Tonight, things just seemed right for an urban loop. Maybe it was three consecutive weeks of long rides through the countryside; maybe it was the light sprinkle earlier in the day that never really stopped looking like it might turn to rain, but moods were primed (and roads totally dry) for a nice in-town route through the South Hill's nicest, and most view-worthy areas.

Rick, Brian and a new face (welcome, Mark!) hooked up at Empyrean and spent a little time checking out Mark's fancy new ride, a jet-black, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie - picked up just one day earlier from Kayla at Camp Motorsports. If you haven't seen one of these babies yet, it's worth doing, if only to marvel at the contrast between a water-cooled, fan-equipped, front/rear disk brake, fuel-injected 80 mile-per-hour Vespa and a classic mount like Rick's, a bike that's so basic a speedometer seems a luxury. Speaking of speedos, Mark pointed out his bike's "gee-whiz" LCD gas/tach/water-temp/odometer...that even includes an outside temperature gauge!

Tonight's ride loop? A short parade through a very busy downtown, then up Maple to High Drive for views south to Eagle Ridge and the Qualchan golf course; out Hatch Road to 57th, Regal towards downtown through the fancy Rockwood Boulevard area, then west along Cliff Drive for perhaps the best view of downtown anywhere. A little time at the Baby Bar, then all headed back to their respective lives and homes. Spring riding; gotta love it!