I always told Theresa that riding was a personal thing, but it took her getting her own motorcycle after riding behind me for 25 years before she understood what I meant. It is different when it is your own, and you choose to ride different roads than you would when a passenger. You see things different-you notice other traffic, road conditions, the temperature, and the skies. The weather plays a bigger part, and where you choose to ride to is important, although the ride will always be the best destination. And there are times you just want to be alone in this private world God has created for you, sometimes a ride with a friend along, and sometimes others. And each type lends itself to a different style of riding. So many roads, and still so little time.
When alone, I choose roads that I like-and sometimes roads that no one else will ride with me on. I take the surface streets up to LA, and ride the old neighborhoods, take in the history, and recognize places I have seen on TV, and will stop and eat at an old drive-in, even though the neighborhood looks tough. I stop in bike shops just to look, and end up meeting new friends. And always leave myself enough time to get back via a convenient freeway. The trip home is always much shorter than the trip going. It is a trip for me, with my decisions for the day being the only limiting factor.
With Theresa on back I can ride similar, but tend to choose places she would like to see, and eat. On the back, time doesn't matter that much, but when she is on her Bonneville, I watch the clock more, knowing that traffic may mean lane splitting. I have to be more considerate of her, and it may alter my ride decisions, not bad, just different. And I love to ride with her. On back, or chasing her on the road, I enjoy having her along.
But riding with friends adds a new dimension to riding. You tend to smooth out your own ideas, and ride for what makes the others comfortable. There is a compromise to satisfy the group, and not to please yourself. It can lead to places you may not have otherwise gone, at speeds you aren't used to-hey I still have three gears left, can we speed up! But there are always times when I see something I would have stopped for, but didn't, considering the group. Making mental notes to return, but it is never the same. Not everyone is happy riding to Idyllwild, and some are so slow you may pass them on the way down-while they are still going up. Some only eat at chain restaurants, and are afraid of a corner taco stand. For some a tank of gas means three weekends of riding, while for us it means three hours. And you lose much of the personal riding that you set off on, hoping that the fellowship when you stop makes up for it. Not my favorite way to ride, so my short list only has a few on it-Joe, Frank, and Stu. Guys I don't have to wait for, babysit, or listen to them complain about the road, the weather, or the food. Guys who if we want to break off on the way home aren't offended, and call when they get home to let us know they made it safe. And look forward to our next ride. Sadly my list got shorter this year when Don Snyder passed, the only road captain I would trust to go across the US of A. But these other guys I would go with anywhere, at anytime. If you only ride in groups to a destination, you may never get to know what I am talking about. But each ride is still special. How many roads have you discovered by following someone else? And then taken others back to?
God is like that, too. He is so personal that I like to spend time alone with Him. I like to meditate on Jesus while riding, and allow God to speak to me uninterrupted. No better place than on a motorcycle to spend with God. No phones, music, or communicators-just you and the creator of the universe sharing time with you-while you ride. But other times when Theresa and I are together we get to share what God is doing in our lives. After church we ride home and then share what we just learned. Getting perspectives and blessings from what God is doing in our lives, or what He just revealed to us. Sometimes over carnitas at a stand none of our friends would dare stop at. A special time because God is with us. Then two can be better than one.
And sometimes we love getting together like we did at the Feast of Trumpets at church. It seems that even in a crowd of thousands, God can still be very personal, but very exciting too as we all sing and praise God together. How a thousand voices can fill the air with excitement and joy-and make the time spent feel like it will never end. But in both riding and fellowship it means taking our eyes off ourselves, and placing them on God.
God will make the times of riding very special. He will show you things that you need for the day, and answer questions you have-a son riding with his Father. God can take you places you never knew existed, and on roads that only He knows about. And one thing about Jesus- He gives you a desire to share Him with others. Maybe that is why bikers understand fellowship and brotherhood so well-they only need Jesus to make it complete. A trinity if you will-you, your motorcycle, and Jesus. Truly good things come in threes!
Your ride today may end different than it started. Flexibility will be a key to enjoying it-trust God. You may start out alone and meet up with friends. Or vice-versa. You may just ride to LA, or use that as a starting point for the next day. Keep it personal. Keep God in your ride. And watch as no matter how big the crowd, the most important relationship that day will be just you and Jesus.
So whether at the Hollister Rally, the Rock Store, or on your favorite road, enjoy the ride spending time with God. Like I told Theresa, it personal. And so is riding...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
