The DITR monthly ride was scheduled for Saturday 2 Aug 08. Due to some rain storms passing thru our area, the road captain, Rosie, cancelled the ride for Saturday. She sent out an e-mail asking if anybody would be interested for a ride on Sunday; if so, to meet at Bob Evans at 8:15 with kick stands up at 08:30. Rosie (Road Captain), Lynn, Lei, R-2, and Ellen showed up for the ride to Pig and Steaks in Madison, Va.

We started off down Prince William Parkway and picked up Route 619. This was a really nice country road to start our ride out on. We turned off 619 onto 28 only for a short distance and then turned onto Route 605. This is another really nice country road.

The day was just beautiful, with blue skies and nice temperatures. We turned off 605 onto Route 29 towards Warrenton, where we stopped at Sheetz for gas and a nice break for drinks. We then headed thru Warrenton to Route 211 toward Sperrysville. 211 is four lanes divided, with sweeping turns and eye-catching views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are signs along the way beckoning travelers to stop and see Luray Caverns, and to enjoy the beauty of the Shenandoah National Park via Skyline drive.

After passing through the small downtown of Sperryville, we turned onto Route 522 for a very short distance, and then turned onto 341 towards Madison. This route is a designated Virginia Byway, and there are a nice mixture of turns, dips, hills, and spectacular views of the foothills. We see weathered barns, frolicking horses, and cows lazing about.

We arrived at the Pig and Steak restaurant in Historic Madison around 11:20; we were in luck, because the place just opened at 11:00. When R-2 and I walked in, one of the ladies asked, if we were women of the wind, I said "no mad 'am, we are 'Diamonds in the Rough' ", and she liked that a lot. I also added, "isn't diamonds a girl best friend, rough or not;" they all got a good laugh over that.

Lunch was good and served fast. Rosie noticed a really nice picture of a black bear sitting on a rock. He looked a lot like the black bear we encountered on Skyline Drive a few weeks ago. The only difference: the bear in the picture wasn't in a hurry like the one Rosie and I saw! They also had a really cute sign with a pig painted on it; saying "save a pig and hit a chicken." The food is good, and the service is excellent. The staff is wonderful and made us feel at home.

After lunch, we headed down some more really nice country roads toward Fredericksburg, were we were headed for ICE CREAM at Carl's. I have to say; Rosie found this really nice country road that ran alongside the Rappahannock River as it makes its way towards Fredericksburg from Chancellorsville. I was really getting into the ride, when I noticed she turned her left turn signal on. Since I was behind her, I thought this was odd, because there was no where to turn. Then she turned off her signal; a few miles down the road she turned on her left signal again, and then again. I thought "there is no where to turn." She turned it off. Then she sees a sign for Mott recreation and turned on her signal and we all turned off. I pulled up beside her and she asked if there was a blue flashing light behind us, I looked at her and said no, then she then asked if it was a blue car, I said I guess; we all had a good laugh.

We headed back down the road for ICE CREAM. We pulled into the parking lot and we all got our goodies, then we found a nice little area with some benches in the shade to sit and eat our goodies, talk and share a few laughs. Then headed up Route 1 towards home.

It was a wonderful day. When you ride with us, you are guaranteed to have a good time filled with lots of laughs and good fun… Ladies, thumbs up on a great day!!!!