Zen and the art of riding...

[White trash]

Not that I actually read it, but I expect it's a load of old codswallop.

I ride for the sheer enjoyment of doing stoopid shit and intimidating other road users.

In fact, I'm gonna start a bikie gang and chuck some apehangers and forward controls on the Shitzer. Fuckin' thing only does 108kph anyway.....

[Blackbird]

Not that I actually read it, but I expect it's a load of old codswallop

You'll fit into Auckland quite well then (That's doing Ixion, Motu and quite a few others a grave disservice and I apologise)

Hitcher: 2003 it was - one year blends into another at my age

[Ixion]

You'll fit into Auckland quite well then (That's doing Ixion, Motu and quite a few others a grave disservice and I apologise)

Hitcher: 2003 it was - one year blends into another at my age

A little bird told me (as part of my defenses against Mr Motu's infamous cat, I am organising an elite force of aerial scouts -armed with bioorganic weapons of terror and destruction - they can poop in unison!) that Mr White Trash did read it.

[Legolas]

People (non riders) have asked me in the past, why I ride, I’ve never been able to explain. As a quick get out, I normally say, “Because I can”.
The writer of the letter has put it all into words beautifully. Northamptonshire here in the UK seems so crowded these days that it is very difficult to find quiet roads and chill out. Sometimes early on a Sunday Morning you can be lucky. Then I can slip into what you call the Zen state after only a couple of miles. That’s probably why I get lost so often. Lol.

I lived in London when I was in my Teens. I would quite often go for ride after 10 pm. Head on out of London into the countryside for a few hours. Sometimes coming back through London at 2 in the Morning it was easy to believe that you were the only person on Earth. I still love that time of the day but don’t see it very often these days, as I’m asleep.

After reading that letter, now when people ask me why I ride? I’ll probably say, “Because I am”

Thanks for sharing it with us Geoff.

Steve.

[RiderInBlack]

Well put.

This is why I like doing the long rides

There have been a few things in life that put me in a simalar "Space":
Free Diving/ Snorkling when it's just me and the sea. I've almost meditating, relaxed my whole body but at the same time hyperalert. Get great bottom time when I'm in that "Zone" and "at one with the surroundings".
Dressage on a loopy horse. Again I've put myself in that meditative "Zone". The horse and I become "one". Nothing else exists. Just me, the horse and the ground we are riding on. Bloodly good work/movements just happen if I can get us there.
Now, when I'm riding "Roxanne" out on my own, "going the distance" so to speak, I find the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy group rides, but I find it hard to "get in the Zone" when riding in a group.

Think your refering to "Illusions" by Richard Bach, Motu. The adventures of a reluctant Messiah. If so, I have the book. Will post it to you, Blackbird, if you wish (it's not a very big book).
Motu, have you ever managed to managed to float a 9/16" wrench?
Faviourite quote it that book:
"You are quoting Snoopy the Dog, I believe?"
"I'll quote the truth wherever I find it, thank you"

I must read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance" one day. From what I recall being told about this book, it has a lot to do with what the this guy was writing about. Has anyone here read it?

[Kickaha]

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

It's called "Illusions","There's no such place as far away" is another good one of his

[Hitcher]

I must read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance" one day. From what I recall being told about this book, it has a lot to do with what the this guy was writing about. Has anyone here read it?

Try the most excellent "search" facility. There are some interesting and opposed views on the key messages from said tome.

[Blackbird]

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack
I must read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance" one day. From what I recall being told about this book, it has a lot to do with what the this guy was writing about. Has anyone here read it?

I have. As Hitcher said, there are opposed views. I found it depressing but an interesting read nonetheless and still glad that I read it.

[ajturbo]

I must read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance" one day. From what I recall being told about this book, it has a lot to do with what the this guy was writing about. Has anyone here read it?

i have read it twice....

once wheni was VERY young (teenager)and again in my late 20's.

i would reconmend it to anyone, but (if you ask a few of my mates) i have a very warp veiw on life and what i like is, is what i like.

the book promted (sp) me to "get out there and do it".. the long rides, the hitch hiking in Mexico, shit like that.

something that i am missing at the moment. due to comittments.
oh and lack of money

so read the book, make your own mind up to weather it is good or not, the guy is just telling a story.......

[RiderInBlack]

Try the most excellent "search" facility. There are some interesting and opposed views on the key messages from said tome.

Thanks just tried that for KB site and it bounced me back here Do you mean full world wide web search or just this site?

Thanks for that BB. Have been curious about said book, but have never got around to reading it.

[Kickaha]

I have. As Hitcher said, there are opposed views. I found it depressing but an interesting read nonetheless and still glad that I read it.

I found it boring as a really boring thing,but that was a few years ago I must have a nother read and see if my opinion chnages

[scumdog]

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...

Yes, you haven't lived 'til you have spent a summer night in a sleeping bag (no tent) under the stars in a Southern Alps valley where all you can hear is the creek in the distance. the odd breeze through the trees and the clearest stars in the world above you with the odd meteor... and not a single man-made noise to be heard.

Or giving a V8 death through the Cromwell Gorge early in the morning to hear the echo of the engine noise bouncing off the gorge walls when you throttle off......

[Big Dave]

Yes, you haven't lived 'til you have spent a summer night in a sleeping bag

"We regard 'roughing it' as less than 4 stars in the AA directory." - Co-pilot

[TonyB]

Nicely written. Amazing how hard it is to actually explain why you ride- why you are hopelessly and happily addicted.

I do have a bit of a problem with his writing off those that only ride on fine weekends or for short distances as not understanding motorcycling. For a start, some of us simply don’t have the time or money to spend day after day riding. We have family commitments, or our own businesses that must be run, or a thousand other reasons. To assume that people who only go on short rides don’t understand motorcycling is just bloody arrogant. I would love to be able to sport tour for weeks and weeks. If I go out for a three day lap of the joys of the south island, I’m always reluctant to return home. But the fact is I’m lucky to be able to find the time and money to do that.

The other thing I have an issue with is his lack of understanding of the other end of the concentration scale. We’ve all seen it on TV- the ‘race face’. When a race car driver lapping at maximum speed has a face that is totally devoid of expression, they seem almost machine like, so total is their concentration. Yes I understand where he’s coming from where riding becomes automatic and your mind is free to roam, but the other end of the scale is just as amazing- when ALL of your conscious thought and concentration is directed towards the task of riding. When your mind is empty of everything except you, your machine, and the road ahead. When all of lifes troubles are momentarily forgotten and all there is, is the ride.

[Blackbird]

Completely agree with you.

There is no way I can go onto autopilot when I'm running at perhaps over 85% of my meagre competence. That's a different scene entirely. Like you, I'm principally a weekend rider but try and do some decent distances occasionally to compensate and keep a reasonable skill level up. The writer could have used better wording about that as it comes across as a wee bit arrogant. I understand his sentiments though as it's only on longer hauls that you get the opportunity to really dial in to the whole motorcycling experience. That's not to say that we don't love a short haul commute or fang though! Pleasure comes at all levels.

Geoff