I realized this morning that there was so much that I didn’t say in yesterday’s update. So, I’ve decided to add a second part to the day’s blog.
Most people think I’m an extrovert. After all, my job is very public. I speak in front of crowds all the time, and seem very comfortable even in front of thousands. I’m viewed as a leader, and am often expected to be the one who takes control when a situation is uncertain.
However, I do all of that as part of my job. I’m actually fairly shy. I typically don’t initiate conversations (unless I force myself to do so), to the point that I can sometimes come across as a jerk to someone who is expecting this outgoing, talkative person.
Taking this trip was huge for me. While I was excited about doing it, there was certainly a part of me that was very nervous. Could I handle things completely on my own. What if I come into a situation that is not ideal? What if I get lost (some of you laugh at that comment, after all, how would that be any different than normal)?
Yesterday afternoon was a perfect example. I was in my room. I had gone for supper at the Denny’s attached to the hotel. It was now 6 pm. Do I go to San Diego? The sun would set before I reached the city. Was it safe? Would I end up in an area that wasn’t the best for a small city, Canadian boy like me? A twitter friend had given me the number of his son, who lives in San Diego. I tried calling it. It went to voice mail. Now what?
I sat for a minute and thought about it. This entire trip was about doing something that I normally wouldn’t do on my own. I would go with someone else. If I decided to sit in my hotel room all evening rather than take a ride down to San Diego, I would give in to that nervousness. I couldn’t let that happen. And so, I got up, grabbed my helmet, my GPS, and headed out the door. And yes, San Diego is a beautiful city in the dark.
However, one of the coolest experiences for me wasn’t San Diego. It was something I got to do on my way to the city. Again, I left around 6 pm. The main highway was still back logged from rush hour traffic. The only lane moving fast was the car pool lane. Suddenly I saw a bike fly by in that lane. Then another. I smiled, realizing that bikes can go in the car pool lanes (Heather had told me they could in L.A., but wasn’t sure about the rest of the area). I moved along behind another Harley. Soon, we got to an area where even the car pool lane was stopped. But the Harley rider didn’t stop, he just zipped between two cars, splitting the lane. Again, I knew it was legal in LA, but if he was going to do it, so was I.
Lane splitting for the very first time was exhilarating. Now, I realize that some of you probably wouldn’t split lanes any more than you would ride without a helmet. But most of us, when stuck in rush hour traffic in our respective communities, have thought about how nice it would be to just cut between the cars. Well, it was. As silly as this might sound, it was a big a rush as the first time I rode without a helmet.
Are there things in your life that you are holding back from doing because you’re nervous? You must decide. Do you give in to that fear, or do you decide to not allow it to dictate your direction. I’m glad I didn’t give in. I never would have enjoyed my adventure last night, nor taken that picture of my bike with the sun setting as a backdrop.
Enjoy the ride.
