Post your reasons for solitary riding...
#21
05-01-2010, 08:30 AM
A true story
A NIGHT RIDE
The bike fired up on the first swing, and away we went, down to the highway, the lights from the orange sodiums
turning everything a strange colour. Places of safety from the bandits in the dark roadsides.
Off into the darkness, and the cool of a winter ride, no cars, just Big Bird and me.
My thoughts went back over the years to the many times I have ridden alone, either by choice, or by circumstance.
The bite of an early ride when the icy fingers of Jack Frost find their way into every ***** in your clothing. Stiffened
body parts in the cold of morning, and that first stop, breath steaming, stamping of feets to restore circulation.
Hands on the pipes, warmth through the gloves and the pain of numbed digits returning to life.
Misted up visors and runny nose, and a numbness from vibration of the bike as she flies through the darkness.
This time, was no exception, a 200 mile run to help a friend, 5000 feet up inland, cattle country, and 3 different climates on the way.
As we ran down the coastal freeway, I had a strange feeling that there were riders with me, but there were no more lights.
I realised what it was - those who had gone before me were riding with me, like an escort of old friends in the darkness. It was
comforting and I whispered to them as to old friends, until after an hour or so they faded away, back into my memory and the place
all passed riders go.I felt they wanted to stay..................
The road up from the sea, winds through fields and valleys, deep ravines where even my lights would never shine, and cold as a witches
fingers when you hit the bottom of the valleys, and the cold lying there wakes you up with a bang.
In the early hours before the light comes it is really colder than ever, and the lush geenery of the lowlands, hands over to harsh,
brush and scrub, when through the forests.
First stop, steaming coffee and a fillup for the bike. Best cup of the ride, that first one...
The lights cut a path down the road, and a full moon shone out and casts the edges of clouds with silver.
Silent sentinels stood by the roadside, and seemed to move in the darkness with a life of their own, until frozen in the beams of light, Standing in rows like soldiers from days of old, unmoving, even under fire.
and became trees, waiting for me to pass so they could continue their nightly wanderings.
Up through the forests, a ribbon of light and endless curves, the bike leaning one way, then the other, almost like a soothing
sway of movement, or the words of a loved one, sensuous like a dancer, ever shifting, changing, but ever the same.
As the light begins to come, the skyline turns to a golden line on the hilltops, and races to catch you in an early sunbeam
chasing the darkness down ahead of you, and brings colour to the land. Your lights seem to dim as the light strengthens, and the shadows
retreat until full daylight comes.
Arrive in the early frosty bright daylight, see the ice in the trees and the sheen of twinkles in the grass, by the road.
No black ice, lucky.Slicker than handcream on a maiden's bosom..........but not half as pretty, but deadlier by far.
Stand by a fire between the unbuilt houses, metal taking all the heat from the air.
More coffee with my friend, a handshake and time for breakfast before the ride home.
(Happened a week ago.)
Riding alone allows me to think, commune with my Maker, and friends long gone down the dark highways of life. It brings me peace and serenity more than anything else in my life.
A NIGHT RIDE
The bike fired up on the first swing, and away we went, down to the highway, the lights from the orange sodiums
turning everything a strange colour. Places of safety from the bandits in the dark roadsides.
Off into the darkness, and the cool of a winter ride, no cars, just Big Bird and me.
My thoughts went back over the years to the many times I have ridden alone, either by choice, or by circumstance.
The bite of an early ride when the icy fingers of Jack Frost find their way into every ***** in your clothing. Stiffened
body parts in the cold of morning, and that first stop, breath steaming, stamping of feets to restore circulation.
Hands on the pipes, warmth through the gloves and the pain of numbed digits returning to life.
Misted up visors and runny nose, and a numbness from vibration of the bike as she flies through the darkness.
This time, was no exception, a 200 mile run to help a friend, 5000 feet up inland, cattle country, and 3 different climates on the way.
As we ran down the coastal freeway, I had a strange feeling that there were riders with me, but there were no more lights.
I realised what it was - those who had gone before me were riding with me, like an escort of old friends in the darkness. It was
comforting and I whispered to them as to old friends, until after an hour or so they faded away, back into my memory and the place
all passed riders go.I felt they wanted to stay..................
The road up from the sea, winds through fields and valleys, deep ravines where even my lights would never shine, and cold as a witches
fingers when you hit the bottom of the valleys, and the cold lying there wakes you up with a bang.
In the early hours before the light comes it is really colder than ever, and the lush geenery of the lowlands, hands over to harsh,
brush and scrub, when through the forests.
First stop, steaming coffee and a fillup for the bike. Best cup of the ride, that first one...
The lights cut a path down the road, and a full moon shone out and casts the edges of clouds with silver.
Silent sentinels stood by the roadside, and seemed to move in the darkness with a life of their own, until frozen in the beams of light, Standing in rows like soldiers from days of old, unmoving, even under fire.
and became trees, waiting for me to pass so they could continue their nightly wanderings.
Up through the forests, a ribbon of light and endless curves, the bike leaning one way, then the other, almost like a soothing
sway of movement, or the words of a loved one, sensuous like a dancer, ever shifting, changing, but ever the same.
As the light begins to come, the skyline turns to a golden line on the hilltops, and races to catch you in an early sunbeam
chasing the darkness down ahead of you, and brings colour to the land. Your lights seem to dim as the light strengthens, and the shadows
retreat until full daylight comes.
Arrive in the early frosty bright daylight, see the ice in the trees and the sheen of twinkles in the grass, by the road.
No black ice, lucky.Slicker than handcream on a maiden's bosom..........but not half as pretty, but deadlier by far.
Stand by a fire between the unbuilt houses, metal taking all the heat from the air.
More coffee with my friend, a handshake and time for breakfast before the ride home.
(Happened a week ago.)
Riding alone allows me to think, commune with my Maker, and friends long gone down the dark highways of life. It brings me peace and serenity more than anything else in my life.
Last edited by Shadow; 05-01-2010 at 10:26 AM.
#23
05-04-2010, 01:33 AM
I think I just like being alone these days ... an age thing or what I don't know, all I know is I have increasingly become a loner despite once being gregarious in the extreme and loving the company of others ... now I find myself indulging in more frequent bouts of alone time ... wether that is my riding or going off by myself somewhere, and yes to the quiet thinking ... I know places in the middle of nowhere, beautiful places with streams and waterfalls and enchanting little meadows or forests, sometimes when I go to these places it feels like all the people have gone, and I am alone in a beautiful quiet world...........
Jules
Jules
#24
05-06-2010, 03:09 AM
a factor of my solo riding is that i get to choose where to go. most of the time i ride in a group, someone wants to take the lead and they usually go to spots with lots of people so they can show off. i prefer quiet vistas more. unfortunately around here, its mostly just farmlands and cows (i like the clear skies though - always good)
#26
05-06-2010, 02:57 PM
Senior Member
A true story
A NIGHT RIDE
The bike fired up on the first swing, and away we went, down to the highway, the lights from the orange sodiums
turning everything a strange colour. Places of safety from the bandits in the dark roadsides.
Off into the darkness, and the cool of a winter ride, no cars, just Big Bird and me.
My thoughts went back over the years to the many times I have ridden alone, either by choice, or by circumstance.
The bite of an early ride when the icy fingers of Jack Frost find their way into every ***** in your clothing. Stiffened
body parts in the cold of morning, and that first stop, breath steaming, stamping of feets to restore circulation.
Hands on the pipes, warmth through the gloves and the pain of numbed digits returning to life.
Misted up visors and runny nose, and a numbness from vibration of the bike as she flies through the darkness.
This time, was no exception, a 200 mile run to help a friend, 5000 feet up inland, cattle country, and 3 different climates on the way.
As we ran down the coastal freeway, I had a strange feeling that there were riders with me, but there were no more lights.
I realised what it was - those who had gone before me were riding with me, like an escort of old friends in the darkness. It was
comforting and I whispered to them as to old friends, until after an hour or so they faded away, back into my memory and the place
all passed riders go.I felt they wanted to stay..................
The road up from the sea, winds through fields and valleys, deep ravines where even my lights would never shine, and cold as a witches
fingers when you hit the bottom of the valleys, and the cold lying there wakes you up with a bang.
In the early hours before the light comes it is really colder than ever, and the lush geenery of the lowlands, hands over to harsh,
brush and scrub, when through the forests.
First stop, steaming coffee and a fillup for the bike. Best cup of the ride, that first one...
The lights cut a path down the road, and a full moon shone out and casts the edges of clouds with silver.
Silent sentinels stood by the roadside, and seemed to move in the darkness with a life of their own, until frozen in the beams of light, Standing in rows like soldiers from days of old, unmoving, even under fire.
and became trees, waiting for me to pass so they could continue their nightly wanderings.
Up through the forests, a ribbon of light and endless curves, the bike leaning one way, then the other, almost like a soothing
sway of movement, or the words of a loved one, sensuous like a dancer, ever shifting, changing, but ever the same.
As the light begins to come, the skyline turns to a golden line on the hilltops, and races to catch you in an early sunbeam
chasing the darkness down ahead of you, and brings colour to the land. Your lights seem to dim as the light strengthens, and the shadows
retreat until full daylight comes.
Arrive in the early frosty bright daylight, see the ice in the trees and the sheen of twinkles in the grass, by the road.
No black ice, lucky.Slicker than handcream on a maiden's bosom..........but not half as pretty, but deadlier by far.
Stand by a fire between the unbuilt houses, metal taking all the heat from the air.
More coffee with my friend, a handshake and time for breakfast before the ride home.
(Happened a week ago.)
Riding alone allows me to think, commune with my Maker, and friends long gone down the dark highways of life. It brings me peace and serenity more than anything else in my life.
A NIGHT RIDE
The bike fired up on the first swing, and away we went, down to the highway, the lights from the orange sodiums
turning everything a strange colour. Places of safety from the bandits in the dark roadsides.
Off into the darkness, and the cool of a winter ride, no cars, just Big Bird and me.
My thoughts went back over the years to the many times I have ridden alone, either by choice, or by circumstance.
The bite of an early ride when the icy fingers of Jack Frost find their way into every ***** in your clothing. Stiffened
body parts in the cold of morning, and that first stop, breath steaming, stamping of feets to restore circulation.
Hands on the pipes, warmth through the gloves and the pain of numbed digits returning to life.
Misted up visors and runny nose, and a numbness from vibration of the bike as she flies through the darkness.
This time, was no exception, a 200 mile run to help a friend, 5000 feet up inland, cattle country, and 3 different climates on the way.
As we ran down the coastal freeway, I had a strange feeling that there were riders with me, but there were no more lights.
I realised what it was - those who had gone before me were riding with me, like an escort of old friends in the darkness. It was
comforting and I whispered to them as to old friends, until after an hour or so they faded away, back into my memory and the place
all passed riders go.I felt they wanted to stay..................
The road up from the sea, winds through fields and valleys, deep ravines where even my lights would never shine, and cold as a witches
fingers when you hit the bottom of the valleys, and the cold lying there wakes you up with a bang.
In the early hours before the light comes it is really colder than ever, and the lush geenery of the lowlands, hands over to harsh,
brush and scrub, when through the forests.
First stop, steaming coffee and a fillup for the bike. Best cup of the ride, that first one...
The lights cut a path down the road, and a full moon shone out and casts the edges of clouds with silver.
Silent sentinels stood by the roadside, and seemed to move in the darkness with a life of their own, until frozen in the beams of light, Standing in rows like soldiers from days of old, unmoving, even under fire.
and became trees, waiting for me to pass so they could continue their nightly wanderings.
Up through the forests, a ribbon of light and endless curves, the bike leaning one way, then the other, almost like a soothing
sway of movement, or the words of a loved one, sensuous like a dancer, ever shifting, changing, but ever the same.
As the light begins to come, the skyline turns to a golden line on the hilltops, and races to catch you in an early sunbeam
chasing the darkness down ahead of you, and brings colour to the land. Your lights seem to dim as the light strengthens, and the shadows
retreat until full daylight comes.
Arrive in the early frosty bright daylight, see the ice in the trees and the sheen of twinkles in the grass, by the road.
No black ice, lucky.Slicker than handcream on a maiden's bosom..........but not half as pretty, but deadlier by far.
Stand by a fire between the unbuilt houses, metal taking all the heat from the air.
More coffee with my friend, a handshake and time for breakfast before the ride home.
(Happened a week ago.)
Riding alone allows me to think, commune with my Maker, and friends long gone down the dark highways of life. It brings me peace and serenity more than anything else in my life.
I ride alone so I don't have to hear gay stories like that...
You owe me 2 minutes of my life back.
#27
05-06-2010, 03:46 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Monte Alto Texas
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#28
05-06-2010, 04:27 PM
April 2011 Ride of the Month
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Saying something like that let alone to a mod... someones not to bright...
I ride alone because I dont trust anyone else I know that has a bike to ride safely along with me...
#29
05-06-2010, 05:03 PM
#30
05-06-2010, 07:06 PM
Originally Posted by DonnyBrago View Post
I ride alone so I don't have to hear gay stories like that...
You owe me 2 minutes of my life back.
Everyone's entitled to his opinion, however idiotic and crass it may be.
Any more remarks like that may, however cost you more than 2 minutes,
37 posts man.
You may learn to enjoy the sound of .....................................silence
I ride alone so I don't have to hear gay stories like that...
You owe me 2 minutes of my life back.
Everyone's entitled to his opinion, however idiotic and crass it may be.
Any more remarks like that may, however cost you more than 2 minutes,
37 posts man.
You may learn to enjoy the sound of .....................................silence
Last edited by Shadow; 05-06-2010 at 07:21 PM.