Early Monday morning I packed my trailer with my tenor and alto saxes, clarinet, flute, laptop, clothes, and bike tools and hit the road to my Huntington Beach studio. The clouds looked a bit threatening, but no rain was forecast, so I hit it. It always amazes me how I can get on that Opti pulling 90 pounds, and it takes off like a rocket.
About 5 minutes into to my ride, it comes thunderig down. 10 minutes later, I get to the top of my big hill about 2 miles away, and I am pretty drenched. Good thing I’ve got water resistant cases. Mud all over my clarinet. I think to myself, “that’ll play some pretty nice Dixieland when I pull it out!” I’m drenched, and exiting the storm clouds on myway to Laguna Canyon.
As I pick up speed on the other side, the rain starts to really sting, and I can tell those clouds are pretty cold and
bothered that I bested them. They let out a thunderclap so loud that it blew me right off my intended path. That was scary. I straigthened up and rode right. Laguna Canyon is a beautiful sight in the rain. It changes to a dar green with tall gray grass. The oak trees look like something out of a life insurance commercial, taking on this very three dimensional character depicting longevity. The smell of wet soil becomes very pronounced, something you just don’t get much of in Southern California.
It was wonderful.
The next day I was riding home, pulling my trailer. Gorgeous sunset, warm and clear. The Opti is nothing short of amazing in Economy mode. It will pull that trailer on the flat at about 20 mph without pedaling. To this day, it never ceases to amaze me–I’m still looking for the giant, hidden, magical motor. I throw it into fast mode and climb that massive hill near the end of my ride in first gear with light pedaling. I’m still thinking, “How does it do this”??!! Arrived home tired and euphoric, and didn’t use a drop of gas.
Sing it for me, Tony….”Oh The Good Life, to be free and explore the
unknown…”
Keith
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