Back out in Spring

[RNFWP]

I find it interesting when I first set out, that the immediate experience of being back in the wind seems like all one thing, like being wrapped in a blanket. That's very enjoyable, however, as the miles roll by, detailed pieces that makes up the whole becomes brief unique pleasures, each on their own.
As spring fades into summer I wanted to jot down some things that stick with me from riding.

Back out in Spring.
The whir of the engine, rumble of the exhaust, snap of the next gear, din of rubber making friction.
The nip of cold air in the morning turning into warm sunshine on your back in the afternoon.
Almost numb stiff thumbs traded for that first drop of sweat.
Road signs, black on white or yellow, white on green or blue or brown, blue on white, red stop signs.
Not fond of the super slab but the red, white and blue markers are nice.
Road gators, look out, those would leave a mark.
Creeks and streams winding through the trees and tumbling over large exposed granite.
Zigzagging squirrels trying to decide which way to escape.
Passing through a patch of pines, wafts of pollen in an early morning breeze looking almost like fog.
Dormant kudzu monsters like giant dirty mops.
Chickens, pigs, goats, grazing sheep, barking dogs, cats hiding in the ditch.
The new house with the overgrown house still in the front yard. There must be a story there...
Slowing down to cruise in a jungle of wisteria.
Rolling stretches of logged trees that smell like Christmas but look like no mans land from WWI.
Following a buddy who points with his foot to warn you of hazards.
Center line dashes passing under your boot faster than a strobe light.
The smell of BBQ smoke. Steak or burgers on the grill making my mouth water.
Patches of dogwood blossoms like popcorn balls hiding in the darkest of woods.
A high spot where you can see the road ahead for miles.
Riding the gray stripe across an ocean of glistening green.
One acre farm ponds looking like ripply reflections of a baby blue sky.
Choosing a track because of the washboard down the middle.
A clap of thunder but just enough of a sprinkle to muck up the chrome.
Dank sour smell of a dairy farm with cows standing around in the mud.
Little blue houses with fading paint.
Turkey vultures that don't leave the road kill until the last moment.
Cinder block businesses with hand painted signs.
Azaleas and hydrangeas with color so rich they look artificial.
Long abandoned tractors, trucks, jeeps and cars.
Tree houses, tricycles, tire swings and porch swings.
Giant tree standing solo, wide and proud. I wonder how long its been there and what it's seen.
Sun bleached gray wooden barns with rusty metal roofs.
The fuel stop question, “what kind of bike is that?”
Pee ewe, was that a skunk or a paper mill?
Stopping to take a picture.
Long sweepers where you get to lean for what seems like a mile.
The smell of fresh cut hay laying out to dry in long curving rows.
Tiny wild flowers of all sorts and colors, along the edges and in the medians.
Brackish coffee swamps, behemoth muddy rivers with skyscraper high bridges.
Long low lake  bridges over water as green as the tree  lined banks.
Bizarrely long shadows late in the day as bright colors become softened by a golden hue.
A deer in the edge of a clearing, we're both wondering what the other will do.
The first few lightening bugs.
The odd feeling of standing. The buzz of a long day as you regain your land legs.

[..]

Thanks for that 

[Skinhead]

I didn't realize you are a poet until now.

[signart]

I didn't realize you are a poet until now.

I see what you did there   Now you noet!

[hubcapsc]

The new house with the overgrown house still in the front yard. There must be a story there...

It's the old home place, three generations of the family
lived there, but you have to be rich to keep up one of those
two story white wooden houses with the wrap around porches
and all that, so they've moved into a trailer which itself is starting
to look tired...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

Simply WOW! That was one fine post!!! You've managed to capture 'riding' in your own way, but it's so easy for the rest of us to totally identify with your words... the ultimate test for the worthiness of descriptions of anything. Warning: Now you've done it, amigo! All of us will henceforth be impatiently waiting for your next thoughtful muse... You have a talent, my friend... looking forward to reading more of your cogent observations!!!

DDT

[henry 008]

Thanks for that 

+1 

[RNFWP]

Thanks for that 

Paul, my pleasure.
I almost included midges but many wouldn't understand. Beside there may be a technical difference in the similar insects here.

I didn't realize you are a poet until now.

I see what you did there   Now you noet!

Not sure I noet. I like to read but I don't write much...

The new house with the overgrown house still in the front yard. There must be a story there...

It's the old home place, three generations of the family
lived there, but you have to be rich to keep up one of those
two story white wooden houses with the wrap around porches
and all that, so they've moved into a trailer which itself is starting
to look tired...

-Mike

I like your story. Told Jill (the wife) what you replied and she said that she'll be disappointed if it doesn't become one of your songs. 

Ross,

Simply WOW! That was one fine post!!! You've managed to capture 'riding' in your own way, but it's so easy for the rest of us to totally identify with your words... the ultimate test for the worthiness of descriptions of anything. Warning: Now you've done it, amigo! All of us will henceforth be impatiently waiting for your next thoughtful muse... You have a talent, my friend... looking forward to reading more of your cogent observations!!!

DDT

Bruce, I'm flattered to get such a compliment from you, with all the experience you have with such things. The warning is a touch intimidating  However the hard part was getting myself to jot it down. My brain seems to just think that way when I'm riding. It changes gears (no pun). Started collecting them in my head back on the Mississippi Madness trip. Put em down over the last week or so, a little here, a little there. So who knows...

Thanks for that 

+1 

Your welcome Henry. Thanks for reading it.

[Ice]

Thanks for the great write up, you wrote exactly what I try and do experience every time I head out on the bike, your thoughts wander as mine do.
As Bruce said, we'll be eagerly waiting for the next installment....