I'm not sure why, but I have always been a light packer. When I moved west from Jersey in 1975, I was on my R90S, and moved to Albuquerque with only a tank bag. Which was still a novelty at the time. Very European. For most still tied their old Boy Scout knapsack on the back, and that was how we toured. Panniers-baggers as we call them today, were a rare sight, but then so were touring riders like myself. Our brotherhood was small, but close, and we would compare notes about food, roads, and places to see and stay when we would meet on the road. Where we were from never seemed to be as important as where we were going. How far or how long was not important-the road was the destination. And the excitement of the unknown was ever present. Which to me only made it more inviting.
Until I had left home, my longest trip had been to Florida on I-95, not exactly the way to see the world. Unless you were a snowbird escaping NY City's lovely winters for the curse of sunshine and warmth. But it was heading west from Gainesville that I started on roads that I had no idea where they would lead, and started a true adventure that today still takes place in my heart. Riding into the sunset, then some more. And I still take the long way home rather than the shortest. I still ride the back roads whenever I can instead of the freeways. I still eat at Mom's, and prefer small towns. I still stop for other bikers along the road, and I still visit shops along the way. I have made more friends over a Coke in 5 minutes just because I took the time to stop-and visit. There is a certain code of the road, not written, and not expressible. But when two riders meet we don't have to explain it. Better than words, it is in the heart. And 40 years ago I never thought I would be still doing it today.
Travel planning has changed. Today with the internet, the Travel Channel, and various touring magazines, so many trips can be planned from the comfort of your home on a cold winter day. With anything from motel reviews, to favorite road articles, to food reviews-a lot of the unknown has become known. Gladly you still have to get out and experience it. You still have to go to Primonti's-the old one in the Strip District, to eat one of their unique sandwiches. You still need to go to eastern Tennessee to ride the Snake. Pictures cannot describe how desolate the Upper Peninsula is in September. Or how crowded the beach in Daytona is in March. You cannot smell the BBQ at the Golden Rule in Birmingham, or talk to the pit crew there from the internet. And you cannot experience the freedom, adventure, and brotherhood of motorcycling if you don't get out of your chair, onto your bike, and onto the road. Weekends may serve to fill a short term need, like a fast food burger when nothing else is around, but to satisfy the real biker in you, you must take to the road. And although I have ridden many places with friends, it is the solo trips I make, with Theresa that are the most memorable. It's that personal.
Being a Christian is like that too. Exciting every day, even on local roads. But the desire of more, to know Jesus even more is the motivating force in my life. Being led by the Holy Spirit into situations I never knew existed, has been a blessing I cannot get enough of. Seeing lives changed, families healed, and fellowshipping with other Christians has given my life a new value-and one worth living. Knowing Jesus is like riding on a new road for the first time, and getting excited the farther you go. Not knowing what is around the next curve. It is better than reading about life, it is life! It is riding the old road into the New River Gorge, rather than the new bridge over it, and seeing all the green after a rain. Riding faster than you should down PA 32 into New Hope, enjoying all the curves and dips as it follows the Delaware. It is approaching Mt. Rushmore, with more of the faces visible after each turn. It is Skyline Drive on a cool morning, and a hot afternoon in the valley below. It is the beginning of a trip, when you still haven't counted the days left, because you have so much in front of you. It is life, and is exciting because Jesus makes it that way. And after 36 years of riding with Him, I still haven't had enough. And I still can't wait to get back on the road with Him. He keeps me young, and after all those miles and years I still can't believe I'm serving Him today. And the more I roads I ride, I find there are many more I need to. The desire only gets stronger.
Trust Jesus today. There are many places He wishes to take you-some that aren't on any map. Many you have never heard of, and many that without Him you will never know. For being on the road with Jesus brings a satisfaction that nothing else can. For you cannot fully experience Jesus from a church pew. You need to get out to experience a joy of life, a calmness of spirit, and love for life found nowhere else. With a friend that sticks closer than no other. Jesus loved being on the road, that was where His friends were. People like you and me. Not the stuffy church types with their rules and regulations. They argued with Him, and tried to trap Him. So He ministered out on the road. Where lie was going on. He is all about freedom, isn't it time you gave up religion and experienced some?
Let God take you on some new roads, and some new adventures today. Places not known to those who don't trust. Places not known to those with rules. A freedom that only comes from the Spirit. I didn't realize 40 years ago that the roads would never end. Or that Jesus could bless so much. Some things you just need to find out for yourself. A life with Jesus is a life that is more than words. Where you ride today depends on who you ride with. If your God doesn't ride, it's time you met Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com