I’ve Been Here Many Times Before
Expectations can trip me up if I cling to them too strongly. Thinking a ride has to be some sort of exceptional adventure is the sort of thinking that can rob me of opportunities that are anything but an adventure. Those days when I only have an hour to ride can seem not worth the effort to gear and and go. Especially if I am just going to retrace roads that I’ve literally ridden a hundred times before.
Recently I forced myself out of the house and onto the road on the Royal Enfield Himalayan for an, ordinary, mundane ride.
Unexpected Discoveries
Just seven miles from my front door I found a road I had never been on with either a car or motorcycle. I knew it was there, a dead end road which for some reason meant it held no interest. Every rider knows to avoid roads with a sign that says “No Outlet.” Call it boredom resulting from an ordinary, mundane ride but I decided to see what was down that road. And just like that my spirit began to soar from the excitement of not knowing what I might find. It didn’t matter that it wouldn’t take me anywhere or that it was close to home. I was suddenly on an adventure.
It was remarkable in its quiet beauty wandering along the base of Mount Nittany. I saw a few deer, some hidden homes bordering on small estates, and a new world rolling before me.
A Riding Realization
I’ve been here before but somehow if feels like the first time. I can’t help think of the lyrics to Foreigner’s song “It Feels Like the First Time.” All I need do is substitute the world for the woman. It’s amazing how a ride can just twist my brain around into a much better state. And as a result I end up feeling lighter, more grateful, and with a smile on my face.
An Appropriate Conclusion
Believe me when I say I don’t ride just to have an excuse to eat. It just seems like that. It’s always a welcome aspect of riding but not a requirement. It falls somewhere between a coincidence and a plan. Recently someone asked if I spend a lot of money on food when I ride. Yes I do. I tell myself riding and eating is still far less expensive than if I were a bass fisherman.
Rationalization is a useful tool.
Seriously though, these quiet moments at the end of a ride provide the space to process what just happened and store them somewhere in my messy brain where I won’t so quickly forget. And at this moment, I try not to forget that even an ordinary, mundane ride can hold gifts and thrills far beyond what I would ever expect.
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Man is not a rational animal, he’s a rationalizing animal. I read that somewhere once and it’s one of the truths which shape my outlook on life….that and it’s all about what perspective one uses to view a situation. You brought of these to mind with this post, Steve. I still envy you the forested solitude of your rides.
Interesting, the comments mechanism is changed, this post by Dom.
I have no idea where the tremendouswombat comes from.
Forested solitude, yes we have a lot of that here. Pennsylvania is surprisingly forested.
I often see evidence of those rationalizing animals. People have a way of devising plans to get what they want. Perspective is one aspect. Greed and power another. On and on it goes.
Any day on the bike is a good day👌
I’m trying to remember a bad ride….
I took the scoot out for a BBQ hot dog yesterday. The adventure was not so much the ride to the hot dog stand as it was the hot dog. Sometimes the adventure lies elsewhere, and the bike is just the means to get there.
You are absolutely correct — some rides are all about the destination. I want a hot dog now…
The road not traveled (yet), however short, can still bring up a surprise.
Surprises for sure. Like seeing your name pop up! Hope all is well with you and you’ve avoided any unfortunate incidents in Gotham.