The Mental Merry-Go-Round
Over and over I’m reminded that there’s little profit in holding too tightly to my plans. It was demonstrated again as I prepared for a long ride with my friend Paul and proceeded to rip the tire valve from a rear tire of my W650 before even leaving the driveway. Hugely frustrating because I had planned so carefully, visualized the map, and imagined how it would feel to be on the road with a friend on a leisurely ride to breakfast.
The frustration was strong and dominating my thoughts which in turn robs me of some of the riding experience as I replay events in my head, continually kicking myself for the stupid mistakes I made leading up to having to replace the W650 with my Himalayan. Gratitude was nowhere to be found despite the gift of having an alternative machine to ride.
Frustration was ruling the moment and blinding me to anything good or positive. A sad way to leave on a ride.
The Wrong Motorcycle
It’s embarrassing to admit how strongly I was clinging to the notion that I needed to ride the Kawasaki W650 with its vintage form to better match Paul’s Harley Forty-Eight. I can’t help but shake my head at how stubborn I can be and how it just makes things worse. Until this stop to stretch and make a picture I had spent 40 miles grinding my brain on what had happened stripping any chance to enjoy the ride. Standing along the road looking at the two bikes I realized what I was riding didn’t matter. It could have been the Vespa sitting there next to the Harley.
Frustration led me to believe the lie that there is a right motorcycle for this ride.
Breakfast Destination
After an hour and a half on the road we arrived at our destination for breakfast. The previous evening I was exploring roads and cafes with Google Maps. Lately I’ve been venturing further and the Walz Creamery and Farm House Cafe looked like an interesting place to try out. The 60-mile ride would generate both an appetite and the need to stretch an aging back.
Rested and Ready for the Himalayan
Waiting to pay for breakfast I noticed the Himalayan waiting outside in the sunshine. I was finally feeling some gratitude to have it, to have enjoyed a meal, and have a friend to share the experience.
No Memories
Fifty years ago I routinely drove a 1970 VW Beetle through Salladasburg on the way to visit a girlfriend who lived another 60 miles north. I remember the name Salladasburg but nothing else. And I certainly don’t remember Cohick’s Trading Post, the kind of place that would have attracted my young, ice cream hungry body. Sadly, Cohick’s closed back in 2015 to become the Walz Creamery. Central Pennsylvania is full of ghosts and history.
Riding reminds me of the past and creates new memories for the future.
The Harley Peanut Tank
Paul’s Harley Forty-Eight with its little peanut tank requires frequent feeding. And in the more remote areas where gas stations are rare it requires some careful planning. So when there’s a chance for fuel you take it.
Home Again
A long ride has a way of shedding whatever annoying weight I might be carrying. Frustration and gratitude are polar opposites yet they often exist in the same moment. Turns out everything I believed about the perfect motorcycle, myself, and the course of the ride would be false. When I learn to accept whatever has happened, let go of my plans, and just move ahead I feel lighter and am able to express gratitude for all the beautiful things around me.
Life is good.
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Well Mr. Steve another Great post on life and all things two wheeled.Acceptance for me is still a rough pill to swallow. I think you did a swell job of letting the wind blow off the original ride plan. Life is good more than we know I think..l hope u at least remember the girl u went to in the VW a few moons ago. I suspect you were a free spirit then too , probabbly had C,S,N, and young playing too.Thanks and take care friend
Thanks for your kind words Don. Acceptance is easier to access now. It took some years of practice.
I remember those drives in the VW with its AM radio. I couldn’t afford to install a tape player. The stations available were fire and brimstone preaching with the occasional few minutes of rock as the road wound through the mountains making reception sketchy. I do remember one pre-sunrise drive listening to the Eagles song “Ol’ 55.” I remember crawling out of bed early for that two and a half hour drive to work and hearing this lyrics struck a chord:
As I drove away slowly, feeling so holy
God knows, I was feeling alive
Crosby, Stills, and Nash had to wait until I got back home. It felt great to be alive and driving back then. A real pleasure.
The convenience of having only two bikes to choose from means I never worry about such things! 🙂
Yes, having a backup bike in the garage makes a failure less frustrating.
If I want to have a really great time on a Group Ride event I take the 250 Honda. Using all the cues I can muster about the huge twin in front of me to keep up is a real exercise in deduction. When I ride the 750 Kawasaki it is fairly easy.
In all my years on scooters and motorcycles I was only ever on one group ride. I hated it. Swore to never participate in one again and so far that’s been the case. I just don’t like having to pay attention to so many other riders and when I want to stop or go in a different direction it mucks things up.
Geez. I sound sort of anti-social.