14 November 2006:

Watched TV way too late last night and still woke up about 7:30. Motel coffee sucks. Yesterday the load behind me shifted around like street money in a Philadelphia mayoral campaign. Repacking and reloading the bike took me until 11:00! I must have a little too much stuff with me... Before I left I listened to voicemail - turns out I accidentally packed one of my roomate's meds with me, so I had to overnight it back to him. More time passed... I finally got on the road about 12:30 - steep learning curve here. In a couple of hours I rode out of the wet weather into cool, brilliant sunshine - glorious!!

When cruising, time passes in short intervals of varying length, like anywhere from 30 seconds to maybe 10 minutes max. Sitting in one position stiffens up various muscles in the legs, buttocks, back, neck, arms, and hands. Shifting position slightly resets the clock for a fresh interval. All the while it is necessary to remain preternaturally alert, as auto traffic is unpredictable because people don't see motorcycles. They're not really looking for them, as if a mental filter only passes images of vehicles with 4+ wheels. The bike cross-section is much smaller than a car, so it appears further away and moving slower than expected even when registered in the visual cortex. I took a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course comprising 16 hours of classroom and riding instruction before I set out and learned quite a bit about safe riding, even though I have been biking on and off for over 30 years. I did not have even one close call the four days I was on the road - coincidence? I think not. Best not to get cocky, however. Constant vigilance is necessary.

Today I rode along the Delaware shore, getting glimpses of the Atlantic from time to time. Riding on state roads is the best choice for me, as reduced speed zones, stoplights in towns, and negotiating traffic on two-lane highways both keeps the body active and stimulates the mind. Riding is a total sensual experience: seeing all the sights, hearing the sounds of traffic and especially the wind buffeting the helmet and upper body - even with a windshield turbulence leaks into the low pressure zone just behind the polycarbonate windscreen, feeling the wind buffet, motor vibrations, and road beneath, smelling fresh air and cow poop, and finally tasting the occasional bug sneaking below the helmet visor. I love it.

I rode down the DelMarVa penisula and crossed the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the Bridge/Tunnel into Norfolk, VA. They charged me 12 bucks, same as a car! Went around Norfolk and picked up US 17 South, on which I would remain almost until the Florida border. Crossed into North Carolina and made it to Williamston, again about 22:00. Long day, 360 miles down, 795 to go.

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