As we go through life, we are faced with many obstacles
that bring about thoughts, reactions, and decisions. The
manner in which we process these things can have both positive and negative results.
The term “threw me a curve” represents a moment of tension. In baseball
the “curve ball” was, and is, feared by many hitters. Those that studied it became
familiar with its characteristics. They attacked it by getting out in front of it and
beating it before it beat them. How many of you dreaded the phrase “grading on a
curve” while in school? This meant we were evaluated based not on what we
knew, but what we knew compared to others. So is true with the obstacle we motorcyclists
call the “CURVE”.
Often associated with the “twisties”, the curve summons anxieties from deep
within us. We go through a thought process that hopefully will bring positive results.
The curve, as it relates to riding, can be a very exciting and rewarding challenge.
Many factors come into play when faced with the curve, speed, vision, weather,
and most of all, confidence. Another area of thought is how familiar we are with
the road. The curve we have taken over and over again represents no more than a
testing ground. It’s a way to practice the proper techniques. But the curve we
have not taken before can bring about a feeling that can be compared to, let’s just
say “if there was a piece of coal up there, it’d be a diamond now”. Similar to skydiving,
once you commit to it there is no turning back.
As you roll down the road you see a curve ahead breaking to the left. You set it
up, think, outside to inside, ok the caution sign said 35mph, your doing 55mph.
But that’s meant for cars, how slow do I need to go? As you approach it you can’t
see all the way through it. What do I do, slow, push pull roll yell scream, oh no
there’s a car coming in the other direction, a bit over the line. Now that you have
made a deposit in the Haines, reality sets in, you have to do this right or you
could, as H-D puts it, risk death or serious injury.
You position yourself on the outside all the time turning your head looking
where you want to go. You roll off the throttle and push on the handle bar in
the direction of the curve and pull on the opposite one, counter steering. At the
mid point of the curve you roll on the throttle as you move to the inside of it.
As quickly as you entered it, you have exited it. The curve is
over………………….until the next one which says 15mph, oh no. Same thing
just more of it.
The curve, like the ones in life, allows you push yourself beyond your comfort
zone. At times, allowing you to walk the razors edge. To become one with the
road. So next you’re rolling down that back road and you see the dreaded, to
some, treasured to others, curvy road sign, attack it. It’s you against the curve,
but you have a weapon, a Harley Davidson. And together you can defeat the
curve. If only we had a similar weapon in life. And
hey…………………………………………………………go clean those Haines!
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Topic: "The Curve" (Read 1444 times)