Zen and the art of riding...

[Blackbird]

Thought I’d share the attachment which I just received from a fellow Blackbird owner. The language is a little esoteric but the sentiments really struck a chord. I think the fact that I’ve been riding for 40 years with only a 15 year gap make the sentiments easy to identify with and although I enjoy the odd crazy fang with my mates, longer distances are what really “do it” for me.

Two of the writer’s comments are particularly telling: the instant common bond between bikers meeting up for the first time and what the writer calls “dissociation”. I’ve always called it my “Zen” state. Easier to drop into on a longer run than a short one, and often easier when riding solo or with a small bunch of people that you really know well. When managing to drop into this state, it feels like a mere fraction of mental activity is spent in positioning the bike correctly and at the right speed and you hardly notice the distance being gobbled up. The largest proportion of activity seems to be reserved for heightened awareness of ones’ surroundings and conditions. Wish I could do it all the time!

It actually makes me wonder whether there’s some inevitability with respect to individuals with a certain type of psychological profile being drawn to motorcycling, flying or sailing. I think all 3 of these pursuits are pretty much interchangeable.

Does this strike a chord with anyone else?

Geoff

[Quasievil]

Yeah thats a good read cheers for posting that, now i wanna ride !

[Ixion]

So seek natural beauty and serenity in your surroundings, find
exotic roads and landscapes and lose yourself in them, only to find
oneness with the air, the wind and nature in its entirety.

Sums it all up really.

Know just what he's saying. And with the disassociation thing. I call it letting my soul run free.

I definately think that there is a certain psychological profile in LONG TERM motorcyclist.

Some bikers start , get keen, and a few years later they've lost interest. The ones that keep it up for years have a commonality.

[Maybe this just means that we're a weird lot]

[Virago]

A thoughtful and well written response to the question we all find difficult to answer with the right words - why do we ride?

I don't agree that it takes severals days ride to reach the right mental state - some of us don't get that luxury too often. For me it takes just an hour or two.

For Mrs VV, it takes just minutes. She doesn't ride, but loves being pillion, so most of my riding is two-up. On the bike, she can drop into a "Zen" state within minutes, reaching a state of disassociated meditation where she can contemplate life and its' problems, from a plateau of calmness.

We can ride together for hours, no conversation, perhaps the occasional squeeze or pat to acknowledge the shared experience.

Dammit, I want to go for a ride now........!

[pritch]

Thanks for posting that.

Years ago I read a magazine article about long night rides. Both authors would have recognised what the other was talking about.

[Big Dave]

Sailing interchangable with motorcycling?!?

I can't remember falling asleep motorcycling.

[Hitcher]

Bugger it. I want my soul to run free. NOW!

[Blackbird]

Depends what you're sailing. Racing a single handed catamaran or even a Laser in a 30 knot breeze is pretty darned exhilarating. Don't knock it till you've tried it, especially with that over-used journalistic phrase about Americas Cup racing. Motorcyling might be regarded as boring unless you're actually doing it too.

[Ixion]

Thanks for posting that.

Years ago I read a magazine article about long night rides. Both authors would have recognised what the other was talking about.

Yeah, there's something especially magical about a long night ride, once you get clear of the city shit.

Just sliding through the night in the deep countryside, with the moon and stars for company, you can fool yourself into thinking that you're the only person alive in the whole world . Especially if you have the sea alongside.

The most beautiful sound in the world has to be a big single with crashing surf in the background.

[Blackbird]

Yeah, there's something especially magical about a long night ride, once you get clear of the city shit.

On the 1000 miler Grand Challenge in 2004, 3 of us travelled north over the Desert Road at just after midnight in clear skies and no other traffic for miles. The snow on the mountain really stood out and I've never seen such a blaze of stars. I don't know whether altitude had anything to do with it, but it was a sight that will stay with me forever.

[Big Dave]

Depends what you're sailing. Racing a single handed catamaran or even a Laser in a 30 knot breeze is pretty darned exhilarating. Don't knock it till you've tried it, especially with that over-used journalistic phrase about Americas Cup racing. Motorcyling might be regarded as boring unless you're actually doing it too.

yeah mate - tried them all - lasers to maxis. just doesn't cut it with me.
I can't 'equate' 140 horsepower and hard bitumen to canvass and water.

I'll meet you at the bar after the race.

[Motu]

The old indefinable ''something'' eh? Some people can ride everyday and not know what it's about,some just a few times a year and connect with the spirit of riding.I like to be by myself on a bike,on some remote back road - no cars,no bikes,just the odd farmer and the animals of the area,stopping for a rest,and....resting,very satisfying.

He mentions Richard Bach - I enjoy his writings,to me what he writes about his thrill of flying is interchangable with riding a bike.He also knows the mechanical side and as a mechanic I find someone who can put into words the world behind the spanners a rare thing.The Reluctant Messia should be compulsory reading for everyone,particualy motorcyclists.

[Blackbird]

Have read JLS, but not the Reluctant Messiah - must get a copy.

I suppose that the reason a lot of us occasionally post whilst we're at work might indicate that whilst we enjoy our jobs, it still doesn't offer the fulfilment of being on 2 wheels eh ? When I semi-retire to Coromandel in 2 years, bikes are going to figure somewhat larger than they currently do

[John]

Riders frequently encounter other riders on desolate roads, in gas
stations, in far away towns, states and countries, and always seem to
find an immediate common bond.

Its truer that true, every biker I meet I seem to make a common bonds, bikes seem to be a stepthrough for personality, I am often told I am dumb for riding after my mean incounters but I just love turning up at a fuel station meeting someone on a crusier/sports/other and having a yarn and ending up going for a blat and finishing it off with a few cold ones in the pub, how could anyone give that up? engines and lots of mates

Thanks for the read, I'm sending it to a few 'non-beleavers with your regards'

[Hitcher]

On the 1000 miler Grand Challenge in 2004, 3 of us travelled north over the Desert Road at just after midnight in clear skies and no other traffic for miles. The snow on the mountain really stood out and I've never seen such a blaze of stars. I don't know whether altitude had anything to do with it, but it was a sight that will stay with me forever.

I think you mean the 2003 GC, but I agree with the sentiment. Riding at night is way better than a car. Breathing the night air and its night air smells. Under the stars. The bike running superbly on the cooler night air. Mrs H and I went for a fang under the stars a couple of years ago when we took our 250s to Gisborne. A perfect night as we followed the sweep of the coastline, stars sparkling above, moonlight dancing on the ocean. Central Otago is also terrific under its starry canopy. I envy Jantar that...