On Monday, its off to work. I'm at the office early. A quick cup and coffee and begin to focus on the work week. I'm getting the week's tasks prioritized and make a quick run through the emails. Here's a message from one of my riding buddies bragging about a new 'hole in the wall' eating place. I will have to put that one on my 'short list'.
On Tuesday, I’m knee deep in a busy week. Service calls are made, meetings are attended. Service reports, equipment evaluations – the business gears are in full grind. Still, if only for a short break, I think about riding. I wonder if Steve and Bob are enjoying their commuting ride each morning.
By Wednesday, I’m in full swing. Things at work are flowing quickly - equipment breaks, equipment repaired. Plans are executed. Challenges come and are met – these are handled by experience and expertise. At lunch, I surf the net some for my passion. But by now, I’m checking the weekend weather. Looks nice – should be good for a ride. If I don't hear from one of my buddies, I send a quick email. “How about a ride Saturday?” I'll wait for a response.
Thursday comes, and I start getting excited about the upcoming weekend. 2 more days until the fun begins. Perhaps I will hear from a riding buddy. Maybe I’ll be riding alone. Either way, I’m going. During a break, I’m scanning around Google Maps, looking for new roads – thinking about what might interest me. I don't want a lot of traffic. If I want to leave early, heading west or north to keep the morning sun out of my eyes. Hmmm – I bet the spring wild flowers will be in bloom. Or maybe the river water level will be up at that state park up north. So many choices, so little time.
IT’S FRIDAY!! By this afternoon, I’m going to take care of the last service calls for the week. The company can have me today. But tomorrow is mine. Just me and the road. I close my eyes for a second. I can smell the country. I can breath clearly – hear the sounds. I can hear the roar of my bike. I can see the curves in the road. I can feel the forces on my body as I ride. I can't wait until tomorrow!
Saturday is ride day. I will get up early, have a cup of coffee and leave as soon as the sun rises. Maybe I’ll ride over and meet a buddy somewhere before we head out for an adventure. Maybe I’ll be venturing out on my own. Maybe I know where I’m going. Maybe I have no idea. Perhaps I’ll turn a corner and stumble upon that perfect country road. The one that steps you back in time 60 years as you pass the old farms with wind mills and run down barns. Maybe I’ll find that twisty road on the map that looked so interesting. Maybe I’ll find a 100 foot white pine, with its massive branches that reflects life lesson about bending without breaking. Maybe I’ll visit the coast line – watch the birds foraging for lunch. Maybe I’ll stop somewhere and meet someone new. We will chat for a while about riding. Maybe I’ll find that farmers field, where the sun and shadows provide that perfect photo. Maybe I’ll ride that same old road – the one which I have memorized every curve. I can ride that road as a master, safely pushing my machine back and forth and loving her power and smoothness. Maybe I’ll go 600 miles, or maybe just 60. Maybe I’ll do all of these, or none of these. But this much I know – wherever I go, I will find adventure, and I will have a blast. And when I return, the world will seem right again. I’ll have a feeling of peace. I’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
What comes next is Sunday. On Sunday, I wake up early to read the paper and drink some coffee. Later that morning, I’ll cook Sunday lunch for my wife. We share several meals together during the week. While I cook, I’ll day dream about yesterday. What a day that was. Yesterday was a play day. I got to ride my bike. We had an adventure together. We left the house excited and returned home relieved of any stress. Yesterday was a blast.
I love Saturdays...
On 2 occasions I have used my Slime Kit and compressor. Got me home and to the tire store. However... a 4" lag bolt through the front tire at 75mph proved to be too much for the plug kit!