This article was originally posted by Dan on the VFR List and he has graciously allowed me to post it here. I think that Dan's creative style of writing has captured the feelings of many of us when we are riding.
The Story
Good weather after rainy weekend. Got off work at 8am and head home on bike feeling like I want to do more than just ride home all of 5 miles. Check in with the significant other and she's going to work in the afternoon and casually mentions how her mom would like that little painting done on the side of her house.
OH YEAH ... 50 miles to the in-laws house south of San Francisco with 35 of it being prime VFR road if I take a little detour. All systems go, be there for lunch. 10-15 miles of crap freeways to hurdle then up the ridge and south on smooth roads on the weekday, NO WEEKEND TRAFFIC. No one to hold me up, cruise control, turn control, clutch gas brake shift control here we come. This natural drug has been in my system since 1962! On the road at 11, be there at noon, let's move out.
My '87 VFR700 is singing on the freeway at 70mph, only bike I see is mine, either way. I'm cooling it getting ready for the turn off for heaven. I've never seen a LEO on this route on a weekday, so I know I can go about as fast as I want without looking in my rear view mirrors every two seconds. But wait, what is that nagging little voice in the back of my helmet? NO, it can't be some of the List postings on how some people ate it, can it? I'm wondering now if some of you out there have been thinking when are you going to go DOWN.
Crapola, what a bummer, ahead is 35 miles of some of the most beautiful laid out road in America, and I'm thinking.... when is it my turn to unload! My mind is working overtime as I bend into the first few turns....uphill, at least I won't have to worry too much about braking. What the hell is going on here? Holy cow, pine needles lining the centerline ... dang! SLOW down! Over reaction $%@#.
The bike has a mind of its own. Mother...tar spots coming up, can't remember what riding buddy said about the temperature of those little devils! Is there enough heat to give them traction? Oh my god, damp pavement ahead and I'm crowding 70 mph with a slow to 45 mph sign coming up fast. I read somewhere, my mind flashes, that clean wet pavement has 90% the traction of dry pavement. Is this stuff clean? For an instant I recall it just rained hard a few days ago so it must be clean, right?
These major doubts have certainly been fueled by the recent posts of accidents I'm sure most have read. I guess doubt creeps in every once in awhile as thoughts of the grim reaper also rear their ugly heads. Thoughts of how to get out of this train of thought are coming fast and furious as the road is demanding lots of attention as well. I'm not shorting out or overloaded YET, but I'm fast approaching some sort of major information sensory meltdown.
An illuminating flash occurs as I roll off throttle, snick up to 5th gear, roll on again, all without clutch ... "What do I like best about riding this machine?" Answer...The ability to manage the inherent danger to an acceptable balance between thrill and terror. The danger aspect of our sport is what attracts me to it in an odd sort of way. The penalties for inattention are severe. As are the penalties for dumb moves and ignorance of important fact pertinent to the sport. Make no mistake about it, riding these sport bikes or any MC for that matter on any street or road is deadly serious business.
So here I am ripping down the road with demons all around. Ditches on either side, redwood trees everywhere, no run off area anywhere, hidden driveways, what to do? Don't look at them, look at the road. Concentrate on flowing from one gear, one turn, brake, gas, tach. Feel the bike, hear that whine of the engine. Gradually, turn after turn, I become the bike and the bike becomes me. I'm back in a groove again. Super aware of everything and nothing at the same time. The miles fly by. I feel the road as much as see it. I know where the bike is going without thinking. I arrive at the turnoff without a sense of time gone by. Everything is happening at precisely the present, there is no wondering about the last turn or the one coming up, they just are. I'm not riding fast, at least not to me, but rather I'm riding confident and safely at the same time. I see the gravel and react accordingly. Branch in middle of turn, push bar, tighten line, go inside of it. No tensing up, just reacting to every situation in a somewhat detached but focused manner so to speak.
The trip back is much the same. It seems I get back in no time at all but don't remember going at that rapid a pace at all. The bike performed perfectly, as if it never worked up a sweat. I think back to how the ride started and as to how it wound up and reflect upon the fact we can out think ourselves and over analyze certain aspects to the point of tightening up mentally and physically to the point of being ineffective as riders. My number has come up a few times in the past and fortunately have walked or limped away to ride again. I feel the posts written concerning accidents and falls have reinforced my concentration to be a better rider in all situations. Hopefully, the information provided by some of the less fortunate Listers who have had crashes will provide insight to us riders to prevent our numbers from coming up.
Dan in San Francisco