Why We Ride: Embracing the Joy and Danger of Motorcycling
Why We Ride: Embracing the Joy and Danger of Motorcycling
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What do you hear from your friends and family when you tell them about your motorcycle adventures? After you’ve poetically described your ride as a mindful dance between you, your machine, and the open road. How the wind becomes your melody and the road becomes your verse. How the world opens before you when you ride, that feeling of being fully alive, like the wild untamed Spirit that lives within you. Ahh….
What do you hear from your friends and family when you tell them about your motorcycle adventures? After you’ve poetically described your ride as a mindful dance between you, your machine, and the open road. How the wind becomes your melody and the road becomes your verse. How the world opens before you when you ride, that feeling of being fully alive, like the wild untamed Spirit that lives within you. Ahh….
And your friends and family respond by saying “I saw on the news just yesterday how a motorcycle rider died. Yep, hit by a truck. I can’t imagine what that looked like! Those things are SO dangerous. I don’t know why you ride a motorcycle. You should sell it and do something safe, like golf”. UG…
And your friends and family respond by saying “I saw on the news just yesterday how a motorcycle rider died. Yep, hit by a truck. I can’t imagine what that looked like! Those things are SO dangerous. I don’t know why you ride a motorcycle. You should sell it and do something safe, like golf”. UG…
Yeah, we hear it all the time and they're right. While I would argue if motorcycles are dangerous, I would agree that riding them can be. We’ve got to forgive them and not get mad. They’re just concerned for us and that’s to be appreciated. Or if they’re not concerned for us, then they are telling us that because they think we are idiots. Either way, they’re making a valid observation.
Yeah, we hear it all the time and they're right. While I would argue if motorcycles are dangerous, I would agree that riding them can be. We’ve got to forgive them and not get mad. They’re just concerned for us and that’s to be appreciated. Or if they’re not concerned for us, then they are telling us that because they think we are idiots. Either way, they’re making a valid observation.
So, unless you’ve been convinced that riding is too much of a risk to your health and you’ve decided not to ride, then the rest of this episode is probably not for you. But, if you’re like me and the happiness pull of riding is just too strong, then we’ve got to figure out what to do to make the ride as safe as possible, without impacting the fun. Is that hard to do? Kinda, but is getting yourself prepared and protected prior to a ride worth it? Absolutely it is! Let’s talk about it. Thank you for joining me today.
So, unless you’ve been convinced that riding is too much of a risk to your health and you’ve decided not to ride, then the rest of this episode is probably not for you. But, if you’re like me and the happiness pull of riding is just too strong, then we’ve got to figure out what to do to make the ride as safe as possible, without impacting the fun. Is that hard to do? Kinda, but is getting yourself prepared and protected prior to a ride worth it? Absolutely it is! Let’s talk about it. Thank you for joining me today.
OPENING SONG
OPENING SONG
They are right, you know. Riding a motorcycle can be a dangerous thing to do, especially when it comes to dealing with cars. You may think you’re in total control like the professional MotoGP or Motocross racers that you see on TV. But you know what’s different? They are riding on a closed track. Yeah, they are well positioned to push the limits. Ah, everything’s different! Race tracks usually don’t have HighSchool students who just got their driver's license. No one on the race track is scrolling on their phone. The racecourse is kept totally free of any debris, free of oily patches, free of rocks and most certainly free of animals.
They are right, you know. Riding a motorcycle can be a dangerous thing to do, especially when it comes to dealing with cars. You may think you’re in total control like the professional MotoGP or Motocross racers that you see on TV. But you know what’s different? They are riding on a closed track. Yeah, they are well positioned to push the limits. Ah, everything’s different! Race tracks usually don’t have HighSchool students who just got their driver's license. No one on the race track is scrolling on their phone. The racecourse is kept totally free of any debris, free of oily patches, free of rocks and most certainly free of animals.
When I lead tours in Rocky Mountain National Park, I’m in the front of the Jeep driving with a headset on and I typically will have 10 to 12 guests in the openair customized Jeep. Sometimes they will ask about where and when we’ll see the animals. I tell them unlike the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland where you know where the animatronic animals are all the time, out here, we have no idea, because this is reality. This is the real Natural World. The animals wonder where they may.
When I lead tours in Rocky Mountain National Park, I’m in the front of the Jeep driving with a headset on and I typically will have 10 to 12 guests in the openair customized Jeep. Sometimes they will ask about where and when we’ll see the animals. I tell them unlike the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland where you know where the animatronic animals are all the time, out here, we have no idea, because this is reality. This is the real Natural World. The animals wonder where they may.
Same for us when we ride. No two rides are ever the same. Different cars, different drivers, different debris on the road. And if you ride the Rocky Mountains here in Colorado, as mentioned, we’ve got animals all over the place. From little ones to really big ones. We’re not talking rabbits and squires. Yeah we have those and you’ve probably survive a collision with one, but we have 1500 animals, like Moose for example. And after a rain or recent snow, the rocks on the mountain sides often times fall to the road. We’re talking about pebbles to boulders. Back to our racetrack analogy, there are no flagman warning you about what’s around the next blind corner. Nope. One second the road looks clear and the next second, yikes, a moose!
Same for us when we ride. No two rides are ever the same. Different cars, different drivers, different debris on the road. And if you ride the Rocky Mountains here in Colorado, as mentioned, we’ve got animals all over the place. From little ones to really big ones. We’re not talking rabbits and squires. Yeah we have those and you’ve probably survive a collision with one, but we have 1500 animals, like Moose for example. And after a rain or recent snow, the rocks on the mountain sides often times fall to the road. We’re talking about pebbles to boulders. Back to our racetrack analogy, there are no flagman warning you about what’s around the next blind corner. Nope. One second the road looks clear and the next second, yikes, a moose!
I realize now that I’ve probably talked you out of riding with us here in Colorado, but I want you to know too that there are ways of minimizing the risk to your health if you do have one of those encounters. A large part of minimizing the risks is riding smart, not pushing your limits, but in my opinion, a larger part of minimizing the risks is wearing the right gear. Dressing for the job. Knowing the difference between dressing for a walk on the beach and dressing for a thrilling ride through the Rockies. Yeah, huge difference.
I realize now that I’ve probably talked you out of riding with us here in Colorado, but I want you to know too that there are ways of minimizing the risk to your health if you do have one of those encounters. A large part of minimizing the risks is riding smart, not pushing your limits, but in my opinion, a larger part of minimizing the risks is wearing the right gear. Dressing for the job. Knowing the difference between dressing for a walk on the beach and dressing for a thrilling ride through the Rockies. Yeah, huge difference.
I’ll bet you’ve seen it too. I saw one just this week. Some dude riding his motorcycle with full face helmet and a leather jacket, then below that, what looked like a bathing suite and saddles. I make it a practice to be kind to people, to not judge others, but that dude was such an idiot. Ha ha. I’m sure you’ve seen the same thing, like someone wearing full riding gear, except for a helmet! It’s like their thinking “if I fall, I’ll be sure to hold my head in such a way that it won’t have any impact with the tree or the ground. “ Yeah, good luck with that.
I’ll bet you’ve seen it too. I saw one just this week. Some dude riding his motorcycle with full face helmet and a leather jacket, then below that, what looked like a bathing suite and saddles. I make it a practice to be kind to people, to not judge others, but that dude was such an idiot. Ha ha. I’m sure you’ve seen the same thing, like someone wearing full riding gear, except for a helmet! It’s like their thinking “if I fall, I’ll be sure to hold my head in such a way that it won’t have any impact with the tree or the ground. “ Yeah, good luck with that.
As I listen to myself, I know that this is coming across as a lecture and I also know that the great majority of those listening already wear full protection gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, riding pants, riding boots. So may this is just a reminder or some good advice to give to someone you see on the road.
As I listen to myself, I know that this is coming across as a lecture and I also know that the great majority of those listening already wear full protection gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, riding pants, riding boots. So may this is just a reminder or some good advice to give to someone you see on the road.
Then what does this "wisdom" look like on the road? It starts with respect – respect for your machine, understanding its capabilities and limitations. It extends to respect for the road itself, recognizing its ever-changing conditions. And crucially, it means having deep respect for other road users, whether they're in cars, on bicycles, or walking.
Then what does this "wisdom" look like on the road? It starts with respect – respect for your machine, understanding its capabilities and limitations. It extends to respect for the road itself, recognizing its ever-changing conditions. And crucially, it means having deep respect for other road users, whether they're in cars, on bicycles, or walking.
Safe riding is about being present. It's about scanning your environment constantly, anticipating potential hazards, and making proactive decisions. It's about leaving the distractions of everyday life behind and focusing on the here and now. We talked a lot about the past couple of episodes. 100% focus, 100% zoned into what’s happening all around you.
Safe riding is about being present. It's about scanning your environment constantly, anticipating potential hazards, and making proactive decisions. It's about leaving the distractions of everyday life behind and focusing on the here and now. We talked a lot about the past couple of episodes. 100% focus, 100% zoned into what’s happening all around you.
The wisdom of safe riding also extends beyond your gear. It’s very much tied to our mindset. It's about knowing your limits, both physical and mental. It's about making responsible choices, especially when it comes to things like fatigue and especially impairment. I’ll just say it now and I say this because I care about you. NEVER drink and ride. Full stop there.
The wisdom of safe riding also extends beyond your gear. It’s very much tied to our mindset. It's about knowing your limits, both physical and mental. It's about making responsible choices, especially when it comes to things like fatigue and especially impairment. I’ll just say it now and I say this because I care about you. NEVER drink and ride. Full stop there.
As for riding too far between breaks, I’m very guilty of that. I pick routes that are too far sometimes and I get too focused on getting to the next stop by a certain time. That takes the fun out of it. There's no shame in pulling over to take a break or for that matter deciding that conditions aren't right for a ride. In fact, that's a sign of true riding maturity. Again, I’m guilty. I’ve described the fun of riding into storms to observe the power of Nature and to see if I can make it through. Yeah, I don’t make the best decisions sometimes.
As for riding too far between breaks, I’m very guilty of that. I pick routes that are too far sometimes and I get too focused on getting to the next stop by a certain time. That takes the fun out of it. There's no shame in pulling over to take a break or for that matter deciding that conditions aren't right for a ride. In fact, that's a sign of true riding maturity. Again, I’m guilty. I’ve described the fun of riding into storms to observe the power of Nature and to see if I can make it through. Yeah, I don’t make the best decisions sometimes.
CHANGE MUSIC
CHANGE MUSIC
I realize that I haven’t spoken directly about the value of wearing a good quality helmet and a helmet that fits your head. I’ve heard any number of people say that they don’t like wearing a helmet because it’s either heavy, or uncomfortable or they can’t see out of it. Well, I’ve found that for most of these people, they’ve picked a helmet that doesn’t fit their head! Wear your good quality, perfectly fitting helmet on on every ride, all the time.
I realize that I haven’t spoken directly about the value of wearing a good quality helmet and a helmet that fits your head. I’ve heard any number of people say that they don’t like wearing a helmet because it’s either heavy, or uncomfortable or they can’t see out of it. Well, I’ve found that for most of these people, they’ve picked a helmet that doesn’t fit their head! Wear your good quality, perfectly fitting helmet on on every ride, all the time.
I was the second to arrive, where, out in the country, some dude crashed and he was not wearing a helmet. He survived and he was even walking around, but … nope I will not describe what his head looked like. Just use your imagination for how. I can tell you this, he would be getting a different kind of haircut from that day forward. Yuck. That’s an image I can’t get out of my head. Let me just say this. Don’t be an idiot. Wear a helmet.
I was the second to arrive, where, out in the country, some dude crashed and he was not wearing a helmet. He survived and he was even walking around, but … nope I will not describe what his head looked like. Just use your imagination for how. I can tell you this, he would be getting a different kind of haircut from that day forward. Yuck. That’s an image I can’t get out of my head. Let me just say this. Don’t be an idiot. Wear a helmet.
When we prioritize safety, we're not just protecting ourselves. We're also contributing to a more positive image of motorcycling for everyone. We're showing that we're responsible road users who value our own well-being and we care about those who care about us. We owe them that.
When we prioritize safety, we're not just protecting ourselves. We're also contributing to a more positive image of motorcycling for everyone. We're showing that we're responsible road users who value our own well-being and we care about those who care about us. We owe them that.
I’ll close with this. When you head out on your next ride, remember that the freedom we feel on two wheels is a precious gift. And the wisdom of safe riding is what allows us to truly appreciate and protect that gift. It's about finding that perfect balance between the thrill of the open road and the responsibility we carry as riders. Our minds and our bodies, those are gifts from God. Ride grateful for everything you get to see and experience when you ride, but be grateful too, for every safe journey. It’s in that state of gratitude that, if you’re lucky, you’ll find joy and peace of mind.
I’ll close with this. When you head out on your next ride, remember that the freedom we feel on two wheels is a precious gift. And the wisdom of safe riding is what allows us to truly appreciate and protect that gift. It's about finding that perfect balance between the thrill of the open road and the responsibility we carry as riders. Our minds and our bodies, those are gifts from God. Ride grateful for everything you get to see and experience when you ride, but be grateful too, for every safe journey. It’s in that state of gratitude that, if you’re lucky, you’ll find joy and peace of mind.
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