Wednesday

I get underway by 6pm. This allows me to deal with the dying end of rush-hour traffic, and today it is painless enough.

Though I have no rigid expectations set up for this trip, it’s fairly obvious to me that I'll be aiming for a straight-shot to Asheville (NC), if not Hiawassee (GA) outright. Getting there by tomorrow night (Thursday) would allow me all of Friday to explore the area.

In terms of riding weather, the radar screens made it quite clear that I'll be riding through rain for most of the way as I approach Pennsylvania. But temperatures will be mild. With that, I settle into my long distance frame of mind.

During long rides, the mental aspect is typically tougher than the physical. Mental stamina will often be the limiting factor in how long I can ride. And so, whenever I undertake an extended ride I'm always attentive as to how I allocate my energy.

It's a little like starting out with a fully charged flashlight battery when hiking at night. You use it sparingly so as to make it last the trek. Similarly, I meter out how I use my energy so as to make it last the whole trip. Everything uses energy. Movements, muscle tension, thoughts, everything. And so, I guard my energy.

Traffic and temperature are mild and the two-hour ride to the US border is uneventful.

At customs I find two officers working in tandem. It's not clear to me if one is a trainee or if two officers have now become standard procedure as a result of heightened security. What is clear is that they seem to be working the good guy/bad guy routine. They both walk to the back of my bike, looking at the luggage and asking me questions. I get off, remove my helmet and walk around stretching my legs.

Of the two, the younger seems more intense in both appearance and demeanor. Wears a crewcut and looks a little puffy with shirt tugging slightly at the seams. I get the feeling that he's under some kind of inner pressure, like when someone is slightly out of breath. His questions sound very serious.

His partner is probably in his mid to late forties. He seems much more relaxed in look and behavior. His hair is considerably longer and he looks like he might have been present at the original Woodstock back in the 70's. The type of individual that was once more radical but now more settled in and conservative, though remnants remain. His questions sound much more benign and friendly.

The conversation goes somewhat like this:

He: Where are you going?

Me: I'm going to Georgia.

He: Why are you going there?

Me: I'm going to a BMW rally in Georgia.

He: Why are you going there?

Me: (slightly louder, thinking that maybe he hasn't heard me) I'm going to a BMW rally.

He: So why are you going there?

Me (feeling a little puzzled now and maybe speaking a little slower): I'm going there because I want to attend the BMW rally.

He: I know that, but you're not riding a BMW…

Ahh!…

Turns out that he's a Harley fan and couldn't imagine me showing up at a Harley rally while riding a Honda. (no kidding!)

The ever popular divisive philosophy. Alive and well.

But the ice is broken. Conversation is now lighter. His partner seems to want some involvement and does so by interjecting the occasional serious-sounding question.

We banter a bit and get to discuss how the Buell brand is becoming accepted as part of the Harley family. Seeing a line forming behind me, he clears me to go and wishes me a safe trip.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada