I *needed* this last trip. I didn’t realize how much until I was on the road. I haven’t ridden as much this summer as I did last year. No particular reason, just busy I suppose. I can tell it’s had an effect.
It was obvious on Thursday as we were riding along Highway 112 on our way to Neah Bay, the northwestern most point on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s a beautiful road, winding along through forest with occasional views of the coast. Fantastic for motorcycling. But I wasn’t really riding well on the way out. I couldn’t focus and get into the “zone” where every corner becomes effortless and things start to flow.
I knew why. I had too many stray thoughts drifting through my mind. A lot of little niggling things that individually don’t amount to much but as a whole they were consuming too much of my attention. Of course the more I tried to shake these random thoughts, the more I thought about them. A nasty little feedback loop.
I didn’t really enjoy the ride to Neah Bay as much as I would have liked because of this. I was resigned to just slogging on and riding as best I could when fate intervened. My salvation, and the turning point for my weekend, came in an unexpected fashion. It started to rain, and rain hard.
Rain isn’t something most motorcyclists look forward to, but it happens. We were prepared so we broke out the rain gear, put the waterproof covers on our luggage and headed towards our lodging for the night. Back over those same twisty roads we had just ridden.
The rain introduced a new element to the equation… survival. The rain obscures your visor, covering it again nearly as soon as you wipe it clear with your glove. The road is slick with oil washing out. Simple leaves become booby traps ready to break your traction in a corner if you’re not careful. Even the painted lines on the road become your enemy as they grow slippery with water. It has a wonderful way of focusing your attention. At least it did for me.
Jim commented later that he really didn’t enjoy that part of the ride much. I reveled in it. For a time it was just me, the bike and the road. In that isolation my worries just washed away.
Later that night, dry, warm and relaxing in the lodge I was able to reflect on the day. I concluded that while I considered myself to be mostly content, in many ways I really wasn’t. There were issues I have been letting fester than needed to be dealt with. Decisions I needed to stop being wishy-washy about. Choices instead of fence-sitting.
I won’t say I cleared the slate after struggling that day but I think I’ve reached a point where I have the resolve to make changes. I’ve already taken some steps since my return, for better or worse. Sometimes it’s good to shake things up. When things don’t change for a while, cobwebs tend to form. I need to clear some of those cobwebs away.
September 24th, 2007 at 3:40 am
I think God has a curious way of assisting us, when our very thoughts can be so detrimental. I had a similar incident happen, only I was in a car traveling at night. I was supposed to be enjoying my trip, and remembering each scene like a moving picture book. Instead, I found myself thinking deeply about some issues at hand, and let my thinking turn into worry. I was making myself miserable in the moment, I was supposed to be keeping my eyes on the road, but I just couldn’t focus, and there were no hotels in sight, and to make matters worse, I was getting really, really sleepy.
Then all of a sudden, I saw something ahead standing directly in the middle of the road. I stopped abruptly and there standing staring straight at me was a huge wolf. We stared at each other for what seemed like eternity. The road was dark, except for us. Then as quickly as he had appeared, he just vanished. As I moved forward and started driving again, it started snowing…and not just tiny flakes, but big, fluffy flakes that made my visibility almost non-existent.
I was wide awake, my thoughts were now focused on that amazing animal, and the falling snow. What would have probably freaked some people out, I was finding so cool. I was enjoying the ride, my thoughts from earlier were in a distant place, and I found a hotel not too far up ahead.
The next day, my thoughts seemed so clear, and I was able to put my issues into perspective and make steps to change things.
Excessive rain….big wolf…it’s the same thing. LOL
~Lea
September 24th, 2007 at 10:16 am
I’m glad you went on this trip ~ it sounds like it was a positive one, no matter the rain. It’s the little things that help us get a better perspective on the situation.
M~
September 24th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
In the end it seems it was just what the Dr. ordered then. I’m glad you were able to get the cobwebs cleared. It sounds like a great ride over all. That photo is spectacular.
Stacie
September 24th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I go thru cycles not unlike that Mike. When I get a clear window, and see what isn’t working any longer, I then listen for opportunities, waiting to jump on them. Sometimes we all need a reminder that we’re still young, and it’s not a race, and things can change so quickly sometimes that it renders time irrelevant. My two cents for the day.
Enjoyed the post. And the lodge looks peaceful and fun.
~S