|
Since
becoming involved in the Sport of Motorcycle Riding I have
been fortunate enough to go on many Road Trips. None stand
out more in my mind than my first Solo Run.
When my Partner and I returned from
attending the Sturgis Rally & Races, in Sturgis, SD,
USA, I was riding tall in the saddle. Long days with the
wind in my hair, the sun on my back, having come face to
face with Mother Nature's fury - I was confident!
Our Vacation Plans included the Canadian
Motorcycle Drag Racing Association's Season Finals at Mission
Raceway Park in Mission, BC, Canada. When we got home I
was dismayed to find that my Partner had to return to work.
The decision was up to me - did I still want to go? Of course!
With "The More The Merrier"
in mind I invited my best friend who, in turn, invited her
friend. I would meet up with them along the way. We were
to arrive at our Destination differently with 1 Riding a
Motorcycle, 1 Driving a Car and 1 Flying - the 3 Amigos
- or Thelma, Louise & Louise.
It is said, "It's not the Destination
but the Journey." For me it was both. Good times &
friendly faces waited at the CMDRA Drag Races - I knew it
would be fun. With the vestige of summer fading at each
day's end, visions of the Race Track dancing in my head,
a stop at Harley Davidson of Smithers ensured my Bike was
in order. I set out on my way.
Strange when people see a Woman riding
alone; no I wasn't lost, didn't need your help & didn't
want to be your buddy. I was OK. I got up in the morning
when I wanted to and hit the Road. I was following my own
Path.
The Zen of it all overtook me and
the chaotic ramblings of my stressed out, overworked mind
subsided. I was very comfortable, relaxed and at ease, filled
with a growing sense of peace.
I met up with my best friend in Cache
Creek, BC where we spent the night. We saw some guys heading
south - I didn't know them, but they seemed all right. When
I fueled up the next day the look on their faces said it
all - it was plain to see that they figured a girl riding
alone should be chaperoned. My Partner had faith that I
could make this Trip safe & secure on my own - I knew
I could too. Leaving them in the dust, I rode on…
At the CMDRA Races my friends were
glad to see me. Some acquaintances were shocked to learn
that I had made it there on my own with my Partners blessing.
The limits a person has are the ones they place on themselves.
It's indescribable what I felt. I knew that I had arrived
and that I belonged.
My girlfriends and I made a pact that
we would never reveal what truly happened on that Trip -
some things are better left unwritten. We had fun though
and no one got hurt…
Wow! What an adventure! Thinking back
now, I can hardly believe that I am the same person that
rode over 2000 Miles on my Harley Davidson Electra Glide
Classic - by myself - but I had a purpose and a Destination
- to attend a CMDRA Drag Race.
|
