Road to Roswell, Day 2 Part 2 (It's a Good day to Ride in the Rain)

At first the rain was light and as the sun was beginning to set a great huge rainbow appeared in the sky. It was a magnificent full arched bow from one end to another. We rode right underneath it and as we passed under it it disappeared. After that the road got a little windy and the deer were strolling across the street.

I dropped from 80/85mph closer to 65/70. Then as we got on a bigger uphill road the wind really kicked up and the 650cc I was on was being pushed around. The fast group behind me passed me up as they were on heavier and more powerful bikes. The rain got more fierce and I was having trouble seeing anything. The chatter of my own teeth due to the cold and dampness kept me alert.

I was drenched. In a few miles I saw the group of riders that passed me and they had pulled over to the only rest stop that seemed to exist. They were putting on their helmets and getting a little shelter but I couldn’t stop to jpin them. My body wouldn’t allow me to stop. There was no reason. I was so wet and cold that stopping would only prolong the discomfort. I thought to myself if one of those ladies were in trouble I had nothing to offer that they weren’t already getting from the others that stopped with them. So, I pressed on.

I hate riding at night in a place I am not familiar with. I hate riding in the rain anytime. I can’t stand being cold and was really missing my heated grips that I have on my Indian. Then I remembered what Lance Armstrong wrote in his book about when he would be racing and encounter a tough hill while already exhausted, He would tell himself that nothing compared to fighting cancer and since he did that he could push through anything . I realized that my suffering the scary winds and heavy water relentlessly hitting me like bullets wasn’t so bad and would only be temporary. I realized that given the choice of having chemo or riding through tough conditions, I made my choice and was happy to be on that road under those circumstances.

I rolled into Roswell and looked for the Best Western. After a bunch of blocks I stopped at a convenience store and through chattering teeth asked the clerk if he knew where the hotel was, He said it was just a couple blocks more, turn left and just before the Denny's.

When I walked out of the store there was a car sitting in the parking lot waiting for me ! A man and his little girl. The father called out to me “excuse me, could you come over here, my daughter doesn’t believe you’re a girl” ! I approached the car and was tempted to say “are you kidding me, you don’t think I’m a girl with this ass?” Instead I was playing it G rated
(after all I was at that moment representing all women riders to some extent), I pulled down my mask and looked at the little darling in the car as I exclaimed “ I am a girl”. The dad said then “you see honey, she’s not only riding a motorcycle but she’s riding in the rain”. To which I further exclaimed “I rode from San Diego, CA...and you can you do anything you want to, being a girl shouldn’t stop you, in fact you might even do things better !”.

After my brief yet nonetheless spontaneous sisterhood civic duty, I hopped on my wet chariot and sailed to Best Western. I swaggered my soaked body into the lobby to check in but the front desk person was occupied. After 15 minutes of standing and shivering, I spotted the bar. I made a beeline for the bar and peeled off my helmet, bandanas, jacket, and gloves. I sat on a barstool and asked the bartender for some hot water ( I often carry a pocket knife and ginger root with me). I made friends with some guys who asked “did you ride a motorcycle in this rain” ? Geez, nothing gets past these folks. I reframed from being sarcastic and once again did my best to represent women bikers in a positive and politiically correct light.

Debbie came in after awhile and said that the front desk had no record of us staying there !
She came in and out and then informed me we were at the wrong hotel ! She discovered the right hotel was down the street, I bid her adieu and let he know that I wasn’t budging. I found a hotel with a bar, jacuzzi, washer & dryer. I was staying put. When I checked in they even let me park my bike by the front door, on the sidewalk where it could dry off under the overhang, It was a good day to ride.

Queen Bee Dancer for the King

"Queen Bee" is slang that can mean many things usually indicating a female leader type with magnetic confidence and alluring charisma. She is often attractive and intelligent with a good social life. Although it can be applied as a derogative term, it can be used to emphasize the powerful yet positive qualities of some alpha females.

It used to be the label "biker" conjured up mostly images of what is now known as the "1%ers" (outlaw gang members). Today bikers, like many powerful women, are more mainstream and diverse. The Queen Bee can be a gusty gal yet not a bully, just as a biker can be an adventurous rider without picking fights when in a bar. The Sol Sisters epitomize all the positive qualities of bikers and queen bees (I wouldn't be surprised if one day "sol sister" becomes a definitive phrase referring to a woman who is super creative and capable, especially in a cooperative group).

Elvis is the eternal King of R & B. In yoga asana (physical postures) practice there is a pose called "King Dancer" ("Natarajasana" in Sanskrit). This posture is a most excellent pose for motorcycle riders to practice consistently because it is a quick way to open up and relieve the hip flexors and chest & shoulders. King Dancer pose is an ideal exercise for extremely busy, hyper-responsible, and accomplished women in the wind or anyone who sits or rides a lot. Enclosed in this blog are posts of examples of this pose including various people and their bikes in Natarajasana. You can see how a motorcycle can be incorporated as a yoga prop while on the road to Graceland....and or within the grace of anywhere you make a stress busting stretch break as part of your daily life journey.