Motorcycling and An Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Epilogue

I hope you have enjoyed reading this review of my Newbie Training Update, in as much as the entries covered the recent formative years of learning to ride my motorcycle, I hope that in part, for those who particularly know me, that the Review gave an insight to the person BuckBuck#1. And for those who have read this blogg that have not met me out there on the roads of the lower North Island of New Zealand, I hope you have found a little something to take away when next you ride.

My Motorcycle and OCPD
Learning to ride a motorcycle has and continues to extend me physically and mentally: facing daily challenges out on the road…and even when the bike is parked up in the garage, my thinking and behaviour has changed positively. When I see something or trigger some ‘false thinking and logic’ in my own mind I can now more readily step back, very quickly, and draw a different conclusion or have a different take on whatever it may be that causes anxiety, or a rigidness of view.

Through the winter of 2008 before the last daylight saving Wednesday evening rides commenced in Sept 2008, I discussed with my clinical psychologist numerous activities and events of the past riding season. One theme that came up was ‘Shit Happens’, and so to put that into context of ‘riding safety’ I now look at it as ‘riding pespective’.

How or what may happen around me I may have no control over. In my own mind while riding, I am in control of my own bike at all times, and that is all I expect of myself - no more and no less.


Motorcycle Community

I think that I am fortunate when I look at both the motorcycle community and the military, for I have experienced both. After World War II into the 1950’s motorcycling gained momentum with many ex-servicemen. Today there are many people riding and akin to music there are many genre, blues jazz pop, classical, and out there on the road, the cruiser, the road bike, the off road, the track racer, riding clubs and so it goes on.

You know sometimes I have a wee chuckle to myself: when riding we more often than not receive a wave from a passing motorcyclist and I would like to think more often than not we wave back….remind you of anything? A salute given to an officer by a non-commissioned officer or junior rating is a sign of respect and the salute returned by the officer is equally so that sign of respect.

When we ride along and acknowledge that other rider - for me I say to myself ‘I don’t even know the rider but I do know that like myself the person has learnt to ride a motorcycle and along the way we have both learnt a lot not only about riding but many other facets of life…’ The rider may be a 30 years of motorcycling ‘veteran’ or a 3 month newbie, time in the saddle is not important when passing each other, it is the silent respect for each other.


Society and The Internet Forum

In addressing my review of my Newbie Training Update, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the power of the internet.

With more years behind me than in front of me – I don’t know how old you have to be to be deemed an Old Fart, (no I am not a WWII veteran in case you're wondering, rather I am from the Vietnam period) but heck I still consider myself young at heart. I would like to finish on a note that sews some seeds of thought.

We look at teenagers of today, plugged into their Ipod, sitting and typing at the computer, texting on their cell phone, and yes that’s right all at the same time.

We hear and read about internet/email, and for many perhaps you too are confronted with the curse of email. Recently I read about how people are having to clear their work email from home in their own time – overtime rates what’s that….

I see on website forums common themes: genuine and sincere contributions, useful topics being brought to the attention of the community, I see humour and the rewarding timeout that we can experience when we sign on. Of course you can see the flame wars and the obvious argumentative tones that arise. A bit like walking down town you pass many shop windows and look inside, you come to an intersection and wait for the light to change before crossing careful to avoid the absent minded motorist that passes through the crossing talking/texting on their cell phone, you pass by an alley way and hear or see an argument…..

The Kiwibiker community is a ‘Pit Stop in Life’ and the ride is more important than the destination.

Heads Up and Enjoy
PM's welcomed.