Flame of Excitement
I’ve been feeling angry a lot lately. Drama, the pandemic, heat, and the everyday noise of living seem to be backing up in my head. Being lost helped clear all that up.
I told Kim I needed a ride. So I got early, took care of the dogs, and walked out to the motorcycle not long after sunrise. The air was cool and I felt the familiar flame of excitement kindle in my gut.
I was going for a ride.
I wonder if, or when, that kind of excitement will end.
I didn’t plan on being lost.
Breakfast
A pause for food, fuel and let some of the bad energy drain away. With no destination in mind, the next step often comes down to a whim or a feeling. I decided to continue east since the traffic seemed lighter that way.
No Side Cases
I prefer the K75 without the cases. That means sacrificing storage space. I had enough room for a bottle of water, my new camera, a tire gauge, and a mask. Thirty miles from home and I stopped for no reason other than to make a photograph of the motorcycle and the road. I’ve made this photograph hundreds of times. It still feels good to make it.
Merry-Go-Round Horses
Forty miles from home I’ve shed the anger and frustration I’ve been carrying around with me. Riding almost always calms the beast in me. By the time I pulled into the Laurel Market I was relaxed and had decided to ride into the mountains to visit the Tall Timbers Natural Area, a place I hadn’t been to in 25 years. I remember Kim and I going there one winter and found it strange, a sense of dread in the air. So it seemed to make sense to try it again on this sunny, summer morning.
I stopped at the Laurel Market in rural Millmont, Pennsylvania for a few snacks to have since there would be much around in the mountains. I was impressed that the lone employee in the huge space was wearing a mask as was the only other customer.
The pandemic has long arms.
Distorted Memory
I remember driving to Tall Timbers. In the snow. And parking the car and walking up a trail to see large trees. As I rode into the mountains toward that destination I assumed a good road and easy access. Road signs guided into the State Forest and towards the natural area. I hadn’t seen another vehicle in twenty minutes and felt I had the world to myself. The K75 handled the rising, sweeping curves without complaint and I felt better than I had in days.
The BMW K75C and Gravel Roads
Eventually the road turned to gravel. At this point, a wiser rider would have stopped to ponder their next step. There was no cell coverage and I didn’t have a map so I just kept riding assuming I would soon find the paved road into Tall Timbers that I remembered
The gravel was large and loose, save for two tire tracks that had been rubbed free of stones. The K75 isn’t my first choice for this kind of riding but I was comfortable enough to keep going.
The gravel continued mile after mile after mile.
Rocks and Streams
The road ran along a lovely stream for several miles until opening up into a picnic area. A quick check of my iPhone confirmed what I already knew — no cell coverage and no chance of peeking at a map. I wasn’t at the top of the mountain yet but I continued to assume I would find a paved road
It’s striking how many State Parks and recreation areas there are in Pennsylvania. And how empty they are. I hadn’t seen a soul in over an hour. Back on the road, an added element of concern appeared as the narrow gravel road now ran along the mountainside and an inadvertent spill would send me tumbling down into a ravine and likely would be a long time before someone found me.
Lost on a Motorcycle
The view at the top of the mountain revealed two things. First, I had no idea where I was. And second, paved roads and civilization were a long way off. Still, it was a beautiful morning and I was glad to witness this window on the world.
Pondering Distance to the Horizon
I knew my destination was beyond the horizon. Guessing the direct distance to be 10 miles or more meant the winding gravel road would be considerably more. Some water, some pacing, a Hershey bar, and some mental gymnastics took place until I finally got back on the motorcycle
Thankfully, my mental calculations were off and pavement appeared just shy of the ten-mile mark. Shortly afterward I knew where I was and only thirty miles remained between me and home.
Embracing the Expressway
After almost three hours of riding the K75 on gravel, I was happy to jump on the expressway for the last 20 miles home. The motorcycle is completely at home in that environment and unlike the Vespa scooter which can be beaten around at those speeds, the K75 is unfazed.
It was a good ride. Head cleared of emotional and psychological debris. Body drained of tension. A huge hit of being lost. And just the right amount of enjoyment injected into my psyche.
I’m looking forward to the next ride. And the next. And the next…
Finding Yourself by Getting Lost
That’s how I see it, anyway. A lot of wanderlust, cut with just a sliver of anxiety (but not too much…we’re getting enough of that from too many sources right now), a fairly-full tank plus water and a few comestibles, and you’re set to go. (Well, yes, there’s the need for a camera for some of us…what new camera did you get? I got hole of a used Fuji X30 as a “COVID-therapy” gift.)
I loved reading this, as your experience almost mirrors mine when I made the almost-spontaneous decision to tour the Pine Barrens last year on Melody. And, of course, I too got lost, with only-middling cellular contact. I was a little nervous, but a lot more jazzed: I had enough gas to know that I’d find True North eventually, but had enough time to do a bit more than a bum’s-rush tour of my surroundings. I can’t wait to do it again. And, unlike your experience, I felt just fine on the Vespa speeding up-and-down the NJ Turnpike and associated high-speed slabs, but I might just a be a bit crazy.
What’s not crazy, unfortunately, if your description of anger in the air, and especially on the roads. It’s almost palpable. Even Le Wife has displayed it from behind the wheel: I can’t tell you how more often she yells at people, and how often I’ve had to dissuade her from using certain sign-language toward other drivers lately (especially guys in lifted pickups, whose politics are, to put it gently, likely different from ours). I remind her that everybody’s more on-edge now than any time I can recall, and we need to be a bit more zen to get past the random venting we encounter, as well as that which boils up inside us. It ain’t easy.
As for me, I finally got Melody from the dealer a little under a week ago, and that has definitely helped me maintain my zen state a bit better, given what I’ve had to endure in terms of public transportation (had to cancel two tech gigs two Saturdays ago because the train I was supposed to be on was cancelled due to lack of an engineer to operate it…yes, that’s now a thing on NJ Transit). Today, the commuter-train network was shut down en toto In NJ due to downed trees and overhead wires all over the place. This isn’t going to get better for a while.
Keep up the good rides, and writing about ’em. Glad the K75 seems to be working out well for you.
I agree — all the feelings and anxieties of being lost do help me “find myself.” Discomfort, as much as I try to avoid it, is a great teacher if I’m open to it. And in the East, how lost can you really get. It’s not like being lost out West where you could die before walking to civilization or finding water. With a tank of gas, I can almost cross the state!
New camera — I bought a Canon M50 with a strong sense of using it for a VLOGGING tool. The flip-out screen and audio capabilities make it a good tool for talking directly to the camera. In terms of shooting stills, the 24MP sensor is a step up from my 12MP one in the Canon G15. But the optics on the G15 make it a much more useful tool in a wider range of situations. I still may buy another on eBay since it easily fits in a pocket.
The bum’s rush down the freeway is simple on the K75. I don’t mind doing it on the GTS but it’s definitely a different experience.
College students will pour back into town next week. I don’t think that’s going to make things better here. I hope I’m wrong but I can’t see how you can pack students safely into dorms and apartments and not have some problems.
Great story and very nice photos. Does indeed look like a wonderful place to ride. And great that you conquered the gravel roads! Positive stress! Going for a ride is often my answer to worries as well, and it would probably do everyone good to get lost and lose connectivity for a time.
Thanks for your kind words about the story and pictures. I appreciate the support.
Losing connectivity. There is some therapeutic value in that. More and more I’m unplugging, disconnecting, and distancing from the online environment. Or at least being more selective. I deleted my Twitter account because what I saw was maddening. Facebook teeters on the edge. And I limit my reading of the news to 20 minutes. We haven’t had cable or broadcast television for 30 years so we are battered by that.
Damn, I can see myself becoming a hermit…
In all that we seem to have lost lately so thankful we still have Scooter in the Sticks as therapy for us riders .Steve another slice of adventure and treat of the post card images encountered on your ride.I hope you never ever lose the sense of excitement of a ride or sharing the events with us.I would like to give a shout out to my fellow readers and riders who comment too,I enjoy reading what’s in your world too!! Well think I’ll hop on the scoot and take a spin…What a wonderful addiction to have …Take care all and thanks for being real about this thing we share●
You’re too kind Don.
A spin on the scooter or motorcycle is like a cold drink of water on a hot day. There’s an immediate sense of comfort and release.
I still look forward to riding, making photographs, and writing about the experience. If there’s a challenge now, it is to figure out how to write some shorter pieces. I have photos from a lot of rides piling up!
I too still get butterflies and a bit of a buzz in anticipation of any sort of scoot and I hope that never ends. “Anger” I hadn’t really thought of what tends to slip away whilst riding as anger but it makes sense. As pointed out, there appears to be plenty of that about these days both on and off the road? For the first time in several days we have very little chance of precipitation and I can feel the anticipation building but first, a morning walk. Lovely looking country by the way and thank you for another thought provoking post Steve 👍
I’ve recognized the effect riding has had on me for a long time. And if I go too long without that outlet I get irritable. Riding has been good therapy.
We’ve not had a lot of rain but the heat has been rough. Today is a perfect riding day with temperatures in the mid-70s. But I’m going to be a responsible adult and mow the grass, trim some paths, plant some things, and generally take care of the garden. If all goes well I should be able to sneak out for a ride later this afternoon!
I think I am looking at a Sheetz Gas Sation in your title photo Steve? My first thought upon seeing a Sheetz is “How long has it been since my last Snickers Ice Cream Bar?” A Summer guilty pleasure denied this season as sadly, the Snickers Ice Cream Bar doesn’t appear to be available in our country? Believe me, I have searched high and low!
That is a Sheetz store. My stop of choice for fuel and food if I’m not planning a leisurely meal which sad to say seems like a fond memory now.
Snickers ice cream bars are still available here. The ice cream truck that comes through our neighborhood sells them though I usually opt for the Klondike Bar. Next time I’m at Sheetz I’ll have one in recognition of hopes that they return soon to Canada!
I’ve been meaning to get the DR out, And I think I’ll do just that today and head in that same direction.
It should be a fine day to ride Robert. The DR will handle those gravel roads a lot better than the K75.
When I ride without a destination in mind I find myself frequently on the roads less traveled. A coin toss in my brain tells me which way to make my next turn. Lately the wind therapy has been a blessing to blow off cobwebs of frustration. Thanks as always for sharing Steve.
I like the idea of a coin toss in the brain. That freedom of decision is what can make a ride exquisite. Good to know that wind therapy still works!
Steve, started following your blog quite awhile ago. Sure enjoy your stories, pictures, and incite! With our ages being somewhat close, our view of life and the world we live in are quite similar. Keep the stories coming! Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words Bruce. I’ll keep writing stories as long as I have something to share.
Great article (as always)! Points out the need for an emergency paper road map stored in a freezer bag.
I’ll have to revisit the notion of maps. I used to travel with an atlas. I suppose I could put it in the side case of the motorcycle or under the seat of the Vespa.
Riding used to work to temporarily silence the anger I felt due to many factors. I’ve found a complete embargo on the news and Facebook have helped tremendously!
Glad your steeds are helping you get lost…..
Retirement is a factor as well.
Btw, when I’m lost in the woods or desert, an app called PocketEarth allows me to find camp again.
I’ll take a look at the app. Maybe it has some application for me. Thanks for the head’s up.
I grow closer and closer to a complete embargo on news. Facebook hasn’t been a big problem but there are people I see who can be maddening.
Retirement is the best!
I hadn’t thought about it in a while but I think it was 1975. The Crotona Motorcycle Club put on a Times Road Run in the Hudson Valley and myself and some other Club members competed in it. At one point I was following the route sheet and trying to stay on schedule when I noticed the road changing. It went from asphalt to dirt to two groove jeep trail to single track with the terrain falling away on both sides into the woods.
I’m thinking, “This can’t be right” but I continued. Suddenly I caught up to a youngster on a small motorcycle wearing a Fennell Triumph shirt. I knew that Jim Fennell was a Crotona Club member so my faith was restored. I adjusted my speed and time for my location, turned down a slight hill and rolled into Jim Fennell’s check point right on schedule.
If memory serves I got a third place trophy that day.
Sounds like an exciting time Jim. I’ve never raced but have experienced going from asphalt to dirt to two groove jeep trail to single track in the woods. And on my Vespa. Was never lost though. Still, it was an exciting challenge.
Third place is a fine achievement!
Hi Steve,
Fun article! Just like all of your posts!!!
If you’re looking for a good iPhone map app I highly recommend the app called “You Need A Map”. It has built-in Topo/Road maps for the entire US – the app is HUGE weighing in at 3.8 gig. Since the maps are built-in, you don’t have to download any maps before going out on a trip. And you don’t need cell service to see your location on a map.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/you-need-a-map/id415545903
For many years this has been my go to app for hiking off grid. I highly recommend reading the online manual due to the apps’ extensive feature set.
http://scenicmap.blogspot.com/p/online-manual.html?m=1
Cheerio,
~~Kenster
Thanks for the heads up on the App Ken. Sounds like the perfect companion for my wandering lust. It’s downloading now onto my phone. I’ll spend some time with the online manual so I can figure out what I need to know in my situations.
Hope the summer is going well and that you and Maryann are weathering the pandemic well.
Just looked at the app. An amazing amount of information. It definitely will be useful and I can safely leave the atlas at home. I still love to look at paper maps but I can do that at home when I’m dreaming…
Wow, did you drive Hunter Road and Treaster Valley the whole way to Milroy? I have done than on a mountain bike, not sure I would want to do it on a motorcycle.
I haven’t been to Tall Timbers in years, but staying on 235 to Troxelville and follow the signs (go straight where 235 makes a left turn) always worked for me. At least you had some beautiful country to be lost in!
I was on different roads. Swift Run Road and the Locust Ridge Road until I came to pavement on the New Lancaster Valley Road which took me to Milroy. I missed Tall Timbers proper but likely because I was just enjoying the scenery and not paying attention to the signs.
It was a beautiful landscape in which to be lost!