My husband and I love riding motorcycles out on an open road. I love observing the intricate correlation of things as I ride. None of these things are as observable while riding cocooned in a car, but on a bike, the interconnectedness all around me is so evident.
Air
I feel the chill clinging to the air until it’s suddenly gone with rising temperature. I feel the sun’s warmth through my clothes. We rode directly east this morning and the sun dominated the scene.
I’m acutely aware of the wind or breeze and its impact on me and my bike. On one hand, it cools and relieves. On the other hand, the wind buffets and impedes. After my motorcycle wreck, riding in a stiff wind really scared me. I felt out of control like I was being tossed around the road. Only Anthony’s video of me riding ahead of him convinced me that I wasn’t tipping sideways as the wind hammered me. The video showed me slicing through the wind without any topsy-turvy movement of my bike or person. It astonished me.
I never realized how impactful opposing traffic’s wind gusts could be—depending on the size and speed of the vehicle and especially gusts from semis—and began expecting the wind gusts, like a boat’s wake, to broadside me as we met for an instant while traveling in opposite directions.
Creatures
I am much more aware of the thousands of insects traveling the same road as my helmet, clothes, and motorcycle collide with their fragile bodies. Most of them die without any major notice from me. But when I’m traveling at highway speeds, larger insects pelt my body with incredible force, leaving splatter and bruises. I’ve hit the brakes or steered clear to avoid birds and rodents that I otherwise might not even notice in my truck. They impact me differently on a motorcycle.
Water
I absolutely love coming upon a freshly watered field or pond or river. The temperature drops. Water hangs in the air. Smells change. The air feels fresher. Even if the land is not actively being watered, we can always tell it’s been watered recently.
Rain, however, elicits a different response! A heavy rain feels like being pelted by knives! Luckily, we are geared up so aren’t too bothered by a good shower.
Point of View
Anthony usually rides his bike behind mine, so my view is the open road. I love pole position driving and love seeing the vastness of my surroundings ahead of me is awesome.
When I’m riding in a vehicle, I’m entertained differently—audio, AC—and have a different sense of security. When I’m riding on my motorcycle, I feel liberated, yet acutely aware of my surroundings and limitations. I’m entertained by my conversation with Anthony and by my interaction with every aspect of the ecosystem around me.
Riding to White River Lake
Today we rode 122 miles round trip from Lubbock to White River Lake. I noticed the chill. I enjoyed the strategy of city driving. But when we hit the empty country roads, the joy of being alive kicked in, especially as we dropped down off the caprock and experienced elevation changes. We both saw three deer cross the road ahead of us. One at a time. The last one struggled across the fence. As she jumped the barbed wire fence, her back foot caught on the wire and she somersaulted on her landing! She popped up and lept away as I passed perpendicular to her trajectory. I’d never seen a deer miss its landing before!
We cheered as the lake came into view. We explored a while before heading back home.
Anyway, I appreciate the chances to put myself into new situations where I can see, feel, and hear the impact of the natural world around me—and when I let it impact me. It’s a soul bath that enlivens my mind and is evidence that I’m not alone in this world.
And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own have I made these things….
And by the of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of and truth.
without number have I ; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the I them, which is mine .
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