Did you ever think about doing something off in the future? Your mind can conjure up all sorts of possibilities, safe from a time yet to pass. I have been planning my motorcycle ride on the mainland for nearly a year and today the plan ends and the adventure begins. The safety net has now been pulled out from under me and I am on my own, walking the high wire and living the experience.
Before it actually begins, I want you to know how much I appreciate your interest. The number of people, friends and complete strangers, who have talked with me about this ride, overwhelms me. I refer to you as passengers and it is actually true for me. In my years of riding, I have never once had a real passenger because I am uncomfortable with the responsibility for another and it would make me an unsafe rider.
Chronicling this adventure for you brings with it a different kind of responsibility. We are going to be living the other side of Ground Hog’s Day. Each day will be completely different than the one before, different towns, roads, people and beds. It is one thing to profess that change is a constant in our lives and another to actually live it. It is way more subtle when your days follow a familiar pattern, but it will be undeniable on my ride. There is no need for a shovel to dig for the overriding theme of this little journey of ours.
We are going to do this together and while I am completely alone from the moment I walk into the airport in Lihue, this thing I am doing with you is an exciting magical connection to have.
The gauge for me will be my sense of humor and I will keep an eye on it. I suck at telling jokes and I am on my game when there are things to react to spontaneously. There really shouldn’t be any shortage of new situations and I am looking forward to flexing my funny bones.
I have a plan for tonight and we’ll see it goes. I am flying into Oakland and get there around 10:30. I’ve got to make it on the BART, which gets me within walking distance my elegant destination, the Berkeley Inn. Got a map to get me from there to Motoquest the next day, the folks I am renting the Harley from. Now, that’s going to be a photo op for sure, Larry, all decked out in his gear, precariously perched on top of his 850 lb. beast! When we head out for the San Mateo Bridge, there is no turning back.
You have one more day to decide whether you are up for this ride. Like me, once I get on that bike, I am committed to bring it back there in a little over two weeks, in one piece, smiling a big smile. I am going to share this whole thing with you, as if you are sitting on the back of the bike for the entire ride and I want you in one piece, smiling a big smile. Deal?
NO TIME FOR AN AUDIO AND TO THINK OF PICTURES BECAUSE I REALLY HAVE TO GET GOING NOW. HOPE YOU DON’T MIND.
Right there with you Larry!
Going to be a kick!
I appreciate your connection. Sitting on a bed in a rather depressing hotel room in Berkeley. It is so easy to romanticize trips like this, which is why folks seem to be interested. This adventure is a challenge for me. I didn’t have internet last night and it threw me off my game. We all walk such a fine line and the trick is to stay open and nimble because we can expect the unexpected to happen often. Going to do a little yoga and then head down to the check in, bullet proof window and find out where I can get some breakfast. Picking up the bike and packing it for the ride awaits me in a couple of hours.
Great to be a passenger with you!! Keep plenty aloha in the tank!
Sitting in a rather depressing room in Berkeley and remembering why I decided to take this ride. It is a celebration of life, my life, all life. It is wonderful to hear from you this morning. This is a challenge for me, which is one of the reasons for doing it. I am very touched by your message. I pick up my bike today and the adventure really begins. There is no substitute for “doing”, walking the walk.
How exciting to be a virtual passenger! I’m way too cautious to actually get on a Harley!