Where Does This Passion Come From?

[Nortoon_imp]

You are on the right track when you mentioned bicycles. As youngsters our freedom and range of adventure was limited by how far we could walk in a day. As a 10 year old my friends and I would walk a long way to go fishing. When we able to afford a bicycle, that made things easier and expanded our range of adventure.

After finishing school my first job was working at a local paper mill. Riding buses to and from work took hours. After a few paychecks and a loan, I bought my first motorcycle, a Yamaha 100cc twin tin. That made getting about much quicker, and also further expanded the range I could venture. It did not take long before I met other bikers and motorcycling became my new passion and social life.

As our motorcycles grew in size, so did the range of our adventures. Now we were no longer limited to our own city, but had the freedom to travel to other cities, and in time to places in the USA.

After 23 years however things changed. One by one my biking buddies got married and disappeared. And so did I. My wife, home, career and beer league sports became my new passions, and the motorcycle disappeared.

Fast forward 25 years. As a retiree I have the time and income to pretty much do what ever I like. I returned to motorcycling, but everything had changed. All the people I once rode with had disappeared, the old haunts were empty, and the new ones full of strangers. Which was alright because I had no desire to join a club and ride in pack formation. Been there, done that.

I am now a lone wolf. Riding when I want, where I want, and at the speed I want. Sometimes enthusiastically sweeping through the corners, other times just enjoying the scenery as I quietly cruise along on some quiet back road. To me this is the real freedom all the motorcycle ads pitch.

By why a motorcycle and not a car? There is something about being in an open vehicle. The sunshine, fresh air, expanded panoramic view, the wind pushing against you, the feel and sound of the motor and tires. It just feels right to me to be out there away from the city.

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...
People often find other interests, or realize that motorcycling is not what they expected. It has been my experience that all clubs, teams and forums have members that drift away, and new people take their place. People change. Or they no longer enjoy the good health required to ride and maintain a motorcycle.