Tough Rider Points...

[DDT (12)]

Tough Rider Points…

Yep, we recently had plenty of opportunity to run-up an impressive score there! Naturally, everything of this sort is relative, and those from the upper mid-west, or anywhere above the ‘Simth & Wesson Line’ really, would scoff at my measly claims… Still, for this southerner by birth and by choice, I was rather proud of myself… mostly.

If one doesn’t discount my claims by applying the ‘foolish factor’, then perhaps I do have some reason to think of myself as fairly tough… still. No, this wasn’t done to taunt the ‘old man’ nor to even attempt to hold onto some previous ability to weather inconvenience and/or discomfort. Nope, it’s just that the temps were lower than I prefer, and I simply didn’t wear enough layers to compensate much of the time.

Survival is the first and most important aspect of evaluating any riding choice, and that was most certainly achieved. Suffering no lingering ill-effects from the undertaking is the next significant milestone… again, check! Memories of which to take pride would follow those, but they can present a bit of a challenge… See, when one knowingly allows unnecessary distractions to interfere with an otherwise near perfect enterprise, well…

I’d figured I’d need to wear my chaps… but I didn’t. Well, at least not on three of the four days I should have. The one day I did wear them, however, I smiled broadly and ‘warmly’ congratulated myself for doing the right thing… finally. That was the second day. On the third and fourth days I again did not wear them… and the conversations with myself those times were not congratulatory at all!

Excuses? Of course I have some, but… They are, after all, excuses and nothing more. When one has to offer reasons, excuses, explanations, or alibis, then the real point here is that a failure has occurred, and we’re simply trying to avoid/mitigate blame or responsibility… None of those change the outcome or consequences of the action, though… Which in the end are what actually matter. So, I’ll not bore you with any of mine now…

We’d departed northern central Tennessee headed for eastern central North Carolina… a distance of nearly six-hundred miles. It was still a bit early in the riding season for this rider to be that far north, but a weather window had opened, and we’d taken advantage of it. That window had now closed…

Due to the weather forecast of rain, and expected low temps in particular, I’d chosen to take a long cut instead… across southern Georgia. That little jog extended the ride to more than double what a more direct route might have been, but… Who needs that many extra tough rider points just to save a little time anyway, especially when time is not an important consideration?

It was a great ride otherwise! It could have been even better, of course, but… There is something magical about being out there gliding along backroads with our knees in the breeze and a broad smile upon our faces… I could have done without the annoying chill, but hey, at least we were still doing what we do… Unfortunately, we were also doing it the way I sometimes do…

I told myself I was actually making memories to playback in a couple of months when the temps would be unbearably hot! That never seems to work for me, but… In those trying frying times, anything beats a blank, right?! If we could only somehow ‘average’ our weather conditions for all riding… Oh well, then we’d be merely average riders, wouldn’t we?

Come to think of it, just being a long rider most of the time does require a pretty tough character! No need to keep score on that… If you’re one of those yourself, then you already know. If you’re not, then no ‘point total’ would mean much to you…

DDT (12)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Made me think about those arcade games from years back. I was never that good on them. But I had friends who could rack up so many points it would flip back over. I imagine you’ve flipped the score more than a few times.  

[Bigwolf]

Hey Bruce,
Reading this post brought a smile to my face!  Of course, I always enjoy reading your thoughtful posts! 

First, when I think of you and "Tough Rider Points", I have to wonder why you would even care about adding to your already very impressive score.  I have followed you in unrelenting rain, temperatures in the 20s, temps in triple digits, some pretty strong wind gusts, and even a bit of sleet.  That was in just a few weeks!  I am sure that Rob is correct in thinking that your score meter has rolled over several times!   

Although, I do know from personal experience the private satisfaction of having acquired points of that nature, I always believed that the thrill would diminish as the score grew.  Of course, there are always "bragging rites", but for most truly "tough guys", bragging rites pale compared to personal satisfaction.

Now, .... about poor decisions and self inflicted miseries,.........well, you know what they say,...."you gotta be tough"!!!!   Kinda like trying to ride a heavily loaded Valkyrie in places suitable only for off road vehicles or foot traffic!


Bigwolf

[f6john]

It would seem to me that being a tough rider provides an excellent reprieve from the effects of long term engagement with the worries of the pop culture and politics of our day. Maybe some of the costs of being a nomad and “homeless” brings one back into focus with the happenings that affect those of us chained to one location most of the time, but as long as one can cover expenses, it has to be the essence of freedom that harkens back to the cowboy days of the 19th century.

But what do I know about it? I can always dream, go for a ride around the corner, then come back home and pick up the plow again!

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

Yes, I have 'flipped' the meter more than a few times. Embarrassingly, however, too many of those points were accumulated due to boneheaded choices I have made... unforced errors! Oh well, it's all character building in the end, as we expand our own comfort boundaries and learn more about our own limitations... Funny, the score isn't really important at all, though, it's the lessons learned and personal satisfaction that counts in the end.

Anyway, I appreciate your always positive take on my reflections of life on the road. Of all the smiles I get from reminiscing about 'my vision quest', memories of the fine folks I've met and the resultant relationships along the way are the ones I cherish the most... Now that's an impressive score!!!

DDT (12)




Jerry,

Back at ya, amigo! Implied in your comments is the fact you were indeed along with me... and racking-up those same points yourself! I couldn't agree more that personal satisfaction is the big payoff, and any perceived need to impress others is just not enough to keep one out on the road indefinitely. Our reaction when we look into a mirror is the real test of 'value' from our choices...

I nearly laughed out loud when I read your last paragraph! I could see with my mind's eye you on that 'road' to your brother's place in WV. You were standing next to your heavily loaded, stranded mistress stuck on her side in the ... whatever that muck was... Yep, you really scored big-time that day!

DDT (12)



John,

You do seem to have a keen insight into my chosen path in life! Yes, to be free of the chains and shackles of 'traditional life' is a major part of the experience. To live outside the 'normalcy': the expectations of others; the constant comparisons of 'mine' with 'yours' to see who's more 'successful'; the jumping through all the hoops to please or impress those who constantly judge us... Add to that the constantly changing landscape and view, the perpetual newness of everything everyday... It's definitely not a life for most folks, but for a few... like I think you and of course this practitioner, it is the most rewarding pursuit available!!! Thanks, as always, for your observations and comments...

DDT (12)

[Rams]

Embarrassingly, however, too many of those points were accumulated due to boneheaded choices I have made... unforced errors! Oh well, it's all character building in the end, as we expand our own comfort boundaries and learn more about our own limitations... Funny, the score isn't really important at all, though, it's the lessons learned and personal satisfaction that counts in the end.

DDT (12)

I believe you have just revealed one of the biggest secrets of a happy life.   We've all committed boneheaded errors in our travels and life.   The question is, did we learn from them.

Sometimes, sometimes not.   Ride on brother, RIDE ON!


Rams 

[Valker]

Boneheaded errors are the very reason I never use a GPS on the bike. Many of my most favorite and best rides were when I was “lost” and still had gas.

[DDT (12)]

Ron,

As usual, I find myself agreeing with you again... Unfortunately, in my case the list of errors is quite lengthy, so the opportunities for learning are likewise manifold, as well! Part of my 'vision quest' is to dissect and analyze as many of life's experiences as I can so that the lessons can in turn be applied. It does appear to this bleary-eyed observer that you, too, are thusly engaged! We've just got to get together again and compare notes...

DDT (12)




Eric,

Dang, dude! Your reply is another in a long line of succinct, well worded comments that cut right to the chase with an uncanny 'word picture' that reminds us all just how true that statement is! When we're focused on an inflexible 'plan', any deviation causes a stressful shift into 'correction mode'. When we're just enjoying the experience of being alive and aboard our mechanical mistresses, navigational boo-boos aren't stressful at all; rather, they are recognized as opportunities for new, unexpected discoveries!!! And that distinction can make all the difference... Thanks, as always, for adding some zest and sparkle to the conversation!

DDT (12)

[Rams]

Ron,

As usual, I find myself agreeing with you again... Unfortunately, in my case the list of errors is quite lengthy, so the opportunities for learning are likewise manifold, as well! Part of my 'vision quest' is to dissect and analyze as many of life's experiences as I can so that the lessons can in turn be applied. It does appear to this bleary-eyed observer that you, too, are thusly engaged! We've just got to get together again and compare notes...

DDT (12)

That may happen sooner than later.   Looking forward to it regardless of when.

Rams