For the first time since 2004, Theresa and I will not be doing a cross
country trip this summer. Last year’s was interrupted by being life flighted
and then having open heart surgery, and this year, although healthy, have
decided to stay closer to home, and will be doing California. We have changed
our lifestyles, but are adjusting well. And different, shorter rides don’t mean
less of a ride, just that, different. So the Tiger is sitting downstairs in the
garage waiting, like it has for 7 previous summers, and we are looking forward
to our get away-if abbreviated from past rides. And the Tiger needs miles, last
year I put more miles on my collector bike, the Suzuki that only gets ridden
occasionally. Something is not right here, and the road is the remedy.
In the past we have been on the road for as much as 37 nights, 11,000
miles, and have been in all lower 48 states plus Canada. You would think we
might have seen it all, or at least enough, but we have encountered so many
roads which called to us but due to time and money have had to put on next
year’s trip agenda. An agenda that each year gets longer, as we pass more
roads, meet more people who give us great ideas, but the amount of time needed
doesn’t increase. Nor do the funds needed to do it. It seems it is the old
story, either you have the time or the money, but never both at the same time.
Like the great deal you could have had if you had the money, where are those
great deals when I happen to have money? Enough philosophying, aka whining, the
Tiger awaits, and we are ready. But first, some past roads...
One that comes to mind is I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso. I didn’t
say a great road, but a good ride, with only one ticket to speak of. Texas has
a town known for its speeding revenue, and doing the dangerous speed of 76 in a
70 mph zone, on a freeway designed for 85 or higher, I was stopped, ticketed,
and the sheriff was across the median and had someone else stopped before I was
back on my bike. But after leaving him behind, we hooked up with a Mercedes
Benz S55, and for two hours, we cruised between 100-120, before just outside of
El Paso. Stopping for gas, we both acknowledged each other, no words were
spoken, but it had taken two above average rider and driver to sustain the
speed. Not a great road, boring even at 120, but a good ride. Lesser
individuals need not apply. Getting into El Paso early, we cancelled our
reservations-what was I thinking when making them in El Paso anyway, and we
ended up in Tucson for the night, an 850 mile ride. With just a short 450 mile
sprint home the next day. Behind every good ride, is a good rider.
Highway 99 from Washington to California has a certain, but not as romantic
style as Route 66. Much of it goes through the middle of California, flat,
boring, and counting the corn can put you to sleep. We were leaving The Dalles,
Oregon after being to Victoria, BC with my son Christopher, age 9, and riding
with Bruce. We split off after The Dalles, and Christopher and I rode to
Bakersfield for the night. It was hot, above 100 most of the ride, except Bend,
which I still don’t get why people think it is a great place, on my FJ1100.
When Yamaha designed the bike, they put the battery behind the engine, where it
was in the way of escaping heat, causing it to boil itself dry every so often,
and the bike wouldn’t start. Another 850 mile ride, with Christopher, who loves
to travel with me, and outside of Nowhere, not on the map, we got gas, and the
bike failed to start. Explaining to the non-English speaking attendant I needed
water for the battery, he stood amazed as I topped it off, but no start. By
then he had caught on, after motioned he would push me, and the bike started
right up, and no further problems along the way home. Again, a good ride, not
necessarily a great road, but with a little push from my new found friend, I was
that good rider again. Not panicking in a panic situation. Gracias,
amigo.
But my best rides, and my best trips are with Theresa behind me. She
embodies the saying “behind every great man there is a great woman,” in our case
“behind every good rider is a good woman.” She has endured rain, cold, heat,
high miles, and high speeds, only to come back for more. And this summer we
will have more, but not as long, but I know good roads, and good rides lay
ahead. We will be turning a ride to Central California, about an 900 mile round
trip into a 2000 mile ride. And as any good biker knows, the long way is the
best way. Curves add miles and memories, and both await us. And the Tiger
should get ridden more than the Suzuki this year, if a bike could speak it is as
lonely for the road as we are.
Given the right road, right bike, and right circumstances, I love to ride
fast. I can do it, have for years, but can do it safely and have fun. But this
last year I have gotten faster, but only in certain situations. In most others
I have slowed down, or not as fast would be a better term. I am looking around
more at my surroundings, and seeing things I hadn’t seen before. Rather than
looking out for cops, I am out looking, and I am enjoying the ride like never
before. I have become a better rider, and somehow the old roads seem different,
sometimes better. Changing your perspective by a simple attitude, and speed
adjustment. We are stopping in more small towns, walking around, and meeting
people, seeing things, and enjoying being together more. More days spent next
to each other hand in hand walking, than her staring at the back of my helmet,
in between taking thousands of pictures from her perch. I am taking the advice
I once read on a calendar, “Jesus never hurried.” But was always on time. If
He can do it, so can I, He says we can do all things through Him that
strengthens us, so I am out proving scripture. And He is right. No big
surprise here, and by going less fast, get to see more. Days seem longer, and
nights sweeter when riding with Jesus, instead of trying to outpace Him, or
lagging behind and playing catch up. Bringing a new meaning to walking with
Christ. For example, if you ride 60 mph, and I ride 62 mph, in an hour I am two
miles ahead, or you are two miles behind. What kind of relationship is that?
But riding together at the same speeds, we enjoy the ride together more. We
become better riders, and behind every good ride we are those good riders. And
in Christ, we have that good walk. Someone to lean on when tired, to show the
way when we get disoriented, and someone to lead-He knows the best roads. after
all He spent most of His life on them. So ask yourself, are you that good
rider? Are you that good of a rider that you can’t hone your skills to the road
you are on? That you can’t walk with Jesus, on His terms? A great bike can
make you a better rider, a good rider can make a bad bike faster, but it takes
skills to ride them in both situations. Do you have that skill? That desire?
Look to Jesus...and follow Him. Don’t get ahead aka hurry and have to wait for
Him-He isn’t late, you’re early. And don’t put Him off, He isn’t fast, you’re
too slow. He knows the pace, consistent. He knows how to enter curves, and
exit them too. Using all the road, all the bike, and all the skills.
I am blessed that behind this good rider, I have an even better woman.
That is why we don’t ride side by side on a motorcycle like we do in cars. You
should be so blessed. But I also have a lifelong riding partner with me, who
knows how I ride, and loves me anyway. Choose the road that Jesus is on, and
enjoy the ride. For behind every good road, is a good rider. And I don’t have
to look in the mirror to find Him! The road calls-let the ride begin.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com