2009 3 Brothers Lake Loop

The English folks will like this -- three steel British bikes on Saturday's 3 Brothers Lake Loop: a Roberts that Brother Rob had built for him when he lived in England; a Bob Jackson from the mid 70s ridden by Brother Tim; and my 1970 coffee Raleigh International, set up as a fixed gear.

This is the fifth year we've gathered in Clarksville for our annual bike ride, usually timed to coincide with Boydton Day, although this year they tricked us and moved it to Halloween. We brothers don't see each other that often, and the ride is a fine way to catch up and test each other's legs.

We had heavy showers in the morning, but by the time we reached the dam at mile 50, the skies had lifted. We lunched at Rose's in Boydton, where we had sandwiches and fries and a brief argument about politics. Normally we do a century, but we cut out the loop to Chase City and pulled into Clarksville with 75 miles. That turned out to be a good call. The skies opened up as we watched the lake from the balcony of the motel room.

Dinner at the Lamplighter with the bass fisherman, the goodbyes, then down the road to Raleigh.