Henry, like you, I've had first hand experience trying to follow Howie. When a bunch of us went through Skyline drive together (most of us were about 30 mins behind Howie) and got off at Charlottesville/Saunton area, I had bugs on my SEUC. Howie went so fast through the mountains, that he didn't have one spatter on his bike anywhere....amazing....he even rides faster than incoming bugs...
How often do you all get there? I am PCS'ing back to VA next year to work at MCB Quantico, will live in the Fredericksburg/Stafford area and will be out in the Shenandoah's as often as I can...we love it there.
Planning to buy land there for when I retire. It is great riding there, love the twisty roads up to the park entrance near Luray.
Cannot imagine hitting it during the lady bug mating...that would be a MESS.
Sean