Copyright 2010: Chaplain's Chat
Ramblings of a mad man.
I have had a great couple of rides over the last two early tours. Quite cold and a lot of mist about, especially over the water, but fantastic clean air and very little traffic.
I remember coming back from North Wales a few years ago on my RD350 YPVS I had had a good fast run all the way down through Wales from Bangor and was enjoying the feeling of the warming sun coming up over the heavily treed hills of the Wye Valley. That morning was the same as the last two days we have recently had with very hot days and cooling nights. I had been camping in the mountains of North Wales and had got up early on the last day to make my way back home. The Sun was only just showing it’s head when I set off and I was looking forward to a good ride home. I have flown down through Mid Wales stopping at my favourite place of Rhayader to have a Fat Boy breakfast. Setting off again with my stomach resting on the tank I could see the Red Kites circling on the thermals as the land warmed up. I enjoyed letting the revs climb until the power valves kicked in at 6,000 revs pushing me back in the saddle. The little RD and I were having the time of our lives as we made our way south.
Getting to Abergavenny I stopped to fill the tank up and got into a conversation with a couple of other bikers who were going in the opposite direction. We quickly passed the time of day and separated going our own ways. It was good to meet with like minded people and I often think how just by riding a motorcycle we have what some people refer to as some sort of ‘brotherhood’ with a common interest.
It is the same sort of ‘brotherhood’ that I have experienced in my church. We all have our own lives with work and home lives but similar to the bikers, we all come together for the love of a common cause. I find it very reassuring to know that I can rely on similar minded people to myself if or when there is a need to. how many of us have seen a bike on the side of the road and have slowed or even stopped to speak to the rider to see if he or she needs any help or if there is anything we can do to help them out of a problem they may have. If we were broken down at the side of the road I am sure we would be very happy to receive help from those people who have slowed or stopped to see if we are ok.
I have on occasions stopped on the side of the road just to have a stretch and a bit of a break from the bike. I would not be parked up for very long before another biker would stop and see if I was ok. Likewise I have broken down in a car and have noticed that no one is interested in me! Again in the church I can draw strength from knowing that if there was a need I could rely on other members to help me out. A number of years ago my son Chris, who was 7 years old at the time went missing just as it, was getting dark. A quick search could not find him so I called a couple of priesthood members and in no time at all I had about 12 men all looking for Chris who was quickly found hiding in the local park.
I was grateful at the time and since that I know there are good people who I can rely on to help me out at a moments notice, just the same as the biking world and the Blue Knights in particular. Thanks Guys!
Speaking about two stokes again makes me think about some of the bikes of old which I have had the pleasure (?) of owning. Starting off with a Bantam 175, this was bought as a non runner. Restored on the living room carpet with bits in bags all over the place it was when running ridden down the outside steps into the front garden of the house we were renting in Finsbury Park north London. My friend at the time John and I then proceeded to take it for a spin on the North Circular. Two up both of us about 14 stone and the little Bantam did us proud! The Met Police car which pulled up along side us at the traffic light though about it and then remembered the amount of paperwork involved and departed when the lights went green. Thanks lads.
Having now reached Monmouth on my way home, I took the Wye Valley road. I find this road quite a challenge to get right due to the adverse camber and tricky slippery bits under the trees. The pace was by now slower and I was enjoying the beautiful river Why rushing down to the sea to the right of me. Remembering how I had canoed from almost the source of the river to Chepstow a couple of years earlier. It had snowed for the first two days of the trip but it was a great trip camping on the riverside and living in the pubs on route. Now I was doing the almost same route almost but much quicker and not in such a ‘green’ way.
As I continued down the Wye valley I could hear the crackling of the two stroke motor off the shops and houses in the street as I passed through with no one knowing I was there. Leaving a blue haze of two stroke as the only evidence that I had been and gone with the sweet smell of Motorex fully synthetic in the air.
This weekend we in the church have had an opportunity to go to the Wells Road Stake Centre in Bristol to be addressed by an Apostle. This is a rare occurrence which with the size of the church as it continues to grow, and given that we only have 12 Apostle’s, the same as when Christ himself was on the earth means that as a church member in this area you would only get an opportunity once every 50 years to see an Apostle. So as you can imagine unlike the two stroke haze we are hopeful that he leaves us with a lot more to remember him by!
Enjoy your rides and see you soon
Reg Walker,Chaplain, England Chapter XIV