When you have been riding a motorcycle for at least six hours in stifling heat, often going at least 80 mph and then come to a sudden stop at a Super 8, you are still flying, like an astronaut hurling through space, abruptly falling to earth. Now, that is how my day just about ended earlier, before I trundled off to Lassen Ale Works for some of their Oktoberfest, which was quite good. I am now in Susanville CA, a quaint little town that would be worth hanging around for a while, but I am on a restless schedule.

I have wanted to write about music because I always want to write about music. Connecting my cell phone to the audio console of the Harley is like a miracle to me. I have been riding with my shuffling Pandora birthing one great tune after another. I have experienced cruising with the Eagles, Steely Dan, CSN&Y, Van Morrison and Leonard Bernstein, yes, Leonard Bernstein.

I know you think I just flip open the MacBook Pro and whack the keys for a little while and call it a post, but it ain’t even close. Yes, I actually think about what I write because it is my responsibility not to look like an asshole.   I have wanted to include music early in this adventure because I am not sure I could do this without my forever companion, my music.

 Riding around Lake Tahoe on my way to Truckee, I spent a good deal of time leaning into easy turns, with the Lake on my left and often far below. The musical heavens opened and Rhapsody in Blue filled the speakers, reminding me once again how much I love music. When I rocket through this larger than life landscape, serenaded by my tunes, I am in an orbit I never could have imagined from Kauai. Right now, I have headphones on and I am listening to Hall & Oates. I just got back from the brewery, with blog post on my mind.

So far, each day has been so big for me that I can’t sit here and write about anything that manages to totally ignore the day. I made it to Truckee from South Lake Tahoe, another stunning ride. Now, Truckee was pretty much shutdown because of a huge Ironman competition, roads closed and long detours. This is my new normal on the ride, never expecting anything to go as planned. I did have a great, late breakfast burrito with plenty of coffee at a diner in the middle of Truckee.

I knew I had a fairly long ride to Susanville from Truckee, but I didn’t count on taking 49 both north and south because I blew a turn off. Admittedly, I rode on some incredible roads, but that is not a good enough reason to add at least two hours to the ride. I took it in my stride and did what Steve McQueen would do. I adjusted the lightly chewed piece of hay tucked into the corner of my mouth, tipped my helmet and thanked the several people who eventually set me on course. I increased my speed to compensate for the misdirection. The last ninety minutes of the ride was on wide open, as far as the eye could see, roads. It was hot as hell and going 90 mph did nothing to cool me off.

I don’t think I want to write anymore, if you don’t mind. I have had so little time to myself today and the time on the bike is not what I am talking about. Seven hours on the machine is a little too much for me and I need to make sure there is enough stupid time for my Kryptonite Therapy.