Yesterday, I was speaking to some colleagues at work, of which, one had never ridden before. He wants to ride, so he is signed up for the ABATE basic rider course which is the best way to start a lifetime of enjoyment (in the driver’s seat) of motorcycling. As we spoke of the joy of motorcycle riding and the fun of being out on the road I was reminded of a passage of a great book I had read. I wanted to put the passage here for all of us to remember the true joy found when “out on the road”, especially for those of us whom it is the first time.
“You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.
On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it’s right there, so blurred you can’t focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness.”
Robert M. Pirsig
ZEN and the ART of MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
Copyright 1974, 1999 – Robert M. Pirsig
This passage struck me stupid when I first read it. This was it! This was why I enjoyed riding my motorcycle so much. In my own little way it was, to me anyway, my little way of being in the driver’s seat. Of being a part of the surrounding, being “out there”. I have had many people ask me why I am so strong a supported of being on motorcycles even though each year, many people are killed on them. I repeat my mantra, “motorcycles don’t kill anyone, people do”. I own dogs, even though dogs are blamed for killing people each year? I own firearms, and guns are blamed for killing people each year? My favorite, my house runs on electricity and electricity kills people every year. These are some of the arguments that I use. By being afraid of everything that kills others each year, we would find ourselves painted into a very small corner. People never cease to amaze me in their ability to use common parts of modern civilization in which to inflict harm or death.
People always tell me that “my friend died on a bike” as if to prevent me from riding anymore. I simply inform them that I haven’t made that mistake (whichever one it was that got them killed). However, I have a friend who drowned in a teaspoon of water… so does that mean I should prevent everyone from drinking? Of course not…
Motorcycling is not for everyone, and that’s great because it means that I can get better deals on the bikes I want. For those of you who feel that the elimination of all motorcyclists is your personal mission in life, let me advise you of your chances here – None! So whether you wear colors or not, ride a Harley-Davidson ®™ or not, absolutely regardless of color, creed, sex or religion, or even social class, ALL are welcome.