The sun was high above the horizon as I traveled south. This trip had been in my mind for a long time, and it was finally happening. It was just me, my motorcycle, and the open road. I had gotten a later start then I had planned, and I hoped it would not cut my trip short. Not only did I get out the door late, but my poor planning immediately made things worse by riding right into rush hour traffic. I was frustrated by the extra time it took just to get out of the city and on the highway leading south. Once I was finally clear of the constant stop and go caused by the regular commuters and then compounded by a multi car accident, the miles finally started to fall behind me.
The speed limit was actually higher than I wanted to go. This was supposed to be a nice leisurely trip, not a race down and back. I kept to the posted limit as cars and trucks continued to fly by me in their hurry to reach their respective destinations. On a motorcycle, they say that it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. Well this particular journey was not to reach a single point on the map, but to reach the beginning of a popular motorcycle route to ride. So my journey was to reach the beginning of another journey. In order to do that I had a few hours of riding just to get there. If I had the extra time I would have ridden back roads and taken my time getting down there, but I was late getting out, so I was playing catch up and trying to make up some time by taking the highway.
I was getting close to the end of the route down leading to the beginning of my purpose for going. Glancing at my gas gauge, I decided to fill up before the start of my scenic journey. As I pulled off the highway I glanced at the phone mounted to my handlebars. There was a gas station just off my exit or another one a few miles away from the highway. I elected to go the few extra miles before stopping, as fuel is usually a little cheaper away from the main roads.
I exited, leaving the fast paced traffic behind me as I twisted the throttle, sending my bike down the two lane road towards my goal. The highway disappeared in my mirror and I could now cruise in relative peace. I saw the low fuel light flicker a few times on my gauge before finally staying on. At least I hadn't screwed that part of the plan up. I was already heading for the gas station anyway. The GPS showed I should be coming up to my stop soon, and as I rounded a curve I could see the sign I needed. I downshifted, slowed, and pulled my bike into the gas station lot, coming to a stop at one of the fuel pumps right in front of the gas station's entry doors.
I took off my helmet and hung it on the sissy bar on the back of my bike. Removing my gloves, I dropped them onto the seat so I could dig my wallet out of my pocket and find my credit card. I slid the card into the reader, pressed the appropriate buttons, and started filling the tank. Only needing a little over four gallons made for a quick fuel stop. Once finished I headed inside the store to stretch my legs for a few minutes and grab a couple of drinks.
My phone rang with an unfamiliar number. That wasn't uncommon. I got all kinds of unknown numbers calling from my job. I swiped the screen to answer the phone.
"Yes." I answered.
That sounds rude to answer a phone like that, but if they were calling me, they knew who they were reaching, and they just needed to tell me why. A recording began a second later talking about my car's expired warranty. I hung up and put my phone away.
Once I got back outside I saw a couple of other motorcycles parked at the next pump over. A guy was hanging around my bike, looking it over as I approached. He noticed as I got closer, making the correct assumption that I was the owner. It was kind of obvious given my attire. I wore faded blue jeans, a thin, long sleeve shirt, and a black leather vest that currently hung open at the front. My boots tromped heavily against the pavement as I walked and my eyes were hidden by my dark wrap-around sunglasses to cut the glare from the sun.
"Nice bike." The guy remarked as I got close.
I glanced over at the two bikes nearby, which this guy clearly belonged on one of them. They were both big Harley touring bikes, complete with fairings, saddlebags, and full sized trunks on the back. My own Harley was smaller in comparison. I didn't go for the giant bike like his, but had elected to get a lighter, more nimble bike that better suited my purposes. I did a lot of riding around the city, commuting to work and such. I previously had a touring bike before, but since I didn't use it for its intended purpose I had traded it in for something more appropriate. I could still throw some saddlebags on mine and go on a trip at any given moment, but I could just as easily take them off and zip around without the extra weight and bulk. They were on now for the ride I was in the middle of.
"Thanks." I replied. "Yours too."
"Where ya headed?"
I soon found out they were going the same way I was. In fact they were planning on riding the same ride I was. It wasn't exactly surprising, as the route was a well known and extremely popular route for bikers. It was the middle of the week though, and I was a little surprised to find these fellow riders out during a regular workday.
"You can ride along with us if you want. We're not big on group rides or anything. We like doing our own thing, stopping where and when we feel like it, and no real plan in mind to stick to."
I rode solo partly because I didn't know anybody who rode motorcycles, and partly because I didn't like the rigidity of group rides. There was no spontaneity and no individuality. You stuck with the group, went where they went, stopped when they stopped, and stayed in their formation as planned.
"Sounds good." I agreed. "I'm Brad. Good to meet you."
The guy I was talking to held out his gloved fist for a greeting bump. I gave the expected fist bump he was looking for.
"I'm Matt. That ugly fucker over there is Vince."
Vince was fueling up his own bike and waved in introduction. Both guys were older than I, probably by twenty years. It was a little difficult for me to tell, as I sucked at guessing age. Matt was a little shorter than me, with his short cropped hair solid gray in color. He wore a black tank top which did nothing to hide his arms which were covered in tattoos. He seemed like a typical biker type, looking solid and tough as nails with a dark tan from long hours in the sun. Vince was just barely taller than me, and was leaner, almost to the point of being scrawny. His hair was a little longer than his buddy's, but still not what would be considered long, and it was just as gray as Matt's. He sported the same dark tan, which was unsurprising since they seemed like regular riding buddies. My own hair was blonde when I would let it grow out. I would go a couple of weeks and then shave it all off. I liked the ease of maintenance and I didn't need to keep buying shampoo. I had a tendency to burn a lobster red color rather than tan, so I kept much of my skin covered from exposure.
"So did you want the lead or the back?" Matt asked.
"I'll take the back. I've never been on this route, so I don't want to slow you down."
"Vince and I have probably done this ride half a dozen times, but it never gets old. We're not speed demons or anything either, so I doubt we'll lose you."
Vince was bent over his bike checking something when Matt moved up behind him, grabbed him by the hips, and mimicked humping motions like he was fucking his buddy from behind, laughing as he did it. Vince shot up and turned around, shoving Matt away.
"Damn it, you horny bastard! Quit trying to stick your dick where it doesn't belong!" Vince demanded jokingly. "We'll find you a nice cactus you can cuddle with, how about that?"
I put my helmet back on and we all mounted up and headed off down the road. The other two guys apparently weren't big fans of helmets, and went without them. Matt took the lead, followed by Vince, and I was at the back. We rode in a staggered line as the miles passed. Since the pair had done this route a few times before, I didn't bother having my GPS going. I simply watched the landscape as we twisted through the route. It was kept to an easy pace, just as Matt had intended. That was fine with me, as that was exactly what I was there for, a nice, calm, leisurely ride. The route took longer than I expected. Of course on the map it looked like a short trip, but the lower speeds, twisting turns, and the stops we made at scenic vistas made it much later than I expected when we stopped for fuel once again. While he was filling up I noticed Vince checking his phone and tapping away on it with a frown on his face.
"Well guys, I've gotta head home. My old lady's already asking when I'll be back, and if I get back too late she'll have my hide." Vince announced as he filled his tank while still glancing at his phone.
"What about you Brad? Are you just as whipped as Vince? Are you taking off as well?" Matt asked.
"I'm single. I don't answer to anyone."
