Passion, Experience & Growth

Skyline Drive Is Not A Shortcut

December 18, 2006

December 2006, an unexpected Indian Summer in Virginia was too tempting to resist. So, wrapping up work a bit early, I headed out on my GSX-R1000 via 66 and 211 to the middle entrance to Skyline Drive.

The sunset was stunningly beautiful during the whole trip west. But, when I arrived at the middle entrance to Skyline Drive, determination won over common-sense. The sun had set behind the hill. I reasoned: Skyline Drive will cut off some of the northern return trip, and get me further east as well—it might even be faster than turning around and returning via 211.

With the light from the sun fading rapidly behind the mountains, I headed north on Skyline Drive. I passed too many deer to count. Although the throb of the gixxer’s liter engine pushed most of them off the road, a few lingered just to make sure I was paying attention.

Around the halfway point between the entrances/exits, the low-fuel light started blinking. “Oh joy.” Could I have burned through that much gas already? Did that mean that I was getting just 25 MPG rather than the 35 or 40 MPG I expected? How long is Skyline Drive again? Coasting downhill for what felt like the longest nine miles ever, I finally reached the 7-11 gas station near the park entrance/exit. I still had a gallon in the tank!

Back in the real world again, I checked the time and realized I was running much later than I had intended. It was dark, getting cold, and rain threatened from the west.

Eastbound traffic on 66 was light, and cruising at 75 to 85 MPH. But, riding 80 to 90 MPH in the dark was not the way I had aimed to return home.

An accident on Waxpool west of the Loudoun County Parkway had traffic backed up two miles. Trying another “shortcut” served as a reminder that Northern Virginia rush-hour should be avoided.

At last, I made it home safely. I learned the hard way: In December, it gets really dark by 7:30 PM, and Skyline Drive is not a shortcut!