Tuesday, February 10, 2015

when the road throws you a curve












We were on our way to Canada on our Sprint RS, leaving St. Helena on SR128.  Leaving the light an Eddie Lawson Replica, ELR Kawasaki passed us, and the ride was on.  We tried keeping up ,but this was his ride that day.  But following his lines we were never far behind, and when we were, he would slow in the straights and wait.  A guided tour of a road I have ridden many times since, but never with such vigor.  A friend and riding partner I never met, but would recognize the back of his bike from anywhere.  We were riding on Skyline Drive, this time in the Shenandoah Valley, when we stopped at a rest stop, taking a fog break.  We were on our Sprint ST this time, and moment later another one pulled up next to us.  After a brief exchange, seeing our California tags he offered “follow me, I live here, this road is my back yard.”  And for the next 45 miles rode faster than I had ever imagined on this 45 mph speed limited masterpiece.  Taking his lines, I rode over my head at times, but if he could do it, so could I, and we did.  When he finally slowed to turn off, a wave and he was off.  Skyline Drive would never be the same, and I never got a chance to thank him.  Penny was a patient of Gerald, and she rode a BMW.  Gerald wanted a BMW, I had one, so he hooked us up for a Sunday morning ride.  She decided on South 10 through Tijeras Canyon, a new road to me.  She was fast, and I could keep up through the curves, until in a straight a Z-1 blew by us.  Too much for Penny to take, in the next set of curves she and her R90/6 blew by him, and then proceeded to leave him behind.  I followed close behind, but far enough away should either one crash-they were haulin’.  We all stopped at a gas station, and when she took off her helmet, and the Z-1 rider saw her long blond hair and that she was a girl, he took off.  The embarrassment too much for him.  I just smiled, and to this day every time I see a blond pony tail hanging out of the back of a helmet I think of Penny.  Fast girls and motorcycles...she was quite a lady.
Don had just bought a new Interceptor, and need to break it in.  So we decided to ride a loop over Wolf Creek Pass, at the time a dangerous two lane road, even a hit song was written about by C. W. McCall of Convoy fame.  I was following him when we came upon a car, and both passed him at high speeds, then I passed Don.  Later that week when we stopped in Handlebar Cycle, Gary the manager was telling of two bikes that had blown by him on Wolf Creek.  He was the guy in that car.  When Don said “that was me, “ Gary was impressed.  But when he was told I was the crazy sucker passing both, my KZ750 got new respect in that Honda/Yamaha store.  The Interceptor was as close to a race bike as you could by...blown away by a Kawasaki.  And for years Gary would tell the story, introducing me as that guy on the other bike...never mentioning it was a Kawasaki. But we knew.... I had been asked to attend a ride for the new Ducati Diablo, sponsored by Cycle World.  Some 20 of us with varying riding backgrounds would take a great course from the coast to Escondido on back roads.  The group leader was Mark Cernicky, an editor from the magazine, and he was to follow.  I always ride from the rear, letting the group get ahead so I can ride harder, and soon Cernicky and I were alone, he saw what I was up to and joined in, and we were having fun.  The ride was a great course, all curves,  and coming into Escondido, the last turn was marked at 15mph.  An easy 30 mph turn for me, but looking to my right, here comes Cernicky, all crossed up flat track style passing me.  Our conversation at the stop sign was one word from me, “bored?”  He nodded and we rode back.  The others had ridden a new bike, we had taken a ride.  Telling Mickey later, he kept telling “don’t ever let him ride your bike, he crashes.”  Looking back I could see that, but for me that day the Diablo went from cruiser to race bike riding with him.   Who said riding a cruiser has to be boring?  Mick had lent me a Rocket 3 Roadster for a few days and I rode it to a local bike night.  While talking with others we noticed the feelers on both foot pegs worn off, and part of the foot pegs too.  Whoever had this last rode the wheels off it.  It was then noticing the license plate, bent from doing wheelies that I really had a new hero.  An 800 pound cruiser with more torque at idle than a Harley has max, and it handles too.  Another lesson from the road of when it throws a curve at you, ride it.
Now if every road was straight and smooth, we wouldn’t need suspensions.  But life is like roads, and we need Jesus to carry us through.  Not always as much fun, but definitely challenging.  Now the roads may not be straight and narrow, but the way to Christ is.  No surprise left hand turns, no off camber turns, and no lane ending suddenly.  The road is straight and narrow so anyone can make it, just follow Jesus.  But then life throws us a curve or two, and we cannot ride it out, and crash.  Or get so scared we never ride again, or worse yet figure “where was Jesus when I needed him?” and leave him behind.  So they either go their own way, or live a cautious life within the church walls, never seeing all of Jesus, or what he has for them.  Straight and narrow, and boring and unchallenged.  No surprises, and no blessings either.  And they get upset hearing of what Jesus has done in your life, sometimes becoming jealous because you are blessed and they are not.  Many times their choice, stay at home or ride safe roads.  Slow in the turns, cruise on in the straights.  Never passing anyone, but many passing them.  Things going well, then life throws a curve at them, and they find they are only about 6 inches deep in Christ.  Despite all the teachings, Bible studies, and seat time in church, they know all about Jesus, they just don’t know him.  And wonder why he has abandoned them, at the time they need him most.  Truth is he hasn’t they have turned their backs on him.  And he is still knocking on the door, offering hope and help.  You see the gospel is straight and narrow, easy so I can get it, and free so I can afford it.  Yet life isn’t so kind, and we need the kind of heavenly suspension that only Jesus Christ can provide to get us through.  And when riding with him, the ride becomes more exciting, more fun, and more places we never knew about.  He is life and  life abundantly. And the testimonies and times spent with him help encourage others to get out and ride.  Get out and live, get out and into Jesus.  Life abundantly, enjoying the curves and not avoiding them, picking new lines in Christ because now you see the whole road.  The blinders are off... and so can you be. 
Coming down off Wolf Creek into Pagosa Springs, I stopped at the top, and noticed how the road disappeared, then reappeared being lost in some curves.  Not being able to see what was in the next blind curve.  And God spoke to me, assuring me he does know what is around the next curve, and when following him and taking his lines, we are safe and secure.  And enjoying life more.  Maybe you won’t ever wear off your foot pegs, you may never scrape your floor boards, but life will still throw us curves.  So I take the advice of Kenny Roberts, racer extraordinaire, if too fast into a curve, keep leaning.  Don’t panic.  Works in life too, too much curve and not enough of you, lean on Jesus.  Don’t panic, he doesn’t, and the thrill of having him with you only brings on the desire for more of him.  An excitement not found on the sofa,  so if you must sit somewhere, sit where you are comfortable.  For me it is behind bars, handlebars, with a full tank of gas, lots of curves, and plenty of time to ride.  Get the most out of life in Christ, and the most out of your ride.  And if you come upon a blond pony tail sticking out of a helmet, pass and wave.  Theresa will wave back...fast girls and motorcycles, and she’s always a lady for me.  But you have to catch her first....if you can’t beat ‘em, marry one.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com