Monday, November 19, 2007

Bringing Sexy Back

That was my response when a old friend asked if I needed my head checked when I told him about our motorcycle trip. Especially when he realized that we'd be covering well over 400 miles. "Cuz' we're 'Bringing Sexy Back', I explained".

Doesn't that sound like a good idea?


Jzboy had his own reasons for wanting to get his bike (& perhaps his wife?) going. But I had to find something flip - with an amusing catchphrase - to afford me some distance between my fear and my desire. Whatever works, right?

Once I put aside the images of crashes, fire, ambulances and paraplegia - I really got into it. It actually took less time than I'd imagined, maybe a half hour or so into the trip. In retrospect, I think that I was more concerned about Jzboy's safety than my own.

And, he was fine.

Surprisingly, I ended up feeling a lot safer than I ever thought I could. I think that my calm had to do with our finding a very quiet road to start our journey, riding as a group (you're much easier to see when there are three bikes vs. one), traveling with friends that embrace the importance of taking breaks, a partner that tells you earnestly that "the passenger is boss" (& that said "boss" is "precious cargo" to him) and the promise of winetasting and bountiful dining options at the end of the journey. Nice.

Here is kinda how we got there:


Highway 25 was beautiful and it seemed that we had the road to ourselves once we got past Pinnacles National Monument. The dusty, craggy hillside and one lane road made me forget that I was in California & gave me flashbacks of motocycle films I'd seen and panoramas I'd imagined as a backdrop for such an adventure. It was beautiful, meditative and humbling.

Jen & her Hubs were the inspiration for this trip. About a month ago, at their pre-pre baby shower/adoption referral announcement dinner they casually invited us to tag along with them on this trip. Both of them are wayyy experienced on the track and on the streets (uhm, yeah, Jen's cool like that) and the invite was just the right inspiration for Jzboy to resuscitate his beloved Yamaha Turbo. The Turbo is 25 years old! Uhm, yeah, Jzboy's cool like that!

(Guess which one of us was dreaming of hot cocoa and a nap?)

I was by far the luckiest of the bunch because all I had to do was kick it on the back of the bike & chill. It was a blast. I got to enjoy the wind through my ponytail, the scent of ripened strawberries in the Central California Fields in my nose, the invigorating chill of the fog as we set out on our journey (& as we made our final approach toward home), the familiar images of freshly turned farmland mixed with pungent manure, the dizzying rush of adrenaline, even the butterflies that were there at the start of the trip.

These multilayered sensations made me forget my initial trepidation as well as the stiff back and sore rear end that became souvenirs of the trip.

Totally worth it.

27 comments:

walternatives said...

"Born to be wild...." Sounds like a great trip - good for you for giving it a go. So when are you getting leather pants, Biker Mama? Nice to see your smiling face on your blog again, too.

Beeb said...

So brave. It sounds absolutely exhilarating! Good for you for taking this big adventure.

Beeb said...

ps...secretly I'm a chicken adn have been alittle worried about you guys over the weekend, so I'm glad you're home safe and sound... I am counting on my travel buddies being in China with me :)

kitchu said...

Sometimes, I want to take over your life and live it. That sounds like such an awesome trip! You guys look pretty damn sexy in your motorcycle gear too.

Joannah said...

Wow! What an adventure. Motorcycles scare me, so I think you are most brave.

Jen said...

Oh ya baby! Such an amazing trip with you two. Thanks for your post. It was so well written I got to relive it for the few moments again. It really was a spectacular ride and all the planets aligned for the perfect melding of circumstances. I can't think of a better set of friends to join us on our journey. You two were too cute on the bike. I'm glad it was all you hoped for! See you soon!

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome! I've never taken a bike trip, but Jake and I sure love our road trips!

Anonymous said...

Wow. You're sort of my hero. Fearless (even if it takes some getting there) is a good thing.

Mamacita said...

Mmmmmm, that's hot!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

It sounds very adventurous. I'm too scared of motorcycles to try that, though. I think I'll stick to my boring 'ol minivan....:-)

Kayce said...

Well now the next time you pass through SC on a road trip, you must let me know! Glad you had a fun trip. We're off to do a little camping and exploring ourselves this weekend too!

PS I'm with Joannah...your brave!

Katie J said...

Two words...be careful. Ok, one more...enjoy.

lisa said...

Mmm, I miss riding sometimes. My ex husband did the Pacific Coast Hwy right after the divorce-he knew it would give me regrets (not so much, but ya know).
jb is horrified on the occassions that he is reminded I used to own a Harley. And I don't feel as invincible as I once did. Probably not happening again. Glad you had fun-great smile! ~lmc

Shannon said...

With you, sexy never went out of style! =) I confess I would have had a mix of feelings about the journey, too, but if someone had told me I was "precious cargo" I probably would have thrown caution to the wind! What a great time!

Anonymous said...

Eddy and I are so sorry we missed all the fun on the ride to Cambria! I wasn't ready for a long ride and my bike is having problems with overheating. Hope we can all go riding before Jen and Lionel leave to pick up Amara!

Pink Velvet Mommy said...

what a cute picture of the 4 of you!! I think you need some "sexy" leather pants just like Jen's.

I will say you are brave, and I am glad you made it home safe and sound and had so much fun.

Now that part about the wind blowing through your ponytail....that was a figure of speech right?? b/c technically that couldn't really happen unless your helmet was off, and we know that is not the case....RIGHT???

You go girl, you are a braver woman than I, and JZboy looks so cute!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Sounds like an awesome trip - I'm jealous!

Debra Sue said...

You go Easy Rider! You guys look so happy and excited in your pics. Sounds like an awesome (and brave) adventure.

FDChief said...

Sounds like a great trip and makes me feel like a wuss for giving up my old HD Sportster back in the early 90s. Glad you had fun.

Anonymous said...

I think it looks like fun.

Anonymous said...

You two look great in your leathers. Sure hope we can have a copy of our own.....Love Mom & Dad

"M2" said...

mmmmmmm
sexy

atomic mama said...

Mamacita took my comment. 'Nuff said!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

Sounds like a blast... can I tag along? I don't have a bike... will my pushbike do?

Gen said...

So much fun and yes, you are bringing sexy back!!

I have to use that one, if you don't mind.

Love it and enjoy it - I don't do much riding these days but I sure do miss it. Every so often I ask the hubs to take me for a pin on his ride - it's like old times ;)

Operationtigerlily said...

You two are the cutest biker IA parents EVER! Sounds like a blast of a ride. Good thing you didn't get 'roids on that monster.

Anonymous said...

So cool!