Love That Aroma...

[DDT (12)]

Love That Aroma…

For this limited-in-ability chronicler of his incredible personal experience of life on the road behind bars, it seems to get ever more difficult. With each attempt to think of new and interesting ways to describe all that defies accurate, complete description, the frustration grows while the temptation to abandon the effort also creeps in.

For the primary audience, my future self when this rendition will be reread and the grand adventure relived, the challenge is not particularly daunting. However, for all others who might read my words, I do fret a bit about trying to make stories read-worthy. How many different ways can the same general message be conveyed?

We directed our focus westward the second morning of that recent trek from central Florida before later changing our direction to a northerly route that would take us to Montgomery, AL. More doctors’ appointments, as those have come to dominate the calendar and thereby determine our practical range of riding and to severely restrict the coddiewomple. As we both continue to age, these ‘maintenance’ issues seem to continue to grow… and even to grow at an increasing rate over time…

The day itself was nearly perfect, however! Mild temps in the mid-60s at KSU, wind speed less than 10mph, tolerable humidity. The sun was still very low in the sky that early but directly behind us given our initial direction of travel for the first hour.

The clear blue sky almost totally devoid of clouds resembled a pale blue plush carpet with only half a dozen or so kernels of popped popcorn scattered about as if accidentally dropped by some absent-minded TV viewer. If the grade for this day’s ride was to be determined solely by the size of the rider’s smile, then this was clearly an A++ day!

The asphalt ribbons over which we were to glide that gorgeous day happened all to be in good + to excellent condition as if the Supreme Architect of all things had ordained such a rich endowment for this rider on this day. Being a Sunday, there was no construction activity in progress to retard our steady pace, and only light traffic was encountered. Choosing a route with mostly rural backroads and tiny hamlets does have certain advantages, you know…

There was even a ‘Hardees’ fast-food restaurant along this route at a perfect time and distance for a ‘fanny & bladder break’ with a sausage-biscuit and small cup of coffee thrown in as a bonus. I’d consciously passed on a second cup a’ Joe at the motel earlier, to allow for just such an indulgence without exceeding our ‘daily ration’ should the ideal opportunity arise… as it most certainly did.

Our girl was really strutting her stuff, too. Her recently reconditioned carbs continued to contribute to a smooth and efficient smile-inducing ride… Thanks again, Mooskee!!! She is nearing a need for a regular rearend service along with an oil & filter replacement, but we’ve already made a rather ‘loose’ appointment to address both of those essential items soon after the upcoming doctors’ routine visits.

There was nothing at all to cause any stress on that glorious day, so a most agreeable ride was joyously savored and immensely enjoyed… 90% of the way. Summer is already overtaking us, especially down here deep in Dixie, so the last bit of the ride was warmer than I would have preferred… Oh well, with all that came with the first 90%, though, a little discomfort on the remainder was but a very tiny price to pay indeed!

Shakespeare once said, “A rose by any other name smells just as sweet…” I’m saying that a great ride aboard a fine scoot under ideal circumstances, no matter how well or how awkwardly it may be described, is still just as therapeutic and mind-blowingly awesome!!!

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

     In the movie Field of Dreams the catch phrase was-if you build it they will come. Should you narrator and traveler of most things Valkyrie need a catch phrase how bout this. If you post they us them RIDERS Will read it!  You My Friend duz have a way of making me feel like I'm along on yer coddiewomple. I've read some fiction authors that put me in the middle of any given scenario. YOU DDT12 do EXACTLY the same thing. I've felt the wind in my beard the bug hits on me and the wind screen and tasted the fresh hot coffee and meals you've spoken of over these years. Just keep on posting yer adventures so I and others may live vicariously the Adventures you bring to our electronic clubhouse!  Keep on keepin on Bruce!  RIDE SAFE.

[Oldfishguy]

I often wonder how to describe creativity; many claim it, in my opinion few possess it.

A creative soul you are, no doubt about it.

[DDT (12)]

o2s,

Thanks, my friend. Truth is, someone as thoroughly into riding as you would get a rush from most any ride description! I enjoy reading your posts, also, as they are not only conveyed with an 'accent', but they also get to the heart of the experience of the long ride far beyond the mere mechanics of operating a two-wheeled (or three-wheeled!) machine.

Nothing at all wrong with 'technical' riding and the pleasure of an adrenaline rush, but for many of us there simply is so much more. We all begin riding realizing the special fun of this novel means of locomotion. We quickly try to master the skills of operation, and we love the increases in enjoyment with each new level we achieve. We find much needed distraction from the worries of normal life, so we press on. Some of us simply take the 'other path' at the eventual fork in the road.

While we do revel in the occasional fun frolic of banking turns and rapid acceleration, wind in our faces and bugs in our teeth, it's the spiritual aspects that truly have us hooked far more than the occasional scraping of a peg... Even more, it is all the discoveries that await us down the road... Learning about the interesting strangers and outrageous characters we encounter, viewing all the amazing, awe-inspiring sites we behold... all the things we learn about ourselves...

I do appreciate your appreciation of my posts... For this long rider, writing about my experience then receiving positive feedback is a kind of 'residual' pleasure that extends whatever 'rewards' I received while actually heading towards the horizon... Basking in the memories knowing that the joy of what I do is shared by other riders themselves worthy of respect. That what I do places me in some mighty special company!

DDT (12)



ofg,

Thanks, bud! Funny, I've never thought of myself in that way... As implied above, compliments like this are important to me. They affirm that my 'pursuit of happiness' is not something weird or off-the-wall; rather, it is something shared by others in some fashion. That others 'get' the references and analogies and understand their significance. Thanks again, my kindred spirit, your comments mean far more than you might suspect...

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Bruce, thanks for discussing the “spiritual” part of long rides. As always, you’ve said it the way I feel it, and you’ve said it so much better than I could.

[DDT (12)]

Eric,

Thanks for your always positive comments! I began to notice how 'hard' riding tended to 'block out' any thoughts not related to the precision needed to negotiate challenging stretches of road. That was great when I was clearing my mind and 'escaping' the tensions and vexations of work and life generally. As I eased over into long riding, though, I quickly noticed that thinking things through became a priority, but technical riding didn't allow for much of that...

Easing back on the throttle allowed me to look around and take in the views, smell the smells, and savor the whole experience... I made a riding style change! The platform our girl provided me with for pondering and relaxing became addicting, and I became a different rider... Sounds like that's not all that uncommon after all...

Given your riding resume and for those who have met you the knowledge of just what a great guy you are, anything you offer automatically has credibility and piques interest. I thank you for all of your contributions to the body of knowledge available to all on riding and 'growing' from the experience...

DDT (12)

[Mooskee]

Bruce, I often reflect on our riding together, and I lift up a prayer for you my friend. As I have proven, I can drop everything and go. I find however I am more likely to sit here working on bikes, than riding my bikes. The bikes are ready and willing. Actually, so am I. I often let the demands of this motorcycle business take priority over motorcycle riding.

I suppose it is possible that I speak for many of us. I log in and look to see if you posted. I love to read your "ride reports." You describing the day, the view, the sights, sounds, and feelings of the ride never get old. I sit here and for a few minutes I am transported to the road with the wind and the feeling of riding. We all know every mile is not the iconic best ride mile. We have all been in the heat and cold and rain, and even broken down on the side of the road. We can relate. We all know how wonderful it is to meet those people along the way that leave an impression on our soul.
We know all about it, but we long for it and love to hear you tell the stories of your coddiwomple.  Please be assured you and your stories are much loved. Please keep writing for us.

[DDT (12)]

Dave,

Thank you so much for those words! BTW, congrats on the new grand! You mentioned you could drop what you're doing and go for a ride... but don't. I know a cure for that, ya know! I'm headed for east Tennessee tomorrow for a spell. Once the weather clears and it looks like a way is open, I'm headed out for another ride of a week or two... I do have to be back in time to keep a commitment for IZ, but other than that, only weather has any sway... Are you interested in another attempt of a ride to nowhere in particular?

DDT (12)

[Mooskee]

You know I'm Interested. Still dealing with that stupid back pain, and trying to get a bunch of carbs done so others can ride. If you were to pass by here, I might be persuaded to work in a a couple day excursion though. You know how it us here. I will Need a bit of warning! We got your room ready though.

[DDT (12)]

Dave,

Hmmm... I'll ponder on that some... Always a pleasure to hang with you and yours. On the other hand... You do recall my relationship with planning, don't you!? No telling at the moment, but... stay tuned!

DDT (12)

[Mooskee]

Dave,

Hmmm... I'll ponder on that some... Always a pleasure to hang with you and yours. On the other hand... You do recall my relationship with planning, don't you!? No telling at the moment, but... stay tuned!

DDT (12)

I laughed out loud! What came to mind was us leaving Lexington SC, and you were going to follow me to the I 95 N entrance, and then continue to the I95 S entrance a few miles down. We were rolling through town and you turned off on hwy 6. I just waved and laughed.