Motorcycle Life: Living in the Space Between

When I think about something like a Muffler Man, a Futuro House, a Uniroyal Gal, visiting the thing itself is of course the payoff. Snapping photographs of their differences in comparison to others of their kind is something to ponder and take notice of. It makes fanciful imaginings tangible and keeps the fires of whimsy stoked.

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What goes largely unsaid about these roadside sight visits is that the ride to them is a thing. Sure, you see the result, the Instagram picture or blog post about whatever funky object was a destination but I don’t usually say all that much about how important the ride is to me.

I cannot say why, but I feel most at ease when I’m out seeking on two wheels. Of course I love my family and have a comfortable place to live but my personal, selfish, center is found in the saddle. That is the place where my thoughts come clear, they come honestly, unfettered, and uncensored. The saddle is where I take in places I may never lay eyes on again. That space between is filled with life.

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On Saturday morning, I took the ferry to Connecticut with 3 intentions: have breakfast at a diner, see balancing Yugos and frogs on thread spools. But I took in so much more than that along the way.

Some other random bits and notes about my day:

  • I took the ferry and sat in the lounge feeling self-conscious because of my squeaky boots
  • I sat in the ship’s cocktail lounge drinking coffee and wrote in my journal at the bar
  • Realized my right Gerbing glove isn’t working
  • Had a group of road constructions guys staring at my bike as I waited at a lane closure. Wondered if they thought it was cool or lame.
  • Rode past an amusement park my daughter took a trip to during the summer. It was nice to see something that she talked about.
  • Thought “I think I’ve been here before” several times, though I don’t think I’d been there before.
  • Ate at the diner counter at the Main Street Diner in Plainville, Connecticut. We’d just passed in the weekend prior on our way to an RV dealer. At the time, I felt bummed that we didn’t go there for lunch so my stop on Saturday made up for that.
  • I eavesdropped on the conversations. The way the sound carried you couldn’t help it. Plus, the ladies talking weren’t doing so in a whisper. Somebody’s on again, off again boyfriend got someone else pregnant. It was like real-life Days of Our Lives.
  • I saw a smiling man walking with a vacant stare and talking to no one that I could see. I wondered if that would be a nice way to exit this plane – going completely bonkers with a grin on.
  • I traveled Route 66. The other route 66.
  • Saw Yugos balancing on balls. Next to them were a couple flea market tables set up selling… “stuff.” I wondered how much of that stuff I would have to sell to make sitting in a vacant parking lot all day worth it. I also thought I have way too much stuff as it is.
  • I debated if I had enough time.
  • Saw a boulder with an eagle painted on it.
  • Also one with a snake.
  • There are parts of Connecticut that are much more farm-y than I thought. I saw llamas, alpacas, cows, goats, sheep, horses in coats.
  • After seeing the llamas I kept thinking “¿Como te llamas?” over and over again. My mind is like a skipping record at times.
  • Realized that drivers fixate on you when you’re parked on the shoulder.  I feel like they’re going to drive right in to you.
  • It’s very annoying that I can use Siri with voice commands but she still requires manual input to complete some requests. If I ask “How do I get to X” and get a verbal response of choices, why do I have to use my hands to make a selection out of the results? Why can’t I continue using verbal prompts? When your phone is in your pocket – and you’re using a bluetooth headset this is very annoying.
  • Why can’t Siri understand when I say “Willimantic”?
  • Would I be able to see the frogs on thread spools before the sun started going down?
  • Why are they on thread spools anyway?
  • And why frogs?
  • Maybe I should have googled this before I left.

In the space between there is so much that happens, so much life that gets lived and never spoken of.

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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18 Responses

  1. Ryan says:

    I am guaranteeing that the construction workers thought you were cool and not at all lame. A girl riding a motorcycle is awesome to most men.

    Squeak those boots with pride! Don’t feel timid or embarrassed because a pair of protective via made noise =P when walking.

  2. Shybiker says:

    I so agree. Our motorcycle journeys are endless streams of fascinating experiences, as your list illustrates. Even getting gas is often fun as it creates encounters with wide-eyed motorists. Riding is the best!

  3. Erin says:

    I never get much time to comment here, but I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
    Real life adventures that are so cool! You find the neatest things when you ride.

  4. Tracy says:

    Really enjoyed your blog, your thoughts on your ride make me feel like I am there.

  5. Meaghan says:

    We’re riding in opposing seasons and I thought of you when I was out riding today in 33 degree heat, thinking that it must be getting cold over there and how much I hate the cold (and winter). I was thinking of you while I was riding with a friend because I realised that I never ride on my own anymore. A couple of falls has left me feeling less capable, despite riding for years – a large adventure bike has just added to that sense of inadequacy. I realise after reading your blog that I need to get a grip, stop making excuses and get out there on my own instead of needing someone else to make things happen.

    As always, a great read. Cheers.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      I’m sorry you’ve had a couple falls and are maybe not in your usual frame of mind. Do you think going back to a smaller stature moto might help? I know thats easy for me to say when I don’t have to consider buying/selling/paying for something else.

      We all go through ups and downs. Try baby steps. Maybe a few hours, then a day, then overnight. You’ll bank the knowledge that you can do it. Then it gets easier to do it again and again because you’ve proven to yourself that you can.

      Be kind to yourself. Follow your heart and be happy <3

      Thanks for reading and saying hello, Meag.

  6. I’ve long embraced the notion of being a seeker on two wheels and beyond. As you indicate a destination may hold a goal or payoff but the “thing” is the ride and all that it entails. Finding a selfish center away from home isn’t good or bad, just the way some are wired. It only becomes one or the other if your partner, spouse or significant other doesn’t recognize or respect the need.

    Your random bits and notes are wonderful and fuel for a dozen posts. Having long been a photographer I’ve polished by ability to notice things. Writing a blog has sharpened by skill at hearing things. And both together just add to the richness of the search.

    I think this is one of my favorite posts.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      “… Having long been a photographer I’ve polished by ability to notice things. Writing a blog has sharpened by skill at hearing things. And both together just add to the richness of the search. …”

      One of the things i love best about your blog is your ability to pick out what is seemingly a small moment and really shine a light on it to show its TRUE size. Your ability to see, hear and feel is what makes you and your blog special.

      Happy Thanksgiving, Steve.

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