Great rides leave the best scars.

So, on August 9th I went on a big (for me) ride. I've since posted the route here:

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Thankfully I was able to record parts of my adventure with a helmet camera (Drift Ghost2 - using video tagging) and captured a couple of hours of riding footage.

It's not really 'must-see' footage and is more of a memory album for me. I'll certainly share parts, if not most, but the coming home clip will be locked away for only the closest of friends and family.

The ride video is still in 'post-production', as mentioned. I'm trimming down the many 3ish-minute clips to capture the best bits of the ride, with some (rare) longer, un-cut clips included. So it'll be a while before I have anything major to share.

That is, outside of my 'Intermission' video shared earlier.

[cid=114394,https://i.embed.ly/1/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FyRBbiA5Y7sY%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=516300eb362841bdadceffb501cc9537]

Some of the scenery I rode through did little but increase my love of this country. While, other things, reminded me of 'hope'.

For example; I'm not sure if this is a feature in other countries, but in Australia, a little green sign can say a whole lot. Every 5km on a major road I'd pass one of these beauties:

Tonight, I wrote on my (soon to be deactivated) Farcebook page:

Frame 1 of footage taken was at 09:36:38 on August 9th.
The last frame was taken at 18:45:03 on the same day.
9+ hours of glorious time alone.
The only reason why I look for others to ride with is because the places I go are so beautiful, and the experiences are so awe inspiring, it seems like such a waste not to have someone to share them with.
But, in saying that; being alone in my helmet... well, it's hard to explain. I don't listen to music when I ride, and I couldn't imagine having someone on an intercom talking to me (though I can see benefits to such devices). It's just me, the bike, the wind, and the world.
Motorbikes are an introverts oasis. A way to freely soar through the world, where nothing can touch you (except the swarm of sandflies you just rode through). It's serenity.

Tonight I was reviewing the footage I have of the leg between Warwick and ... wherever. Some of the most beautiful scenery I've come across. Ride it in the late afternoon on a glorious winters day and you'll see what I mean. It's left a mark.

I had to share because reviewing the footage reactivated the emotions I experienced when I rode that route - the positive, enlightening mental 'wounds' that were left on me as I rode.

Great rides leave the best scars.