Why we ride..

[Rebel73_imp]

Here is an excerpt from a book I'm reading called "The Power of Now." I think it states very well why many of us are attracted to this dangerous yet exciting activity we call motorcycling.

"The reason why some people love to engage in dangerous activities, such as mountain climbing, car racing, and so on, although they may not be aware of it, is that it forces them into the Now —that intensely alive state that is free of time, free of problems, free of thinking, free of the burden of the personality. Slipping away from the present moment even for a second may mean death. Unfortunately, they come to depend on a particular activity to be in that state. But you don’t need to climb the north face of the Eiger. You can enter that state now."

[Nortoon_imp]

Good post. The thrill of riding and discovering new roads or just enjoying the ones I know are main reasons I ride. It is a great stress reliever as well. I always feel a lot happier after a days riding in the fresh air and sunshine.

NOW! is also a good thing to learn. While working in the Federal Governments Pension Branch when I was younger, I was amazed by the numbers of people that died within a year or two after retiring. I vowed at that time that if I wanted to do something I would do it NOW instead of waiting.

But as the decades rolled by I became more involved in my career and home, and began to put things off. One afternoon I had a conversation with a 40+ year old friend I was working with. She died of a massive heart attack a couple of hours later on the way home. I immediately became involved in two of the things I had put off until retirement.

Almost ten years after retiring, I attended a vintage motorcycle show and the buzz came back after a 25 year absence. I bought a new motorcycle for my 69th birthday last spring, and am very glad I did.

I think Nike said it best, "Just do it!"

[Wisedrum]

Here is an excerpt from a book I'm reading called "The Power of Now." I think it states very well why many of us are attracted to this dangerous yet exciting activity we call motorcycling.

"The reason why some people love to engage in dangerous activities, such as mountain climbing, car racing, and so on, although they may not be aware of it, is that it forces them into the Now —that intensely alive state that is free of time, free of problems, free of thinking, free of the burden of the personality. Slipping away from the present moment even for a second may mean death. Unfortunately, they come to depend on a particular activity to be in that state. But you don’t need to climb the north face of the Eiger. You can enter that state now."

It depends on the way you look at motorcycling. And even more it depends on how you drive. The danger, if it's evolved all the time, which is to question, increases by confusing official roads with a race track. When driving smoothly, with a kind of awareness and a 7th sense of what 's going around you, I don't consider driving a bike to be an extraordinary dangerous activity. I see it more as a calculable risk. Otherwise I won't drive. It`ll take many miles and experience to develop this state of mind, though it's no insurance to not fall apart. But it may help to prevent yourself, to get hang up in a dangerous situation.

The reason to ride for me lies in the pure enjoyment, to sit on a motor combined with 2
wheels and be drawn by it. An enjoyment I'm used to for so many years and decades.
Starting on a little "mofa" , then a "mokick" followed by smaller and bigger motorcycles. I never ride and have ridden, to feel the impact of danger and be stimulated by it. This doesn't mean, that danger never occur, sometimes self-initiated, sometimes it just happens without warning. With a portion of
luck and reaction you 'll likewise overwhelm it. And with the help of a guardian angel, who has often, not too often, played his role in my life as a biker.

Mostly I ride for its meditative character in the "open field" not being surrounded by a metal cage, connected to seasons in the nature and play a bit
with the gyroscopic force.

A good feel, standing on its own, nothing else can offer to those, who get caught by this special kind of fascination.

Wisedrum

[Rocky_imp]

Good post. The thrill of riding and discovering new roads or just enjoying the ones I know are main reasons I ride. It is a great stress reliever as well. I always feel a lot happier after a days riding in the fresh air and sunshine.

NOW! is also a good thing to learn. While working in the Federal Governments Pension Branch when I was younger, I was amazed by the numbers of people that died within a year or two after retiring. I vowed at that time that if I wanted to do something I would do it NOW instead of waiting.

But as the decades rolled by I became more involved in my career and home, and began to put things off. One afternoon I had a conversation with a 40+ year old friend I was working with. She died of a massive heart attack a couple of hours later on the way home. I immediately became involved in two of the things I had put off until retirement.

Almost ten years after retiring, I attended a vintage motorcycle show and the buzz came back after a 25 year absence. I bought a new motorcycle for my 69th birthday last spring, and am very glad I did.

I think Nike said it best, "Just do it!"

A lot of what you said rings a bell with me. I had similar experiences during my working career as I also worked for the government in a similar department.
I watched several fellow workers pass away within a year or two after retirement and I vowed that wasn't going to happen to me.
I had always lead a healthy lifestyle and began paying even more attention to my health. There is no guarantee on longevity, but I was going to give it my best shot.
I was able to retire at age 55 and bought my first motorcycle in 34 years. Here it is 22 years later and I'm still in the saddle on a brand new CB that I bought last year.
So far, so good

[Blockhead_imp]

I've mentioned in other threads that I'm relatively new to riding compared to most of you. Been at it only three years and I will turn 53 yrs old tomorrow.

For me, riding takes me back to my childhood in a strange way. As a carefree kid I used to wake up every morning and the first thing I would do is go downstairs to the garage and make sure my bicycle was ok. I'd wipe it down and deflate the tires and put in fresh air every morning, thinking that it always ran better with fresh air in the tires (OCD anyone? )...there was something special about seeing that shiny bike and knowing I'd be riding it all day after my chores were completed.

Fast forward 45 years to present day. Seeing that beautiful CB1100 every morning in the warm garage makes me feel like a kid again. Riding takes me away from the every day stresses that we all experience.

So many people in this world have it rough for a variety of reasons. I feel so blessed that I'm able to afford this lifestyle and enjoy this beautiful motorcycle.

[Cormanus]

Nice post, Blockhead. As a child, my hand painted, heavy, ungeared push-bike represented freedom to me. As a teenager my first motorcycle represented the same thing, although more powerfully so,; I suspect because I was older and could ride further on it.

My wife bought me a push bike for my 50th and I was surprised when I got on it that the youthful feeling of freedom returned quite strongly. Since I got back into motorcycling I've had the same feeling.

Like you, I also feel blessed to be able to afford the bike and time to ride it.

Thanks for reminding me.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Perhaps this thread died prematurely. A recent short conversation with Darling made me think it might be worth resuscitating. I was pulling on my riding boots when Darling appeared, as if by magic, and asked the question, "Why do you want to ride that ..... that ..... motorbike?". Most people asking that question would be met with the full force of my towering intellect. Closely reasoned argument and flawless dialectic, delivered in Churchillian tones, would have quickly put the issue to bed, leaving that person in no doubt about the importance of motorcycle riding in improving the human condition. Even my condition. However, with Darling, this may not be the best approach to the issue. So the "conversation" went something like this:

Darling: "Well?"
Me: "Dunno, jus wanna gofera ride"
Darling: "Skatá!* Is that best you can do?"
Me: "Yeh, yarite, bugger the ride. Maybe I'll sit in the sun on the back veranda and shotgun a six pack".
Darling: "Vlaká!* Go for your ride. Don't come back before dinner"
Me: "Orrite"

Varooooom!

Cheers.

* (Refer to Google translate - Darling is Greek)

[redbirds_imp]

Perhaps this thread died prematurely. A recent short conversation with Darling made me think it might be worth resuscitating. I was pulling on my riding boots when Darling appeared, as if by magic, and asked the question, "Why do you want to ride that ..... that ..... motorbike?". Most people asking that question would be met with the full force of my towering intellect. Closely reasoned argument and flawless dialectic, delivered in Churchillian tones, would have quickly put the issue to bed, leaving that person in no doubt about the importance of motorcycle riding in improving the human condition. Even my condition. However, with Darling, this may not be the best approach to the issue. So the "conversation" went something like this:

Darling: "Well?"
Me: "Dunno, jus wanna gofera ride"
Darling: "Skatá!* Is that best you can do?"
Me: "Yeh, yarite, bugger the ride. Maybe I'll sit in the sun on the back veranda and shotgun a six pack".
Darling: "Vlaká!* Go for your ride. Don't come back before dinner"
Me: "Orrite"

Varooooom!

Cheers.

* (Refer to Google translate - Darling is Greek)

I did the translation.

[valkanut_imp]

best therapy i know.

[gossman_imp]

Perhaps this thread died prematurely. A recent short conversation with Darling made me think it might be worth resuscitating. I was pulling on my riding boots when Darling appeared, as if by magic, and asked the question, "Why do you want to ride that ..... that ..... motorbike?". Most people asking that question would be met with the full force of my towering intellect. Closely reasoned argument and flawless dialectic, delivered in Churchillian tones, would have quickly put the issue to bed, leaving that person in no doubt about the importance of motorcycle riding in improving the human condition. Even my condition. However, with Darling, this may not be the best approach to the issue. So the "conversation" went something like this:

Darling: "Well?"
Me: "Dunno, jus wanna gofera ride"
Darling: "Skatá!* Is that best you can do?"
Me: "Yeh, yarite, bugger the ride. Maybe I'll sit in the sun on the back veranda and shotgun a six pack".
Darling: "Vlaká!* Go for your ride. Don't come back before dinner"
Me: "Orrite"

Varooooom!

Cheers.

* (Refer to Google translate - Darling is Greek)

I did the translation.

Sounds like my godparents
I did the translation.