There comes a time

Hurdles help you gauge the distance you're running. The distance is meted out as you run, and as you look ahead, it's not the finish line you see, but the next hurdle.

Obstacles give you something to overcome and/or traverse so the finish line isn't the only goal.

Curves, twisties, elements, wildlife, traffic, cages, wet leaves, sand, orange cones, glaring sun, oppressive heat and oppressive cold are what make the ride interesting. The interstate is synonymous with cruise control. Who needs a throttle? Acceleration?

A rabbit sprang into my path last summer. Knowing instantly that it was a rabbit I did nothing evasive. Then a thought occurred - what if it had been a dog or a deer? Would I have been ready?

I decided then and there to treat minor obstacles as opportunities to hone my riding skills -emergency braking, swerves, avoidance maneuvers. And I did.

A deer sprang into my path last fall. As soon as I detected movement in my peripheral range I began braking HARD. The fawn was determined to cross my path at 90 degrees. My rear tire locked and I started to skid. My front was still rolling but at the point where I started to swerve to my left the fawn decided to change its course to parallel. As it voided its bladder onto the pavement I came to a complete stop. The fawn lived. I lived. The fawn pursued its destiny. I pursued mine.

I wrote awhile ago about the Shaky Man. He was not a victim of his pathology, his obstacles. He is defined by what he chooses.

I am not a victim. I am a motorcyclist. And a strong man. And...