Freeways-I can remember reading about them when I was young, and how they
were the roads of tomorrow. Enacted by a request from then President
Eisenhower, we needed an infrastructure in case we ever went to war on our own
shores, and the Interstate Highway System was created, and roads started in
1956. I can remember how excited we were when I-78 went in, bypassing most of
old US 22, going through wide open fields, two lanes wide of no stop lights, no
businesses to get off at, and very few billboards. It took us through land we
hadn’t imagined, it was out in the country in many places, and was referred to
as limited access. And for a while only sections were open, making us
appreciate the freedom of no stop lights for miles, then being routed back on
old 22 and waiting in heavy traffic. New and improved used to really mean that,
and freeways were just that. And they bragged you could drive from the Atlantic
to the Pacific and never encounter a stop light-bring it on! But with no
lights, and limited access, came a new standard-boredom. Set the cruise and
go. No longer did you pass such icons as the Flagship, or Leaning Tower of
Pizza. You went past miles of openness, limited exits, and it took a while to
get used to finding your way. New street names, even new names of towns took
some getting used to. And exits now had numbers, which until only a few years
ago took on the miles travelled instead of numerically in order. Starting in
the west and going east, or south to north, if you got on at exit/entrance 33,
and needed to get off at exit 96, you could do the math, it was 63 miles.
Giving a “how long until we get there?” question new and more accurate answers.
So Cal is well known for its freeways, and really to us they are just big
surface streets. Take the 78 to the Golden State, to the San Diego Freeway and
you are in LA. In places up to 7 lanes wide-for faster travel or actually the
world’s widest parking lot much of the time. The average speed in LA on their
freeways is all of 17 miles per hour. Not what you have in mind when you want
to go out for a leisurely ride. But I can get to LA form Sa Diego using surface
streets and never touch a freeway. And it may not take much longer. A
different ride, at a different speed, slowing down to get there faster. Which
brings us to last Saturday, riding our Bonnevilles. We started the day and C
and G Ford’s Open House where Andrew works. We frequent old car shows each week
end, and after great BBQ lunch, it was still early, the weather great, and we
were in no mood fro freeways. Give us slower today, a ride where we didn’t have
to think much, and could just cruise. And the Bonnies were just the ticket.
Going through Escondido, up over the hill into Valley Center took us to a
different world. No cars were out today, they must all be at the malls, for it
was great. Lots of bikes, particularly near Palomar, but it seemed all speeds
were down today, and we just cruised. On roads like Rice Canyon where on the
Tiger I go 70-80 safely, today I rode 45 and felt fast in places. I looked at
the homes and trees, and saw things I miss at 80. Suddenly I was so relaxed
that shifting into 4th in places felt fast, so 3rd it was, helping to keep the
speed down, but still using all my tires in turns, a much slower fast, with no
traffic to concern myself with. All in a day’s ride, with no freeways to deal
with-and the 100 miles of roads lasted all afternoon.
De Luz Canyon is a beautiful ride, from Fallbrook to Temecula, or vice
versa as we rode it. Picking up elevation quick and leaving Temecula behind,
soon you are on winding roads of outer suburbia, past ranches, and soon just you
and the road. No exits with signs or mileages, no signs at all, with only one
fork in the road to take, actually a T, hoping the left meant Fallbrook, but not
really concerned if it didn’t. We were just out riding, away from it all, and
it felt great. No lanes to split, no traffic either way for miles, the sound of
the exhaust echoing at times off the canyon walls-my kind of music. With each
of us riding our own ride, and although I was riding faster than Theresa never
felt hurried, and only stopped a few times for her to catch up. Riding our own
rides, with no pressure, no schedule, and no particular place to go, and all day
to get there. A quick ride through Fallbrook, stopping at an antique store we
usually speed past, and finding a treasure trove of goodies. And then down old
395 and home-rested and worn out all at once. A peaceful ride for an
afternoon....reminding me that it is the road, and not the destination that
counts. That day the road was the destination. Reminding us of how you can
never go home, but you can still take great roads to get there.
We were on very few straight and narrow roads that day. I still believe to
this day God invented curves for motorcycles to ride on. And for years
struggled with the scripture “for the gate is narrow, and the road is straight
to God.” How could scripture mislead me so badly, why were there curves if
straight was the best? Until he reminded me one day, and again last week. The
road is straight to Jesus, only one way, so that you don’t get lost. And the
shortest way is a straight line between two points-here and heaven. But he
added curves so we can enjoy life, be tested, and have to rely on him to make,
we cannot do it on our own. For straight and narrow roads lead to a gate that
is straight and narrow-the only way in. Not like the border crossing, where 17+
lanes await you, the gate is narrow, so stay straight! Also you get to choose
the best lines when riding through life, finding like riding, if you enter the
curve correctly, you can exit faster. So choosing the right lines is
important. Too far left-oncoming traffic. Too far right-you run off the road.
Staying the course, riding straight and narrow, and as any racer knows, turning
curves into straight lines. For curves are just a bunch of straight lines at
changing angles. So adjust you speed carefully. Works in riding, works in
life, works with Jesus. You don’t have to ride too fast into a turn to see God
like some racers do. And although we each take a different road to Jesus, there
is still only one way to heaven, and he is it! Fast or slow, freeways or back
roads, with him we will finally get there. But the road ahead looms, and for
some it is scary. For some boring, for some an adventure. How is the
procedure, who is the destination.
Some day we will look back at life as all in a day’s ride when we get to
heaven. Riding at God’s pace rather than rushing at ours. Jesus never hurried,
and was never late. He never delayed, and always arrived on time, God’s time.
A fact Martha and Mary were to learn with their brother Lazarus. Life is more
than mileage markers, and roads can be taken slower and faster at the same
time. For us Saturday’s ride was all about the ride, showing us it is all about
Jesus. And that no matter what road, how fast, or how slow, when it leads to
him it is the right road. Many will offer quicker ways, detours that sound
appealing, or even alternative routes. Stick with Jesus, the only way. When we
get to heaven I don’t anticipate anyone asking “are we there yet?” We’ll know,
there will be no doubt. Until that day, enjoy the road you are on with him, and
enjoy life. Straight and narrow leads to the gates of heaven, it is the curves
that make the ride there worthwhile.
love with compassion,
Mike
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com