The riding season is gaining momentum and approaching full speed. The negative press and celebrity stories bombard us almost daily with the “never again” attitude to motorcycle riding (Thank you George Clooney)
Before you cell that scooter or say no to that Ninja, lets think about the reasons you may actually WANT to get into riding or KEEP motorcycle riding as a hobby or form of transport.
THE REASONS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDING
Meaning.
For most of us not named Clooney or Fabio, we may only have 1 (or 2) bikes . This means that we have to keep them running. We also dont have the funds (or maybe just the desire) to spend a small fortune every 6 months adjusting, cleaning, lubing, or repairing things. Even a modern bike allows the convenience , for many things, to do maintenance and /or repairs yourself. When we accomplish things it gives us a plus . A win. To this day , i still change the oil in my car and do the brakes. Not because i think its fun to sit on the floor covered in grime, but because when i’m done I feel like I’ve accomplished something. Meaning is part of what keeps us going in life. It also gives us confidence to take on other tasks . The more we do, the more we feel like doing.Socialization.
The motorcycle community , if you’ve scrolled through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, is a social one. Not just for fake “likes” and posed pics. Motorcycle riders , even if they prefer to ride alone, tend to be social. Jump on a bike and be in the middle of small town America, you’ll end up having a conversation with someone at a gas station . If you are lucky enough to see another rider at that gas station, the potential is even higher. Stories will flow about the bike they had or about a time in their life. You also are encouraged to take part in meet ups, bike nights, and even things called “Sunday Church“.Activity.
Lets face it. If we choose , we can plant our butts on the couch or chair for hours on end just to watch that glowing box of images and sounds in our living room. Repeats of a funny sitcom we saw 30 years ago … SURE. A fast paced action movie or sci-fi series that we’ve only seen a few times so far. Maybe its a love affair with Fox News or MSNBC. Addicted to the negative spins that get applied to stories that support many of our own beliefs. Guess what. None of that keeps you engaged in life. It keeps you sedentary, stressed out, and unchallenged. (HELLO OBESITY AND DEMENTIA) Motorcycle riding gets you OUT and requires both physical and cognitive activity. As we age, both of these are VERY important. Stay active…ride a bike.
These are 3 not so obvious reasons for those of us in that second act of life. Sure, there is the simple ones: Cool, Loud, Fast, Hip, Sexy. These are mostly superficial and might get you through your 20s and 30s, but we need more.
Get out. Ride safe.
