Tag: Riding

It’s beginning to look a lot like…I forgot!

~ Stevie ~ 1 Comment

I remember it was a cold December day, but somewhat sunny and the roads were clear. Overall, that meant a good chance for me to get out for a ride and to take care of some errands.

I remember bouncing into the store, jacket fringe flapping, feeling elated from getting a little time in the wind and looking forward to Christmas.

I remember checking items off my shopping list, and noticing a sale on wrapping paper. Although I usually stick with gift bags, I decided I should probably pick some of it up in case I needed it.

I remember as I paid the cashier I glanced out the window and muttered, “Oh. CRAP!”

I forgot I was on the bike. In that short amount of time, even with all the extra layers and leather I was wearing, it’d slipped my mind that I had limited cargo space.15493302_10207375284649914_4594185885733418080_o

“What’s the matter?” the clerk asked.

I told her nothing was wrong as I eyed the long pack of gift wrap and looked back out at the bike, already mentally digging through the saddle bags searching for the bungee cords I hoped were still there.

I remember how lucky I felt that I’d impulsively picked up some paper, and not the Christmas tree!

Cheers!

~ Stevie ~ 2 Comments

One morning I rumbled into the parking garage at work and backed into a space in the section reserved for motorcycles. A young woman walked by as I stood next to the bike taking off my helmet. I didn’t really notice her until she stopped so suddenly her feet slid and the noise made me look up.

She had turned back to point at me and then the bike, “YOU! Ride THAT!”

Thinking it was easier than carrying it, I laughed and said, “YEAH!”

“It’s bigger than YOU!”

Thinking that’s another good reason why I don’t give the Heritage piggyback rides, I nodded.

“YOU…YOU GO GIRL!”

Oh I do, every chance I get. Anytime I have an encounter like this, or when a little girl gives me a thumbs up as I ride by, or yells that she likes my bike- I wonder if she’s thinking she’d like to try riding too. And I hope she’s realizing she can do whatever she wants.

Which makes me think of Jackie. While I have always loved riding and had spent lots of time on the back of bikes, I hadn’t really thought of moving up to the front until I met her and saw her ride.

Quite a while back as I headed out on vacation with a guy I was dating, he was filling me in on the couple we were going to visit. I remember how cool I thought it was when he mentioned his friend’s wife had her own bike. When I met Jackie and we all went out riding together, I also remember thinking, “Surely I can ride my own too, why the hell didn’t I think of this before?!” vino

The relationship ended long ago, I got my own bike not that much later, and eventually fell out of touch with Jackie. But I smile when something reminds me of her, feeling grateful our paths crossed and for the miles I’ve enjoyed since then as well as for the people I’ve met along the way.

So a toast! To Jackie, wherever she is! May she be happy, healthy and still doing what she wants. And a big thanks for inspiring me to do something I wanted, even though I wasn’t sure I could at first.

As for the woman in the parking garage, I haven’t seen her again. But wouldn’t it be a nice surprise if when I did she was rolling in on her own motorcycle too!?

“The dirt will still be there tomorrow…”

~ Stevie ~ 4 Comments

This has got to be one of the busiest summers of my life, to the point where I actually have to remind myself to take time to just breathe.

I can think back to an important lesson in time-management my mom gave me years ago. I was stressed out over how to juggle several responsibilities all at once. As I ran down the list of things that needed to be done over the phone with her I mentioned cleaning and that’s when she interrupted with a snort, “The dirt will still be there tomorrow.”

Whassssat?! When your own mother tells you it’s OK to procrastinate on housework it’s definitely time to relax and rearrange your list of priorities a bit! IMG_20160815_093231Maybe I took the advice to a fault earning my bike the nickname of “Dirty 1” because I’d rather spend time riding it that washing it, but that’s a different story.

In recent weeks I realized a lot of my riding had become errand driven, if I was on the road I was finishing up some sort of task and I was in need of an afternoon doing nothing but enjoying the ride. To fix that, one day I took the long way home from work with no real goal in mind.

A stop along the way brought me to a pub I hadn’t been in yet so I decided to have a burger and a beer on their patio. Shaded by vines and branches overhead, I continued to clear any worrisome thoughts from my mind and stay in the moment of a beautiful day. After a while I became aware of some chirping form above and spotted birds flying in and out of their nest.0524161412

As I watched and listened, I wondered what other small miracles I’d overlooked lately as a result of the preoccupation of making a few major life changes during the fun of the summer season. Reality check; time to reprioritize that dirt.

What needs to be tended to first is the dirt ridden over on two wheels to clear the mind, walked on with bare feet alongside the dog, or just sat on to let the spirit soar even as the body is still.

The rest will eventually be dealt with and if that’s not until tomorrow it’s fine. Momma said so.

 

 

 

Down the rabbit hole?

~ Stevie ~ Leave a comment

On a recent day of above average temperatures I decided a ride to one of my favorite farm markets was in order. bunny 2Skin in the wind, it felt like it would be a perfect evening for grilling out once I got home. However as I passed by the shady side of a nearby ski slope, twinkling lights marking snow-covered trails, the realization came that I was a couple months early for finding fresh produce.

No matter. A beautiful afternoon for riding, the winding roads led to the sensation of travelling a great distance without really going anywhere. And in the case of this market it’s as much fun to browse as it is to buy. Just walking inside can feel like a step back in time, or at least to places I’ve known in the past where so much is homemade, handmade, and unique. Oh, and the honor system is still in play. I’ve yet to see anyone working on my visits so checking out consists of writing my purchases down in the ledger on the counter and dropping my payment in a marked box. Change is available in an adjacent basket but in a world where you always have to pre-pay for gas, I’m so thrilled with this granted trust I always round up and leave a little more than I’m asked for.

It looks like the store is between seasons, too early for just picked veggies and the last of the winter goods lingering on the shelves. Moving through the scent of potatoes, dried herbs, and potpourri, I look over jars of jams, crocheted scarves, and assorted knick-knacks.

I see a charming burlap bunny sporting a checked shirt and denim overalls, reaching for him I think he might be a cute Easter gift for my niece. bunnyBut as I picked up the doll an unexplained sense of nostalgia overwhelmed me and I realized this would join my own knick-knacks at home.

Or maybe I should find a way to fasten him in behind the windshield of the bike? A riding buddy/mascot to lead the way to the next Wonderland?

From trash to treasure…

~ Stevie ~ Leave a comment

“Ooh! OOH! Turds rolling on me, turds rolling ON ME!” I yelp.

I’m helping my boyfriend move a large box across his garage and judging by the sprinkle of mouse droppings I’ve spotted on top it’s the first time it’s been budged in years. I notice he’s trying to keep from laughing at me, but since he’s picked up the pace I’m too grateful to care. I just want to put this thing down before a little black pinhead of nasty actually rolls against my hand.

It’s spring! And a biker’s idea of spring cleaning is making room in the garage, basement, or shed by unearthing no longer needed motorcycle parts and heading to a swap meet. It’s time to clear out work space and score some cash or parts that will be of use in the next project.

As the boyfriend hopes to do just that, we’re headed to Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg Super Swap Meet at the Farm Show Complex.dsc03602 Vendors are allowed inside 2 hours before the doors open to the early birds. Once everything is unloaded and he’s setting up, I decide to check out the other tables. I’m watching for a seat I need for my Sportster. After 10 years the one on the bike is starting to split at the seams, better that one than mine! Still, maybe someone will be here with some jeans as you can never have too many pairs. I’m also happy to see a local Harley dealer is there with specials on winter clothes. It might be spring according to the calendar, but there will apparently be time to wear them before stashing for the summer. Snow and cold temps are predicted for the upcoming week!

It’s my first time at this particular event, dsc03593and from what I can tell you can find everything from a helmet sticker to an entire motorcycle up for sale. Once the doors open to the public, crowds of people filter through to browse and negotiate. Some folks chat, telling stories about rides they’ve been on, what they’ve done to their bike, what they want to do to their bike, upcoming trips, and how much warmer weather would be appreciated. Others wind through the entries in the bike show, taking in every detail and having their questions answered by the owners.

Once the day is over and we’re headed home, we find a place on Route 15 with cold beer and hot burgers. My spirit has received a lift after a fairly brutal winter during which my riding time was cut down more than usual. It’s comforting to spend a day surrounded by others who also love the rides, the memories, the machines. The collective excitement over the start of a new season is contagious. The adventures we’ve dreamed up over the last several months are more within reach, closer to happening. It’s going to be an awesome year!