Natural Bridge 2-Day Workshop – The Art of Riding Smooth
Two Day Weekend Workshops from Thurmont, Maryland to NATURAL BRIDGE, VIRGINIA
Includes: 2 Breakfasts, Saturday Dinner, 1 Night Lodging, 2 Days Instruction over 500 miles, Headset, Full Course Syllabus.
You pay for gas/lunch.
Fee: $750.00 first two weeks in April
$925.00 for rest of the season
Maximum size: 5
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The Natural Bridge Workshop consists of two 250 mile days motorcycling some of the best roads of the Virginia Piedmont, Blue Ridge Parkway and north-central Virginia back country. My routes exceed riders’ expectations in this regard. The Workshop is for intermediate/advanced riders who are interested in developing the skills of the “top flight” motorcyclist. After all, it’s the only way you can ride these roads well! The emphasis is on situational awareness, precision and smoothness. The pace on day one is relaxed as riders take in and begin to practice various skills received from your wireless radio. There will be very little traffic.
The Natural Bridge Workshop begins at 7:30 AM in the parking lot of the world renowned Super 8 Motel in Thurmont, Maryland. From there, we’ll ride a very short distance for breakfast where introductions are made. Riders that come to my Workshops are “cut from a certain cloth.” You’ll find you share a lot in common with each other. Afterward, I’ll give an overview of the Workshop and what is expected of each rider. I’ll review the Course Syllabus and your wireless radio. Then we’ll begin a crafted route of Invisible Roads geared to be challenging yet never overwhelming. My goal is for the route alone, to be one of your best motorcycling experiences ever.
Day One is roughly 280 miles long. Invisible Roads will take us through the morning over much of Virginia “horse country” south along the east slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have chosen each mile of this Workshop. Riding well will require the lower gears for safely and control. Along the way you’ll be listening to my instruction through your radio earbuds. My emphasis is always situational awareness, precision and smoothness.
We’ll have plenty of breaks along the way for “chalk talk” and to just take in the scenery. Lunch is at Griffith Tavern in Flint Hill, Virginia around 12:30. The afternoon will take us along one of the best sections of the fabulous Blue Ridge Parkway. We’ll arrive at the Natural Bridge Hotel outside Lexington, Virginia between 6 and 6:30. Drinks and dinner are around 7:30 PM. There are often other motorcycle groups staying at the hotel so there is a lot of common conversation out on the veranda.
Sunday breakfast is at 7:30 AM up the road. Afterward, we’ve got lots more riding to do!
Day Two is roughly 320 miles long. It’s a challenging, and slightly more spirited ride up the west slope of the Blue Ridge over numerous ridge lines and across many remote valleys. One rider said to me, “Your roads are completely awesome. Who needs a European Tour?” I have to agree!
So there’s a lot of serious riding before a late lunch at Sal’s Italian Bistro in Edinburg, Virginia. After lunch, the entire Course Syllabus will have been reviewed and discussed. Riders needing an early start for home can easily access I-81. The rest of us ride on to Point of Rocks, Maryland where the Workshop concludes around 6:00 PM. It’s easy to return to Thurmont for riders wanting to get a good night’s sleep before returning home. Book Now
“I recently had the opportunity to join Jim and two other riders for the last Workshop of the 2010 season. I’ve known Jim casually for about fifteen years, first during his time at Bob’s BMW and lately as owner/operator of The Rider’s Workshop. In both of those venues I’ve found Jim to be not only personable, but also someone who is more than willing to share his experience and knowledge of both the “Invisible Roads” and advanced riding techniques.
In regard to “the roads less traveled”, while I’ve spent time riding in the general area of our Workshop, Jim has taken an extraordinary amount of time to uncover those roads that make motorcycling a true pleasure. Most of the two days were spent on single lane, lane-and-a-half, or two lane roads seldom frequented even by the local population. I’ve ridden “The Dragon” and the Cherohala Skyway, and several roads such as RT 555 in SE Ohio. If you can picture two days of continuous roads like these all strung together with minimal time on transition roads, you have some idea of what the tour was like. Jim’s philosophy is that a road is like a piece of music, if you can read it correctly and play it smoothly you’ll be both fast and safe. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks Jim!” Bob Williams Towson, Maryland
