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Winter Ramblings of a MotorcyclistBy Gordon Murphy• gmwing@nf.sympatico.caWinter is not my favorite time ofthe year. Now that may seem likea strange statement coming froma person who lives in an area likeNewfoundland and Labrador, where theadvent of a snowstorm is not an uncommonoccurrence during the winter period. But I’mnot a “winter person”. Of course, I’m also nota real hot weather “lie on the beach” kind ofperson, either. So what kind of person am I?Now, before my so-called friends jump inand provide their unsolicited and unpaid psychiatricassessment of what I am, let me hastento tell you what I’m not. (And I can almosthear the rattle of the paper now as everyonerushes to turn to a more interesting page inWing World with the muttered imprecation:“Who cares?”)…I know, I know, it’s pretty dry and uninterestingstuff isn’t it? But understand, we’re inthe middle of winter up here, and there arenot a lot of interesting things to write about.Just bear with me on this please.Now where was I? Oh yes. Before I wasinterrupted, I was about to tell you what I’mnot.Despite my living in a recognized “snowbelt”area in winter, I’m not much of a snowmobiler.(Is that even a word?) Well, you knowwhat I mean.While I have been on snowmobileadventures to some of the best snowmobilecountry in North America—around the GrosMorne National Park area in westernNewfoundland—I’m not really “into” snowmobiling.Tome, the evening camaraderie backat the cabin is more enjoyable than the day onthe snowmobile.I’m also not a skier, even though we havewonderful ski slopes in this Province. But (andI know this is a trite saying) the thought oftraveling at breakneck speed and then the suddenstop at the bottom of a steep incline isenough to check any impulse I might have totry the sport.Those who don’t mind strappinga set or runners on their feet and barrelingdown the side of a snow covered mountain,however, do seem to really enjoy their sport.And, you know, I do enjoy some aspects ofour winters. I enjoy a walk through the woodson a bright, sunshiny day, with everythingsparkling white and the sounds of the birdsplaying their musical games in the treetops.And there is something exhilarating andrefreshing about breathing the clean winter air.I also do enjoy, believe it or not, shovelingsnow from my driveway—but only if I can doit in an unhurried fashion. There is a sense ofaccomplishment, albeit short-lived, in gettingthe driveway cleaned out in time for the nextsnowstorm.Now, though, I’ll get to the part you’ve allbeen waiting for—not just what I like, butwhat I am.I am an avid motorcyclist!While some people find their greatestrecreational enjoyment in cutting a paththrough the snow on their snowmobile or skisand others enjoy nothing better than boatingor setting up their RV among friends in theirfavorite campground, I happen to get my greatestenjoyment when riding my Gold Wing.To my mind, there is little to compare witha ride—either in the company of friends or, onoccasion, by myself—on my GL1800 over theopen highway on a bright, sunny day. I likewhen there is just enough wind to keep mecool, my mind is in neutral, and I can just enjoythe sights, sounds and smells around me.Ah –h – h – h, such luxury!But I’d better stop my winter rambling herebefore my mind gets fully in gear and I branchoff into some of the really wonderful rides Ihave had over the years. Maybe I’ll save someof those for an upcoming editorial.Anyway thank you, dear reader, for stayingwith me to the end of this article, becausethat’s where we are—at the end.And yes, I can hear the collective sighs ofrelief! And, no, I can’t wait for spring so that Ican enjoy what I most definitely am—a motorcyclist!Bon jour!●8 Wing World