The sound of rain falling as sleep fades and the day takes form draws pictures in my head — of mystical worlds shrouded in sheets of water and mist on some mornings, and others, like today, of toil and drudgery as I drag my mind and body through the relentless discomfort the weather presents.
Today I awoke to the latter. Standing along the road with my little camera, happy and recognizing the fragile nature of being alive, how could I let a little rain move my mind into a state of reluctance at donning some riding gear for a handsome journey to work?
The rain was fell lightly during the ride as the clouds thinned across the valley. An hour earlier the only reasonable choice for commuting was the van and it’s steel and glass encasement isolating me from the world.
In 10 months I’ll commence my sixth decade on earth and the event gives rise to questions of age and waning strength and perseverance in the face of resistance. I take comfort in the example set by a neighborhood bicyclist who pedals into town daily throughout the year — and he must be in his 90s.
So I managed another ride to work with a few detours and diversions and the inevitable whispering of “take the day off and ride…”.
Instead a last picture of a round bale in the lane and onward towards Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and the office.
It was a good day to ride.
Great photos, as always.
There’s nothing quite like being on two wheels in less-than-ideal weather to help one really appreciate how great it is to be alive.
I mean, I enjoy nice days as much as anyone else… but it’s the rides on crappy days that are usually special.
Always brilliant Steve!
I have a question to make you.
I commute to work on a 2010 4T LML, on a regular basis (almost every day) but i lack the capacity to write about it since, when I look back at the end of the day, I don’t see all that much to write about.
Where do you get your creativity and source of imagination from?
PS: Now I have something to write about, since I just made 1k miles in less than 10 days 😀
Good advice! It is amazing how the passage of time focuses the mind.
If your sixth decade approaches (and it approaches the faster we age, trust me) then a certain amount of retrospection is probably in your daily musing.
As much as your blog postings.
At a year beyond age 60 due to intrusion of first Lupus then cancer i was forced to stop riding. Have thought since what i have missed by not riding. OTO no modped of any description is large enough for me. Sat on one of the latest Gold Wings owned by a friend the other day…could not even get my knees behind the fairing let alone below the height of the handlebars.
So maybe age 61 was my motorcycle riding end point? Must admit the new scooters/mopeds do not resemble your Vespa which is a shame.
Lucky: Nice to see your icon show up on the comments feed! And thanks for the kind words about the photos.
I agree with you — the crappy weather riding makes for better memories than the postcard days — for me at least.
W: Where do I come up with ideas to write about…. interesting question.
Generally there is always something buzzing around in my head — something I’m excited about, worried about, bugged about. I just write it down in a stream of consciousness kind of manner. Some people find that too personal but I don’t share any details I would share with a stranger.
And part of it is practice. I use writing, photography, and this blog as a kind of grounding device — how are things going, how am I feeling, etc. Not sure if that helps but generally I have no idea what I am going to write until I sit down to create a post.
And congratulations on 1K miles in 10 days!
Bryce Lee: Your comment is a strong reminder of what tomorrow could bring to any of us. Best live today.
Maybe you will yet return to the road on something with two or three wheels!