What is the reason we ride?

[Conquiztador]

I travelled down to Timaru from Napier for work on a bike. I could have been flying. But I wanted to ride.

Every question I asked had the same answer: Take the plane.
Apart from: What do I want to do?

The negatives accumulated:
- I could not use my bike, so I had to take my sons 400cc
- His bike needed work, needed a WOF, needed REGO
- Nothing went smoothly, I got going late. 8pm. It was dark.
- I smashed in to a Pukeko and a Possum.
- It started raining in Welly. I got wet.
- Rear tyre blew in middle of nowhere.
- Ex who had my kids while I was away blew.
- I missed the last ferry
- For the final 500k's I could only ride max 70k/h.
- 1/2 doz cagers tried to end my suffering.

But there was many positives:
- My sons bike is now done and runs sweet.
- I met Shirley
- Apart from in Welly, there was no more rain.
- I met Paul
- I just loved the riding!
- I learnt how to get across Cook Straight for $69 and include a cabin and food in to that!
- I was free for a few days (even if it was only an illusion...)
- Everywhere I went someone wanted to talk bikes with me
- I learnt to respect my sons 400cc
- I have added to my memory bank.


For those who want the long version, please feel free to read todays entry in my blog. Here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=11704&entry=538

Riding has only one purpose: to satisfy the rider.
The ultimate in selfishness.

[AlBundy]

What's a meory bank?

That something the maoris store memories in?

Sounds like fun dude... Road trips just are good and, once you're home and it's all done, quite enjoyable to look back on...

[Headbanger]

I figured the answer to your question was enjoyment, that was before opening the thread.

An Epic ride should be full of epic events, including rain and possums, and they should always start off by running late due to bike hiccups.

You have a blog?, Wheres that at then?

This site seems to have an endless supply of nooks and crannies.

[CB ARGH]

The reason we ride motorbikes is because of the vibrations on our sexual organs, according to my dipshit brother.

[Conquiztador]

You have a blog?, Wheres that at then?

This site seems to have an endless supply of nooks and crannies.

Top of page click on "Blogging"

Then click on "Blog Directory" and it is there.

[Headbanger]

Whao, That's a lot of words.

[Headbanger]

whao, That was an excellent ride report.

[Lucy]

The reason we ride motorbikes is because of the vibrations on our sexual organs, according to my dipshit brother.


Ahhhhh. Ding......!

[Mystic13]

We ride because whether we know it or not... it gives us freedom.

I'm not talking about freedom, out on the road, to go where we want.

I'm not talking about freedom from the laws of physics that a cage is tied to.

I'm not talking about the freedom of expression.

I'm not talking about the freedom to push the limits of performance.




I am talking about the freedom from thoughts, worries, what's for dinner, what the boss is on about, whether I should change jobs, whether she's likes me and the many other distracting thoughts that consume us.

Riding a bike, especially through twisties and at speed requires total concentration on what we're doing. With so many variables going on, all other thoughts are pushed from our mind and in that instant time stands still and we are free from being human in a western society effectionately known as "the rat race". It's like the monk who chants one phrase to clear his mind.

Riding is our meditation and our way to connect with everything that is important to a human being.

With riding we can let go of stress and clutter, we get to clean out the mind. Riding puts us at peace. Riding is good for our health and well being.

Many people don't understand what it means to ride.... and many times as riders we just can't explain it. It's an experience and as such can only be understood through experience.

Riding allows the human spirit to be at peace. And that, whether we know it or not, is why we ride.

[spookytooth]

well said Mystic13

[vifferman]

I ride because I yam.

[BigG]

Ya ride your bike cos ridings in your blood, theres nothing else better, you have a feeling of power, go whare ya want and not be bugged by backseat drivers, instant power at your grasp........bla..bla...bla:yawn:

[slimjim]

[QUOTE=AlBundy;1826688]What's a meory bank?

That something the maoris store memories in?

:rofl:...say what.!..:slap:..gees wayne..:thud:

O well not many maoris down your way is there..:whistle:

nice little ride alright..just whats biking is all about..:woohoo:

[gijoe1313]

It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The highs and lows that only motorbiking enthusiasts get about our choice of lifestyle. Those elusive zen moments when we get a series of twisties or line just right ... the bonhomie and esprit we feel with other riders that we click with and the benefits of friendship and shared experiences.

Mmmmm, ride two wheels any time ... :yes: :ride:

[spookytooth]

Riding is about the only time that nothing else matter.Me the bike and the road ahead,40 years doing it hasn't dulled the thrill if anything its more fun now :)

[vifferman]

I ride because it freaks out old ladies, young children, and animals (especially small, yappy dogs), and probably pisses off the people I pass while communtering.

[cameltoe]

I ride because of the performance, why buy a $250,000 car when a $20,000 bike will do the same, and more than likely outperform the car in pretty much every aspect too. braaap

[Choco]

Riding allows the human spirit to be at peace. And that, whether we know it or not, is why we ride.

Well said dude, bling for you!

[smoky]

What's a meory bank?

That something the maoris store memories in?

I think a mammary bank is a cool idea

:wari::wari:

[Motu]

I ride because a lot of motorcyclists are too ignorant to fix their own motorcycle.When it won't go anymore I buy it for a really low price,fix it cheaply - and then I've got a bike I have to ride to justify my effort.

[Richi]

I ride because a lot of motorcyclists are too ignorant to fix their own motorcycle.When it won't go anymore I buy it for a really low price,fix it cheaply - and then I've got a bike I have to ride to justify my effort.

OMG U know me!?!?! hehe

I guess i cant explain why i bought a bike. Wanted one since i was little, had my boy racer car and all that now when i got a bit of a chance to splash out i chose bike instead. I guess it was talkin 2 my mate and he said "I want a bike but ill probably never get one dont have the nuts"

Im sick of wanting something and being too scared to get/do it.

But yea sounds like u had a mint trip i wish my work send me on a bike trip to wire some plugs up lol. too bad i cant take the tools

[DarkLord]

I ride because two wheels are better than four.

I ride because it is great to be able to split through heavy traffic.

I ride because it is more economical than a car.

I ride because of all the great people you meet who also ride. It's so cool to be able to pull over next to some other bikers whom you've never met before in your life and jump straight into conversation with them.

I ride because I love feeling the wind in my face (not over 70 odd k's though - wind becomes a wee bit too strong).

Those are some of my reasons, but my main reason has to be this....

I ride because I love the experience of actually being a part of the environment that you are traveling through. You really feel like you are there. In a car sometimes it seems like you may as well be in a box with movie screens on all sides of it running footage of scenery going by to give you the impression you are moving. With a bike it's just not like that. You feel so much like you are right there and in the moment.

Your mind switches off the clutters and worries in your life as Mystic13 said, it all just kind of fades away and you are just left to your wit, reflexes and reactions to make sure you keep a good line around that corner and watch out for the dead possum in the middle of your side of the road. It is a great release, challenging and exhilarating while also being fun.

Riding iz teh awesumness. :D

[Conquiztador]

But yea sounds like u had a mint trip i wish my work send me on a bike trip to wire some plugs up lol. too bad i cant take the tools

Many years ago when I had my beloved Panhead I was working installing and servicing big industrial machinery. I would travel in Scandinavia for the job. I had a car and often also used to fly. But at times when there was no parts needed I would travel with the bike. Tie the toolcaser to the bike and of I go.

Remember once when I was to repair a fully automatic transformer winder at the Swedish army. When I turned up at their gates on my chopper in my leathers they would not let me in. Nobody believed that I was the engineer. There was a few phone calls and explaining to do. Also a search through my gear before I got in.

[Bonez]

Happyness is riding a $300 m/c 20,000kms and it's still running................

[Gizzit]

For me, it's different, depending on how I want to ride. Sometimes it's pushing things to "my" limits over a favourite well known road, and the sheer pleasure of carving around corners, using good lines, and enjoying the power of my bike.

At other times, it's a cruise ... different head space, but just as "in the moment" as when going fast.

It is a meditation. It is concentration and focus that is a complete buzz. It's exhilarating, exciting, rejuvenating .... cleansing even! It makes me realise how good it is to be alive and "tweaks" all my senses.

It's my drug, my transport, it's about being .....
Fuck I'm waffling !!!! lol :laugh: :laugh: :done:

[naphazoline]

You have a blog?, Wheres that at then?

This site seems to have an endless supply of nooks and crannies.

a blog? WTF is a blog?
i have enough trouble with the little bit of stuff i know.
i guess it's a case of, me + computers = sod all :laugh:

i ride, cause life's too short to look back and say, "i'd wished i done that".
its tranquility is hypnotic,and it's a state of euphoria like nothing else i've ever done.yeah...sure i've had some good buzzes in my lifetime,but not on a consistent basis like riding.every time is a good time.

it's my time out from everything.....just me and the road.

[RentaTriumph]

We ride because whether we know it or not... it gives us freedom.

I'm not talking about freedom, out on the road, to go where we want.

I'm not talking about freedom from the laws of physics that a cage is tied to.

I'm not talking about the freedom of expression.

I'm not talking about the freedom to push the limits of performance.




I am talking about the freedom from thoughts, worries, what's for dinner, what the boss is on about, whether I should change jobs, whether she's likes me and the many other distracting thoughts that consume us.

Riding a bike, especially through twisties and at speed requires total concentration on what we're doing. With so many variables going on, all other thoughts are pushed from our mind and in that instant time stands still and we are free from being human in a western society effectionately known as "the rat race". It's like the monk who chants one phrase to clear his mind.

Riding is our meditation and our way to connect with everything that is important to a human being.

With riding we can let go of stress and clutter, we get to clean out the mind. Riding puts us at peace. Riding is good for our health and well being.

Many people don't understand what it means to ride.... and many times as riders we just can't explain it. It's an experience and as such can only be understood through experience.

Riding allows the human spirit to be at peace. And that, whether we know it or not, is why we ride.

I couldn't have put it into words better Mystic. Brilliant

[naphazoline]

another thing that makes the enjoyment of riding very unique,is that there is such a vast array of different machinery,cruisers,sports bikes,dirt bikes,e.t.c..... that different people ride,yet they are getting the same spiritual freedom from.

[karla]

Riding allows the human spirit to be at peace. And that, whether we know it or not, is why we ride.

Words of gold ~

[imdying]

Because it's fun :yes: If it stops being fun, I'll find something else.

[Conquiztador]

My oldest today came to claim his NV400. We did some minor adjustments and he thanked me then rode her away...

After thousand odd k's (see the blog entry) I had become strangely attached to this 20yo Japanese 400cc bike. Is'nt that weird! I had only taken her out one short run yesterday after I got the new tyre fitted to make sure all was fine and now suddenly I wished I had been riding her more in the 3 days since I got back from my trip.

You do need to consider that I have most of my life been a very staunch non-jappa rider and there was a time in my life I would rather have been walking then sitting on something made by the yellow man.

But somehow I felt that she was now part of me. We had a eventful few days that we shared and conquered with our pride intact.

Perhaps I am just getting mushy in my older days. But I asked him to treat her well as she is a very nice and reliable girl (and sadly there is a lack of them in my life...)

[wbks]

Shit you're a bloody drama queen, mate

[Bonez]

You do need to consider that I have most of my life been a very staunch non-jappa rider and there was a time in my life I would rather have been walking then sitting on something made by the yellow man.
Welcome to the world of small capacity nipponese wonders.

[naphazoline]

well...i gotta say,that after riding out to whangamomoana and back with the flu today,i was not feeling like a free spirit :sick:
aside from the usual flu symptoms,i also managed to make myself feel carsick.
at one point,i thought i was gonna have to pull over for a chunder :puke: :(

[Salival]

Gotta be better than chundering in the helmet. ooooer....

Well put, Mystic. Never a truer word was spoken.

[naphazoline]

Gotta be better than chundering in the helmet. ooooer.....


ah don't worry.i was riding covering both brakes,just in case,as that exact thought was going through my head :sweatdrop

[wbks]

Reminds me of the time I got a right big snotball in my mouth the time i had a cold this winter, and I went to try and spit it out after opening my visor. Chinguards can be misleading.

[Bonez]

Reminds me of the time I got a right big snotball in my mouth the time i had a cold this winter, and I went to try and spit it out after opening my visor. Chinguards can be misleading.Wondered what the avatar was.

[Conquiztador]

Shit you're a bloody drama queen, mate

But you still like me, you called me "mate":hug:...

[Conquiztador]

well...i gotta say,that after riding out to whangamomoana and back with the flu today,i was not feeling like a free spirit :sick:
aside from the usual flu symptoms,i also managed to make myself feel carsick.
at one point,i thought i was gonna have to pull over for a chunder :puke: :(

How can you get carsick on a bike??

[Bonez]

How can you get carsick on a bike??By getting sick of cars....................

[naphazoline]

How can you get carsick on a bike??

i know....i feel robbed.
when i got back to stratford and took off my helmet,i was sweating like a rapist,and feeling very woozy :sick:,so i went around the mountain just to shake off that feeling:Punk:

[dipshit]

I could think of a hundred reasons.

Here's one...