While riding the roads of Georgia and South Carolina this past weekend, I was struck by several observations. Some of them were reminders of things that I already knew but became reacquainted with; some were just plain 'ole new larnin', and others reaffirmed just some of the basic goodness of strangers that I'm fortunate enough to see on occasion.
I became reacquainted with the joy of riding. It's no secret that last year's struggles with the Softail had really dwindled my enthusiasm for riding. Being out and about on the Ultra this weekend was just about as good as it gets. Good friends, good rides, and especially good roads all added up to reenergizing that desire to be on the open road on two wheels. I'm pretty sure Kathy enjoyed the comforts of this ride much more than past trips to Myrtle on the Softail when she often described arriving there as "sitting on the short side of a 2X4." Even though she had a root canal the day before we left, her camaraderie and general presence on the ride made an enjoyable adventure that much more fun.
The States of Georgia and South Carolina have some gorgeous riding opportunities if you are willing to take a little longer to get from point A to point B and move away from the Interstate. US 441 to Macon was wonderful and it only got better on US 80 into Savannah. While folks at home were struggling with miserable rainy weather, we were under blue skies and comfortable temperatures enjoying the many shades of green that accompany Spring each year. Also, I learned for the first time that apparently EVERY home in rural Georgia has it's very own pond! Big ponds, little ponds, and ponds in between were a fixture of our ride. I could only imagine how happy Zeke and Orla (our Labs) would be to have ponds on our property like those we whisked by on our journey. US 64 north from the low country had much to offer in the way of trees overhanging the road, many, many opportunities to get off the bike and see some history (although we didn't really take advantage of it), and just some incredibly stress free riding - no 18 wheelers blowing you off the road, no concrete sectioned roads, no internal pressures to "get there." I greatly appreciated becoming reacquainted with the notion of "the ride's the point!" I was never in a hurry to arrive anywhere and, fortunately, our riding companions seemed to agree.
I was once again impressed with the general friendliness of all ages of people as we stopped in roadside gas stations, entertained the wait staff at restaurants, or just talked to strangers as we were loading up to move again. The enchantment of children as they gaze upon motorcycles as we go by them or as they go by us in enclosed vehicles is always a sure fire road to a smile and a wave. And, oh yeah, it didn't really seem to matter what color anybody was...
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