Those of us who have always ridden are a strange bunch. While others were
begging their parents to borrow the family station wagon for a date, we would be
out cruising to meet a girl, sometimes any girl, who would get on the back of
our motorcycle with us. And the later it got, the more we cared about what we
rode, than who we let ride on it with us. Our bikes were everything to us, our
social circle, where our paychecks went, it was a time of friends hanging out
polishing and twisting wrenches, and of trying not to get grease all over the
newest Cycle magazine. We would memorize the stats, knew all the prices, and
could tell a 1972 H2 from a 1973 H2 just by color. We had posters of them in
our garages, and many a night of bench racing was spent in the winter months, or
while it rained dreaming of our next ride when the weather permitted. It was
all about us guys, and our motorcycles. But slowly the ranks would be thinned
out, by of all things, one of things we cruised for-women. It would break our
hearts when one of the loyal went over to the other side, and sold his bike for
a car so he could take his girlfriend, who just thought of us as immature cycle
nuts, which we were. Funny it didn’t sound quite so bad when we said it. Worse
yet was when we would go by, and find his bike under a cover next to the house,
while her car was in the garage. We may have been second class citizens, but
our bikes surely weren’t! But girls were part of growing up, and forced some
into maturity. Not the best choice always.
I was always careful about who I dated, they had to ride. Sometimes you
could tell by their hairdo, and passed on them. Some were inviting by their
leathers, but generally scared us off. But finding that right combination of
beauty and performance, in girls, took more time than it did for what we rode.
We found that money can’t buy you love, no matter how expensive the date, but it
can buy you a motorcycle. But not all girls were anti-bike, and one in
particular, a Barbara tried. But we could never hook up, I would show up on my
BMW, and she was dressed like she was going in a BMW. Worse yet was when I
would show up in my MG, and she was jeans and leather-ready to ride. Which
always explained picking her up after her parents went out. But we tried, but
nothing clicked. Followed by too many who thought I was a nice boy, except I
rode. But just when I was about to give up hope, I met Theresa on a trip to
California from New Mexico. And from our first night we rode, and motorcycling
became a part of our lives. We went so many places together, saw so many
things, and met so many people we would not have if in a car. Precious memories
of spending time with that perfect friend, my wife. Motorcycles have taken us
on trips, into ministry, and allowed us to raise our kids around motorcycles.
Quietly thumbing our noses at those too sophisticated to ride, thinking we can’t
see them in their sexy SUV, hoping we are jealous. But we ride, and God has not
only given us a passion for Him, but for each other, and used motorcycles to do
it. Go figure...we’re riding. Some read of testimonies, we are out making
them.
But finding that perfect blend of beauty, and desire to ride
wasn’t easy, and people marvel when we tell them we rode from the first day we
met. And have for over 35 years. We must be crazy, and if we are I hope it is
terminal. We enjoy the life God has given us, and we have the stories to prove
of it. So when I meet someone whose wife won’t ride, I wonder how could you
have married her? Weren’t there any dates on two wheels? No one is that good,
or are they? And I watch as there is always a schism there, as he rides, she
won’t, so they don’t. We know who wears the pants here, if only she tried
leathers. But love will make all things possible, and Theresa has overcome lack
of makeup, helmet head, and wearing boots while others were dressed up for the
occasion. Her trump card, getting on her Bonneville when leaving, watching as
the men wish they were with her instead of Ms. SUV, and wishing they were me-if
only to have a wife that rides. A few years back I met a man after church who
approached me, he had a Triumph. Then his wife came up,and the mood changed.
She hated motorcycles, and openly told me. She was a PA, and I told her I too
was in the medical field-I was a patient! Which she didn’t think was funny, he
did, but I told her I had a medical question, could she help? Her attitude
changed, and was about to change again after I asked her, “I have had 4 friends
die in their sleep in two months, is it OK for me to go to bed tonight?” And
she stormed off-and it made me love and appreciate my wife even more. More of a
woman, and a lady than Ms. PA ever could be, riding only made her better at
both.
So I know how Adam felt when he first met Eve, she was just the
one for him, how could he not love her. He had Eve, I have Theresa, and she has
me. And we ride-together. We share our lives based on the desires God has
given us, and one of them is Jesus. We can minister together, and have found
more acceptance in biker crowds than certain churches. A better class of
people, and we can share Jesus without preaching. For true freedom is found in
Christ, it can just be exhibited on two wheels. Like I said, money won’t buy
you love, and some try, and fail, but it can buy you a motorcycle. Maybe we
were on to something after all.
And so those of us who ride, and ride with our wives, and love
Jesus are a strange bunch. And so I find peace in the trinity of Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. The things of God, that are manifested in our living a trinity
God has given me-Jesus, Theresa, and motorcycles. It just don’t get any
better. And we can serve Jesus, love Him, represent Him, and share our
testimonies while on two wheels. Never heard of an SUV ministry have you?
Maybe if you guys really trusted in God and your SUV, you would form one. A lot
of hurting people in them, just needing to be reached. But we have been given
motorcycles, and to paraphrase Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will ride.”
Serving the Lord, along with my wife. While riding. What’s your excuse? We
have none.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com