FEATURES
RIDING ON FAITH HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN
Bikes were gathering for the Memorial Day 550 mile trip to Red River , New Mexico . Traveling through the Panhandle , we pulled over in Guymon for lunch . The ride was calm and uneventful . But all changed once we left Boise City , N . M . The skies darkened as the wind began exhaling a strong chilly breath . The dust-filled gales began chunking tumbleweeds , quickly informing us we were unwelcome in their territory . The large tumbleweeds began its ferocious attack sailing across the fields , striking our bodies with their prickly limbs , while forcing their way under the bikes , and into the wheels , making our bikes extremely hard to maneuver . The adventure had begun .
The rain started to pour . We cut our speed in half . The sky grew darker , the winds blew harder , as the tumbleweeds came faster . We couldn ’ t see anything in front or behind us , only the rider to our side . We slowed to 20 mph , and rode single file . On both sides of us were tornadic-like dust devils . The closer we got to Clayton the more the blustering winds raged and the cold rain fell . We lost visibility ; we couldn ’ t see each other , or the lines on the highway . Travel was fear-provoking through the hellish storm .
Reaching Clayton , N . M ., the rain became a torrential downpour , a full-blown storm . We stopped about 45 minutes , put on our rain equipment , said a prayer , and started out again . I remembered God said we ’ d have storms , but He would bring us through them .
Outside of Clayton , the storm passed , but the rain continued . About 5:30 pm , we arrived at the last gassing place for 87 miles . Bundling up , we headed out Highway 25 , to Red River . A light rain began at Springer . But from Cimarron to Eagle ’ s Nest , we were inundated with another intense storm . We were worn from the all-day travel and
fighting the storms , but had to keep traveling . It was well over an hour traveling the last 30 miles to Eagle ’ s Nest . One of our riders decided he was stopping for the night . The rest of us trudged on . Reaching the top of the mountain , it quit raining . The inclines were hazardous and slippery , but with caution , and God ’ s help , we made it down safely .
Arriving , we got our rooms , and went for a wellearned steak dinner . We discussed our trip , and hoped that our rider would be able to make it in , as it had now begun to snow . About 11:00 the next day , he rode in telling us what a wonderful adventure he had riding through the snow . He stated he met a man he was able to minister to , and give his testimony . The man asked him for a Bible , and he promised to return and give him one . God had prepared the man ’ s heart , and
Thunder Roads Magazine of OK / AR 35