Raptor
New member
Have you ever had a moment while on your trusty steed, be it Spyder or whatever it is that you are riding that just sort of takes your breath away? I was blessed enough to have a moment that fits this description this evening.
The ride in was kind of cold this morning. It felt more like autum than late summer, but I like this time of year; the air is crisp and the world takes on a differnt nature. The first geese were making their way South, and you got that feeling that the Earth was ready to enter that next cycle. You can't experience this when you are in a cage.
The work day was hectic as usual, which was expected of course. What wasn't expected was that the weather took a sudden turn and when I got out to the bike it was 89 degrees! An adventure awaits!
I looked out toward the coast; all looked clear. It was after 6:20 and most everyone was already where they needed to be. Everyone but me, of course. I couldn't believe my good fortune. I mounted up and made a bee line for the mountains.
It was late so I knew I would not make it to the coast, but from the top of the hills the coast was burried anyway, so This was clearly gonna be a technical adventure through terrain that I am now getting to know quite well, and I decided to throw down the gauntlet and just let it rip.
14 was definitely up to the challenge, and together we put together a personal best through this circuit. It was thrilling and dangerous all at the same time; so much so I actually bruised my hands! We were in a groove and in free road! 14 was purring and the adreninlin was pumping like never before!
And then as we came barreling out of a left hand sweeper, it happened. I looked out to the west. The fog was moving inland, but I was above it looking down. The Sun was just a huge orange ball of fire now and was sinking into what looked like a velvet layer of fluffy cotton just sprawling across the coastal floor in a wash of incedible colors. The roll off of throttle was completely involuntary; I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I just let 14 decelerate as I stared out into the dusk. The raw beauty of it left me completely speechless. I wish I had the presence of mind to snap a picture, but I was completely captivated. I hardly remember the rest of the trip; the images of that sunset were burnt into my brain.
Moments like these are why we ride. When I finally got home I had a 12 year old cigar and a 15 year old Scotch to comemorate the occasion while gazing out into the night. A fitting capper to yet another amazing Spyder experience.
The ride in was kind of cold this morning. It felt more like autum than late summer, but I like this time of year; the air is crisp and the world takes on a differnt nature. The first geese were making their way South, and you got that feeling that the Earth was ready to enter that next cycle. You can't experience this when you are in a cage.
The work day was hectic as usual, which was expected of course. What wasn't expected was that the weather took a sudden turn and when I got out to the bike it was 89 degrees! An adventure awaits!
I looked out toward the coast; all looked clear. It was after 6:20 and most everyone was already where they needed to be. Everyone but me, of course. I couldn't believe my good fortune. I mounted up and made a bee line for the mountains.
It was late so I knew I would not make it to the coast, but from the top of the hills the coast was burried anyway, so This was clearly gonna be a technical adventure through terrain that I am now getting to know quite well, and I decided to throw down the gauntlet and just let it rip.
14 was definitely up to the challenge, and together we put together a personal best through this circuit. It was thrilling and dangerous all at the same time; so much so I actually bruised my hands! We were in a groove and in free road! 14 was purring and the adreninlin was pumping like never before!
And then as we came barreling out of a left hand sweeper, it happened. I looked out to the west. The fog was moving inland, but I was above it looking down. The Sun was just a huge orange ball of fire now and was sinking into what looked like a velvet layer of fluffy cotton just sprawling across the coastal floor in a wash of incedible colors. The roll off of throttle was completely involuntary; I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I just let 14 decelerate as I stared out into the dusk. The raw beauty of it left me completely speechless. I wish I had the presence of mind to snap a picture, but I was completely captivated. I hardly remember the rest of the trip; the images of that sunset were burnt into my brain.
Moments like these are why we ride. When I finally got home I had a 12 year old cigar and a 15 year old Scotch to comemorate the occasion while gazing out into the night. A fitting capper to yet another amazing Spyder experience.
