Wrinkles mean that you have matured and had fun, grey hair means you are chromed, and scars mean that you are stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.
It has been 10 months since my high-speed crash, and nine months since the expert surgical repair of my shoulder. With careful and expert rehabilitation physiotherapy, and great care by my missus and daughters, the road to recovery has been good.
With my shoulder healing well, and my physical self being at 100 per cent, it was time to rejuvenate the soul and revitalise the spirit. The best way for me was to cruise the open road to far-off destinations, meeting and making new friends, and rekindling with the old.
Of course, this did not go down well with many. Some questioned why, at this age, and with the shoulder repaired with implants, I need to be doing this. The answer is that it’s not about age. It’s about attitude.
We will all fall or be hurt at one point in our lives. It is how we rise that is important. It requires the discipline of mind and spirit to remain calm and peaceful in difficult situations.
The risk is always there in motorcycling, which I don’t deny, but if done with care and with a focus on safety, it is a thrill that should be experienced, manna to one’s soul. No hour of life is wasted when it’s spent on two wheels. The beauty of riding a motorcycle is that it forces you to be present in the moment.
It was the right time on Sept 17 to introduce my missus and our daughters to the new addition to the family – the BMW R1250 GS Adventure. I named her Daenerys Targaryen @ Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, after the strong-willed female lead character in the ‘Game of Thrones’ series.
This Teutonic beast is an upgraded and more powerful version of Christine, my previous bike. She will need to be broken in with care, given the significant extra horses available at the twist of the wrist. To that end, my riding gear came out of storage into the sun, and my helmet was shined to a gloss.
The family photo (main image) was the highlight of our first meeting.
Each one of us has a purpose on this beautiful earth. What we make of our lives and how we choose to fulfil that purpose is up to us. What is most important is that you have a cause, something you believe in that lights up your life and connects you to your life’s purpose.
Find something in life that makes you get up in the morning, and keep on doing that. Stand up for the things you believe in.
My family, my profession, the Gift of Sight project, and now, Khaleesi, are going to keep me busy for some time to come.
Life is short. Break the rules, forgive quickly, love honestly, laugh easily, keep it simple, ride often, ride free, and never regret anything that makes you smile.
The ride to and from work is going to be a long, convoluted adventure. It looks like Khaleesi is going to start haunting the highways and byways in Malaysia and beyond at odd hours.
God bless fellow riders, and may all have safe rides.
