It gets dark early now. This is another cold night in California. Stepping out of my office at 7pm, it was completely dark outside.


Outside temperature shown 48 degree F (9 degree C) so it's slightly warmer than this morning when I left home. At highway speed, the wind chill temperature will be a lot lower. Good, time to clear my head after a full day's work. I can put computer, C++, controls, algorithms, codes, tests, schedules etc... temporarily aside and concentrate on my ride. I can't be distracted while riding or it'll be fatal. I control my motorcycle and I control my fate. I take full responsibility of my destiny and when I make an error, it's me and me alone.

Started the engine, pulled in the clutch and shifted the gear. Opened up the throttle and the motorcycle glided forward smoothly like a magic carpet. The exhaust was near silent. Even if it wasn't, I couldn't hear it as I was wearing ear plugs to protect my hearing from the wind noise. The high performance 4-stroke engine roared satisfyingly as gears were shifted near redline, at 10600 rpm. First gear at redline brought me to 70 mph. Zero to 60 in 2.7 seconds. Faster than all production cars in the world. Faster than a Bell helicopter. Faster than a Ferrari Enzo. Faster than a Mercedes McLaren. Leave them all in the dirt. Shifted to second gear and the front wheel wanted to leave the ground. Things were perfectly under control. Suspensions, tires, chain, throttle, clutch, gear, brakes were working together and enhancing each other like a well coordinated orchestra. Excellent!

I ducked down. Wind slid off the top of my helmet and off my tight leather jacket and pants, like water off a whale. I glided smoothly and effortlessly into the darkness, parting out only by my single headlight. Again, I and my motorcycle became one...