Alone in my Thoughts

On December 31st 2010, I took off for a year end ride down highway 25 in Hollister Calif.  It was an awesome Dec ending day and wrote my thoughts down and want to share them here as well.  I will be submitting this to the mag for letters

Alone in my Thoughts - Source

A glimpse out of the corner of my left eye just far enough out of my peripheral caused me to take notice. As I looked I saw on this Dec 31st day the sparkling blue California sky dotted with clouds being painted on a canvas silhouetted by rays of a sparkling sun dancing on the fingers tips of each cloud. A quick glance forward and then back the formation of three horse shoe spiraling clouds formed in perfect and equal distance basking below the sun like sunbathers on a warm summers beach. A site only an artist could dream to have the power to transform to canvas, yet there it was. Time slowed as another glimpse forward and then quickly back as the moment seems to defy time, the seconds quickly become minutes. My thoughts become so clear.

Chaos in motion and to feel the rhythm of an orchestra with all elements participating in such a way that alone brings nothing, yet altogether brings an experience that heightens the awareness of something far more then the moment at hand. Time becomes benign as the chaos of rhythm blends with the elements, every curve, every bump, every ripple feel seemingly choreographed just as the painter of the clouds which change so subtly but yet remain the same. With each moment, with each breath with each ever slowing second the tapestry woven with every new crest and glimpse to the clouds tells a story that is only heard if listened for. It is more than just pushing a button or shifting a gear, it is the chaos that ensues as the elements blend appearing to master time and showing us for that moment the connection and beauty of this world and into the next. It is in these moments, life becomes.

One can no more explain the experience of riding a motorcycle to those who do not, than an art aficionado can explain Rembrandt. It is simply something you interpret through the experience. Everyone who rides interprets and experiences something different each time. It is not containable, it cannot be found in a prescription or a bottle or for that matter those life moments. It cannot be compared to as some say the best fun you can have with your close on, a birth of a child or personal awakening, but It is a state of mind, it is spiritual, it is physical and it is therapeutic. Motorcycling transcends cultural, personal, political and religious boundaries, it forms a community of like minded people of all races, creeds and back grounds. Motorcycling is also a very personal extension of ones life we name our motorcycles, paint them, polish them, treat them as if they are a living entity. We speak to them, hold them and caress them before each ride. We respect them, fear them and ultimately desire them in such a way to speak ill of ones bike is fighten words in some points of view. But mostly motorcycles create in the community a close nit group of people that wave to each other as they pass, stop for each other if trouble is seen, are there for each other many times not even knowing whom it is we are helping. It is what Motorcyclists are, what every human being should be, if only wars were fought on a race track.

Motorcycling has been part of my life for 40 years now, I am always amazed every time I ride. At 53 my plan is to ride until I am 93, I figure then it will be time to get a 3 wheeler, who knows by then there may be hover motorcycles. When I am stressed, when I can no longer think through clearly the life matters I need to attend, there is always my Motorcycle. Alone in my thoughts while on my motorcycle can come in many forms and at different speeds. Alone in my thoughts my motorcycles offers me a point of reflection that frees me from the problems of the day. It seems those picket fences, stop signs, road markers all seem symbolic to life's problems as I race by them, just glancing at them for a moment acknowledging and letting them pass by me with no real concerns. It is a departure for just that day or days or weeks when I can swing a leg over the bike, hit that button and head to the horizon. Today was special, it was the last day of the year 2010, in a way, I left everything 2010 handed me behind me. I rode alone today only in my thoughts. I rode alone today leaving behind a hard year and riding toward a new and better year. I have friends and family, groups I belong to a church I attend and a God I love and worship, but because of my motorcycle, that alone brings me closer to them when words or praying or the council of friends have reach its end.

I hope that 2011 brings to everyone a brighter new hope, new friends closer families. Happy new year

John Lorenz (aka R1-Limited)

American Sport Riders  
www.AmericanSportRiders.com  -- Road Carving, Dirt Roosting Riders