Why Do You Ride?

[druid]

Whatthe ride does for us

There is something in most religions, either directly or indirectly, about "living in the moment". The concept that the past is gone, the future is yet to come, and the only time we have to LIVE is right now, this instant, is a common thread in philosophy.

If we are riding well ...
The act of riding well forces our brains to focus on the moment. While we are fully conscious and aware, when we ride we are in a meditative state, letting each moment enter and leave our awareness without capturing our thoughts in what immediately becomes the past or causing us to worry excessively on the future. We are aware of the past and future but we are living in the present. The result is a relaxed mind feeding on the manna of life.

Otherwise we're probably just thinking about beer and boobs ... not necessarily in that order

 

[britman]

From that first ride on a mini bike in 1956 to firing up the Rocket this morning, the sensation has never changed. IT JUST FEELS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Manic_Mechanic]

From that first ride on a mini bike in 1956 to firing up the Rocket this morning, the sensation has never changed. IT JUST FEELS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amen..........1970 and it was a Benelli 50cc.

 

[BigWillie]

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.

I have gotten that question a lot over the last 35 years. For most the old "if you have to ask you wouldn't understand the answer" is the most appropriate thing to say. For anyone here that rides, you can look at everyones answer and I bet it would be different tomorrow. I ride because I ride. No real interesting reasons. It is like I breath because I need air. I ride because I have to ride. Why do fish swim? Why do birds fly? I am a motorcyclist. I ride because I don't know anything else or want to.

 

[Molinoman]

Big Willie I hope they found your Gov "somewhere in SC".

Dennis

07 dtg Dubai
08 dtg Home

 

[rocket3jjd]

I have gotten that question a lot over the last 35 years. For most the old "if you have to ask you wouldn't understand the answer" is the most appropriate thing to say. For anyone here that rides, you can look at everyones answer and I bet it would be different tomorrow. I ride because I ride. No real interesting reasons. It is like I breath because I need air. I ride because I have to ride. Why do fish swim? Why do birds fly? I am a motorcyclist. I ride because I don't know anything else or want to.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I agree 100%

 

[beemermick]

G’daes One & All

The question … “why do I ride?”

A simple answer … because I can.

That makes me so much more fortunate than many of the lads I first rode with; many are now dead or maimed, either physically or psychologically.

Perchance another way the question could be asked … “why do I continue to ride?” … and a similar answer is … because I do.

There is a great difference between the passivity of driving a vehicle with four wheels and the art of creating a one-ness with the road as a piece of the environment through and with a motorcycle.

The rapport between the operator and a 4 wheeled vehicle is severely limited by the caged constraints whereas the rapport with a bike expresses a freedom not readily enjoyed or understood by the masses; therefore perceived by the majority as something to be feared.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k99h5aikc4g&feature=related

More and more, and more again, the various levels of societal government are impinging upon my rights with an agenda of politically-correct legislation.

For me a hero of Australian politics, Peter Lalor, is timeless in much of what he said. His statements have a unique robustness as concerning any minority which attracts the interest of the moneyed ignorant.

In a speech to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1856, Peter Lalor said:

"I would ask these gentlemen what they mean by the term 'democracy'. Do they mean Chartism or Communism or Republicanism? If so, I never was, I am not now, nor do I ever intend to be a democrat. But if a democrat means opposition to a tyrannical press, a tyrannical people, or a tyrannical government, then I have been, I am still, and will ever remain a democrat."

In 1889, the dying Peter Lalor looked back on Eureka: (The Eureka Stockade).

"'Tis better as it is now. We not only got all we fought for, but a little more. It is sweet and pleasant to die for one's country, but it is sweeter to live and see the principles for which you have risked your life triumphant. I can look back calmly on those days. We were driven to do what we did by petty malice and spite."

See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Stockade

I ride because I am free.
I ride to seek out that freedom.
I ride to explore my freedom.
I ride to live my freedom.
I ride because I am passionate about my freedom.
I ride because there is no better way to express my freedom.
I ride because I am free.

I ride Triumphant.


cheerios

Mick

 

[Elvis]

I ride because it is the only thing left that relieves the stress of work and home life, plus I am too old to masturbate.

 

[bobmielke]

I ride because it is the only thing left that relieves the stress of work and home life, plus I am too old to masturbate.

I've got to HAND it to you --- you're right! LOL

 

[STRIPES]

Why ride

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 80 mph.

You start the game of life with a full pot of luck and an empty pot of experience.

The object is to fill the pot of experience before you empty the pot of luck.

If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.

Midnight bugs taste just as bad as noon time bugs.

Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need.

It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed.

The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror.

Don't ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.

Sometimes it takes a whole tank of fuel before you can think straight.

Riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you'll ride alone.

Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.

Never do less than forty miles before breakfast.

One bike on the road is worth two in the garage.

Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived.

Young riders pick a destination and go. Old riders pick a direction and go.

A good mechanic will let you watch without charging you for it.

Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night.

Whatever it is, it's better to do it in the wind.

Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway, it's an attitude.

When you look down the road it seems to never end, but you better believe, it does.

Winter is nature's way to tell you to polish.

Motorcycle boots are NOT comfortable for walking. That's why they are called "motorcycle boots."

People are like motorcycles; each is customized a bit differently.

Sometimes the best communication happens when you are on separate bikes.

Good coffee should be indistinguishable from 50 weight motor oil.

The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.

A friend is someone who'll get out of bed at 2 a. m. to drive his pickup to the middle of nowhere to get you when you're broken down.

Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary.

If you want to get somewhere before sundown, you can't stop at every tavern.

There's something ugly about a NEW bike on a trailer.

Be careful. Don't argue with an 18-wheeler, a bus, or even a car.

Never be ashamed to unlearn an old habit.

A long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith and use up a lot of fuel.

If you can't get it going with bungee cords, wire and electrician's tape, it's serious.

If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be.

Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside.

There are old riders. And there bold riders. There are NO old, bold riders.

Always replace the cheapest parts first.

You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze.

Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling.

Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out the car window.

There are two types of people in this world; people who ride motorcycles and people who wish they could ride motorcycles.

Never try to race an old Geezer, he may have one more gear than you.

Gray-haired riders don't get that way from pure luck.