Saturday, October 27, 2007

"A Quiet Storm" to Riding Among Butterflies

At the end of March I decided to return to the US from South Africa, buy a new motorcycle, and "Ride Like the Wind" ... "before I get old".

I still want the new bike. And I need more than ever to ride because riding runs through the veins that connect my hands to my being.

It is hard to explain the feel of freedom that comes with riding.

Riding is like a rebellion that can carve canyons and emotions with cylinder strokes that balance delicately between living and having lived.

Christopher Cross tells the same of "Sailing". The words he crafted to capture the act of living inside the passion of sailing is nothing short of remarkable. A poetic revelation for living. Perhaps even for living again.

Sing along with this video rendition of "Sailing" and hear him speak to redemption, second chances, loving again, and living for real.



My favourite lines:
"It's not far to never never land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

Sailing
Takes me away
To where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free ... "




2008 Hayabusa.

Soon to be scraping kneez broer!

5 comments:

Mike Searches said...

I'm down w/riding, brother...I'll never forget my Yamaha GT/MX-80 that I had when I was a kid, riding the hills in Wisconsin...It gets in your blood and stays there...have you ever seen Easy Rider?

Ridwan said...

Mike I am happy to hear that you know what I am talking about.

There is nothing like riding for hours on deserted roads, etc.

I rode out to central and east Oregon once, the roads were near deserted and it was great.

Other riders also came to ride but not too many.

I had a pillion then so it required a more relaxed riding style. She was a good pillion though.

The bike was a 750cc so it had enough power to read triple digits ... not that I (ahem) ever read triple digits or anything ;0)

You know, being responsible and grown and ummm that ...

The bike in the post is a 1000cc Ducati retro. Nice bike but really a poser bike. A cafe racer they call it.

My heart is set on a 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc. My friend Tony who lives in Australia hates the Hayabusa but what does Tony know about phat superbikes.

He is a weight conscious racer kind of dude who likes dragging his knees through long curves on a race track.

A few weeks ago he leaned too much and dropped his Kawasaki 1000cc.

Ouch. I don't want to see what that repair bill will look like.

And it is not like I told the brother to ride a superbike with the wife as pillion ... you know, nice easy Sunday rides that blast around a leisurely 150 mph.

Just jiving ... that is up there but you know 175mph is where the Hayabusa is set to switch off!

Speed governing they call it .... damn Nanny States of America.

Alright, so by now you have gathered that my kind of riding is not the Easy Rider ... custom bike or Harley sort.

Nothing wrong with that gut wrenching and vibration riding ... especially if you are into posing at Starbucks on SW 23rd.

I likes superbikes with 4 cylinders that can kick triple digits in second gear ... :0)

My heart just skipped a beat as I wrote that ... ain't love grand?

I hope you still get to ride sometimes.

Be well brother ... hope your birthday was great!

Peace and dat,
Ridwan

ps. I read most of your blog man ... I am proud of your determination to move ahead Mike ... keep at it brother!

nunya said...

I don't ride any more, I know too many people who got in nasty wrecks, but sailing sounds like heaven right now. Aint nothing like sitting on the bow---- :) :)

Ridwan said...

Nunya now why am I not surprised that you used to ride :0)

You must miss aspects of it I am sure but yeah sailing would be great now hey ... especially with all you have been through in the last 2 or so weeks.

I hear you on bike wrecks! I have been lucky but know several friends who have not been so lucky.

A few have even died. Cars are the main reason for most fatal bike accidents .... left turning ones especially.

Riding is dangerous no doubt. Hence the balance of life metaphor.

Thanks for looking Nunya.

Peace,
Ridwan

nunya said...

Well...

I never owned a bike, but I was a cute accessory for a while. :)

We call those babies "sailor killers" around here, but the sailors generally go for the "crotch rocket" type of bike.

Now if only I could get my kid's dad off of that damn Ducati.
*sigh*