KCMike's blog: "Thoughts From The Ride"

Last year at 52 years of age I started riding a motorcycle. For the 
last 30 years the only two wheeler I had came with pedals. I was a 
little uncertain if this was a good idea, but I was at a time in life 
where I felt the need for something new and different. I got enough 
parts off of e-bay to piece together a 1981 Honda CB900 Custom and 
started my journey. I am so glad I took the leap! Rolling down these 
old county backroads has been a time of reflection I would not have had 
if I had remained on the couch. I think about everything and the ride 
usually gives me a fresh perspective. It is just a different way of 
seeing the world and you have to do it to understand. I was sharing 
this with my friend Bill, and he told me a story about him and his 
riding buddies trying to beat a storm headed their way as they were two 
states away from home. He said that they were fighting the wind hard 
trying to keep the bikes up and on the road for miles and keeping an 
eye on each other hoping no one went down. Bill said as the passed a 
tractor trailer and came out ahead of it the wind shift was so violent 
that he almost lost it. He glanced in his mirror to make sure the 
trailing rider made it, but he saw his headlight disappear. Bill said 
he was looking for a safe way to turn back and help, when he saw his 
light back behind him again. What a relief.
It makes me realize that this practice of watching to make sure your 
brother or sisters headlight is still there is not just a good thing 
for riding motorcycles together. It is a pretty valuable practice in 
the ride through day to day life. We all get blown off the road from 
time to time in the ride through life. I can't count the times a 
brother or sister has seen my headlight disappear and stopped their 
busy journey to take time to help me. I believe this is what makes the 
ride worthwhile. Many thanks to those who look out for others well 
being and place a value on sticking together!