Forced into a cage

The word was out and duty called. I had to mobilize and hit Wintergreen Resort in the name of We, The People, to provide the information that keeps us free.

Yeah, well, something like that. In short, the boss said get my butt up into the mountains and, naturally, I was all for it.

I stuck my cell phone in the zipper pocket of my Powertrip jacket, put the patriotic marshmallow on my head, slid on my urban combat gloves and went to hump Thumper down US 250 to 151 to Nelson County.

Until I remembered one little detail that changed everything: Wintergreen does not allow motorcycles on its roads.

That's right, the area's premier ski resort and summer hiking center won't let you roll up its roads on two wheels. Seems bikes are noisy and pollute the air with racket and noise. That's just uncool in this community and totally unacceptable.

Because the resort's roads are private, they pretty much can do whatever they want.

Normally, I wouldn't think of driving to any place that spurns our ilk. You no let bikes in, I no go. Haven't been to Graves Mountain Lodge's spring fling thing because no bikes are allowed and I won't go to Wintergreen, either.

Work, however, is different. I have no choice. I must go. Unfortunately, the kids had Yoda Corolla and the baby Buell was my only means of motivation.

That's when I realized my out: A colleague was also going. We'd have to meet up and head up.

And so we did, parking Thumper at his house and taking his cage down some of the best mountain scenery a rider could ask for.

I was  not happy.

Mind you, hours later, I'm still not pleased. I don't have much against the folks up there in W-green, they treated me well on my short visit and they're a pretty class act. I won't, however, go anywhere to spend money where riders are not welcome, whether that's Myrtle Beach with its new, restrictive, anti-biker laws, or any where else.

Hey, you gotta set some standards and have  few guidelines, you know.