If you’re reading this and you’re not a female biker you probably have no idea what IFRD is. Today is designated as International Female Ride Day. There were women all over the world taking time to ride. Think about that for a minute, women all over the world comitted to riding today to share the day with strangers. Some shared stories and pictures, some rode alone like me, others rode in organized groups specifically for the celebration of women who ride. I stopped at a trading post and saw some other ladies that were out riding and if you were there and are reading this, I apologize for not stopping to talk. I’m not one to step out of my comfort zone to speak to people I don’t know. I guess maybe I need to work on that, but I hope your ride was memorable.
Personally it’s also the 17th anniversary of my nephew’s passing and as much as he loved to ride I dedicate today’s ride and ramblings to him, love ya Luke! I know if he were alive today he would have gone on this ride too, if he were living close by. He loved to live life to the fullest, not necessarily the wisest, but definitely the fullest. 😀
Earlier in the week it looked like riding today to celebrate IFRD might not he possible, but thankfully the rain held off long enough for me to get in a ride of a little over 100 miles. Today I did something I don’t normally do before I ride, I actually looked at a map to see where I might go. I had a few thoughts in mind when I left and the one I chose was amazing. I wanted to ride somewhere new and honestly even though I’ve lived here just shy of 30 years, I was on roads I have never been on before and never knew existed. One road was by choice, others were due to a detour.
The road I ended up on by choice was mostly wonderful. At the beginning there was an old house that appeared to have maybe been a farmhouse, but now was deserted and boarded up. I would love to hear the stories it could tell of earlier days.There were many curves and turns along the way as well as some hills and valleys. The view along the way reminded me of growing up in New England. There were old farm houses, horses, streams like I used to fish and play in, and mountain views. The area was very rural and had that simpler life feel. There were no signs of hustle and bustle we see in so many other places. Kids were out in the yards playing ball and nobody seemed to be in a hurry no matter what they were doing.
Riding today made me reminisce of simpler times and of the importance of making memories. My hubby and I were recently discussing how you “can’t take it with you”. He joked and said he thought I was gonna try to take my bike. 🤣 Seriously though, no matter what possessions we may think we need to have, or want to have, they’re not what truly matters. Much more important than things we can possess are memories. When we were in the dating stage I treasured those occasional single red roses he would surprise me with, or the poems he’d send when he was out of town working, but what I treaure most looking back now was the quality time we got to spend together. It didn’t matter so much what we were doing, it was just being together. The same is true with our kids and other family members, make those memories that last rather than simply trying to buy things. Memories can’t be bought and tomorrow may never come, so we need to cherish the days and times we have.
I mentioned my nephew briefly above and towards the end of my ride today I thought about the last long conversation we had before he passed away. I was in the V.A. hospital in Vt. spending the night with him talking and watching a movie with one of his favorite actors, John Travolta, Phenomenon. We laughed and we cried and just thoroughly enjoyed our time reminiscing of his childhood and what we’d shared. We had a special bond and he was more like a son, than my nephew. I’m thankful that we had so memories together.
I mentioned earlier as well that the road I chose was mostly wonderful. Towards the end of this road I saw a sign that showed a picture warning of a slippery road ahead. As I said the rain held off so I didn’t think twice about the slippery road sign. Well I soon realized that wetness was not the only reason for the possibility of slippery conditions. In reality today it was due to gravel in the road on just about every turn for the next couple of miles. Southern gravel, meaning crushed rock, not New England gravel meaning a dirt road. Each curve along that stretch, and there were many, proved to be challenging on the bike, but it’s still a road I plan to take again for sure. I will know next time exactly what that slippery road sign means and will be prepared.
This is a picture of my crazy route. You can’t play it, but I couldn’t get the picture without the play button showing. Happy International Female Ride Day, have a great weekend!
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 