Long Highway

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rod Hatter on January 21, 2011 at 2:40am

I sense reflections of you being in touch with the ride...Gotta love it...

Permalink Reply by chesshirecatm on January 21, 2011 at 5:33am

Rod, I wrote this after I returned from Cali. in 2005. I came back east after living in CA. for six months. Failed in a relationship... now with hindsight I know was doomed from the beginning. I was devastated for a year, and I wished his new girl friend great harm.  She didn't last...and I keep on keeping on until me and the MR. I have now decided to stop talking on the internet and meet.  It's been an "ever after" story since.  Some things when they happen are inconceivable, but in hind sight were only practice for the real thing.  Funny how that works.

Permalink Reply by Rod Hatter on January 21, 2011 at 11:57am

You know...Life's dream sometimes only seem to come when you quit looking for them. Fate has a way of testing all of our perseverences. I know you feel about riding the same way i do...The best way through life is to live the journey as best as you can...

Keep it in the sun, and thanks for your poem. Now...don't be bashful when you write another.

chesshirecatm said:

Rod, I wrote this after I returned from Cali. in 2005. I came back east after living in CA. for six months. Failed in a relationship... now with hindsight I know was doomed from the beginning. I was devastated for a year, and I wished his new girl friend great harm.  She didn't last...and I keep on keeping on until me and the MR. I have now decided to stop talking on the internet and meet.  It's been an "ever after" story since.  Some things when they happen are inconceivable, but in hind sight were only practice for the real thing.  Funny how that works.

Permalink Reply by chesshirecatm on January 21, 2011 at 2:33pm

Man, that's some cool words coming from you Rod,  Thanks.

Permalink Reply by HarleyHarlet on January 21, 2011 at 5:01pm

chesshirecatm said:

Rod, I wrote this after I returned from Cali. in 2005. I came back east after living in CA. for six months. Failed in a relationship... now with hindsight I know was doomed from the beginning. I was devastated for a year, and I wished his new girl friend great harm.  She didn't last...and I keep on keeping on until me and the MR. I have now decided to stop talking on the internet and meet.  It's been an "ever after" story since.  Some things when they happen are inconceivable, but in hind sight were only practice for the real thing.  Funny how that works.

Permalink Reply by HarleyHarlet on January 21, 2011 at 5:03pm

wow very nice Chessie! i have felt like that at times and its funny how even a 5 mile ride changes your latitude:)

Permalink Reply by Rod Hatter on January 23, 2011 at 11:57pm

COUNTRY ESCAPE
written by Rod Hatter
April 9th , 2010

As my spokes do glow,
with a rotating glitter,
my worries, they leave me,
like unwanted litter.
the road is ahead
and it's calling to me...
relax, take it easy,
let yourself free.

Life's so much simpler,
with wind in my hair,
my mind just escapes...
I don't have a care.
My visions are now of
the world that I love,
from pavement beneath me,
to skies up above.

I take in the scenery,
the lakes, and the trees,
and feel like an eagle,
that's out in the breeze.
The curves and the hillsides,
give to my lean.
The city's behind be,
this place is serene.

The soul needs attention,
and this feels the need.
Out here's no emotions,
bullshit, or greed.
So when I go back,
to my life's daily stride,
I'll live for the next time
that I get to ride.

Now... live for the moment,
live for the ride...

Permalink Reply by LittleSisterWA (AnneH) on January 28, 2011 at 4:03pm

Chess, when I am out roading, I pass guys who are lone riders too; never another gal. Usually I get a nod as I pass them. I always wonder where they are heading , especially if they are heading to the same destination as me. Every time I stay somewhere where there are other bikers, I ty to park near them. I say Hi and ask questions like how safe do you think it would be for me to leave my bags on my bike. They always turn out to be not the friendliest bunch of people. They stiffly answer my questions and then go about their business. The next morning I'll come out to pack up my stuff and see them. Again I say Hi which maybe one of the group acknowledges. For the most part they ignore me.  These are usually groups of husbands & wives & some lone guys; never a lone gal rider.

Do you get the same treatment when you're out lone roading?

Permalink Reply by chesshirecatm on January 28, 2011 at 9:49pm

It's not a simple answer, Anne.  I rarely run across lone female riders.  This is how I approach lone riders of even groups...most often I find the best way to approach these riders is to ask them about themselves first.  Ask them where they have ridden from...where they are going...ask how they enjoyed the road they traveled. Never EVER allow them to smell insecurity from you. When you ask about sercurity issues before you set a pattern of friendship with them...well your showing weakness. It's OK to ask once they have told you about themselves....now they will feel protective of you...because you asked about their own welfare. You see how it works? Many people still feel as though a woman needs to have strength. She should be fearless...or at least she should project these classic features. 

Anne Hooper said:

Chess, when I am out roading, I pass guys who are lone riders too; never another gal. Usually I get a nod as I pass them. I always wonder where they are heading , especially if they are heading to the same destination as me. Every time I stay somewhere where there are other bikers, I ty to park near them. I say Hi and ask questions like how safe do you think it would be for me to leave my bags on my bike. They always turn out to be not the friendliest bunch of people. They stiffly answer my questions and then go about their business. The next morning I'll come out to pack up my stuff and see them. Again I say Hi which maybe one of the group acknowledges. For the most part they ignore me.  These are usually groups of husbands & wives & some lone guys; never a lone gal rider.

Do you get the same treatment when you're out lone roading?

Permalink Reply by LittleSisterWA (AnneH) on January 29, 2011 at 9:51pm

Well, that's just it. I do ask where they come from and where they're headed but my efforts to strike up a conversation always seems to hit a brick wall. I don't want to seem pushy, so when I sense they're hesitant to  be friendly, I leave 'em alone. I did run into one group of guys who were friendly and they rode w/me to Laconia from Cleveland so b it's not every instance - just seems to be he majority of times. I 'forget' that I am a stranger to them so I must come across as a nut job when I approach them w/my handout to introduce myself and skae hands, smiling, asking questions, etc.

chesshirecatm said:

It's not a simple answer, Anne.  I rarely run across lone female riders.  This is how I approach lone riders of even groups...most often I find the best way to approach these riders is to ask them about themselves first.  Ask them where they have ridden from...where they are going...ask how they enjoyed the road they traveled. Never EVER allow them to smell insecurity from you. When you ask about sercurity issues before you set a pattern of friendship with them...well your showing weakness. It's OK to ask once they have told you about themselves....now they will feel protective of you...because you asked about their own welfare. You see how it works? Many people still feel as though a woman needs to have strength. She should be fearless...or at least she should project these classic features. 

Anne Hooper said:

Chess, when I am out roading, I pass guys who are lone riders too; never another gal. Usually I get a nod as I pass them. I always wonder where they are heading , especially if they are heading to the same destination as me. Every time I stay somewhere where there are other bikers, I ty to park near them. I say Hi and ask questions like how safe do you think it would be for me to leave my bags on my bike. They always turn out to be not the friendliest bunch of people. They stiffly answer my questions and then go about their business. The next morning I'll come out to pack up my stuff and see them. Again I say Hi which maybe one of the group acknowledges. For the most part they ignore me.  These are usually groups of husbands & wives & some lone guys; never a lone gal rider.

Do you get the same treatment when you're out lone roading?

Permalink Reply by chesshirecatm on January 29, 2011 at 10:27pm

Anne, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to come off sounding judgmental...I have often felt snubbed as you've described. I think there maybe loads of reasons for it...who knows what people are thinking when they see us lone females on the road. Want to to know the truth? I rarely approach anyone while I'm on the road. I don't know why, perhaps it's because I don't want to feel them snub me or barely respond with respect toward me.  Here's another truth...most times when I am approached they have mistaken me for a dude.  Until I say something or take a jacket off. Sometimes that mistake alone breaks the ice...sometimes not.  I don't mind too much...it's when I need help on the side of the road and I'm ignored that gets me riled.   I hope you know how much I respect you Anne...my 1st response was more bravado than truth. and that was really stupid.  This is the truth, girl: People often suck. People often are hard hearted, People are often scared.   On the road, we are all we have...for sure...we are all there is...one thing I absolutely know for sure, is that when we really NEED an angel, God sends one...  

Anne Hooper said:

Well, that's just it. I do ask where they come from and where they're headed but my efforts to strike up a conversation always seems to hit a brick wall. I don't want to seem pushy, so when I sense they're hesitant to  be friendly, I leave 'em alone. I did run into one group of guys who were friendly and they rode w/me to Laconia from Cleveland so b it's not every instance - just seems to be he majority of times. I 'forget' that I am a stranger to them so I must come across as a nut job when I approach them w/my handout to introduce myself and skae hands, smiling, asking questions, etc.

chesshirecatm said:

It's not a simple answer, Anne.  I rarely run across lone female riders.  This is how I approach lone riders of even groups...most often I find the best way to approach these riders is to ask them about themselves first.  Ask them where they have ridden from...where they are going...ask how they enjoyed the road they traveled. Never EVER allow them to smell insecurity from you. When you ask about sercurity issues before you set a pattern of friendship with them...well your showing weakness. It's OK to ask once they have told you about themselves....now they will feel protective of you...because you asked about their own welfare. You see how it works? Many people still feel as though a woman needs to have strength. She should be fearless...or at least she should project these classic features. 

Anne Hooper said:

Chess, when I am out roading, I pass guys who are lone riders too; never another gal. Usually I get a nod as I pass them. I always wonder where they are heading , especially if they are heading to the same destination as me. Every time I stay somewhere where there are other bikers, I ty to park near them. I say Hi and ask questions like how safe do you think it would be for me to leave my bags on my bike. They always turn out to be not the friendliest bunch of people. They stiffly answer my questions and then go about their business. The next morning I'll come out to pack up my stuff and see them. Again I say Hi which maybe one of the group acknowledges. For the most part they ignore me.  These are usually groups of husbands & wives & some lone guys; never a lone gal rider.

Do you get the same treatment when you're out lone roading?

Permalink Reply by LittleSisterWA (AnneH) on January 29, 2011 at 11:22pm

It's all good. Was just wondering if you & the other lone rider gals run into the same kind of treatment by other "bikers." I mentioned this reaction to my brother who's been riding since 'Nam days.  Pretty much it comes down to those pple aren't bikers. They've bought all the goods but there's no heart. That makes me sad. Personally I can't see how a 4'10" lone female rider would pose as a threat but hey, who am I to judge ppl? LOL!

chesshirecatm said:

Anne, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to come off sounding judgmental...I have often felt snubbed as you've described. I think there maybe loads of reasons for it...who knows what people are thinking when they see us lone females on the road. Want to to know the truth? I rarely approach anyone while I'm on the road. I don't know why, perhaps it's because I don't want to feel them snub me or barely respond with respect toward me.  Here's another truth...most times when I am approached they have mistaken me for a dude.  Until I say something or take a jacket off. Sometimes that mistake alone breaks the ice...sometimes not.  I don't mind too much...it's when I need help on the side of the road and I'm ignored that gets me riled.   I hope you know how much I respect you Anne...my 1st response was more bravado than truth. and that was really stupid.  This is the truth, girl: People often suck. People often are hard hearted, People are often scared.   On the road, we are all we have...for sure...we are all there is...one thing I absolutely know for sure, is that when we really NEED an angel, God sends one...  

Anne Hooper said:

Well, that's just it. I do ask where they come from and where they're headed but my efforts to strike up a conversation always seems to hit a brick wall. I don't want to seem pushy, so when I sense they're hesitant to  be friendly, I leave 'em alone. I did run into one group of guys who were friendly and they rode w/me to Laconia from Cleveland so b it's not every instance - just seems to be he majority of times. I 'forget' that I am a stranger to them so I must come across as a nut job when I approach them w/my handout to introduce myself and skae hands, smiling, asking questions, etc.

chesshirecatm said:

It's not a simple answer, Anne.  I rarely run across lone female riders.  This is how I approach lone riders of even groups...most often I find the best way to approach these riders is to ask them about themselves first.  Ask them where they have ridden from...where they are going...ask how they enjoyed the road they traveled. Never EVER allow them to smell insecurity from you. When you ask about sercurity issues before you set a pattern of friendship with them...well your showing weakness. It's OK to ask once they have told you about themselves....now they will feel protective of you...because you asked about their own welfare. You see how it works? Many people still feel as though a woman needs to have strength. She should be fearless...or at least she should project these classic features. 

Anne Hooper said:

Chess, when I am out roading, I pass guys who are lone riders too; never another gal. Usually I get a nod as I pass them. I always wonder where they are heading , especially if they are heading to the same destination as me. Every time I stay somewhere where there are other bikers, I ty to park near them. I say Hi and ask questions like how safe do you think it would be for me to leave my bags on my bike. They always turn out to be not the friendliest bunch of people. They stiffly answer my questions and then go about their business. The next morning I'll come out to pack up my stuff and see them. Again I say Hi which maybe one of the group acknowledges. For the most part they ignore me.  These are usually groups of husbands & wives & some lone guys; never a lone gal rider.

Do you get the same treatment when you're out lone roading?