Today was one of the better days this spring to get out the Holy Kaw and go for a ride. For those who don’t know, the Holy Kaw is my 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic, painted white, with large black spots like a cow and Twitch is my 5 year old grandson who loves to ride with me.
We took off for Greer today, about a 100 miles and the first 50 miles is back roads through the countryside. Since mom won’t let Twitch ride on the interstates yet, he rode the first 50 miles with me. Meme had Hayley in the van following us and would take him the other 50 mile of interstate.
Twitch wears a full faced helmet that he quickly learned to raise and lower the face shield on so he could talk to me. Because the Holy Kaw has Vance-Hines pipes, it is a bit loud, so communication can be difficult and Twitch is only five, so he sits well below my ear level. That does not stop him from talking or expecting me to talk back.
I taught Twitch early about the proper technique for acknowledging other bikers. It is a hand held low with the “peace sign” given. It is universally recognized and only stuck up or ignorant riders don’t participate.
Because today was an excellent day for riding, there were plenty of other bikes out. Everyone that passed responded to Twitch as he gave the sign. And every time someone responded he had to tell me the details. I did not know that there were so many details in an action that takes only a couple of seconds, but there are. The color of motorcycle, the helmet or lack of, how many were on the bike, how fast they looked like they were going, male or female, grown up or kid, and whether or not the sign was given properly are some of the details I got to hear.
At one point we came to an intersection and were stopped at the light when a pick-up with a dog in the bed pulled up beside us. The dog now knows Twitch by name. I don’t think the dog gave his name, but you will have to ask Twitch. As we pulled away I was asked to get closer so that he could pet the dog as we were riding. I declined.
At the next intersection a woman pulled up next to us and smiled. I was told about her smile and asked why she smiled at him and I told him that she must have thought that he was cute. For the next few miles everyone thought that we were both cute or not depending on if they smiled at us or not.
Toward the end of the 50 miles, Twitch got quiet for a while. I was afraid that he might be getting sleepy so I asked him if he was alright. He said, “Sure Papa, are you?” I told him I was and he said that he was just thinking. When I asked him what he was thinking about he told me that my truck and my motorcycle were just for him and me to ride and that it was really cool when his buddy, me, let him ride with me. Then he said, “Papa, I love you. That is what I was thinking about.”
I had a quick talk with God just then and told Him that if I ever thought that life sucked for any reason, to remind me of that moment. Life is good! Me, Twitch, and conversations on the Holy Kaw; Thanks God!
