What would you do if you could ride only one more time? I imagine many have never given it a single
thought. I know I hadn’t. Thinking about our own mortality is difficult. We think we’re invincible and that tomorrow
will always bring another day. But the cold-hard truth is, we aren’t
invincible. Eventually time catches us
all.
On Saturday, November 30th, Jeff wrote:
“I have returned from
my four corners ride. I'm sorry that I have not posted updates as I promised,
but I have been very ill. Leaving the northeast, I started to feel very ill. I
made it to Florida, and spent a week there, just recuperating, or trying to
anyhow. I ended up being admitted to the hospital where several tests revealed
that my cancer had spread. No surprise there. I was told by my doctors that I
should be connected with hospice, if I so desired, so I could rest comfortably,
and that there was nothing else left for them to do.
Hospice wasn't an
option at the time, and while the doctors may have had nothing left to do, I
sure as hell did! I had to ride to San Ysidro, CA to finish my four corners
ride! The doctors advised me that I should not ride a motorcycle, because that
would be hard on my health. Knowing I was dying of pancreatic cancer, I asked
myself how much harder on my health could riding a motorcycle really be? So
against medical advice, I departed and headed to the Florida Keys, then
westbound.
I rode only 50 miles some
days, and 500 miles on other days, depending how I felt. I made it to Texas,
and felt reasonably ok. Reaching New Mexico, I started to feel just awful. I
spent two days there trying to get well, and just couldn't. I powered through
and rode to Arizona, where I again rested two days. I was done. I knew I was no
longer able to ride; I wasn't safe any longer. The pain was intense. My mental
alertness was gone, as pain is all that I could tune into. So close to
finishing my four corners ride, yet unable to do so. What am I to do? I picked
up my BMW MOA anonymous book and called a few people, and invited them to
coffee. I explained my plight, and humbly asked if any of them would be willing
to ride two up on my bike, me on the back, and ride me to San Ysedro so I could
finish my four corners ride? They all were delighted to, and the schedule
worked for one of them.
We left for our ride,
and seven hours later, arrived in San Ysedro. Since I didnt do all of the
riding, I am not sure if it truly counts as a four corners ride, but in my mind
it does. I had the time of my life! I made it! I bought Daniel an airline
ticket home, hugged him good bye, said thank you, and off he went. Thank you
Daniel, for making my dream come true.
I am now enrolled with
hospice and am comfortable. Should I not have the opportunity to write here
again, I bid all farewell, and will be watching you from above. Ride on folks,
ride on!”
Jeff’s words struck a chord. Through unthinkable challenges
and pain, Jeff’s love of riding kept him going.
Even after realizing he could no longer pilot his bike safely, he found
a way to reach his goal. His
determination and grit allowed him to complete an epic ride around the US and
realize a dream. Jeff never gave-up.
One of the lessons I took from Jeff’s experience is to live
more in the moment, to enjoy the here and now, and to make every ride an epic
ride regardless of its length. We don’t
know what tomorrow will bring, so we need to make the most of today. At its
core that’s what living free and riding hard is all about. I’m grateful to Jeff
for helping me see things more clearly and motivating me to think about my
“last” ride. I hope he motivated you as
well.
Prologue
Sadly, on Tuesday,
December 3rd, Jeff Parker lost his battle with pancreatic
cancer. I’d like to believe Jeff is
riding hard in heaven and smiling on all who share his love and passion for motorcycling.
Ride on Jeff, ride on!
______________________________________
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