Just got back from Easter break and spending five days on the road with Theresa. Great time. We were able to spend Easter at Steve Mays' church, with Reagan, Christopher and his girl friend Jen. And then we ate great BBQ at Baby Blues BBQ, as seen on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Great food, great fellowship, and a great message from Steve. Then on to our destination in Santa Paula. But along the way we stopped at the Rock Store, a motorcycle hangout for the last 40 years. Attendance was down this Sunday, probably because of Easter, and because we arrived late. But the people we met made up in quality despite the lack of quantity.
Usually when out on a press bike, people will spot the Georgia tags, and ask "did you ride from there?" But among this group they noticed they were manufacturer plates, and they approach you differently. And the mix of people we met that day was say, eclectic. When we pulled in, Theresa on her Bonneville, and me on a 2010 Rocket III Roadster(1 of 4 in the country), someone on a 636 Ninja was doing a burnout-front brake on and smoking the tire. After parking she pulled up next to me, and asked her friends how she was doing. How the cycle scene has changed! We parked next to a long wheelbase Hayabusa, obviously more machine than its owner. A young guy came up and was asking Theresa about the Rocket, and was impressed by it being a press bike. He had only learned to ride six months before, and wanted to write about his adventures-you go guy! And was very knowledgeable about the bike, and others he talked about. Even asking if he could take a picture of it. Much different from the two others trying to impress me, one on a Speed Triple-a 2007 with 6000 miles-yeah he rides, and was telling me all about his friends at Triumph trying to impress me. The only thing that impressed me was I had never heard any of the names before. Oh well, I just ride their press bikes... A new BMW S1000 pulled in, we had seen him at an unscheduled pit stop to relieve ourselves of too much diet Coke, and when asked if he ever had opened up the throttle full, said an emphatic no! I guess I don't get it, but why would you buy a 193hp bike, and not get on it? May I borrow it?
While talking, a group of women pulled in on their bikes. An interesting group from a Daytona 675, to a 1957
Triumph, kick start and right hand shift, whose rider seemed insulted when I asked her if it was hard to kick. No-she had brought along the boyfriend to handle that duty-good answer. About 10 of these women, all locals from Malibu, and after taking their group picture for them, talked about riding-they were informed, educated, and enjoyed riding-how could you not with all the canyon roads in their back yard. And again I was reminded about how the cycle world was changing. Talked with some guys who could best be described as BA-Moto on Hondas. The one guy was on a CB175 from the '70's he had made into a cafe racer, while the better of the two bikes was a 1978 CB550, same customizing. And I remembered that even on their low budget-you had to be there-change back from their $100, they loved to ride. And again knew all about the Rocket, etc.
But when leaving, Theresa had met a couple, he on a Triumph Sprint ST, she on a 250 Ninja. He was telling us how he was president of the local BMW chapter, although he didn't own one-didn't even care for them, but all his friends rode them, and they asked him to be their club president-despite his obvious character flaw. Theresa talked at length with his wife-I always smile when two women talk about riding-and I was reminded how things were changing.
But it being Easter, I also thought about that resurrection morning. And how the women were the first ones to the cave, early, to see the body of their Lord. And how Mary even brought spices to wrap Him in, which were very expensive, and maybe her dowry-giving it all for Jesus. And how they had faith, even though they knew a boulder sealed the tomb, they showed up-faith that they would get in-and astonished to find the stone rolled away-and the tomb empty! A faith and love the men hadn't shown-remember Peter the night before, and where were they now? And I realized a lot about our relationship with Jesus, and with others. The bigger the commitment, the bigger the blessing. It was a joy to talk with a group of bikeriders who loved to ride, knew about different bikes, and didn't have a prejudice for or against a brand. We all rode, and that made us a family.
And I also enjoyed meeting others at church, people like me but different-I was the only one in over 3000 attending that had a leather jacket-except for Theresa, and we were the only bikes parked there. But we all had Jesus in common, just like the women who rushed to the tomb. And like them, we want the most out of that relationship-and realize it takes participation. So we read the Bible, attend church, fellowship when possible, and pray. We form a relationship with God, and as we draw closer to Him, we become more like Him, and that shows to others. And I wondered if the churches could get it together like the bikers I met that Easter afternoon. Keeping the main thing the main thing, we could all visit and ride off on our own. And you know what-it's happening. But we need to encourage it. Get out among the people, and share love of Christ with others. Form relationships. I met about to dozen new friends at the Rock Store, and could share Jesus openly with them because of our common ground-motorcycles. Truly God will use the foolish things of the world-Hello! You're a Christian and you ride?
You mean you ride and you're not? Common ground is not that uncommon-golfers talk with other golfers. Bikers with other bikers. BMW owners with their president-but get out and share. Even while eating BBQ!Run to the tomb-expect to see Jesus. And when He isn't there, ask a Christian where to find Him. You'll find He isn't very far away, and has been waiting patiently for you. Now, what are you waiting for?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
