Sojourn Chronicles

by D. Brent Miller

Have you ever had one of those moments, where everything seems to come together, everything is right in the world, the environment around you is wholesome, and it feels like the whole universe is in harmony?

That was the ride this morning, our Sunday Morning Breakfast Ride through the countryside, in a round-about-way to Blanchester, at the intersections of Ohio State Routes 28, 123, 133, and 730.

Sure, the fellowship is good, and it is always a pleasure to meet up with friends for a breakfast ride, but once we get on the bikes, we’re riding solo, even in the group. So the experience, even though you  might be following someone or leading the pack, is the communication between rider, machine and environment.

And today’s environment seemed surreal. Crisp morning air. Blue sky above. Sunshine warming the landscape. Colors on the trees changing. Motorcycle running excellently as always. Warm in my riding gear, the landscape passes by in slow motion. It could have been a music video. Wait! It was a music video in my head with the music provided by George Winston, solo piano.

There must have been half a dozen places I wanted to stop and take pictures, but the group would have disappeared on the horizon. So I compromise. There was a semi truck unloading grain at an elevator complex. Not only could I smell the corn, but also hear the corn rattling around inside as it filled the bins. We passed two private landing strips with windsocks gently waving in the breeze and airplanes parked in hangars or under the open-sided barns. And oh! the twisty, hilly roads surrounded by oranges, reds and yellows.

The colors! Oh, the trees were all the colors of autumn. Of course, my wife would say, “Of course, they look fantastic, Brent. You’ve got your rose-colored sunglasses on.” Okay. My sunglasses do provide a little warming and contrast, but it makes my world look so much more colorful.

Yes, this morning’s ride was “in the zone.”

In Blanchester, we stopped for breakfast at Mc D’s Diner, six bikes and seven riders. Nearly everyone ordered one of the two specials. I ordered the #2: two eggs, hash browns, 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy, one slice each of bacon, sausage patty, and ham; for the low, low price of $4.95. Add a cup of coffee, and you’re out the door for $6.36 + a tip.

Afterwards, we separated into two groups, headed back towards our homes. The ride home was just as enjoyable, riding through the countryside on great pavement of the back roads, colorful landscape, and the hum of the engine and the tires on the road. Harmony.–DBrent