Unedited Draft of last month's Kiwi Rider Editorial seems appropriate here.
Owed to Joy.
Beethoven’s ninth symphony is often referred to as the ‘Ode to Joy’.
The ode itself was written in 1875 by German poet Friedrich Schiller and the words were widely popularised when it was included as a part for four vocalists in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
It was subsequently condensed and re-written as a popular Hymn that has little resemblance to the original text - except for the unmistakable tune.
Like the Ode, this page has had a few significant changes to the wording, but it’s still sung to the same melody.
The Ed asked me to step into the esteemed Last Word chair and pen some thoughts pertinent to the above pic of Stretch and the big bloke.
The brief suggested we note how we have changed since we’ve been involved with the magazine.
My first thoughts were that I should make an ‘Ode style’ call for a bit more ‘love and understanding’ between sections of the motorcycle fraternity and how riding all the different bikes had changed my perspectives.
I wanted to sprout off about not dissing scooter riders or tarring Harley riders all with the same brush because they ‘don’t wave’.
I had thoughts of addressing the issues of lost camaraderie.
Then a note from a wise friend changed my focus.
The ‘Joy’ part is what we should concentrate on.
Do you remember the joy of your first motorcycle? Your first ride? The exhilaration of (in my case) three horsepower? The first wind in your face and the exultations of surviving the first corner you entered too hot? The thrill of those first big G forces.
Joy. That’s why we ride.
For some it’s hidden by a veneer of practicality and commuter sensibility while other’s Id may be a Stoner, Rossi or BT fantasy that has them emulating a hero.
Underneath it all is the remnant of that first thrill and the joy of the ride.
It all starts with that release of endorphins when you brain says ‘this is cool sh*t!’ and boy, doesn’t zooming on a fine bike release them!
When we’re off the bike and addressing the issues that confront us as motorcyclists, bad drivers, crappy conditions, unfair taxes - even the inclement weather , it makes you wonder why any of us would ride.
Underneath it all is joy. (Insert Benny Hill Pun here).
At age eight I had a Deckson 125. It had 8” wheels, centrifugal clutch and a 4-stroke lawn mower engine. (I was sophisticated back then too – no 2-stroke Victa engines for Davey-boy).
My Grandfather bought me mini bikes much to my mother’s chagrin and I was as proud of them then as I am of my motorcycles today.
When I was eight ‘Lunz’ was my hero.
He was 6’7”, an athlete, rode an 850 Commando and was a mate of my next door neighbour’s older brother.
I used to park my mini-bike on the grass and sit and look at his magnificent Norton out front.
One day he came out and asked ‘Your bike has no speedo – how do you know how fast you are going?’
I shrugged.
‘Well I’ll tell you what. You ride up Boronia Street here and I’ll ride beside you and tell you how fast you are going.’
So eight year old David on an unregistered mini bike, flat wrung out up Boronia St, and Hulk Hogan yelling 40, 45, 45mph at him from an Black and Gold Interstate, and laughing his head off.
40 years later that stamp-your-feet-giggling-like-a-kid joy is with me every time I recall that day.
Now if I see a kid on a mini bike I talk to him about it - and note if it has a speedo.
Working with Stretch and KR brings me close to some of that Joy too. To watch the maestro do his thing on hundreds of kgs of heavy metal makes me giggle inside just as much.
So ponder it dear reader - there are whole lot of reasons why we ride.
Then focus on the fact that in this madcap world we ride in - it’s mostly owed to joy.
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Originally Posted by rachprice
There is no such thing as bad weather; only inappropriate clothing! 
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