On the weekend of March 7th, 2009, I loaded up my trusty 1993 1200 XL and left for an adventure into the great state of Virginia. I had seen an advertisement on the pages of Bikernet.com on an upcoming event to be held in Fishersville, VA. Those of you who really know me…know I have sworn off events that are mostly “biker” in nature. Not because I think I’m too good for these kinds of things, but rather because I’m tired of being disappointed in the way “progress” has developed these events.
I’m sick of the image of bikers being portrayed as drunken party folks with lots of money stumbling through mile after mile of same-o-same-o vendors at biker events across this country. I was longing for something that reeked of yesterday, and allowed people to come out and enjoy the trading of good used parts, rather than the almighty grab for my wallet and the drunk party that always seems to go with most events put on for bikers.
I don’t feel let down by the good folks at Departure Bike Works out of Richmond, VA. This event was everything advertised and a good bit more. Here’s my story:
After leaving out of my hometown in Johnson City, TN. I headed north into Bristol, Virginia on I-81. I found my way up to Fishersville VA, or actually more precisely to Salem, VA, in order to set up my camp and home base for what I was hoping to be a great time in the Virginia countryside. I searched for a venue that would set my senses on fire with the memories of excellent deals and people who sold used motorcycle parts all across our country…offering us things the dealer wouldn’t or couldn’t…including great deals!
I found Salem and my campground, then I unloaded my gear, built my tent, blew up my air mattress, and stowed my gear in the tent. Then it was time to go exploring. I again jumped onto I-81 north and rode the hundred miles to Fishersville. I was there in search of the Augusta Expo where the event was planned for the next day. On my way to Fishersville, I had decided to find Departure Bike Works and have them take care of a niggling little problem that was driving me crazy.
My taillight assembly could be heard vibrating loudly…even at highway speeds of over 80 miles an hour, I could hear the vibration coming from behind me. Now you also remember I just said that Departure was in Richmond? I hadn't factored their location before I decided to look for them…for some unknown reason, (beyond the fact I was born a blonde). I had it in my head they were in Charlottesville. I rode to just outside Charlottesville on I-64, stopped and gave them a call, it was 4.30 PM, and I wanted to find them, make sure they would still be there when I got in, and that they would fix my problem….WHOOA…
I got Brenda on the phone from Departure…and she says to me… “Do you know where we are located at?”
“Well…no, that's why I'm calling…to get directions from here….” Says I…
“Mistress, we are in….” OK so you can guess how the rest of the short conversation went. I gave up the idea of going to Departure to meet with the crew, but I didn’t give up on the idea of taking the long road back to my camp…the secondary roads that our parents used to take when they traveled. The roads today that can be labeled: “The Road Less Traveled.” It was over a hundred miles back to my tent, but Virginia did not disappoint me. But I already knew she wouldn’t.
I arrived back at my tent after dark on Saturday, grabbed a long hot shower and retired to my air mattress and tent. Dreaming of parts I could find for a Shovelhead, Panhead, Knucklehead…who knew what would be found at the Fishersville Swap Meet tomorrow? I just knew I was ready to find out.
Up the next morning before 6AM, I wanted to get dressed and get outta there by the crack of dawn. I also wanted to stay the night one more night, so I thought better than to crank up my bike at 6AM on a Sunday morning, I waited until 7AM. I once more jumped on I-81 north, making my way up to Fishersville and the Expo building. I pulled in behind a truck pulling a trailer loaded with bike parts.
The parts were loaded up to the gunwales…I figured he was headed to the swap meet. I figured right. He led me right to the back door. I followed him in and found Brenda from Departure Bike Works, introducing myself to her, we got on friendly footing and I started making my way around the building visiting the vendors who had come and set up shop or were in the process of setting up shop.
According to Brenda there were to be about 25 vendors who had expressed a desire to attend. But by the end of registration, and the opening of the doors to the public, from my count there were 15. This was the time change weekend, Spring ahead. Perhaps many of the vendors who said they would be here forgot the time change? Some had, and yes, there were some late arrivals to set up, just before the doors opened to the public. I guess some would call the turnout of vendors to be a disappointment…but not me…as I wandered the Expo Center browsing the vendors who had set up their wares, I had found myself in heaven.
I felt as if the best of yesterday’s swap meets had been preserved. The attending guys and dolls were friendly, they didn’t mind the browsers. They enjoyed talking to you about the bikes they and you were interested in. The place to find this elusive part, or that guy who could make ya that bracket for your UL, these guys at the vendor tables had knowledge to share. They weren’t afraid to let you partake in picking their brains or their tables for exactly the items you needed to complete a project or to simply get one started.
Let’s not forget, this little swap meet was in it’s infancy as well. Expecting a huge turnout for vendors might have been a bit over optimistic…I don’t know…but I was impressed with the quality of the used parts there, as well as the quality of both the vendors and customers who came to see how Departure Bike Works does things. I like what I experienced at the swap meet. I like the folks who participated in setting up the event, in attending as vendors, and best of all I enjoyed the bikers who showed up to stroll the Expo Center, examine the tables laden with what many of the un or under-educated would consider “junk”. I found a part I needed…oh my…the story behind that one!
I’m not sure how many people attended the swap meet during the entire day, I left around noon to explore the historic countryside of Virginia, but before I left, I know there were well over 75 guests who had walked through the doors, looking for that special part, or perhaps that one guy with the knowledge of where or how to get his hands of something one of these attendees needed….
As I was headed down the country roads away from the Expo Center…I was forced to “wave” to well over 50 more bikes and bikers who were on their way to the swap meet. I’m sure the event was not a disappointment to the people of the Mountainous region of Virginia, it wasn’t to me, and I traveled well over 280 miles to stumble on one valuable part. I got what I needed…my fix for all things nostalgia, as well as a shift lever for my Sporty. Departure Bike Works deserves a lot of credos for all the hard work and time spent in setting this event up. I hope they find the endeavor to be worth the effort. I hope the people of Western VA, and the surrounding regions gave Departure and their guest vendors a reason to do this again soon.
Departure Bike Works, Inc.
804-231-0244
www.departure.com
5216 Hull St Rd, Richmond 23224
(1.5 miles east of Chippenham Pkwy)
OPEN Mon-Fri 9 to 5 Sat 10-4
