Why I Hate This Road (And Can’t See Clearly)
Often I can’t quite see the truth. My stubborn brain clouding the view and leading me to make hasty, irrational decisions. There are myriad examples of stubbornness in my life ranging from the food I’ll eat to the roads I’ll ride. My stubborn brain is impervious to reason and a master of deflection and denial in pursuit of what it wants. I’m never sure if my brain and I are one or just two opposing forces.
After some wrestling and consternation I pointed the Kawasaki W650 motorcycle in a direction I normally resist, dismiss, and largely detest. That’s east on US 322 for any destination near or far. Tolerable in a car, miserable on two wheels. I know. I’ve ridden it many times with the same seething disgust. So many cars going far too fast. I hate being triggered to mutter complaints about my fellow man.
Reality or just my stubborn brain being an asshole?
Why I Hate This Road (And Why I Was Wrong)
After 15 miles of “high speed” riding I was pleasantly surprised how peaceful it all felt. The W650 wasn’t concerned and surprisingly I was relaxed and enjoying myself instead of my stubborn brain spewing a litany of invectives that largely describe a distaste of any road that has other vehicles or speeds over 45 MPH.
Stopped along the highway peering south across Laurel Run I found myself wondering why I decided I didn’t like going this way. I couldn’t recall any trouble or tragedy that would evoke such a strong aversion. Standing there I felt as good as a rider can expect to feel. Anywhere. The day wasn’t special in any way. Just a typical ride to breakfast. The sky was overcast. At 50 degrees the air wasn’t especially inviting to ride. And still I was feeling great. A whole world of riding opportunities felt like they were coming into existence. For me to explore.
Just because I abandoned the suggestions of my stubborn brain and try something different.
Breakfast at Bing’s Diner
There aren’t a lot of places to eat so close to home that I haven’t tried. And now a range of coffee shops, cafes, and diners was emerging for me to try. And on this morning Bing’s Diner in Burnham, Pennsylvania was the target. Looking at maps has long been a favorite activity allowing me to adventure in my head when I wasn’t able to do it in life. And the night before the ride I was exploring the other side of the mountain and places with names like Potlicker Flats, Church Hill, Naginey, Yeagertown, and Burnham. Bing’s Diner appeared on the screen. I made a mental note that led the motorcycle to my breakfast destination.
Bacon and Eggs
I had my usual bacon and eggs because some habits die hard.
Old School Diners
The chrome and checkerboard floors have a classic feel that just resonates with me. It’s an appreciation gained later in life since I don’t remember ever going to diners as a kid. An adult recognition of something unique in the world that is slowly vanishing. When I see one, I have to stop. Part of me thinks that’s why motorcycles still exist. To ride to old diners.
Homeward Bound
I made a meandering trip home and just appreciated the W650 even more. It is a plain, simple, elegant machine to ride. No bells or whistles. Just mechanical technology aligned with the heydays of those old diners.
I’m glad I ended up going somewhere different and being open to riding a road that I was convinced was terrible. Now that I’ve dispelled that faulty belief I have a whole realm of new places to explore.
Sixty-five miles, a good breakfast, and a new favorite road. Not bad for a morning that almost got ruined by my stubborn brain.
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That’s my kind of breakfast.
I grew up on Long Island, where diner culture was a real thing. Breakfast for the commuters, late night burgers for the night owls. Here in Western NY it’s not diners so much as small town cafes. There even remain one or two that exist in the rear of grocery stores. I think the most enjoyable rides are those that end up with a meal in a quaint eatery. Nice.
Nice to see you riding and writing about your W650 Steve. I have one too and just love it, a very easy going, relaxing ride with it on a back road is like having my own private therapist
let me know that all is well with the world.
Reality creeps back in though and I find I need another “therapy session” every day or so, usually there is comfort food somewhere along the ride to further the session along.
I don’t know if you are aware of it but one thing the W650 has is truly desirable. A bevel gear drive to the overhead cam. I have had motorcycles that stretched their cam chains around 100k miles and the bevel drive attracted me to mine decades ago. Had I kept it for high mileages I would have appreciated the feature. That and the kickstarter, of course.