On a dark stretch of a Malaysian highway, I became aware of my need for more knowledge. Two simple events came right after each other, I was safe, and I knew I needed more information.
I was on a Suzuki K2 returning to Singapore from a great dinner with friends at a local Malaysian restaurant. Time had slipped by, and it was now in the wee hours of morning. As I turned onto the freeway ramp, I twisted the throttle and let the 1,000cc motor have its wings. The immediate rush of wind cooled my neck as I launched myself into an empty road.
Beyond my sight, a car was in trouble. I have no idea if they had pushed it too hard, but the noise coming from within sounded terrible. They had to stop! The nearest place was on the side of the freeway just past the entrance.
They could not see me or I them.
The closing speeds between us meant that both actions were instinctive. My hard push, first right then left, helped but the car’s drivers was slowing fast. In hindsight, I do not think there was any room to move between my front tire crossing his rear bumper.
He was safe. I was safe. I knew I had no idea why or how. I also knew my lack of understanding was a problem.
What had I done? What could I have done? What should I have done?
I have thought about those questions at least once on every ride since. I do not know how to describe my interest in awareness and learning that was born on that early morning in Malaysia, yet I can talk about what changed. In being curious about why I had made it, I found myself responding like others. In an old story, those with “curiosity about Paul [saw it] developed into reverence for the Master Jesus. Many of those who thus believed came out of the closet and made a clean break with their secret sorceries.” (Acts 19.18)
In my case, motorcycle education came next.
