Why do we ride? Why do we put our lives on the line day and night, heat, rain, snow, and ice. Dodge drivers in cars that never see us and that are three to five times our weight. Why do we spend so much money on something that costs so much? Is there a reason for this insanity, and if so what is it? We have loud pipes, fried thighs, 5th gear whines, a wobble here, a rubbing fender there. Not only do we spend on the machines that already cost an arm and a leg, but we cover ourselves with another layer of skin that protects, we clad ourselves in rainproof gear, boots, gloves, and not to mention that hard shell that encloses our brain. Locks, alarms, covers, just how much is too much? There is a big bore kit for this and a new download for that, speed and power is in the hands of open wallets and sometimes empty minds. We meet in mass with others like ourselves, to ride together, drink together, and sometimes just act stupid together, which at times is a lot of fun. We wash and we wax, we polish and use giant hairdryers to keep these high dollar money hungry machines, looking better that we do on Sunday morning in church, for those that go to church. Just what is it that drives us to drive ourselves to the limits of both our machines, wallets and with some of us our families. We soar atop asphalt serpents, diving into corners, leaping on to straight-a-ways, drag a knee here, twist a grip there, lofting front wheels and our minds to new heights and sights and sounds. And for what? Just to be able to say at the end of the day, that we did it on two wheels? Or that for that time spent in the saddle we are closer to ourselves and our idea of what our god is flying a few feet off the pavement. To become one with ourselves, our machine, and our environment, lost in time and space if only for a few hours, releasing the inner child in each of us, with a smile that grows with the miles. Why do you ride?

 

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he could, same reason.

 

no cellphones or blackberry
good riding buddies
focused on riding
forget the "do list"
don't have to listen to whining from anyone

IT IS VERY STRESS RELIEVING---I Love It

 

Its a lot more fun than dyin.

 

Quote from Sir Edmund Hillary when asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, "Because it is there!"

 

Because I enjoy the feeling it creates in my soul. Try feeling like you do on a bike in a car. It is just not possible. It moves me and stirs my soul at a level that I wasn't ever sure would see or feel anything. Once that level of my soul has been reached, there is no turning back. My soul begs for the treat of riding a bike every single day of the rest of my life. I do what I can to keep it satisfied...Supposed to rain again today...[:@]

 

Your post is a tough act to follow. Kind of sums it all up. My point of view is simply this: To travel on a bike is to actually TRAVEL. The trip demands more concentration than the quiet comfortable cacoon of a car. Thus a greater feeling of enjoyment and accomplishment. The pace is more relaxed, getting the most out of every mile. Secondary roads are the prefered route, taking us through places we would otherwisejust blow by via the interstate. Automobile travel is more of a point A to point B trip. A journey by motorcycle is more of an adventure. A rider and his bike have more of a relationship than simply the ownership of a vehicle.
Seem corny? Well maybe it is, but it's honest. My .02

 

I have to. It's part of me. I get asked a lot by nonriders why I like riding so much. I get asked by riders why I'm still riding when the temp drops into the twenties. If I'm not riding, I feel like I'm just existing, not living.

Lately, though, I think it has to be some sort of brain problem- like with serial killers. Once science can explain why they kill, we'll have an answer why we ride. I just feel lucky my brain short makes me want to ride instead of kill people.

 

I got the bug in 1968,when I was thirteen. It started with a Bird mini bike.

 

why do i ride? Because i can't make the cool Harley exhaust sounds with my mouth/lipsActually, its the free feeling i get when i get the bike rolling. I ride alone, and i can stop when ever where ever i want for as long as i want. Yesterday i stopped into a new indy shop here in town, within 5 min, felt like i'd known them forever. Nice guys, sure they want business, but, we had some great laughs, maybe a little like the military, a brotherhood,and i felt good about it. Before i take off, i put on the leathers, the gloves, the helmet, the sunglasses, my hearts pumping like a kid on his first "real" date. WHAT A RUSH, maybe thats another reason i ride