robdale.ca

Well, I really thought my streak of no rain was going to come to an end today. When I packed up this morning, I even covered my T-bag with the rain cover. It was overcast most of the day, and a few times I felt a few sprinkles, but I never actually hit rain. Twice I could see the rain in the distance, but it missed me.

I started out by going into the town of Roswell to check out the museum there. It’s pretty cool. It didn’t open until 9 am, and when I arrived about 8:45, there was already six or seven people waiting in line. There are some true believers out there. Two of those in line were bikers, and he struck up a conversation with me immediately. He was clearly more interested in my journey than in the museum, but his wife was getting a little bothered that he wasn’t focused on the exhibits. So, shortly after the doors opened, he turned his attention to her and all the things she wanted to point out to him.

From there, I grabbed a quick bite to eat at McDonalds. And, in that moment, I became a believer. Standing in front of me in line (actually, they budded in front of me), were a couple of ladies who had to be 200 years old (Okay, maybe they were in their 80′s). The scary thing was, one of them looked EXACTLY like one of the aliens in the news articles in the UFO museum. She didn’t look a little like the alien, she was the alien! I believe. I believe.

There wasn’t much of an adventure today after leaving Roswell. Just a lot of miles. 489 miles (786 kms) to be exact. The wind was still nasty at times, but not as bad as yesterday. For the most part, not much to look at or take pictures of. Just highway and interstate. I’d come upon a small town, and then ride back into nothingness.

It’s easy to lose your focus on a day like today. There’s nothing to look at. Nothing to keep your attention. I found myself just drifting off into mindless thinking. You might know what I mean. It’s the kind of thinking that you are unable to recall later, but keeps you in a fog while doing it. On two occasions, I realized at the last minute that traffic had slowed or stopped, and I was forced to react quickly, telling myself to pay attention to the ride.

One thing I’ve learned on this road trip is that drivers are pretty well the same everywhere. As I ride by some vehicles, I see the driver talking on the phone, playing with the radio, sending a text or tweet. Every once in awhile, you see someone reading. One day, I saw a guy with a newspaper spread out over the steering wheel. I couldn’t believe it.

As a biker, you have to be the one to be ready for anything. After all, you’re smaller. In a collision, they win, you lose. On this trip, I’ve found the time I am at the most danger is the last thirty minutes of the day’s ride. I’m eager to get to the hotel, and I am tired from a long day of traveling. It is when I stop focusing on the cars around me, and I just push to finish up.

I’ve heard that most accidents occur within a few miles from home. I’m sure it’s true, because in a way, with each hotel being that night’s “home” for me, I need to slow down and stay focused.

Perhaps it’s a good reminder for all of us who ride. Slow down and stay focused.

Another 500 miles coming up tomorrow.