With winter breathing down our necks, we took a break from raking the endless bounty of oak leaves and pointed just one bike towards the seacoast. We both ride but since I had already started the process of winterizing the bikes, it seemed superfluous to use both bikes for a short day's ride. We've ridden two-up before, for convenience and again, usually for a short hop or, when we're with another couple who only ride that way. But today, it seemed like a good way to share the experience.
My wife is an accomplished rider who has really come into her own in the last year or two. Gone are the days of constant supervision from me and the tense moments after my having to remind her to cancel her turn signal or some other newbie mistake. But, on a day like today, taking the rear seat allowed her to relax and enjoy the view.
All around me, friends are separating and divorcing. There seems to be a spate of it lately, three announcements alone in the early part of this year. I don't know what to attribute this to but as a child of divorce, I take my commitment to my marriage seriously. My wife and I are polar opposites, she's classical and I'm rock 'n' roll. She shy and introverted while I'm a showboat and will chat up anyone. We are Yin and Yang. When she told me that she wanted to go riding with me, I had my reservations about losing my "time off." Now, years later, I look forward to our time off together.
At some point everyone gives up riding. I don't have any immediate plans to quit riding any time soon but, I know that at the point that riding is no longer an option, my partner for life will be there, at my side as we motor down the road of life. In the meantime, I will look forward to her joining me on rides, sharing my experiences, sharing the road and the ride. I know she prefers to ride her own bike but I'm happy that she is willing to join me every once in a while.
Maybe the secret to a happy marriage is the inclusion of a couple of motorcycles or, at the very least one bike, with the couple riding two-up. Sharing experiences is what married life is all about. Now get out there and ride together.
A low, slow wave,
Joe Rocket
2 comments:
Great posts. It is sad to see families split up. Motorcycling has been great from my wife and I. Sharing life is so important.
It is truly sad to realize that so many couples split up; especially for a young person like me, who has yet to go through the experience of meeting the life partner and marrying. Where I live, many couples choose not to marry at all, because eventual divorce would involve lots of paperwork, money spending and big material losses for the husband. This is ridiculous.
I am very happy for you two. Thank you for this wonderful, inspiring post. If only more people could take you as an example..
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