DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4112
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: March 19, 2024, 02:16:25 PM » |
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No Shoes…
“I complained because…” Yeah, everybody has heard that tale before, and most of us have had revealing experiences similar to that… I recently had another one.
I had the good fortune of having my route redirected to the home along the North Carolina coast of Dave & Donna Morgan. Dave (Mooskee) and I had concocted the idea over the phone of riding together to Arizona and sharing all the benefits of a major road trip. We didn’t make it to the sunbaked ‘land of the overdone’, but we did manage a very serious road trip nonetheless!
From the very beginning I knew this was not going to be any ordinary diversion from the usual coddiewomple. Even as I worked to fit our girl into the parking spot Dave had wanted us in, he developed a bit of a frown on his face. He hadn’t liked the way our girl sounded as he listened intently to her idle… “When was the last time you’ve had her carbs worked on,” he’d inquired…
The long and short of that was he completely disassembled ALI’s carbs down to every single O-ring, gasket, washer, bushing, jet, screw, nut and bolt. He soaked and static cleaned every component, then lovingly reassembled replacing any part that appeared worn at all or not absolutely first rate. She ran remarkably better afterward, and this diversion had already proven most worthwhile! Thanks, Dave, for attending an overlooked, neglected item like so many this rider is famous for missing…
Another interesting unexpected enjoyable occurrence revealed itself when Dave and others were busy elsewhere, and I found myself engaged in conversation with Donna, Dave’s partner for life. A most interesting, educated, well informed person with whom conversation was enjoyed far more than I’d expected! Dave and Donna even loaned me a book to read and return whenever… I hadn’t expected to wander into a ‘lending library’ situation, but that has proven most beneficial, as well.
Dave & Donna’s son, John, John’s best friend since early childhood, and their son-in-law were all visiting for a golf outing. This solitary rider recluse had the delightful experience of stumbling onto a ‘family setting’ and all the joy emanating from such an event. They all went out of their way to make me feel part of all of that, too.
The fateful morning arrived, and we departed on our big adventure. Dave had already revealed to me that he had some carryover ailments from a most physically active youth and life generally, and his back in particular gave him considerable discomfort nowadays, especially first thing in the mornings.
I’d already learned years ago to resist the impulse to blitz early on in a road trip and bring cumulative fatigue into the mix of factors with which to contend prematurely. I deliberately set a casual pace, and we left a bit later in the mornings than I was accustomed to, and we knocked off a little later, but no problem. Minor compromises are required by all in any joint venture, but the pay-off in comradeship can be well worth any reasonable variations in patterns…
We made it as far as Mandeville, LA, before ‘making the turn’ and returning homeward. We did have dinner out with Trout Dude, and a fine time was had by all! The following morning, however, as we were loading our bikes, Dave appeared to be not enjoying his efforts… Indeed, he was in pain, but he was expecting to quietly soldier on and make the day’s ride anyway. I suggested we just take a day off… We did.
The following day it rained, so we took another opportunity to lay around and recuperate. The morning after that, we decided it would be best not to venture any further west, and that’s when we made the turn back towards ‘home’. The direction of travel changed dramatically, but the discovery of adventure saw no change at all!
I love the scenery and odd things beheld on road trips, and I certainly enjoy the feel of a powerful machine between my legs, the banking of turns, the wind in my face, and even the occasional bugs committing suicide against my own exposed body parts now and then. The entire experience is a sensory extravaganza, but one known only to riders who enjoy the long ride…
I also enjoy all the interactions I have with various people along the way. Starting with an interesting travel partner like Dave, any ride can be enhanced through stimulating conversations and the sharing of ‘life experiences’ that include stories of similar triumphs over adversity and sheer joys. It also helps to share common disappointments and let-downs, as well, and from all of that we learn that our own lives are not so barren or tragic as we might have worked ourselves into imagining.
Similarly, I find interactions with strangers to always be a major highlight of any ride into the great unknown of our vast land… We usually talk about upbeat things that refresh our own views and perspectives, and that typically elevate our spirits to a higher plane.
We also sometimes listen to woeful stories shared on occasion, but… Many times, those are only shared to make a point and to demonstrate how one has risen above or overcome extreme difficulty and achieved even loftier goals than previously thought possible.
As amazing as our bikes are, and as spectacular and incredible as our home continent is, for this humble rider anyway, it’s still the ordinary people with whom I come into contact that are proving to be the best part of my journey. The lessons learned, the peace found, and the realization that my own problems are really not so much… That compared to many, many others, I’ve actually had a pretty easy time of it after all, and… At least I do have two well-functioning feet!
DDT (12)
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