We were on our way to Canada on our Sprint RS, leaving St. Helena on
SR128. Leaving the light an Eddie Lawson Replica, ELR Kawasaki passed us, and
the ride was on. We tried keeping up ,but this was his ride that day. But
following his lines we were never far behind, and when we were, he would slow in
the straights and wait. A guided tour of a road I have ridden many times since,
but never with such vigor. A friend and riding partner I never met, but would
recognize the back of his bike from anywhere. We were riding on Skyline Drive,
this time in the Shenandoah Valley, when we stopped at a rest stop, taking a fog
break. We were on our Sprint ST this time, and moment later another one pulled
up next to us. After a brief exchange, seeing our California tags he offered
“follow me, I live here, this road is my back yard.” And for the next 45 miles
rode faster than I had ever imagined on this 45 mph speed limited masterpiece.
Taking his lines, I rode over my head at times, but if he could do it, so could
I, and we did. When he finally slowed to turn off, a wave and he was off.
Skyline Drive would never be the same, and I never got a chance to thank him.
Penny was a patient of Gerald, and she rode a BMW. Gerald wanted a BMW, I had
one, so he hooked us up for a Sunday morning ride. She decided on South 10
through Tijeras Canyon, a new road to me. She was fast, and I could keep up
through the curves, until in a straight a Z-1 blew by us. Too much for Penny to
take, in the next set of curves she and her R90/6 blew by him, and then
proceeded to leave him behind. I followed close behind, but far enough away
should either one crash-they were haulin’. We all stopped at a gas station, and
when she took off her helmet, and the Z-1 rider saw her long blond hair and that
she was a girl, he took off. The embarrassment too much for him. I just
smiled, and to this day every time I see a blond pony tail hanging out of the
back of a helmet I think of Penny. Fast girls and motorcycles...she was quite a
lady.
Don had just bought a new Interceptor, and need to break it in. So we
decided to ride a loop over Wolf Creek Pass, at the time a dangerous two lane
road, even a hit song was written about by C. W. McCall of Convoy fame. I was
following him when we came upon a car, and both passed him at high speeds, then
I passed Don. Later that week when we stopped in Handlebar Cycle, Gary the
manager was telling of two bikes that had blown by him on Wolf Creek. He was
the guy in that car. When Don said “that was me, “ Gary was impressed. But
when he was told I was the crazy sucker passing both, my KZ750 got new respect
in that Honda/Yamaha store. The Interceptor was as close to a race bike as you
could by...blown away by a Kawasaki. And for years Gary would tell the story,
introducing me as that guy on the other bike...never mentioning it was a
Kawasaki. But we knew.... I had been asked to attend a ride for the new Ducati
Diablo, sponsored by Cycle World. Some 20 of us with varying riding backgrounds
would take a great course from the coast to Escondido on back roads. The group
leader was Mark Cernicky, an editor from the magazine, and he was to follow. I
always ride from the rear, letting the group get ahead so I can ride harder, and
soon Cernicky and I were alone, he saw what I was up to and joined in, and we
were having fun. The ride was a great course, all curves, and coming into
Escondido, the last turn was marked at 15mph. An easy 30 mph turn for me, but
looking to my right, here comes Cernicky, all crossed up flat track style
passing me. Our conversation at the stop sign was one word from me, “bored?”
He nodded and we rode back. The others had ridden a new bike, we had taken a
ride. Telling Mickey later, he kept telling “don’t ever let him ride your bike,
he crashes.” Looking back I could see that, but for me that day the Diablo went
from cruiser to race bike riding with him. Who said riding a cruiser has to be
boring? Mick had lent me a Rocket 3 Roadster for a few days and I rode it to a
local bike night. While talking with others we noticed the feelers on both foot
pegs worn off, and part of the foot pegs too. Whoever had this last rode the
wheels off it. It was then noticing the license plate, bent from doing wheelies
that I really had a new hero. An 800 pound cruiser with more torque at idle
than a Harley has max, and it handles too. Another lesson from the road of when
it throws a curve at you, ride it.
Now if every road was straight and smooth, we wouldn’t need suspensions.
But life is like roads, and we need Jesus to carry us through. Not always as
much fun, but definitely challenging. Now the roads may not be straight and
narrow, but the way to Christ is. No surprise left hand turns, no off camber
turns, and no lane ending suddenly. The road is straight and narrow so anyone
can make it, just follow Jesus. But then life throws us a curve or two, and we
cannot ride it out, and crash. Or get so scared we never ride again, or worse
yet figure “where was Jesus when I needed him?” and leave him behind. So they
either go their own way, or live a cautious life within the church walls, never
seeing all of Jesus, or what he has for them. Straight and narrow, and boring
and unchallenged. No surprises, and no blessings either. And they get upset
hearing of what Jesus has done in your life, sometimes becoming jealous because
you are blessed and they are not. Many times their choice, stay at home or ride
safe roads. Slow in the turns, cruise on in the straights. Never passing
anyone, but many passing them. Things going well, then life throws a curve at
them, and they find they are only about 6 inches deep in Christ. Despite all
the teachings, Bible studies, and seat time in church, they know all about
Jesus, they just don’t know him. And wonder why he has abandoned them, at the
time they need him most. Truth is he hasn’t they have turned their backs on
him. And he is still knocking on the door, offering hope and help. You see the
gospel is straight and narrow, easy so I can get it, and free so I can afford
it. Yet life isn’t so kind, and we need the kind of heavenly suspension that
only Jesus Christ can provide to get us through. And when riding with him, the
ride becomes more exciting, more fun, and more places we never knew about. He
is life and life abundantly. And the testimonies and times spent with him help
encourage others to get out and ride. Get out and live, get out and into
Jesus. Life abundantly, enjoying the curves and not avoiding them, picking new
lines in Christ because now you see the whole road. The blinders are off... and
so can you be.
Coming down off Wolf Creek into Pagosa Springs, I stopped at the top, and
noticed how the road disappeared, then reappeared being lost in some curves.
Not being able to see what was in the next blind curve. And God spoke to me,
assuring me he does know what is around the next curve, and when following him
and taking his lines, we are safe and secure. And enjoying life more. Maybe
you won’t ever wear off your foot pegs, you may never scrape your floor boards,
but life will still throw us curves. So I take the advice of Kenny Roberts,
racer extraordinaire, if too fast into a curve, keep leaning. Don’t panic.
Works in life too, too much curve and not enough of you, lean on Jesus. Don’t
panic, he doesn’t, and the thrill of having him with you only brings on the
desire for more of him. An excitement not found on the sofa, so if you must
sit somewhere, sit where you are comfortable. For me it is behind bars,
handlebars, with a full tank of gas, lots of curves, and plenty of time to
ride. Get the most out of life in Christ, and the most out of your ride. And
if you come upon a blond pony tail sticking out of a helmet, pass and wave.
Theresa will wave back...fast girls and motorcycles, and she’s always a lady for
me. But you have to catch her first....if you can’t beat ‘em, marry one.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com