Why Do You Ride?

[bobmielke]

Everybody has a differnt reason for riding a motorcycle. I'd like to hear yours. I have several excuses for riding including the fact that it brings me back to sanity. With all the hectic lifestyles we all lead riding is fundamental. It puts things back in order.

I have three hobbies, computers, photography & motorcyling. Notice I didn't say motorcycles. I love the outdoors. I'm a landscape & wildlife photographer. The price of gas is rediculous. The result is that I use my bike to unwind while it gets me to the things I want to photograph. I've ridden 60,000 since moving to Oregon 3 years ago. The first week I lived here I needed a Google map to find my way home. Not anymore.

My knowledge of computers & the internet allows me to find places to ride & things to photograph. It also allows me to download the results, edit the photos & upload them to my storeage site on the web.

The three hobbies work well together, putting a wide smile on my face after every ride.

 

[snuffcityrider]

Well said, it's the great escape. Like they say, you won't find a bike parked in front of a shrink's office.

 

[Kmutt]

Dont think my reason is as fullfilling Bob but I'll try.
I ride because I can. It gives me an alternative a choice. Shakes up the norm and allows me to jump out of the mainstream (keep my sanity if you will). It has also provided a means of bringing me and my wife together on more occasions. Now she goes with me on rides and we go just the two of us to dinner or the store.
Until I broaden my horizon thats all for now!
mutt

 

[HeR3tic]

Well said, it's the great escape. Like they say, you won't find a bike parked in front of a shrink's office.

, very true...from my perspectives.

Bob, I think you've mentioned once whether or not you lived on the wet side of Oregon. I've visited two sides of Washington State (Seattle and Spokane) and preferred the wet side far more. I assume the central divide of the Rockies, in Oregon, is similar. I believe you said you were on the Pacific side of the divide? How's the rain where you are?

I ride because I love the performance of good horses, fine cycles, and awesome women. The scenery is just another attraction. I do however enjoy being a passenger, to see the latter more clearly.

I've not yet had the ability to really slow down. I'm happy that you have.

 

[crazyman]

Bob, I think you've integrated riding into your life as most of us have. Genuine riders get it. It's not a fashion accessory, or a lifestyle.

Riding has made my life more 'alive'. IT's a zen kind of thing for me. It relieves some of the stresses of life, even though it can be stressful riding at times. It's just plain fun. It's the power, the sounds, the smells, the feeling everything on the road. It has a coolness factor. I waited until I was 40 years old to start riding. That's the only regret, that I started as late as I did. Missed a lot. Or not.

 

[Baggage1]

I have to take exception with the shrink thing. Several other Vet riders in this area as well. Being of unsound mind I tend to test the envelope of reason. Don't get me wrong, I ride to get me to where I'm going in a personal way. It is economical which justifies leaving rubber occasionally, hopefully in a straight line . And it's a chick magnet.

 

[Molinoman]

Robert....what does baggagegirl1 think about that "chick magnet" thing...?

Dennis

10 dtg Dubai
11 dtg Home

 

[Molinoman]

Because....at the moment....I wish I could.

Dennis

10 dtg Dubai
11 dtg Home

 

[Manic_Mechanic]

I don't know where I heard this and it has been decades since, but here it is "You are the most alive when you are the closest to death".

Now this isn't the only reason I ride or the main reason but it sure is more exiting than "Hey honey let' go look at the leaves changing color". Not that there is anything wrong with that. I enjoy tooling around the countryside with my older friends and wives at 2000 RPM for hours. Then again I really look forward to raising alittle hell with my son's friends on their ****** rockets.

Less than an hour ago I was riding in the rain comeing out of a curve and just had to goose it to feel the back end slide out just a bit. Am I alone here? I like things that go fast and I can't afford a pilots liscence.
Motorcycles are the best of both worlds, the mundane and the wilder side. It really suits my personality cause I can go from one to the other in 2.3 seconds just like the rocket.

Bottom line is that I feel more alive on a bike.

 

[xhdskip]

I think Manic Mechanic pretty much hit the nail on the head for me too.
I like the freedom it affords me, to let go and just ride like the wind,
or lazily do wooptedoos back and forth across the road,
taking that chicken strip just a little futher.
The fact I outrun everybody else, is a plus too...
Bottom line,
It makes me happy...
YouTube - Christopher Cross Ride Like The Wind Live 1998