Re: A south African Blog
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:44 pm
I last posted on this blog in 2006, I need a smack around the head. these days I just don't have time. I though I would share a story with my friends though because I think you will understand.
Have you ever just got into that groove where everything is just right. You, the bike, the weather, the road, just everything comes together and you get that perfect moment, those perfect riding conditions that only come along only so often.
I had just a moment recently. As you know I am a bike Marshal and we do duty at various events. One of these happens in the Cape region of SA, which is about 1450 kms from where I live. They needed a full contingent down there and some of the Cape town guys could not get leave, so 4 of us went down. 2 of us decided to ride, 2 went with car and trailer.
On the last day of the tour, we got permission to sneak off early to give us a head start on the way back. This meant leaving CPT around 2:30, riding 530 kms and getting to our destination before dark, which happens around 6:30 in the evening.
So duly off we go. My mate and I know each other well and our riding styles, him on his trusty Bandit, me on my trusty GS. By the time the first refuel came, he needed to rest a little longer than me, bear in mind he is over 65 and had just done a 5 day tour. We decide i will go ahead and make sure that B&B arrangements are all sorted.
Now I have a secret weapon, THE GOOSE, the most capable woman on the planet. I reached a small town 185 kms away from our destination and by this time it was 5:00 pm. A quick call to The Goose and she would make arrangements for our overnighter.
I left the little town of Laingsburg at 5:00 to do next 185 Kms and an hour later I called The Goose to let her know I was in Beaufort West, our destination.
This was one of those times that will stay in memory, every part of the puzzle just came together. The wind was non existent, it was cool, the bike was in world of it's own and there was no rush, it just glided along with no traffic to worry about, the road was clear for Km after Km. I rode with an empty head with every fibre of me concentrated on the riding, and it felt easy. I have felt this before, but on the track when the corners were just right and the lines spot on and the feedback from the bike was 100%
As I write these words, my fervent wish is that you may also experience this, whatever the speed or conditions, that you can reach a place when you truly feel one with your machine, when no other thoughts or feelings can intrude.
Maybe, just maybe, there are some extreme sports people that will go through this, but I honestly believe only a biker will understand.
Have you ever just got into that groove where everything is just right. You, the bike, the weather, the road, just everything comes together and you get that perfect moment, those perfect riding conditions that only come along only so often.
I had just a moment recently. As you know I am a bike Marshal and we do duty at various events. One of these happens in the Cape region of SA, which is about 1450 kms from where I live. They needed a full contingent down there and some of the Cape town guys could not get leave, so 4 of us went down. 2 of us decided to ride, 2 went with car and trailer.
On the last day of the tour, we got permission to sneak off early to give us a head start on the way back. This meant leaving CPT around 2:30, riding 530 kms and getting to our destination before dark, which happens around 6:30 in the evening.
So duly off we go. My mate and I know each other well and our riding styles, him on his trusty Bandit, me on my trusty GS. By the time the first refuel came, he needed to rest a little longer than me, bear in mind he is over 65 and had just done a 5 day tour. We decide i will go ahead and make sure that B&B arrangements are all sorted.
Now I have a secret weapon, THE GOOSE, the most capable woman on the planet. I reached a small town 185 kms away from our destination and by this time it was 5:00 pm. A quick call to The Goose and she would make arrangements for our overnighter.
I left the little town of Laingsburg at 5:00 to do next 185 Kms and an hour later I called The Goose to let her know I was in Beaufort West, our destination.
This was one of those times that will stay in memory, every part of the puzzle just came together. The wind was non existent, it was cool, the bike was in world of it's own and there was no rush, it just glided along with no traffic to worry about, the road was clear for Km after Km. I rode with an empty head with every fibre of me concentrated on the riding, and it felt easy. I have felt this before, but on the track when the corners were just right and the lines spot on and the feedback from the bike was 100%
As I write these words, my fervent wish is that you may also experience this, whatever the speed or conditions, that you can reach a place when you truly feel one with your machine, when no other thoughts or feelings can intrude.
Maybe, just maybe, there are some extreme sports people that will go through this, but I honestly believe only a biker will understand.