Ya know, I don't feel all that "free" when I ride. There's all these pesky traffic rules to follow. Stay in this lane. Don't turn here. And for God's sake, don't go too fast (generally not too much of a problem on a Harlie). That doesn't feel so "free" to me. And then there's the rule enforcement droids. Cops. Lots of cops. Heck, even the few times I've been on a race track with a suitable bike, there are still rules to follow. You're welcome to go fast but there are rules none the less.

Now, having said (typed?) that, the most freedom I've ever had in a semi-rational activity is when I would white water kayak. Living here in Northern Colorado there were many choices. And depending on your skill level you could pick a river/run that would range from merely "fun" to absolutely hiney hole puckering. Your choice. Just put the boat in the water and head down stream. No rules, no cops, no nothin'. Just you and the forces generated by Mother Nature's flowing water.

I dunno where that came from but it's cold outside and my boating days are well behind me. At age 70 I no longer crave the adrenaline rush and the wear and tear on my shoulders is very real. Anyhoo, for "freedom", so far as I'm concerned there is absolutely, positively nothing like white water kayaking.