Medicine for the Soul.

It was a fine weekend and the sun was at last forecast to stay out for ALL of the weekend.  I had been itching to get away for some sort of road trip.  Perhaps my winter of discontent was finally over, in more ways than one any way.

I threw a few essentials into the bag Saturday morning, started it up , and then sat there.  Where to go? I had not really thought about it.  Suddenly I needed to decide.  I was overcome with a sense of loss again.  I was indecisive.  I was unsure what to do.   I was on my own, perhaps I should just go back inside, find a chair, it seems so much easier to do.  Everything has seemed so hard lately.

I was on the Sprint and I know I wanted fast flowing open road riding.   I wanted the thrill of searching for that perfect corner, that never ending sweeping left hander.  If I had to ride all weekend to find it....I sure as fuck was gonna..I needed something  to lift my spirit, I needed some medicine for the soul.  

South it was to central north Island.  Some roads I have ridden many times before others I would discover for the first time.  It was not important where I was going...it was important that I went.

The last few months for me have been tough.  Work stresses and family pressure coming close to breaking my spirit.  I needed to ride and it needed to be good.   I needed to know I could smile again.   My wounded heart needed more than a sticking plaster

I headed south on familiar roads, and as each km passed under the wheels of Beth I felt that sense of freedom, of being myself again.  The road become a blur of black seal, never ending and urging me forward.    It took half a  tank of gas before my head was clear, and my spirits began to lift.  But under my tinted visor  I was smiling.  This is why I ride.  This is what I love.  This is why I am passionate about biking.  This is what keeps me sane.  This helps put things in perspective for me.   

Through Te Kuiti then towards Benydayle, the triple was screaming at me, almost demanding more....'is that the best you got Roger"?   Can the sound of a triple engine screaming just below the red line have ever sounder so good.    How do you descibe to anyone the shear thrill and adrenalin rush when 'you get it right' , when you know you have executed the perfect corner and then do it again and again....and again, how do you describe that to any one.   There is no drug, or drink, or video game, food, theme park ride, or hard core  mind altering substance that can create this feeling....none.  

Onwards I went  searching for more, not ever wanting it to end, each km seemed to lift me.  I think I could of ridden to Wellington and back today.  

At some point I stopped, and I could feel myself getting emotional.    Yet there was a smile on my face....perhaps some where along that road I found some peace, I found my spirit again.  I found my heart.   Can motorcycling do this to some one?   For a small time anyway, the dark clouds had moved away giving way to bright sun and hope.

Triumphs All Rounder Duel Purpose.

I still manged some off road!