Today was the reason why I ride. It was foggy, cold and icy on the passes so I waited to leave Medford until about 11:30 or so. Once I got up and out of the Medford valley, I encountered perfectly clear skies, warm sun and the best riding conditions one could hope for. Yesterday's misery made today even more perfect.
There are perfect moments where the rhythm of the turns, the thrum of the motor, the warmth of the sun, the hawk flying overhead, the beauty of the forest, all come together and you feel a sense of flow that is unlike anything else. It is seductive, a sensation of oneness with the road, the bike and the world. I want more. This is why I ride, for those perfect moments, the sense of freedom. The Siskiyous were incredible.
I-5 becomes distinctly straight and boring from Redding on. But that's okay, 'cause I got to shed my layers of fleece and open up the throttle. Also in Redding was an impressive display of law enforcement on the other side of the freeway, which had been shut down after they arrested an apparent bank robber. Since most of the CHP seemed to be congregated in the vicinity, I figured they were otherwise occupied thereby letting little ol' me ride a steady 75-80 mph.
God, it's good to be warm. Tomorrow, I'm riding out to Point Reyes and maybe up Mount Tamalpais if there's time. You see the world from a different perspective on a bike, and I can't wait to smell the ocean.
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Absolutely marvelous. Having biked (non-motorized) through that country your post brought it all back in vivid tones and scents. From a bike (motorized or not) is an experience that everyone should have in their life at least once. Marvelous posts. Keep 'em coming.
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