motorcyclemeditation.com

Sunday lunch at home, my daughter coming round. Everybody in fine disputatious mood, waving cutlery in the air to make points whilst munching. Too soon, time to leave.

My job being to provide conveyance back to her apartment. Skies blue, looking forward to the ride. Then, oh dad, do you mind if we take the car instead of the motorcycle. Sure, whatever you like darling.

Oh well, that’s the host’s job, make everything pleasant. And the father’s. Then everything stays sweet, plus, you get visited another day. Push for the motorcycle and, who knows, next time it’s oh dad do you mind awfully if we put off lunch for another time.

Besides, a more profound point underlying. Preferring the car being consequent on a pillion ride when younger. On my first motorcycle, me still in awe of its power and still in proselytizing frame of mind. Not yet understanding, for a passenger it stands to be not a thrill but a zone of terror.

Five miles into it and the rain coming down. Warm enough but with trainers and socks, her feet on the pillion pegs soon soaking. Weather then turning cold. Half an hour to go. She getting more and more miserable. The now rueful recollection being, the pillion misery passing unnoticed by the rider.

Motorcycle meanwhile weaving through traffic, surging as necessary to find gaps. A proficient display of power and technique. Largely for the benefit of one with infinitesimal interest in such and feeling only discomfort. The more prominent thing actually on display, a prodigious lack of consideration and courtesy, attendant on overblown self absorption, a combination stingingly unforgiveable in retrospect.

Since then repenting of such foolishness. Seeing more clearly the trust, its innocent gifting by pillion passenger, the crime is to do other than nurse it preciously. Since then, knowing to ride slower not quicker with another on board. At least until you can tell from smiles not brave words that true confidence is there.

Alas, too late with my daughter, that battle irrevocably lost. So, see you later motorcycle, it’s the car today.