Riding in the Rain

It was still dark, the air was brisk and fresh.
The sky was crisp and clear with a few clouds clinging to the mountains for warmth.
Venus was holding on to the heavens with a orange sparkle that seemed to be trying to steal some of the attention from the waining moon.

Off comes the bike cover, the gate swings open with it's part of the adventure that is about to begin. The old Harley is rolled out past the sidewalk onto the empty street...the gate is closed and secured as if it has done it's job one more time. A quick glance at the sky, looking for the big grey clouds that can sneak upon you in silence in the Hawaiian night.

Venus still flirting for your attention and the moon softly casting a shadow of the old bike onto the street. The ritual is almost complete, the leather jacket has the feeling of an old vintage wine as it slips effortlessly on. With three quick twists of the throttle and a three count before the boot comes down hard on the first kick............POP..........racheting up the kicker for the second kick.........COUGH.........one more hard kick and .........ROOOOAAARRRR!

Down come the clear glasses for night riding, up goes the kickstand and with just a little nudge and a roar the wind is in your face........a fresh crisp moist wind.......a damp wind coming off the Pacific. With three kicks your in the wind and with three clicks your in fourth gear flying thru the early morning stillness with the sound of thunder following like a storm in full force!

Heads turn as you blast by, kids on the way to school stop and stare, the little ones wave........they sense the freedom, they can feel it when the thunder hits them for a second and then it is gone as fast as it arrived . Moving on like a storm on a summer's night. The 7Eleven is empty except for one car, the coffee is hot and tastes extra good on this brisk morning. Only a small cup today, today is about riding........ Soon the ritual begins again, only this one has no twist's of the throttle, only two hard kicks and the old motor roars to life ready to go.

Blasting south down the two lane highway along the beautiful windward coast, the waves are splashing onto the road and the coconut trees are doing the hula in the early morning wind.............life is good........... Soon the sky begins to look like an airbrushed painting with the golds and the greys blending in a magical way that only the Creator can do. The cars are slow today and you blast past one and then another only to leave them in the thunder.......the road is winding and twisting with the sky now on fire and soon it is no longer dark Almost like magic it is a bright sunny day........

Time for a break to partake in the new day, the next park is empty with the ocean foaming and crashing onto the parking lot.......you park away from the waves knowing that one could ruin your day! The mountains are now glowing like living emeralds and jade. The ocean is turquoise and grey... But the sky is blue and clear..........life is good!

The miles seem to flow like the tide on the shore, town after town experience the thunder, heads turn, girls look, kids wave........what a day! Now on the other side of the island and a whole day later, the sky has changed from blue to grey, the sheets of rain on the ocean tell of what to expect down the road. A stop for a beer to wait out the cloud.

Back on the road with the light fading fast. The sun has set with no colors of fire. The road is still wet from the big grey cloud. The wind is now cold and the ocean is pissed. The tourists have left for their dry hotel rooms and the locals are wearing jackets as if its a cold Michigan winter. One more stop before the long ride home, one last glance at the darkening sky.

You know what is coming and there is no escape. You tighten the jacket and put the rag on your face........it is time. Blasting down the road trying to outrun the inky black starless sky ... no moon ...Venus no where to be found........you ride thru the cold and the bite seems too hard. Potholes are like invisible death traps just waiting for you! So far so good just a few drops here and there.....almost there, almost home!

Flying down the lonely stretch with no street lights hoping you miss the few potholes that are out for your life.........almost home! You make it to the northern point of the island, it seems that the dark ink didn't catch you this time, you smile in defience and right then. THE RAIN......not just any rain, THE RAIN............translucent marbles in the headlight, huge beautiful clear marbles.......each one with YOUR name on it!

One by one you feel their pain as they blast every part of your face and legs. They are not rain drops they are rain bullets!!! One by one they select their target as if guided by a laser, each one inflicting it's damage........you want to cry but it won't help you, so you laugh!!! The road is a half foot deep now and your going twenty miles per hour just so you can see........but the rain is doing a 100 mph just to spite you. Now soaked to your bones with your face numb from the pain, your fingers don't work and your eyes can't see anything.

Almost home, almost home, almost home..it seems like a million miles away, every car is trying to keep you there, every pothole has your number now........ they own you! The last mile feels like it is ten times farther than the rest of the ride.....longer than the rest of the day! The coffee was extra good in the brisk morning air, the sky was on fire as the sun made it's appearance........The Rain...........oh the rain..........it gives us life.......that beautiful rain. Now for that Hot Shower. Thank you Rain!!!

copyright thewind 2007