Dirt and Gravel
There was a week of unseasonably warm weather that I watched slip by due to things more important than riding. Finally, on a sunny, warm afternoon, a few hours before sunset, I decided to take the Royal Enfield Himalayan on dirt and gravel in nearby Rothrock State Forest.
The motorcycle has proved to be everything I hoped it would be — comfortable, capable, and a joy to ride. It is the right machine for me to finally explore all the dirt and gravel roads that crisscross the forests and mountains from the Maryland border north to the New York border.
I’m going to ride on all of them.
Embracing the Big Picture
Riding can be whatever I want it to be. I’ve learned to be careful of ideas suggesting there’s a right way to think about a ride. I’m not talking about riding skill and strategy, but rather the time and structure of the ride itself.
I no longer believe a good ride requires certain weather, specific routes, riding partners, an expansive amount of time, or any other arbitrary judgments. A good ride, a great ride, can be anything I decide I want it to be.
Like this ride into the nearby mountains consuming less than three hours and 30 miles.
Church of the Heart
I’m often shocked when I turn off the engine how quiet it is in the forest. I’m reminded of how alone I am. And I swear I feel my emotional and spiritual batteries being recharged. As much fun as it is to ride, it is not the primary reason I’ve continued to ride for all these years or grab whatever small, short experience on two wheels that I can. Riding is like going to church.
When I’m on the road, especially when I’m alone, I’m reminded of the finite nature of my existence, and that each moment is a gift. It’s an easy grasp while I’m riding. But time and practice have allowed me to extend that same gratitude for each precious moment into the rest of my non-riding life.
Riding is the gift that keeps on giving.
Video of the Ride
I made a video of the ride. I hope you enjoy watching it. If you do and want to see more motorcycle and scooter videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
It snowed again briefly this morning. More weather with temperatures in the teens. I’m so depressed.
I suppose that means I should now do the 300-mile service on the Himalayan.
You’re certainly right about no end to the amount of gravel and forest roads in PA. I’ve found the area north of Renovo, east of Rt144, particularly rich in scenery, rolling terain and routes to choose from. In 2008 I set a goal for myself to ride from Osceola Mills to Galeton off pavement as much as possible. I wrote an article about it, published “Motorcycle Times.” Stop by if you’d like a print copy. It’s rather well written, I must say, citing historical places along the way.
I’ve done a lot of riding on the paved roads in the area you point out Robert, but very little on dirt and gravel up that way. I’m anxious to do more exploring in that region once the weather mellows.
The run from Osceola Mills to Galeton off-pavement sounds like a great story. I’d love to read the article. I’ll darken your doorway the next time I pass by your house. Did you swing by the Austin Dam on your trip to Galeton?
No, but I did so just last Fall on the Tri Glide.
That place is strange. The first time I saw it was on a rainy, foggy day. Seeing the remnants of the dam in that light with all the water made it feel as if the dam had just burst.
I am so happy you are bonding with your new friend. Sorry about the snow. Bill and I are waiting for it to “warm up” in Mississippi to go for a ride next month when the promised temperature will be in the 70’s. We are so spoiled!
The snow was a kick in the pants. And today it was 18F when I got up. Sadly, I’m just not interested anymore in riding in that kind of cold. I must be getting soft in my old age.
I checked the forecast for Jackson, Mississippi and it seems plenty warm to me. How warm does it have to be for you guys to ride?? Spoiled? Geez. I bet you have food and alcohol standards as well that must be met before venturing out in the world!
Absolutely
Nodding in agreement as I read along Steve, nicely put. Your not enjoying the Himilayan at all are you!
I’ll need to be careful lest I become branded a Himalayan fanboy.
It is a nice motorcycle. I’ve read some terribly dismissive reviews. I don’t understand them.
Good, mellow, dirty fun…sounds like things are working out just fine with this new ride, in more ways than one.
The Himalayan is remarkably similar to the “spiritual” experience I receive when riding the Vespa. I’m glad I stumbled upon it and can explore more fully the roads that the Vespa should avoid.
I see the REH has replaced the Vespa as the banner photo. It’s pretty clear that the REH has stolen your heart!😉
The Vespa will appear again. Right now I just don’t have any good new pix of the Vespa that fit that wide banner space. The next ride, once the temperature climbs above freezing again and it’s not raining, will be on the scooter.
The Himalayan is sidelined now until I do the 300-mile break in service. That involves an oil and filter change, valve check and adjustment if necessary, and a thorough inspection of the bike. The garage is too cold right now for that nonsense!
The past is history. The future’s a mystery. Today’s a gift. That’s why they call it the present.
Living in the present is a gift. It’s hard-fought though to accomplish.