Saturday, September 22, 2012

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!





19 comments:

  1. Great post Roger, I felt every moment with you. You've just described perfectly the reason to ride, and now I want to go for a ride ... :)

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  2. An excellent post Roger. I've been pretty stressed at work in the last 18 months and found that turning to my one true passion of riding motorcycles seemed to make all of my worldly stresses dissapear without turning to drink.

    Yes motorcycling does put a big smile on the dial.

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    1. Thanks Steve, I agree with you 100% on that one!

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  3. Beautifully written. Captures well why you never see a motorbike in front of a psychiatrists office. The open road, the wind, the feelings assaulting the senses are what heals us. I'm glad you figured out and excellent destination.

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    1. Lori: I saw that caption the other day and it brought a smile to my face then. It is very true.

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    2. True. I did not see a bike outside the Shrinks - I saw his Ferrari!

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  4. Lovely write-up, Rog. Isn't it amazing what riding does to soul and mind? There is nothing like it, and you don't need drugs or alcohol to achieve this feeling of rush, excitement and full life.

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    1. Thanks for he compliment Sonja, perhaps i taped my creative side!

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  5. Good for you Roger. I am glad that a ride put a smile back on your face. It is amazing what a brisk pace on the open road can do for the mind and well being.

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    1. Brandy..a brisk ride was probably an understatement.

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  6. Rog mate,
    As everyone else has said, that's a really powerful piece of writing - really proud of you for writing that. When you're on a bike, you're alone but never lonely - that's what shone through in your writings - it really does cleanse the soul. The Bennydale area was part of my old stomping ground so I was there on the ride with you!

    With you clearly giving the red beast plenty, I'd bet money that the speed limit was pulverised on the odd occasion but given the circumstances, I'd also bet that our much-loved IAM Chief Instructor would nod approvingly! Good for you chum!!!!

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    1. Geoff, It was one of those rides that words will never truly capture. I am sure you have been there before. Thanks for the compliment on my writing, it was a challenge to put it on on paper so to speak.

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  7. Great stuff and sounds like you have blown the emotional cobwebs away

    N

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  8. Very well said Roger, you've got to feel sorry for those poor folk who don't ride motorbikes - what the hell do they do to get to where we are all at? There is nothing like that feeling of freedom out on two wheels, either alone or with a pillion it frees you, refreshes and rejuvenates all at the same time. Good to read bro.

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    1. Yeah mate I am with you on that! Something about biking which stirs the soul and clears the head. You just goto love it.

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  9. Very well written and although you can't put it into words you certainly put it into perspective. Hang in there, you got this.

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