Not every guy on a motorcycle is going through a mid-life crisis.
Roaring down an otherwise deserted country road on a summer afternoon, through panoramic scenery that includes mountains, rivers, meadows, and forests, perched atop a 1000cc, open-throttled engine bolted onto an artistically inspired machine has a resonance to it that that the word stupendous can’t begin to describe. The unparalleled sense of freedom as I escape the rest of the world leaves exhilarating behind and approaches magical. Motorcycling is entering an uncharted, adrenaline-fueled zone that doesn’t end until the sun begins to set. And watching the sun set, riding along the high cliffs on the coast of Big Sur, California is so captivating that I have to remember I’m riding so I don’t go over the edge.
I’ve ridden over 250,000 miles on my motorcycles since I began riding at 40, 25 years ago. The reason I’m so addicted to motorcycling is an unparalleled sense of freedom I haven’t experienced in any other activity. Motorcycling is definitely a sport, as anyone who’s ridden twisty back roads for hours on end knows. It’s physically and mentally challenging with nary a moment of boredom, and technical skills are definitely required. I’m talking about riding 300 or 400 miles in a day, feeling the wind and sun in my face, and a palpable connection to the road in my hands and feet, leaning hard into the curves, being constantly aware of what might be around the next corner, and remaining 100-percent mentally alert. I’ve encountered deer, cattle, and parked cars, coming around the bend. It’s always an adventure.
Countless articles have been written about men and their motorcycles ever since Harley Davidson began manufacturing them in 1903. The bad-boy image of bikers became indelibly etched on America’s psyche with Marlon Brando’s starring role in The Wild One in 1953. The media has since suggested that middle-aged men who ride motorcycles are in the throes of a midlife crisis, simply compensating for their lost youth. I’m not sure what fuels this speculation, but it doesn’t have much to do with any riders I’m acquainted with. With the exception of what’s written in motorcycle magazines, the non-riding public gets very little information regarding why men enjoy riding the “iron horse.” And, it’s not just men any more, either. Women have taken up motorcycling and with the same passion as men. Ten percent of all new motorcycle sales are to women, and the numbers who buy used bikes is even higher. Husband and wives—and boyfriends and girlfriends—are sharing the motorcycling experience, and women aren’t riding on the back any more. They’re fully engaged riders.
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Every rider has moments he or she will never forget. My favorite memories include riding in the chilly, autumn air at six a.m. through the desert of Death Valley, California at 130 mph with my best friend, Tony, when three Air Force fighter jets came out of nowhere and flew low, next to us, waving hello with their wings. I remember feeling the sun shine through the face shield of my helmet as it broke through the thick, wet fog on Highway 1 near the Oregon border, warming my chilled-to-the-bone body as if some divine presence had turned on the heat. I recall riding through the last snow of the spring, high up in the Sierra Mountains, and coming down from the mountains into the warm, lush, green valley of the California gold country. Then there’s the countless rides inhaling the nature-fuelled aromas of fresh-mown hay, cattle, horses, wildflowers, and the ocean air, or experiencing the world passing by quickly, feeling it in my entire body as I never have in a car.
I get on my bike with a sense of exhilaration about what I’ll encounter. I’m more awake in those moments than at any other time. There’s no daydreaming on a motorcycle. It’s intense, focused pleasure.
There’s also the pride of owning a beautifully designed machine crafted for optimal performance and handling. Each biker has his favorite ride. Clubs for owners of Harley Davidson, Ducati, Honda, Triumph, Norton, BSA, Royal Enfield, and other brands afford riders the opportunity to share experiences with other like-minded enthusiasts and swap stories at the end of the day. My favorite is my current ride, an 865cc Triumph Bonneville.
If you’ve considered motorcycling, but are unsure the best way to get started, there’s a safe and proven training method available. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is in every state and in most cities. It offers weekend courses that now include riding on city streets and highways. I learned how to ride safely and enjoy the sport with confidence in their class. You can find them online. I’ve since taken several advanced riding courses, usually held at race tracks.
Nothing equals the freedom experienced in the saddle of a motorcycle, and nothing is as thrilling or as readily available, either. Go to a motorcycle dealer next weekend and just look around. Sit on a few bikes. Ask questions. I can’t imagine you’ll leave without a motorcycle. Enjoy the ride, ride safely, and keep the rubber on the road.
Wonderfully written article that captures the thrill of riding, but I must confess–I am the guy with a mid-life crisis chasing the thrill of my youth. I owned a great Kawasaki KZ 650 in my late twenties and it is thrill I’ll never forget and hope to relive soon.
Best article ever ..In the History of Man…
You could not have written that any better. To try to describe the motorcycling experience with the limitation of words, is no easy task. For me, the greatest descriptor is the perma-smile that unconsciously seems to form when I begin the ride and lasts for long after I take the helmet off.
I’m off to my local motorcycle dealer! Great article.