Long Distance Solo Riding

Blog #21

Lawrence Rinehart

Readers of this blog know that I’ve been blessed to complete many six and even nine day rides across this great nation. I know that some adventure/endurance riders stay on the road a lot longer than I have, but every one of my rides have been great adventures.

I’ve also been blessed to ride with a great partner, Pete. We’ve shared a lot of exciting experiences on the road and I’d trust Pete with my life. Partnering with him on these rides has added an element of safety and companionship that solo riders don’t experience.

Through mechanical problems, dangerous weather, highway mishaps and idiots, solo riders are on their own. I’ve always thought that one has to be very courageous or very reckless or very introverted to take long trips by themselves. Or maybe they just don’t have a like-minded friend to ride with.

Honestly, without Pete, I’m hard pressed to think of one rider who is willing and able to hit the road with me for 6-10 days and ride the way we ride. And, there aren’t many people who could tolerate me for that long. Pete is very laid back and a special kind of tolerant. Yes, Pete has been a blessing. And, there’s nothing better than reliving the road stories of the day over a nice steak dinner at the motel restaurant.

Now, here I am, needing to ride from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Mary’s, Georgia for a family gathering. My wife is already there. I had to hang around town a few days, after she drove out, in order to attend our annual Biker Sunday.

It’s not really a long ride to St. Mary’s, 786 miles, and if I could leave early, maybe an hour before sunup as is Pete’s and my normal practice, I’d ride it in a day. But, in order to hear Pastor Ana Seward bring the message at our biker Sunday, I couldn’t be on the road until about noon. That makes it a two day ride, with a stop in a motel for a good meal and restful nights sleep.
Again, as long rides go, this rides not one, but it is the furthest I’ve ridden solo. And…..I’ve really been looking forward to it. I’m overdue for a good, long ride with Pete, but the solo ride is a new kind of adventure for me. I’m anxious to see if it’s something I want to squeeze in between partner rides with Pete. I’m really anxious to experience the pros and cons of riding solo.

As it turns out, Pete’s not available anyway. He recently made his own solo ride from Columbus to Panama City Beach to get his mom set up in a new house. Pete has a very caring relationship with his mom, especially when it comes to the honoring part. It’s very important to Pete that his mom has a nice home in a place that she likes.

As I said earlier, I left for my solo trip on my church’s Biker Sunday. Guest pastors who preach at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene are usually required to preach their message twice, 9 am and 10:45 am. Our biker Sunday is advertised as the second service at 10:45, but I knew I could watch Pastor Ana at 9 and bug out, go home for my HD backseat luggage, and head to Georgia.

Pastor Ana was great. She may only stand 4 ft 11 1/2 inches tall, but she’s a giant in her preaching. A very impactful message about the meaning of “Priesthood,” also the name of the National motorcycle ministry she belongs to. I’ve attached the link to her message in hopes you might check her out. She’s a very dynamic lady, biker and Pastor. So much so that she travels with her own security in Ron “Wrench” Seward. He’s not someone you’d want to underestimate.

By 11:00 I was on the road. Just me and my trusty 2021 Road Glide, 114 CU inch with stage two upgrade thanks to Jim Varney, Farrow Harley Davidson East. With fresh tires and a recent service, confidence was high. The bike did not disappoint.

In no time I was in West Virginia, got off at an exit looking for a decent eatery, ended up in the West Virginia outback at a run down gas station talking to a guy named Dave living out of his old backpack. At least that’s the name he gave me. Ana said in her message, motorcycles are a conversation starter as was the case with Dave.

Dave’s one of those guys who hasn’t had an easy life. I expect opioids played a role in his decline. I opted for a snickers and a bottle of water while Dave told me about past motorcycles, fast cars, and ex wives. I can relate. It was time for me to get back to the ride when I recalled Ana’s message where she said we will meet in heaven the people we helped come to Christ and that motorcycle ministry is about praying over people. I asked Dave if I could pray over him and he said yes. So there I was, outside this rundown gas station that I wouldn’t have stopped at if I wasn’t armed, praying a heartfelt prayer for healing and a relationship with Christ for Dave. All because Ana’s message got my attention. Her calling is strong.

About the Priesthood, the group Ana rides with, as I was leaving my church, twice Priesthood members asked me where I was going. When I told them, they wouldn’t let me go until they prayed over me. First in the sanctuary, a Priesthood and motorcycle ministry legend, Chap-daddy, prayed over me. In the parking lot, Ana’s one man security team, Wrench, prayed over me. I did my pre trip motorcycle maintenance due diligence. The Priesthood did the spiritual due diligence. I left Gahanna fully prepared.

The thing about long bike rides is, you have a lot of alone time, just you in the helmet. As much as I enjoy truck stop insight from Pete, there’s a lot to be said for solitude. By the time I was enjoying the beauty of 77 through Virginia, I had prayed for everyone I know. I crossed into North Carolina and right at the state line I hit a rain storm for about five minutes. Might have been God’s baptismal answer to my prayers.

I was looking for a Cracker Barrel, desperately needing coffee and a break. I passed two because I read the exit signs wrong and was really ticked at myself, when I found myself behind a Mooresville police car and remembered, my aunt who lives in Mooresville. I was way overdue to see her and immediately called her from the bike. Newer bikes have great technology. I use apple carplay (Waze) and make/receive calls as I choose all while my smart phone is charging in a dry, safe compartment. I’ll never understand why some riders never take the time to learn how to use this basic feature.

I told Siri to call Aunt Alverna who’s almost 90, I think. A few rings and she answered. I said “What are you doing?” This is always my first words to her and she always immediately recognizes my voice. I told her I wanted to meet her at the Mooresville Cracker Barrel. She said “When???”, probably expecting my invitation for some date in a week or so. I said, “right now, I’m pulling in the parking lot and will get a table.” She stammered briefly, recovered quickly and said she was on her way.

Missing the previous two Cracker Barrel’s and seeing that police car (forcing me to slow down considerably and reminding me of my aunt) was a God thing. I have no doubt. She brought her hillbilly son and we had a great time together, however brief. It was wonderful food and fellowship, a real blessing. I prayed thanks for that all the way to South Carolina. As Pete (and Clint Eastwood) often says, “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it,” because I do not deserve any of the God things in my life.

I holed up for the night at a Holiday Inn Express in Richburg, south of Charlotte, showered the road grime off, and was in bed at 9pm. What a great day of church and riding. That Road Glide negotiated the roadway like a beast. It’s a smooth, comfortable, fast ride. I have that bike solely by the Good Grace of God and am thankful for it.

By 5:30 Monday morning the bike was loaded, room cleared, and I was first in line at the free hot breakfast. By 5:50 I was on the road, enjoying the cool night/early morning air that I knew would not last. I had fueled up the night before because “Pete and I always fuel up at the end of the day.”

By the time it started getting hot, I was in Georgia. I stopped at a Pilot truck stop for the obligatory roller dog and Black Rifle can of cold coffee in honor of Pete. I drove past the Savanna Indiana dealer since Pete was not with me, decided not to take the time to stop at the Black Rifle store located at the same exit, but did stop at the Savanna HD dealership to buy Phyllis and Glenn a shirt.

Very soon after, I pulled into the Airbnb with the yellow Kia parked in the yard. My journey ended for four days before I head back home.

My thoughts on the solo ride are this: I love the fellowship of riding with Pete. The guy knows a lot if stuff and is a pleasure to hang around. He’s perfect for sharing adventure, especially if the adventure has an element of risk. But, there’s a lot to be said for a long, solo ride once in a while. It’s like taking a mini one-person sabbatical, no one to worry about but me. I go my speed, stop when I want and push myself as hard as I want. It’s incredibly recharging, peaceful and full of self reflection. It’s also a great endurance gut check. I know some very tough guys who don’t think they can do this type riding because they never tried or haven’t ridden long and hard for many years. As Clint Eastwood said and Toby Keith sings, “Don’t let the old man in.” The ride was wonderful and I hope to do it a couple times a year, God willing, in between rides with Pete.