State Route 32 in eastern Pennsylvania doesn’t last very long. It is not a
road to make time on, as it twists and turns following the Delaware River. Most
of it is posted at 35-45 mph, with little places to pass. But yet, if given the
chance to be in the area, a detour to ride it is a must. The elevation changes,
the perfect road conditions, the endless curves, may scream high speed, but
somehow only riding it a few miles faster than the speed limit seems fast
enough. A road you don’t want to have end, and any place along the way is a
good place to stop, as the Delaware Canal parallels it, and 300 year old
buildings line it. Once a main route between Philadelphia and East Stroudsburg,
now on weekends it is a biker’s road to New Hope, pun intended. Probably the
most fun road you can ride under 50 mph and want to go back. And just about any
road branching off it into the hills is worth the detour. A ride that proves
you don’t need to mix high speeds with two wheels to be enjoy the ride. Even on
my sport bikes it never felt slow, just find the right gear, and ride on. And
for the first few years of my road riding I did....
When I lived in Albuquerque in the seventies, South 10, which got renamed
South 14 was a fun road. Going north took you to the crest, but south took you
through countryside, with the only danger an occasional farmer breaking wind at
25 mph. Lots of turns as it mirrored the Manzanos, it was high speed, a Sunday
morning road that many rode, then headed back to the north and the crest. There
were very few rides when I wasn’t passed, and I was one of the faster riders,
seems someone faster or better is always there ready to showoff. For me it was
being under the influence of the ride, and if you ride slower, let me pass, if
faster, I’ll pull over. Let each one ride their own ride....subject to change
when any two meet, and one has to be faster. But it wasn’t so much the speed,
but the speed in each spot on the road, you wanted to get the most out of it.
But when you met someone else, you went faster, but not necessarily to
race.
One morning on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Valley, we met a man on a
Triumph Sprint like ours. We talked and he bragged “I am a local here, and know
all the roads. Follow me, and enjoy the ride.” And for 60 miles broke every
speed limit on the road, he knew where to brake and where to open it up. We
never felt unsafe, and when he pulled off a wave somehow didn’t seem like
enough. The road would have been much different without him to follow. It
seems the brotherhood of those of us who ride goes deeper than toy runs, chrome,
and brand dedication. Without the road, the bikes would have no purpose, and
each ride to each new place opens up a door for new excitement and adventure.
Much like a man in Tennessee who saw my New Mexico tags while at a light. There
is a peninsula in Tennessee called Land Between the Lakes, “would I like to
follow him through it?” So I did, his 750 Honda chopped dragging foot pegs,
with me following, but somehow feeling safe on this unknown road. We pulled
over, he had to get back from lunch, and gave me easy directions back to the
freeway. How many have ever had that experience in a car? And the man in
shorts, no shirt or helmet on his Hayabusa in Clemson, South Carolina. Who saw
my plates, and advised me on US 76 through the Georgia mountains. Just a line
on the map, it was the road that motorcyclists took, and for the next two hours
found out Georgia is more than Atlanta and the Braves. Remote, parts desolate,
with old country stores with gas placed conveniently for riders, as if we laid
it out ourselves. Riding under the influence of the road, expressing the
freedom we find in riding. Most roads will take you anywhere, some road take
you somewhere. I can confirm that there are too many roads and so little time.
So enjoy the road and the ride. Ride your own ride, maybe the best advice I can
give to new riders. And older ones, too.
God knows the road you are on. And reading through the Bible we find many
events take place along the road. The good Samaritan was on the road, when he
encountered the beaten man. How many have needed a good Samaritan, or have been
one while riding? After Jesus was crucified, he met two men along the road, and
their hearts burned within them, they knew there was something different about
him. And after he left, they realized who he was. Saul met Jesus on the road
to Damascus, and became Paul the Apostle. Abraham was given a choice between to
roads to take, one to beautiful lands, the other not so. He took the latter,
forgoing Sodom and Gomorrah....but maybe the most famous or infamous road trip
was Moses. A 40 year ride, but never leaving going more than a 40 mile radius.
Without a GPS to get lost, he must have travelled over the same roads many
times. How many wondered if they were going in circles? How many knew they
were? Think of it, a 40 year road trip, your riding clothes never wear out, the
food is free, and you cannot beat the weather. Even at night a full sky of
stars lit the way. And what did the people do? Grumble...at times wanting to
go back into slavery in Egypt where the food was better. Oh give me a
road....
And how different would the gospels be if Jesus stayed in Jerusalem?
Bethlehem? Yet he lived on the road, he was where the action was. Even the
most boring stretch of Galilean road was made exciting by his presence. And it
still is today. How many pretend to live under the influence of he holy spirit,
but don’t take the roads he chooses for us? Imagine riding under the influence
of the spirit, and no road would ever be boring. It would be more than hills
and valleys, bridges and streams. It is ridden with Jesus. Outside the
building of the church, where the real adventure takes place. But for how many
does that adventure end at the door? If it even makes it that far? Jesus is
not a stationary God, but one on the move, alive and living. While some are
advised to spend time in a prayer closet, he has given us motorcycles, a prayer
closet that leads somewhere. Is your life not as exciting as it once was? Are
you looking for more new roads? Is church just not enough of Jesus? Try riding
under the influence of the spirit. When the opening to the Mary Tyler Moore
Show asks “who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?”
we know the answer is Jesus.
One ride down the New River Gorge in West Virginia can change your
opinion. 45 seconds over the bridge, or 45 minutes through the gorge, seeing
all God’s beauty. And after a rain, all the greens and yellows lighting up the
area. And a small one lane bridge at the bottom, and railroad tracks. Looks
like a Lionel train ad from the fifties...but God made it just for us that
morning. If only we took the advantage of the invite like we did on Skyline
Drive, for the earth is God’s backyard. Made for us to enjoy. And in Genesis
we find that the spirit gave it life. Is the spirit hovering over your life
wanting to give it life, or are you still without form?
Life on the road is just that, life. But with Jesus to add life, every
ride becomes important. God knows the road you are on, whose influence are you
riding under? When you come to a fork in the road do you take it? Is your life
just one exit number away from insanity? There is this road I know, the holy
spirit. Who when he enters your life gives it form, and the ride has purpose.
Sometimes just to enjoy the ride, whose ride are you riding? So many roads in
life, only one leads to heaven. Jesus is the way. A road I can assure you is
never boring. Just ask Philip, who met a king who wanted to know about Jesus?
You see there are roads, and then there are roads....lest we forget where Jesus
was born. On the road....and suddenly it all makes sense. Doesn’t it?
love with compassion,
Mike
mattew25biker.blogspot.com