Why do we ride

**jrandom** · 11th December 2003, 13:08

Originally posted by Hitcher
"The motorcycle stands as a piper at the gates of the dawn, calling those of us who can hear to ride with the wind..."

Since I'm too damn lazy to google for it properly, did you just make that up off the top of your head or is it a quote, and if so from where and whom, and why were they being so tacky as to rip off Syd Barrett's album title, eh?

**Motu** · 11th December 2003, 13:10

I've been riding bikes for a long time,and it's just something I have to do,I just have a need to ride at times.When things are getting to me and I'm a bit (more) grumpy,my wife will often tell me to go for a ride,she knows I'll come back normal again(not happy,that doesn't happen) Stress managment really.

I like it to be tough,lots of miles,in the rain,something to get my teeth into.When a young fulla I found gravel roads to be scary - so I set myself the task of mastering them...I still ride them as much as I can,there is just so much to do when on gravel,max attention span and max enjoyment.I ride trials because I'm not very good at it - I don't run away from riding problems,I look for them,and get into it.Like Jack I have developed a preference for a style of bike over the years - sure,a Monster ,MV,or whatever would be nice....but how does it do on gravel?...no,I set them up as dirt bikes.

**matthewt** · 11th December 2003, 13:48

Originally posted by Motu
sure,a Monster ,MV,or whatever would be nice....but how does it do on gravel?...no,I set them up as dirt bikes.

Actually the MV isn't that bad on gravel. I've been to the East Cape lighthouse and a few other gravel roads. Probably as useful and any sports bike on gravel (ie, can be done but not much fun).

**k14** · 11th December 2003, 14:06

I ride bikes cause someone told me that it is an easy way to get laid. I have yet to confirm that yet

**ManDownUnder** · 11th December 2003, 14:14

Isolation, power and a love of machinery.

It was just the power, and love of machinery - but now that my job means I have to take a cell phone with me 24x7... isoltation comes into it too...

"oh I'm sorry I missed the call - I must have been on my bike at the time"... which is more like "oh THAT was who called!"

MDU (<== fresh back from boozy lunch, gotta love them!)

**Motu** · 11th December 2003, 14:40

Originally posted by matthewt
Actually the MV isn't that bad on gravel. I've been to the East Cape lighthouse and a few other gravel roads. Probably as useful and any sports bike on gravel (ie, can be done but not much fun).

I used to ride a Triton on gravel roads (thats a featherbed Norton frame with a Triumph 650 motor,clip ons,rear sets,the whole nine yards) so I know what it's like with a sports bike,although my motor would of been a bit more suitable.

Also used chops,apehangers,scooters,any damned bike I can ride gets put on gravel - that's how I learn what I like and how to set them up.

**Jackrat** · 11th December 2003, 14:55

Interesting what you say about trials Motu,I knew for years I didn,t like real tight twisty roads that much.I,m talking about the one,s with gravel patches,cows,sheep an cockys on tractors.
Now I spend most of my time on em, Plus looking for new ones.

LB · 11th December 2003, 16:36

I have always wanted to ride bikes, don't know what triggered it off but it started when I was at school. My parents bought me my first bike when I was 16, in the middle of a cold wet Waikato winter. They didn't want me to ride and thought that a month or two in winter would put me off. Hah!!!!!!

I love the feeling of freedom, the camaraderie between us, the buzz of a twisty road on a fine day that you just can't explain to non-bikers. I just love love love bikes, riding, racing and being around bikes generally.

I can't imagine not having at least one bike. If (god forbid) I am physically unable to ride, then I guess it would have to be a soft-top sports car. But I hope things never come to that.

**Hitcher** · 11th December 2003, 17:31

Originally posted by jrandom
Since I'm too damn lazy to google for it properly, did you just make that up off the top of your head or is it a quote, and if so from where and whom, and why were they being so tacky as to rip off Syd Barrett's album title, eh?

This line is largely my own work. Feel free to recycle it.

**750Y** · 11th December 2003, 20:35

i ride for the fun. I like to get along good sometimes, helps to feed the monster.

**SPman** · 14th December 2003, 22:15

Buggered if I know, really.............

but it beats being dead!

**onearmedbandit** · 14th December 2003, 22:36

For me its the freedom, the coming together of man and machine in a way that both rely on each other (moreso than most other transport), being so close to the road, the satisfaction of nailing those favourite, and unknown, roads.

There are so many areas of bikes I love, that it would be impossible for me to list them all. But from the first day I rode my brothers bike I knew that I had found my zone.

**marty** · 15th December 2003, 08:44

wheelstands.
lanespliting.
going fast.
going REALLY fast.
watching cars move over for me.
seeing grown men hover around the bike when it's outside the shop.
seeing grown men stare wistfully at the rear swing arm.
having a powerband.
riding twisty roads in the powerband (none of this lazy horsepower lark).
waving at other bikers.
not having a back seat.
hanging off the side of the seat.
no kids screaming.
feeling the temperature drop when dropping into gullies (someone else on here said that one other time)
taking the long way home.
and still beating everyone else.

**SPman** · 16th December 2003, 21:44

At 8.30pm suddenly decide to do Riverhead Rd,up to Kaukapapa, across to Dairy Flat and home.Roads dry,minimal traffic,lots of grassy country smells, great sunset, back to Milford by 9.30! In a car it would have been shit! On the bike it was great! Revitalised. Thats why I ride!