Pray. Regroup. Pray again. Breath. The Sacramento/Lake Tahoe trip (known as the Polar bear run to a few of us) had been planned for a year and already postponed once. “I NEED TO GET OUTTA HERE!” I thought. Finally done with the immediate duties when my buddy called back. “Changed my mind, I feel better… Let’s ride!” he said.
One hour later we were on highway I-5 headed north. Only stopping for fuel, water and a quick bite, we pulled in to Sacramento a little after nine in the evening. Northern California P. of Blacksheep HDFC – also known as “the Barbarian” had food waiting, and a comfortable bed to rest before the ride to Lake Tahoe.
The morning came quickly. We met the gang for breakfast and after some good fellowship, laughs and prayer we were on our way to Tahoe. The ride was smooth and we rolled on highway 50 heading west for a couple of hours when we started feeling the change in temperature. You never know what the weather will be like in April in that area. I was very glad I had taken my chaps with me. As we thundered to 5,000 feet the temperature quickly dropped to the forties and thirties I am guessing while the sun kept us comfortable.
Rode over the last hill and… What a breathtaking view! What a Creator we serve. How can you feel the freedom He gives us when riding a motorcycle, Ripping through nature as a live size canvas at arms reach and not believe?
Rolled down the small hill to the Lake and soon stopped to regroup and take pix. We met people from all over and even got a small history lesson on Lake Tahoe. I couldn’t but stop and think what this ride would have been 15 years ago. We would have started the day late from partying the night before, the ride would have been unsafe from the worse effects a hangover can give you, and the stop would have been a stop to start the party again with a major headache. Thank God for His promise and Grace that we don’t deserve.
Riding around the lake could not have been more than a spiritual experience. If you ride a motorcycle I am sure you would agree that, riding has a sense of freedom like nothing else apart from maybe flying your own plane. Something about the wind on your face, the sound of a well tuned motorcycle and the feeling of being one with all around you. After all these years, I wait for the next one like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.
