They used to have 24/7 gas pumps. You could put in a dollar bill and it would dispense a $1.00 worth of gas! Five $1’s woulc fill up my old Pinto!

Besides the 24/7 gas, they had the best BBQ sandwiches! I pulled into the parking lot and got a picture of the front. The gas pumps are no longer there, but the BBQ sandwiches are still the best! They have expanded to have seafood and they cater parties. Big place that can hold a couple of large parties.