There is something magical about the changing of the seasons. Maybe it’s about how time has passed, and a new season brings renewed focus and enjoyment. I felt this renewed energy Saturday morning as I eat my breakfast. I am an early bird so I managed to welcome the Winter Solstice with a small dance outside my mom’s garage while drinking a hot cup of coffee around 4am. I hadn’t thought of riding till after breakfast. As I am learning more about myself and as a motorcyclist, the more I enjoy the early sunrise ride. Maybe it is from riding to work on my commute that have alerted me to how light the traffic patterns are and how much of the time I am alone of the big bad public roads of Charleston. There is something to this that I love. Plus, arriving home before 10am, gives me a wonderful feeling throughout the rest of day. Not bad for someone who use to come home from parties and bars at sunrise. My, how times have changed.
Looking at the clock, it was a bit after 5am when I finished breakfast, when the lightbulb went off. “I could be on my bike by 6am” I thought. A huge smile crossed my face, and I immediately got ready for my ride. Temps were not too bad. But now that I ride with an open face helmet the brisk cold wind sure did wake me up. As much as I love my lightweight gloves my fingers were numb about 20 minutes into my ride. I did manage to work on some slow speed maneuvers. This helps warm up the engine and me. Once finish with some practice, I immediately rode my bike to a local gas station that had all the amenities. After a cup of coffee and a second breakfast meal, I decide to visit the Charleston Battery for the sunrise. I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to see the first sunrise of the weather season. It was truly remarkable.
As I learning to ride with more confidence, I am also learning that much about the Art of Motorcycling is finding moments that really make you happy. Maybe it’s completing a long ride through some difficult roads, surviving rush hour, or for me, seeing the sunrise while parked on my 2023 Moto Morini. Life is really about the little things and enjoying them tremendously. As I inch closer to finishing up my first 6 months of practicing the Art of Motorcycling, I so thankful for those sunrises, traveling through the busy Lowcountry traffic, crossing big bold bridges, and above all finding peace after a day on two wheels. Honestly, there is nothing like it. God is Great!
Rolf