Metaphysical Motorcycling

Metaphysical Motorcycling

On Sunday I decided to take a ride on my Yamaha 1100 VSar custom North along the Delaware River just outside of Philadelphia. Once on the road I followed the old canal which hugs the river and decided to go all the way up to The Delaware Water Gap. A distance of 150 miles roundtrip. I sometimes take these trips with friends but they become special when done alone. It is an extraordinary way to meditate as you ride along totally immersed in the landscape. The climate was crisp this morning and the machine sipped the cool air eagerly. The detonation of the exhaust lulled me into a transfixed state. I imagined for a moment what it was like to be an Indian sultan riding upon a magic carpet. That's what it is like sometimes when man and machine become one intricate organism. I zipped past endless rivertowns like New Hope, Riegelsville, Knitnersville, Portland, and cities like Easton, and more river towns like Point Pleasant, and Riverton and on and on. I viewed meadows and hills and mountains, farms and barns and silos all a magnificent panarama of farmland and nature. I thought of a close friend now deceased who introduced me to nature years ago and viewed the scene as if through his eyes. I thought of Francis and all who have past before me and offered up prayers for their souls. I said the Lord's prayer out loud so I could hear myself speak it over the roar of the pipes. It takes on a certain dimension when I pray it that way. Then I returned to the comfort of my continual prayer "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner", which I have prayed without ceasing day and night for the past year or two. But that's a story for another time. I like the solitude of the single ride as I mentioned. It clears my head and helps me to connect to a deeper reality. The bike is like an icon for me in that it transports me through space and time in a intra-dimensional state. Yet there are joys of riding in a group when you ride with seasoned pros who know how to stagger and space themselves. And I was fortunate enough to join a group of riders on the return trip who were just that caliber. When I arrived at the Water Gap (a place where a cayon has been cut through the rock of converging mountains)the site was breathtaking. My bike and I cut through the cayon roadway like a knife through butter. In the small town of Water Gap I parked off the roadway and had breakfast at the Trails End Cafe. As the sunlight filled the plate galss window I noticed The Appalachian trail passed nearby. Something within urged me to travel further toward Stroudsburg after breakfast. That's when I viewed the sign for Holy Cross Greeek Orthodox Church. I worked my way through the small town steets and found the chapel. The door was unlocked and I found the priest sitting to the left in an office. I asked his permission to enter his church and he granted it. He lit a candel for me and made two crosses in the sand which contained the holy water font and the candel. The interior of the church was richly adorned with beautiful religious icons. The setting was indescribable! Profuse tears of joy welled up in my eyes, as I realized I was in a very holy place. I receieved the priests blessing as is the custom by couping my right hand over my left and kissing his extended hand which he placed in mine. With his blessing I began my return trip. I met the group I mentioned and rode back home which was facilitated by the continual drop in altitude. In the last leg of the journey I split of from the group and refueled. A few minutes later and miles up the road traffic had stopped. I noticed that one of the motorcycles I had been riding with previously was lying in the road. I saw glass and parts everywhere. Then I noticed the rider picked it up and moved it to the side of the road. He was only slightly injured. I offered him my phone and assistance. The lady who's car he collided with had already alerted the police. After ascertaining his safety and well being I continued on and returned to my prayer. "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner".

Christopher Cole