The Merlin App
At 5:30AM a strange bird woke me. A triplet call, loud yet smooth and calm. Launching the Merlin Bird ID app to life on the iPhone it immediately identified the stranger as a Black-billed Cuckoo. I laid in bed listening. The cool air of a wet morning hinted at fog.
Clouds that touch the ground draw me from bed. The world outside the bedroom window is narrowed by the fog. And a desire is sparked to venture into the unknown.
Sometimes I just need to go for a ride. To clear my head. To rearrange my brain. To remind myself that life is good. But on this morning there were no concerns or hauntings. Just a desire to be riding a motorcycle.
Off-Road Again
Concerns related to the Himalayan have receded into distant memories. I’ve made my peace with my physical limitations and make deliberate choices when riding a motorcycle. The fog was light, the roads wet, but neither muddy or slippery enough to cause concern. To have me wishing I was riding my Honda Trail 125. And whatever questionable obstacles I encountered were easily avoided.
Moments of Reflection
Riding a motorcycle can be incredibly relaxing. And when wandering the forests and mountains a connection with the environment sweeps over me, reminding me of my place in the world as a unique individual, separate, and alone.
I can’t explain why I find comfort in this knowledge. I merely accept it as part of riding a motorcycle.
The Short Ride
My younger self believed good rides had to be long rides. Adventures measured in hundreds of miles and many hours in the saddle. As I’ve gotten older I realize that focus robbed me of the reality before me — that riding a motorcycle for just a few miles could be as satisfying as spending the entire day on the road.
I stood atop the mountain until if felt right to leave, to head towards breakfast.
The Pump Station
Simple things exude unlooked for pleasure when time is taken for awareness. A stop at the Pump Station while riding a motorcycle, regardless of how many times I’ve walked through their door, always makes me smile.
Standing by the motorcycle I see the building that was once Ken Tennis’s Texaco Station. I remember the gathering of old men who visited with Ken to talk and drink coffee. I was a young man then, still in my 30s, and could not understand why people would come day after day to the same place.
Now I understand.
Food for Thought
I’m no foodie. I tend to eat the same things over and over. And breakfast at the Pump Station varies only slightly by how hungry I am and what form of sugar I desire.
Sitting outside I can watch the world pass by. Nod to strangers going inside. And occasionally talk with a friend or neighbor. I’m a regular. And in another 50 to 100 years I may even qualify as a local.
Until then I will continue to show up after riding a motorcycle. Or a scooter. And sit and daydream before returning home to get on with my life.
Old men think alike. It takes time to go by to realise the value of what’s round about us.
Thanks for this post.
The lifelong collection of experience combined with some honest reflection maybe.
It’s a good day to ride today but my dogs have other plans for me at the moment.
As with so many other of your posts, I felt the cool morning air as if I was riding right alongside you. Thanks for sharing your reflections about observing what’s close and the value of a ride, no matter what the distance. I agree. And it started with noticing the bird call.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the post. I appreciate them.
I feel an occasional pang of regret when I think of how much of my life I wasn’t paying attention or observing what was in front of me. Endless distractions and poor attention skills. Strange considering my career as a photographer and the demands of observation. Sadly I only seemed to use them while working.
When I began riding things changed. My appreciation of the world, my life, and the things happening around me became visible. I’m not saying riding is the only way to become more observant, but it worked for me.
I do envy you living so close to so many forest roads. Alleghany National Forest is an hour away from me, and there are a few dirt roads and state forests in the area, but nothing like the miles of forest roads you seem to have. Looks like a great place to spend a long weekend camping and riding.
I am indeed fortunate to have a huge State Forest just two miles from my house. From there the dirt roads seem endless.
If you go to the Rides section in Modern Vespa you’ll see my scribblings about last weeks 105 mile ride on my 170cc Chinese scooter. I thought it would be a less than exciting day but to my surprise letting the scooter run briskly was extremely rewarding. It handled more like a motorcycle than the way my other scooters did. It was extremely gratifying and given my prior experience with Chinese crate scooters amazingly comfortable. At days end I simply got off and walked normally which doesn’t happen often with my 72 year old frame.
It was funny to see your little red scooter in that sea of Harleys. But as you say, it can easily keep up with them on any reasonable ride.
I’m fortunate that all my riding machines are comfortable. Dumb luck on my part.
I could not agree more with you. I left home this morning on my Himalayan headed south back roads down through Kentucky did some off-road riding down around McKee and the area. For me the Himalayan is just so relaxing to ride just so smooth and easy. Tomorrow I’m heading east over towards Big Stone gap, Virginia And we’ll see from there. Thanks for all you share with us. And ride safe. Peace !
When I’m not pushing the Himalayan in uncertain stretches of rough road, it is very comfortable to ride. And one of the main reasons I am keeping it for now.
Sounds like you have some great places to ride. I need to do some exploring with Google Maps!
Breakfast looked good from the Pump Station,was that hot tea ??. Take care and happy trails to you and machine. Dr.Don
Hot Earl Grey tea. The only choice for me.
Looking forward to more rides in the woods.
Last week our neighbor told us about the Merlin app. Now my wife has it on every time she goes out in the yard. Hasn’t found any cukoos yet. Thanks for another thoughtful post.
Thanks Dave. We still need to get together for a ride somewhere for lunch. Life is a little hectic right now but soon!
I hope some interesting birds appear. Early morning is the best here.
“I stood atop the mountain until it felt right to leave…” I have been in that space several times in the course of my life. It’s a kind of special deeply satisfying moment that we should all strive to reach more often than many of us manage to do. Thank you for the inspiration Steve.
Like your writing AL0T! the visceral nature of being up on 2-wheelz can be surreal. Also exhausting ,potentially. Mostly ride in tx ,and the 🥵 heat can be brutal! Finding my 245lb jap-vespa to be 1st choice because it’s S0 EZ! The Rambo bike is 2nd fiddle nowadayz * KEEP RIDING!!!