Hurtling Toward the Boneyard

Reminders of My Physical Reality

For the past couple months I’ve been physically feeling a little worse than normal. Whatever normal is now as I ride the downward slope towards the boneyard. Psoriatic arthritis visits more frequently with painfully stiff joints and fiery reminders that all is not well in this body. And a request by my rheumatologist to taper the drug used to control things to make sure I’ve not gone into remission and no longer need the cancer med used to suppress my immune system.

I’m not in remission.

And some recent chest pressure and pain has a stress echo test in my immediate future to determine if things have worsened since my heart attack back in 2015. The only evidence that I’m not hurtling toward the boneyard is the miraculous eye surgery that removed my cataracts. It transformed me and my near-sighted existence into a far-sighted man who no longer has to fuss with glasses in the motorcycle helmet. And I have great night vision.

I acknowledge I have an expiration date in a way I didn’t when I was younger. And it has made each day special regardless of whatever joy or crap I face. Riding is an even more exquisite experiences. An unexpected result of hurtling toward the boneyard.

I had two goals when I rolled out on the Kawasaki W650 — explore an area whose roads were unfamiliar, and have breakfast at a cafe I’ve not visited in a few years. Perfect excuses to ride on a crisp morning in autumn.

My Aging Rider Mindset

We’re all on the same ride. The difference between us is what we carry along. I can only share my own experiences. What you decide is entirely up to you. Or the pressure one or more insistent family members or friends who tell you why you should or shouldn’t ride. So far the only voice I have to deal with is mine.

When it comes to riding, honesty is critical. It supports intelligent decisions on when to ride, how to ride, and what to ride. It’s easy for outside pressures to push towards the wrong machine, something too big or fast to safely ride. Or to follow a pace beyond my riding skills. Being honest about my capabilities, setting aside my ego, especially as it might reflect some notion of masculinity, and ultimately being comfortable in my own skin will let me ride as long and as safely as humanly possible. I don’t know when the door will close on riding for me but until that time I’m going to keep going and create a buffer between me and the boneyard.

My 2001 Kawasaki W650 is a perfect companion to explore the backroads of Central Pennsylvania. Weighing around 435 pounds with the weight low makes it easy to manage. And when necessary, the twin cylinder 650 engine will let me keep up with traffic for hours on the freeway. It’s a naked bike which isn’t great fun at those speeds but it’s a dream on the backroads. Utter simplicity on two wheels.

Exploration Surprises

Despite exploring on Google Maps it’s hard to know what the road surfaces will be or their condition when it comes to township roads. I wasn’t too surprised to find the tar and chip road I was on turn to pure gravel. Not my first choice with the W650. My concern more about beating up the motorcycle than its gravel capabilities.

Roads with Views

I’ve never been here before. There are roads I travel on each side of the valley but for some reason that I can’t wrap my head around I’ve never explored the roads in this area. I think I may have considered this area boring. What I found was winding roads over rolling hills that provided nice views. I’ll be back soon.

Harvest Season

Glad it hadn’t rained because many of the roads were strewn with dry mud fallen from farm vehicles used in the harvest of corn. If this stuff was wet it would have been a slippery mess. And I don’t like cleaning bikes and scooters after a ride. For those with little rural experience and over confident riders this kind of road could advance their arrival at the boneyard. Mud, leaves, and liquid manure are things to remember.

Peace and Quiet

I’ve convinced myself that my risk of visiting the boneyard is substantially reduced because of where I ride. Quiet, low-trafficked roads. Statistically that might be true but risks remain. The most worrisome for me is always deer. The only effective management strategy is to ride slower and stay off the road at dawn and dusk when they are moving around. I’m pretty good at that stuff but deer can appear anytime almost anywhere.

Again, another road whose turn off I’ve passed dozens of times thinking it didn’t go anywhere. What a surprise it was to find it wound through the forest for a dozen miles bringing me close to my breakfast destination.

Standing Stone Coffee Company

My goal was breakfast at the Standing Stone Coffee Company in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Thoughts of hurtling toward the boneyard surfaced during the ride. Time passes quickly and I don’t want to miss a thing if I can help it. The same roads are never really the same. And a lot remain hidden just waiting for me to find them. Pure little adventures on a motorcycle or scooter.

I’m grateful to be able to ride. And I could never have predicted the results beyond the adventures — unexpected experiences, new friends, and a better understanding of myself. Quite a mix.

We’re all hurtling toward the boneyard. I’m just choosing to do it astride a platform for discovery.