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I am not sure if Roomie was recalling a dream or merely a day-dream, but yesterday she mentioned that she was imagining herself riding a motorcycle really fast, not merely occupying a spot on the seat. It is just a sign of how far she has come from her long-held position of "no motorcycle rides, ever."
I think the seed of her change was planted when we first traveled to Italy together, ca. 1999. She saw how the Italians had a completely different attitude about motorcycling, and that the maneuverability of motorcycles and scooters allowed them to dominate the roadways. The women in suits commuting in Rome, the old people shopping, people of every station really—scootering and motorcycling about the hills of Rome and Ischia.
On our second trip to Europe together, the idea of traveling rural highways on a motorcycle began to exert a hold on her imagination. Once I heard the idea from her lips I responded "Well, we better try riding together in the States first before you commit to riding around all over Europe." She nodded agreement, though not without narrowing her eyes to question whether I might be tricking her into doing something she had not intended to do.
The day after the Benelli was registered, we went for a spin to the Indian Place. The next week, we went for a spin to the Range Cafe in Bernalillo. On Saturday, we made it as far as Madrid. Next stop, Jemez Springs?
Roomie's recent conversion (it really is no less) to motorcycle exploration has opened up vast new reservoirs of conversation, from riding apparel, choice of motorcycle, and of course motorcycle touring itself. Understand that even when Roomie and I rode together on the Darmah years before we married motorcycling was scarcely a topic of conversation. The small rides we have already taken are providing plenty of grist for conversation. The air, the scenery, the weather: in a car all these are peripheral to the experience of "being in the car." On a motorcycle, each is critical to the experience. The experience is now being shared, and I am relishing every moment of it.
Posted by Underblog at August 19, 2008 6:20 AM
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