I was about an hour away from home when the surprise storm rushed in. The rain was not something I’d faced yet while riding. I also wasn’t expecting to experience my first rain while on the highway.
This video was taken when I finally found an overpass to get underneath of – note the red knot on my face from a pebble that got kicked up from the road and beaned me. Fun stuff.
My borrowed motorcycle will be returned to it’s rightful owner soon, and that will leave me in a serious motorcycle void. I wanted a motorcycle for all of my fairly short adult life, but after riding one regularly for about a month I’ve come to some conclusions on the subject:
* I need to own one, and soon.
* I want one that looks like this…
Or this…
Or this…
* I love how I can focus on riding, and nothing else. You have to be fully present on a bike. You can’t daydream – you’re in defense mode all the time – everything is a possible obstacle that you’ve got to be ready for – nothing can distract you.
* It’s amazing how much you miss in a car. The sights and smells. Metal and Glass keep you contained in a way that blocks you from the world you’re driving through. Riding a motorcycle is like the being back on the front porch of your house, the way we used to be before we were afraid to be outside.
* A camaraderie from other riders in the same club as you. It doesn’t matter what kind of bike, they look at you…give you a nod or a wave, and acknowledge that you know something that they know too.
* An excuse to veer from the path. I find myself wanting to take routes in which I don’t know the destination. In a car, it’s a hurry to get there in time – on the bike, I’m usually not going anywhere at all…just window-shopping the roads.
So this is what it feels like to be the Red Baron. Wind in your face and sun on your back, clothing flapping around to join the symphony of the exhaust pipes and outside world. Hoping for that stretch of open road with no one else around, yet not disappointed with company either. I am part of this machine and I can feel it quickly becoming a part of me.
All of the above!
My favorite part about riding a motorcycle is just letting go, and by letting go I found God. Riding a motorcycle taught me to pray and to trust and to surrender completely to the beauty in this world.
There’s nothing like it on earth. Get a bike, Ryan! And get a rain suit to go with it!
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For whatever reason, there is a big connection between pastors and motorcycles. I don’t know what it is. Glad you’ve been enjoying riding!
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This probably isn’t an appropriate comment, I realize that this is your blog and your life, but come on, Motorcycles are SO dangerous! It strikes me as selfish that a father of two young children would take up such a hobby.
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falnfenix says:
August 13th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@Anon,
everyone dies someday. as long as his insurance is paid up, don’t dis him for doing something he loves.
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Lynn says:
August 14th, 2010 at 2:26 am
@falnfenix,
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Lynn says:
August 14th, 2010 at 2:29 am
How amazing! Anon wrote EXACTLY what I thought after reading the post. That isn’t “dissing” Ryan. It’s an honest reaction. Once a fellow is a husband and a daddy he would be wise to consider the level of danger he’s willing to take on in his life. It’s (at the very least) something to consider. I’m glad someone other than myself thought of it.
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Just a thought says:
August 14th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@falnfenix, I have a friend who is battling Cancer…… It is SO dangerous!!! All that Chemo!!!!! He is just being selfish!!!! He has three children, and a Grandchild on the way……..
Sorry I don’t see the differance…… God is in Control…… live life to the fullest!!!!!!
Oh yea, my friend has Two Bikes, and LOVES to ride!!! “live to ride, ride to Live!!!” I hope God gives me many more rides with my friend!!!!
Hope you are blessed and get a Bike!!!!!!!!!!
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Lynn says:
August 14th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Suggesting that one focus on one’s family and keeping as safe as possible (in other words not TRYING to put yourself in harms way) is, perhaps, a more responsible and mature way of approaching life after children and wife arrive in one’s life. But hey, go for it! After all, it is all about you! (which was my point)
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Just a thought says:
August 15th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Hmmmm I see your point, but in my life, God is in control……… He can take me home when ever He thinks it’s time to take me or my friend,…….. even when we are putting our self out of Harms way, or am totally focused on our Family……… So it’s really not about you or me, or Ryan…….. it is what God has plained for us………… (Which ws my point)
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Lynn says:
August 15th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
In my life, God is in control. He expects me to act in ways that will bring the best into my life. He expects me to own-my-own-actions. He gives me the freedom of choice, while guiding me to do what is best for me and those I love. We are on the same page about that, kiddo. What we don’t agree on is whether a young man with a family should be riding a motorcycle. I say wait. Wait until you have raised your children. Put that high level of enthusiasm and excitement into what you do with THEM, not some machine. Then, when they are on-their-own and no longer looking to you for everything…go for it! Get a Harley Hog…ride til the sun sets and beyond! I have a son who adores mountain climbing…big ones. Dangerous ones. But the day they put wee one in his arms, all that dangerous climbing stopped. For all the reasons above. I admire him for that. You probably would not, but I do. No one had to tell him that was wise. He just knew, deep down.
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TheDan says:
August 16th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
@Lynn, Living a life that includes an element of danger, oh heavens!
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Lynn says:
August 16th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
You missed the point entirely, Dan. Life itself includes plenty of danger. Putting oneself in a position of making it even more dangerous is (to a degree) irresponsible. But it’s a free world, Dan! And everyone (including me) is entitled to their opinions.
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TheDan says:
August 17th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
@Lynn, No, I understand your point. I just disagree. I’m an entrepreneur and if I honestly thought that Ryan was going to kill himself on the bike I would take out a life insurance policy on him myself and make myself the beneficiary.
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Lynn says:
August 18th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Gee Dan, how thoughtful of you. I’d hope that you would make his wife and kids the beneficiaries…and that’s all I have to say about it.
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Just a thought says:
August 18th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Lynn, lets agree that we disagree………… but can I hear an Amen for are military that put there life in harms way 24/7, God Bless Them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheDan says:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:35 pm
@Lynn, No one is really addressing the biggest issue here which is how many replies will it take until this box gets so small that nothing can be written it in?
Go for it Ryan! It’s one of the most wonderful things you can do for yourself and your family. When you are overflowing in “happy” you have more to pour out to others. Awesome! And enjoy!
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Oh and take the necessary precautions but definitely GO FOR IT!
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I think it’s cool as long as you stick with a big, steady bike! None of those little death traps I see some people riding.
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I always wanted a bike, but everyone always talked me out of it. Maybe because I’m a girl and now I wonder where would I put the car seat.
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Next time you’re around Sunman/Aurora take one of the main roads that lead up on the ridges and take a side road down the ridge(like RT48 leads to Union Ridge). There are some beautiful rides down those little roads!
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Welcome to freedom.
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Yes, but please buy yourself a full-face motorcycle helmet. It will protect you from pebbles in the face and much more.
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since you sold your vehicle to save some moolah, why not ask your motorcycle benefactor if he would be willing to continue the “rental” arrangement you have? you could save up for the bike and still get your fix. you could also really determine what you want in a bike and search for a good used one. just a thought. glad you had some fun. please be safe. would love to read about some adventures in the kitchen again soon…hint hint.
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[...] been reading this guy Ryan’s blog for quite some time, and he posted a blog today about getting caught in the rain on a motorcycle, which made me think of Matt, the day he bought a [...]
I had my first ride on the back of my friend’s Road King…talk about spoiled! It was the most freeing and therapeutic experience at just the right time in my life. I so needed an escape and my friend was there are just the right time (OK…maybe his Harley was there at just the right time). Glad you enjoyed your experience!
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sigh… i continue to ride vicariously…
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Thanks for capturing many of my thoughts about riding. Your words are beautiful & accurate.
Make sure to take a rider safety course!!! You’ll learn tons and might even get a break on insurance.
Frog Togs are the BEST rain gear around. Very light weight & compact and BREATHABLE. You don’t sweat like you do in some of the gear.
A windshield helps block the bugs & rocks. I’m not a fan of full-face helmets (except on my kids’ heads!). They block too much wind & smells.
Enjoy riding! My husband is a youth pastor and a rider. I’m a youth pastor’s wife and a rider. Love the time spent on my H-D.
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I can think of few things more unpleasant than rain pelting my body at 55 miles an hour.
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welcome to the club, but PLEASE make sure you get proper gear. jeans and tshirts don’t give much protection when you hit the ground.
and you will. eventually. there are two kinds of riders: those of us who have laid their bike down at least once, and those of us who will eventually lay it down. newenough.com has fabulous prices on new gear (with excellent service to boot). at least get gloves, a jacket, and a full-face helmet.
finally, enjoy the lifestyle, and keep the sticky side down/shiny side up!
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This makes me nervous for my boyfriend to get a bike. He wants one so badly and every time we’re driving and he sees a storm rolling in and somebody on a bike he worries for them. Now I see why! Yikes.
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That’s why I ride Ryan! I love my Harley. However, there will be times when no amount of awareness can save you. It’s happened to me twice now. It really makes me mad too… I want to get back in the saddle and beat it. There can be unforeseen situations. Just know this!
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Don;t forget the bugs in the teeth…dinner on the go LOL
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my dad had an old racing motorcyle and a “riding” motorcycle since as long as i can remember. he left them to my brother after he passed – well enough since he scared the dickens out of me with the story of a tumble he took on a slick road in california as an early-twenty-something. i’ll never ride a motorcycle.
please be careful – wear a helmet and leathers. do what you love, but do it in the safest way possible, you know?
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I dont see a seat on those bikes big enough for your wife to ride with you. Does she not like them? If not, does that go into your consideration before buying one?
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When my kids are older, my husband and I plan on getting bikes and traveling. Motorcycles=freedom … and what is more American of an ideal as that?
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2nd comment on your site today. I work at a level 1 trauma center about 10 mi away from your church. To echo fainfenix and Linda and after what I have personally seen, please, please wear an appropriate helmet and appropriate protective clothing. There is a reason serious bikers wear leather and it’s not just to look badass.
I have seen what happens to both riders who aren’t wearing a helmet and those wearing just a t-shirt and cutoffs. I doubt you want the details.
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