Monday 9 November 2015

I am alone

It is a beautiful fall day and I am alone. Sure, there are other vehicles on the road – lots of them – but mine is the only motorcycle I see. I feel sorry for those who have already put their bikes away for the winter. They don’t know what they’re missing, I think.

Trucks parked on the side of the rural roads with hunters patrolling the shoulders looking for evidence of game indicate deer season is upon us. Most carry rifles, some carry bows, but all are wearing blaze orange vests and caps over top of camouflage pants and jackets. I wonder, what is the point of wearing camo then? All look at me as if I’m nuts to be riding today. Some wave; most don’t.
No more bright reds and yellows in the forest. Now the trees are gray and barren, having sloughed off the last of their leaves during the wind storm a few days ago. It’s evident nature is hunkering down in preparation for winter.

Though it’s only 2 PM the bike and I cast a long shadow across the pavement. The sun, in a deep blue, cloudless sky, is already low on the southern horizon, providing light but little heat, a huge change from even a month ago. So it’s cool. The forecast was for 11 degrees, but it feels like it’s still in the single digits. No matter, I’m dressed for it and am reasonably comfortable. Besides, a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons will warm the blood in advance of the return trip home.

I don’t quite achieve a Zen state of riding – it’s not that kind of day – but for a couple of hours I am in my element. I think about the beauty of nature and how transient summer is at this latitude. I enjoy the sense of calm while riding a country road with no other vehicle in sight. I breath the crisp autumn air, with just a hint of decay as the fallen leaves begin their journey to ultimately become forest loam. I listen to, and feel, the sound of the big twin and remark, again, on how much better it runs in the cooler, dense, air. And I wonder if this is my last ride of the season.

16 comments:

  1. Amen. You said what I tried to say in my last blog post.
    Scott

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scott - Just jumped over to your blog. Lots of similarities for sure. Perhaps many of us feel the same way at this time of year whilst trying to get that last ride in. Hope you get a few more before the snow flies.

      Delete
  2. Foiled by El Nino again ... I've seen more bikes on the road over the past two weeks than all during the month of October...Those riders boasting they rode in November and possibly in December in 2015. It is what it is - I'm not one. Glad you got to enjoy the spectacular November heat wave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure I'd call it a 'heat wave', but it sure has been warmer than usual - and I'm enjoying every minute! Now if it could only stay like this until March.....

      Delete
  3. For the last 3 weeks I've been trying to get out on the bike, but haven't felt the zen, its been raining pretty steadily and I can't seem to get excited about dealing with sogginess. My insurance runs out Friday and I hope I can get out for the last ride of the season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dar - Too bad about all the rain. Hope it stops long enough for one last ride.

      Delete
  4. Well written descriptive story that will hopefully carry you through the winter until you can ride again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. At least you are out and enjoying the day on two wheels. We are dealing with the same weather as Dar here on the wet coast. But I won't complain, we don't get the snow you will see in another month or so.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz - I know the old adage is you don't have to shovel rain, but I will take a crisp, clear wintry day over dreary rain for weeks on end any time.

      Delete
  6. Very well written, I could actually see the day through your eyes.
    Here there's hardly ride stopping weather so it was refreshing.
    Thank you so much for the escape in a middlef of a workday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roy - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

      Delete
  7. David, done very well! Your description relays exactly what I experienced and felt last weekend. In fact, I'll take your words along with me Sunday when I do it again.

    It has been SO fine outside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Coop. November has been great until just now. I'm pretty close to done tho since I don't/won't ride when it gets near zero C. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a nice day or two next week.

      Delete
  8. Here we are mid-December-ish, and I managed a ride or two this week. Truly exceptional weather.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This weather has been extremely warm for this time of year. Still great to take out the bike and enjoy the wonderful scenery of the open road.

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to comment, but any comments with commercial links will be deleted. You have been warned.