Even more amazing than the fact that we remember at all, is the things that
we do remember. While going through some old mini discs from an older digital
camera, we weren’t sure of what date we had been involved in with some of the
pictures. Backgrounds with cars didn’t help much, as in the time period all
cars were assuming the now standard gray, white, or black-with various shades to
confuse the curious. But when we saw our motorcycle in the picture, we suddenly
knew the year, and usually the time, date, and those involved. All by just
seeing a motorcycle, we could date the pictures. And then the memories would
come flooding back, of weather, food, roads, and little things along the way
that seemed unimportant then, but led credibility to the memory now. A picture
of me putting on a rain suit lost its time frame, until I saw the Tiger, and
could place it in 2008, at the New River in West Virginia, and the memories of
the road, and later lunch at Skeeter’s came back. Just by knowing the bike that
day, I knew the year. And a rainy day that God made everything green for our
ride down the old road down and over the river. A 45 minute ride, rather than
the 45 seconds to cross the new bridge....8 summers ago, and we still have the
Tiger, although it is going up for sale. A new Tiger, really just a newer Tiger
has come into our life, and new photos to tell about our space in time are
waiting to be taken, but for over 95,000 miles, 48 states and Canada, this has
been the identifying icon in all our trip photos. Hard to believe 9 years from
when we bought it have passed, bikes and us have changed, only the memories
haven’t.
I know it is time to sell it, but somehow I feel like I am abandoning an
old friend. In 124 degree temps she never let me down. Two flash floods on one
trip, no water too deep for her to be overtaken by. So many 500+ miles day they
are hard to count, and trips taken that are filed away and not yet retrieved.
And with such high mileage, even though I put 2000 miles on her last month in 6
days, to most she is just another high mileage bike. For sale for the best
offer, it almost doesn’t seem fair, and inhumane. But I have had dozens of
bikes, and sold them to get the next new one, yet this is different. And
setting up the new Tiger obvious comparisons are made. The bags are smaller,
tank smaller, and the seat different. Two different bikes separated by only one
year, but completely different in attitude. And with 91,000 miles of riding
difference between them, the old is being made new again. I know no matter what
the new buyer says, no one will treat her like I did, but I have to remember it
is only a motorcycle, and hope it opens up new riding horizons for them like it
did for me. Just an old bike to most who read the Craigslist ad, but a treasure
trove of memories for Theresa and I. And the bike that all others will always
be compared too. The first bike I am looking for excuses to keep....
But others have come and gone, 5 BMW’s from the 70’s, the FJ100 with 76,000
miles on it. The Z-1 from 1975 sold to Tom when I traded for a 1981 KZ750, he
wanted it so bad he paid retail for it against my new bike. The Honda Nighthawk
650 that got horrible gas mileage making Oklahoma seem longer than it is. A
most forgettable XS 500 Yamaha, what step down that was. 15 Triumphs, many with
over 65,000 miles ridden on them, and each bike brings back stories. The BMW
R75/5 sold to a man who owed me money, and getting paid back twice, once the
cash, the other when he came to the Lord. Christians waved at the sticker on
the bike, and he ended up becoming one. Some bikes that broke my heart, some
that broke my wallet, yet a time capsule just waiting to be opened with each one
remembered. My first new bike, the 1972 CB350, and all the rides it took me
on. And even all the miles done on press bikes from Triumph, I can date them
too by rides and trips. Thousand mile days on Daytonas, once was enough, to
riding new bikes not yet available to dealers, each one has a time and place in
my files of fun. Just give me a year, I can tell what I was riding, and the
trips and rides come back. Filled in with where the boys were, where I was
working, and where I lived. All from one photo in time of a motorcycle. Cycle
dating, much better than carbon dating, you’ll have to take my word for it as no
cave men are around to argue. Maybe it is more than just an old bike with high
miles after all.
But along with the rides of the past 40 years are the trips Jesus has taken
me on. Along for each mile, on each road, he has never left me or forsaken me.
The memories, rather the testimonies can fill a library, just like John wrote.
So many they cannot be contained, so should be shared. But many don’t, they
keep their light under a bushel, and never see the blessings they could, or
should. Time with Christ once filled their lives, now he is just a memory.
Abandoned, and maybe not even looked back on. Nothing is more heart breaking
than seeing an old friend in Jesus, and finding they have chosen to walk without
him. And their life shows it, the testimonies have stopped, and they don’t want
to hear yours. You both leave shattered a bit, a choice you made to stay with
Christ no matter the situations that they didn’t. But just like bikes come and
go, Jesus doesn’t have to. And if you fell away, he still welcomes you back.
While away you were building testimonies, you just didn’t know it. And coming
back now they can be shared, to encourage others. The empty years without Jesus
can be filled in with new ones today. Look ahead to things on high, that is
where we are going. New rides and roads, just like the new bikes, just waiting
to be ridden. Riding old memories is fun, anticipating new one is more fun.
The one today exceeding them all. Today will be a memory tomorrow, just as
today was tomorrow yesterday. Fortunately Jesus never changes, and can change
us when we let him.
Motorcycles will take you places, Jesus can take you even more. Places of
the heart not found on any map. A relationship that is the basis for all
others, who brings new bikes into your life, and your old one into the life of
another. So many times the old bike that is new to the new owner has them more
excited than you are. A new relationship has begun for them too, and soon they
will have stories and testimonies of rides. Works with Christ too. To some
just an old God, but to those who believe new life. New adventures, and new
blessings. Meeting others who share their stories, and listen to yours. “I had
one like that once. Met my wife on it, still riding with her. Wish I had never
sold it....” Don’t let your story of Jesus be the same. Hang onto Jesus no
matter what or where you ride. Hang onto the precious memories you have, and
get excited for new ones. Old friends take time, so do old motorcycles. But
each day with Jesus can be fresh and new. Make a date with him today, one you
will never forget. Even better when dated by motorcycle. So why are you still
sitting here when you should be riding?
And so I will put the Tiger up for sale...it is someone else’s turn. Maybe
yours. Just don’t ask me to give up Jesus. I hope you can say the same when we
meet.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com