There is this road I know when certified fast guys come to visit I take
them to. It has curves, great surface, and for just under 7 miles you can prove
just how fast you really are. Then there is another road I know where I take
beginner riders, or those who have little experience. It too has curves, but
not as many, stop signs, straights, and if you are brave enough sections to
cruise at 80, or just cruise along at the posted 55. It lasts about 35 miles,
and like the first road, you can turn around and ride it back to where you
started. But then there is a third road, where you can test the top speed of
your ride and yourself, and I rarely take anyone else there. Too dangerous, and
even speeds over 130 on it scare me anymore, so I avoid it except when riding a
new bike and wanting to see what it will do. Or I can do on it. Just for my
own knowledge of course. But in each case I first give advice, which was given
to me years ago and is still good advice today, ride your own ride. Don’t try
to keep up with me, and I don’t mind if you pass me. Enjoy the ride at your
pace, and we will meet up at the end. And in doing so I learn more about the
road and myself, and hopefully become a better rider.
On one afternoon two guys I worked with on sport bikes came by to ride, and
I took them to road #1. But I took the Bonneville with Theresa on the back, and
still shook them. They rode their own ride, I rode mine, and all returned safe,
if not a little embarrassing for the sport bike riders. A fast bike doesn’t
make a faster rider, skill and old age mixed with experience are a tough
combination to beat. But my main reason at first was to show them the lines I
take, so they can get the most from the ride, and coming back, they definitely
rode faster. And reminded me of a question asked by a Marine when he doubted
your BS, “thank you for your opinion, could you state your sources please?”
When you want to ride better, who do you ask? Maybe you need to ask the above
question before listening or heading off. It just might save your life, or at
least your ride.
I have a friend who has over 150,000 miles on his Harley. He may seem a
good candidate for advice on how to ride long distances, except when you learn
they are all commuting miles. Maybe a good guy to ask if you commute with him,
but the last guy to take advice from on a long tour. At the other end is
another friend who does a lot of track days, and is very fast. He is used to
run outs, fast laps, and after a few resting. Watching him ride on the street
one day, I thought he was crazy, he is and was, his skills tuned for the track,
but leaving me behind on the street, with the thought I may find him in the
bushes around the next corner. Never did, he is an E ticket ride every
time...not for me. When he talks of lines, I find mine much different, and
slower. My rides are not races, or for time, only a good time. Again know the
professor before the question. But the ones who I find the lesser riders are
ones who ride like the group does. They stick out by their conformity. And you
only are as fast as the slowest rider, and some are pretty slow. And bad, who
are first to point out how you ride too fast. A sure admission of their lack of
skills. But yet many fall prey to their lack of skill and consideration of
others, so I don’t and won’t ride with them. I hope they enjoy their ride, and
I want to enjoy mine too. They are the ones to avoid when asking advice on
riding, they don’t see what we do, and they are so hypnotized at times they may
not be seeing anything at all. So always consider your sources when asking,
like the saying goes, “$20k and 200 miles don’t make you a biker.” Beware
shiny new leathers, and bikes that never lean more than their side stands
allow. But be wise of high mileage guys too, 200,000 on a Gold Wing may be all
interstate, with only off ramps for curves. I know, and now I ask. And am
asked.
We are all very impressionable, and it seems whenever a new situation
occurs, we have much to learn. As a young Christian, I admired a family who
seemed to do everything right. They had two teenagers, a boy and girl, and
seemed so righteous at church, yet so friendly. It was only after being the
youth leader, I saw how different they really were. The kids were normal teens,
the girl wanting to date, and wanting to show off her developing body. Her
brother was athletic, liked cars, and wanted to ride motorcycles. Normal kids.
Yet in church they had to behave differently, they were two different people
living in the same bodies, in church and out of church. And soon when they got
old enough, went wild. Too many rules, they wanted to find out for themselves,
and when we cannot from the church, from fear of reprisal, they got into
trouble. Bring embarrassment to their parents in the body of the congregation.
I found this out later when I met the son, who turned out OK, loved God, but was
burnt on church. His sister had gotten pregnant, had a baby, he was an uncle,
but the family had left the church in shame. Where was all the love they told
us about? What example did they set? What was the source of their relationship
with God? Church or with Jesus personally?
I don’t like religious movies, they give a bad example of how we really
are. We have the same problems, temptations, and desires common to all. Yet in
these movies we are profiled as goody two shoes, whose biggest problem is what
new prom dress do I get? Will I find time to study for my finals? Who will I
take to my youth group rally? And then there is real life, kids found under
pressure from peer groups, trying drugs, alcohol, and sex. Unwed teen mothers,
kids flunking out of school on drugs, and succumbing to other temptations. Real
life. Real problems. Who would you turn to for advice? Put a group together
in drug rehab, you find better places to score. Fast guys in driving school,
better roads to ride. Car thieves, you get better skills shared. But in all
cases one ingredient is missing, Jesus Christ. Who knows temptation, and how to
handle it. Who offers free advice,and can back it up. Who shows the way
because he is the way. Who encourages you to ride your own ride in life, don’t
be taken in by religion, and strive to live in the spirit. We all mean well,
and like to offer good advice. After my open heart surgery I had many who would
approach telling me they understood just how I felt. Really, you ever been life
flighted when on vacation? Should have died? So I started to answer “really,
maybe you can tell me, because I don’t get it.” Until you have the experience,
you don’t know. So get to know God, the way he intended, through Jesus. Now
when I encounter those who have gone through a traumatic time, I tell them, “I
cannot imagine what you feel or are going through, I only know what I felt.”
And share my testimony of how God was there, never left me, and still cares for
me today. What witness does your ride provide? God will never put pressures on
you like the church will. So consider the source when needing advice, spiritual
as well as riding. God knows best in all situations, going to church will not
qualify you, listening to the spirit will. And God does forgive....do you?
Christians sadly are known for killing their wounded, where does your guidance
come from? Above or from the congregation?
So I leave you with good advice, whether riding or in affairs of the soul.
Don’t ride like the majority rides. Ride your own ride, the one Jesus has set
before you. It is hard to be yourself when trying to match up to others
demands, allow the freedom of the spirit to guide you, and enjoy the ride.
Knowing if you get off the course, you are welcomed back and forgiven. So keep
going, for we will make mistakes, all of us, some accept forgiveness and ride
on, others die a slow death trying to impress. Search for the greatest source,
God, and find him readily available. The next time you consider that majority
rules, remember the cross, and the majority that sentenced Jesus to it. We
probably would have been right in it, today we can find comfort in he who died
for us. Advising others to follow him, rather than the crowd. When you come to
Christ you find someone you can emulate, who you can live like. Works in riding
too, bet you never heard that one in church. We are all on a road in life, with
turns, straights, and potholes. How you navigate them will show Christ in your
life. Could you state your source please? Maybe your actions already have.
Time with God doesn’t necessarily make you a good instructor. We all need to
work on our rides, only in Jesus will you find what you are looking for. The
only source you will ever need. In church or out, don’t be intimidated, listen
to what the spirit is saying.....there is this road I know.....hope to see you
on it. Where we will all meet at the end.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com