This riding season I have exceeded 21,000 miles on Blackie. That is more miles in seven months of riding than I have EVER put on a car in one year! I know it is not huge as far as most long distance riders but considering that before last June, the longest one trip ride I had done was 750 miles in one day, and I considered 9,000 miles in a riding season to be A LOT, I'm pretty darn proud of this years mileage.
Since last June I have completed six SS1K's, one bun burner (at least 1,500 miles in no more than 36 hours), one bun burner gold (at least 1,500 miles in no more than 24 hours), a saddle sore 2k (at least 2,000 miles in less than 36 hours) and one Great Lakes Classic (a ride around the five great lakes - 2,450 miles in no more than 100 hours). I'm a proud member of the Iron Butt Association.
It is not about the certificate rides even if they are a nice recognition of the miles ridden. For me it is about the freedom and relaxation riding provides and how I have discovered that riding long distances embraces my soul in a way I can not begin to describe. I enter a world that is so unlike anything else I have experienced. I have done a lot of things in my life but I can not compare long distance riding to anything I have done before. It is my Zen, my Nirvana, my ultimate happy place.
I am amazed about the camaraderie and the people I have met along the way. For instance, just recently I stopped in Maryland to visit with a long distance friend whom I had not met in person but chatted with on Facebook, and yet it felt so natural and relaxed to be in her home. We had a nice visit, good food and great conversation. I can't wait to visit again! I also spent a few days in Kentucky and visited another rider friend and while I was there we had a RTE (Ride To Eat) for which I cooked authentic Swedish meatballs. A few other long distance riders came for this - some from near and some from a bit far - and we had a fantastic time. I got to met some that I only knew from social media and it was a great evening with story telling and laughs. Thanks y'all for making it and thanks to my hostess!
Many people tell me that I'm crazy for riding long distances. Of course, the majority of these folks don't ride motorcycles, period. So I guess it is hard for them to comprehend something like that and until I started riding long distance I guess I had a hard time understanding why someone would want to run a marathon, climb the wall of tall mountain or something else that requires focus, determination and some type of stamina. Now I get it! We all do different things in life that gives us a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of freedom, a sense of accomplishment - something that makes us tick.
These days I dream of rides I want to take, plan for where I can go and if there is a rally I can attend. I wish to win the lottery (the chances are slim since I rarely play) so I can buy an additional bike, one with just a tad more power than my steadfast and hard working Blackie. While I'm fortunate to have a great job and an understanding boss, I wish I had even more time to ride. I envy those who work for themselves, are retired or have such a set up that they can take off on long rides many times over. I'm not complaining - not one single bit! My life is so good the way it is and I'm truly blessed to be able to do what I do and get out there and follow my passion.
With this passion and "addiction" comes a price tag. When you put tons of miles on your bike you also have to service it more frequently. Change tires, chain and sprockets, regular maintenance and check ups. I'm learning to do more of the basic wrenching myself. This winter I will continue to become more familiar with the mechanics of Blackie and even venture on to do some more wrenching than previously. I have a few projects in the pipeline so now I must muster up the courage to do them. With the support of friends and great Youtube videos I'm hoping to be able to do what I'd like to get done and save a few bucks by doing it myself.
As winter is closing in here in New England (yes, we had our first snow already!) and riding season is coming to an end I'm already plotting and planning for next year. Where can I go? What rides can I do? What do I want to see? The majority of what I'm looking at are all west of the Mason-Dixon line and then some. You know that saying "So much to do, so little time" - Yep, except for me it is more like "so many rides and not enough time". It is a good "problem" to have but I will think long and hard about what rides I'm going to do.
In the meantime I keep on reading ride reports and stories, making notes, pouring over motorcycle magazines, drooling over new gear (I did get new Sidi boots the other day!) and smiling, cause I have a passion that makes me fall in love with it over and over again. I am indeed, one lucky girl.
Ride On!
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