An Otherworldly Ride

It’s unclear whether my excitement at the prospect of fog is rooted in the visual effects in a photograph, or whether I really enjoy the challenges presented when riding in those conditions. All that really matters is my reaction to seeing a dense fog warning on my weather app when I wake up. I’m going to ride. My wife knows everything else has to wait.

Dave and I planned the previous evening to ride to breakfast. Fog wasn’t in the forecast so it seemed like it would be another cool autumn morning, around 45F at departure time, and then quickly rise as the sun came up. That was the pattern for a half dozen previous morning rides.

It was disappointing to look out the window when I got up and not see any fog. At least it was gloomy which would afford some more dramatic looking photos.

Dave was already on his Triumph Thruxton when I pulled up to his house. After a quick hello and a conversation about the absence of fog we started south towards breakfast 25 miles away. The sun was trying to break through the gloom until suddenly just three miles down the road we entered some of the thickest fog I’ve seen in years. And the dance began. Glove across the visor to remove the thick moisture gathering every 30 seconds. Speed reduced to be able to stop within the shortened view of the road. And a sharp eye for oncoming traffic heading to work.

Just a mile into the fog I pulled off the road to reconsider the plan. As I stood by the motorcycle I saw Dave on his Triumph in the fog. He seemed a mythic rider, man against nature. It’s funny how fog creates stories. And then we were gone.

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