I led another successful ride yesterday, about 50 miles (80km) north of my home, to join an old-fashioned corn roast held at working mill and homestead that dates back to 1797, which is located in the northern/ central part of the state where I live.

Eleven others from my motorcycle club joined me, and they all said that they thought the ride was great.

I selected roads that had sweeping turns with great vistas of farms and cornfields as far as the eye could see. I have to say, it really was a great ride. Albeit warm (96F/35.5C), as long as we were moving, it was not uncomfortable. I made sure that my friends and I remained well hydrated, as riding in hot weather can cause a motorcyclist to become dehydrated quickly as air flowing over the skin dries a rider out in no time.

Consistent with my self-awareness of “being geographically challenged,” I loaded the planned route into my GPS and rode the route on Friday (the day before this ride) with a buddy, an off-duty motorcycle police officer. I have known him since elementary school. We have been riding together since we spoke with each other at our ten-year high school reunion, and realized that by then we had both been riding motorcycles and were looking for riding buddies.

My buddy is great to ride with; very patient if I get lost or need to stop to make some notes or stretch. He has a great sense of humor and a gentle, instructive manner about him. I always learn a thing or two when I ride with him. I just wish we could ride together more often, but he had to work yesterday, so he couldn’t join me for the actual ride. (And some of you may ask, “what do motorcops wear when they ride a motorcycle when off duty?” Answer — like the rest of us, they wear jeans, a t-shirt, sturdy motorcycle boots, gloves, and a DOT-approved helmet. No, they don’t wear their tall motorboots and uniform. In fact, he was wearing Chippewa Firefighter boots as I was.)

All-in-all, it was a wonderful day and a great ride. The corn was excellent, too! Even though I’m not supposed to eat corn, I couldn’t resist. I am grateful that the drought affecting many states in my country has not extended to ruin the corn crop in my home state. The corn fields are high, tassled, and lovely. The crop is tasty and bountiful.

Life is short: ride and have fun!