I feel a “Quickening”…

In less than 12 hours, I will board a flight back to the USA to begin my final long ride through the Southern and Eastern states of America. During my ride, I will complete what is known as the “Four Corners” by American bikers. I have already been to the two corners on the Western seaboard and will ride down to Key West in Florida and then up to Madawaska in Maine on the Canadian border.

I am trembling with excitement (and perhaps a little apprehension !!) at the thought of swinging back into the Big Fella’s saddle. I cannot wait to back into the rhythm of the long rides I will be making and over the last few weeks have asked so many questions of myself. Doug has confirmed that the Big Fella is raring to go and is mechanically, as sound as ever. I on the other hand, may not be as physically or as mentally sound as I was a few months ago ! But then, many people believe that I was never mentally sound anyway, so I guess that part I don’t have to worry too much about !

The physical part is another matter altogether. It took a week or so of long rides to become completely accustomed to the physicality of holding onto a big bike for hours on end, when I first set out in 2010. I have never been off the bike for more than a month or so during my ride around the world, and I recall that even then, it took a day or get used to the bike again. Those first rides after a “layoff” were usually filled with little errors, that served to remind me that riding a big bike is not child’s play !

But, in the spirit of all that has gone before, I know that I will take whatever comes my way, in my stride, and during the 15 hour flight to New York, I will have ample time to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for what lies ahead. I plan to make this last ride as enjoyable as possible, and not let it become too much of a “mission”… And to assist me with the enjoyment part of it, Patricia will be joining me on the Southern part of my ride ! She will be on four wheels though, and we will meet up in the evenings, or at pre-determined places such as New Orleans, Key West and other spots we want to visit together.

I look forward to once again feeling the freedom of the open road; the grunt and roar of the big engine beneath me, taking me to places I’ve never seen, and may never see again; the wind on my face; the smells in my nostrils; and the sights that will be recorded in my brain by a wide open set of eyes (and my battered old camera which has now shot over 38 000 photos after the first one gave up after 30 000 pics !!).

Yes, it all makes my pulse race, and I am embracing the “Quickening”…

See you on the road !!

GB