Sometimes everything changes from the smallest of new beginnings, radiating out from the tiniest, unexpected experiences we have, the ones that go on to thoroughly capture our imagination. I’d had the opportunity to go to West Virginia to tackle the 280’ via ferrata route at Nelson Rocks, with both a college and high school friend, both whom I hadn’t seen since about 1984! (see via ferrata series)
My college friend, Dave, rides his motorcycle everywhere, practically every day of his life, rain, snow or shine, and had ridden it up from South Carolina for the weekend. When he asked if I wanted to drive or ride to dinner, that first evening, there was really only one conceivable answer… “We’re most definitely… RIDING!!!”
As we glided out and around, up and over, dipping and winding past the verdant fields, dotted with classically weathered old barns, wisps of misty fog hanging lightly over the dew covered grass, the chill of the night brushing my skin, my mind was giddily humming. A delightfully familiar old feeling settled over me.
When my hubby, David, had his bike, when we were first married, we would ride out, together, past the softly rustling corn and soybean fields, chasing the setting Ohio sun – bliss!
Unfortunately, we’d had a couple of uncomfortable moments with other people tailing us too closely. Our daughter, Jess, was a newborn, at the time, and we ultimately decided that maybe it was best to hang up the idea of having a bike. For years, we both said, “It’s not us I worry about, it’s all the other drivers on the road! It just doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
But then, THIS!! It all washed back over me, that tingly feeling – everything felt somehow more alive, vibrant, left me yearning for distant places. With the crisp air lofting the soft hairs of my forearms, desire bubbled up inside of me. This was something far beyond fun!
Over the weekend, my friend taught me a few things. He instructed me to ride perpendicular to the bike through the curves. In my nervousness, I was trying to counterbalance him leaning into the curve, and I was trying to steer, so we were fighting each other. He also told me to not wiggle when coming to a stop because it made it more challenging for him to do so. The distinctions were already being made. I could feel the beginnings of an addiction comin’ on!
Stretches: Being older and doing something that you were never super comfortable with to begin with, even when you were younger, leaning on curvy roads, remembering to be still and not move around much or suddenly.
Lessons: How a new interest or need for a skill arises, spontaneously, out of life experiences. If you’re looking for them, you can start making key distinctions very quickly. We’re blessed to have so many opportunities to learn and grow as people.
To read up on how Small Beginnings turn into First Tentative Steps
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