I borrowed this title from a line in Jon Krakauer’s book “Into the Wild”, an account of a young man who literally walks away from his life. The story describes a rebellion against the pressures of modern life — a topic that permeates, to various degrees, many of the writings of motorcycle riders.
I am reminded over and over again the power riding has to pull the veil from the routine of living and the gap between life and living. Riding in cold weather tendsto strip away everything but the road, the scooter, and the actions I take. Life is simple and full of purpose making speed and lane position decisions, considering route and other vehicles, listening to the sound of the engine. It’s in these moments that I realize how light I can feel and how heavy life can become through the decisions I make in the name of comfort, style, and conformity, all things related to consuming more and more things. Riding reminds me of the fleeting nature of things and the power of experience and action.
I’m thinking about the credit card advertisement that lists the prices of several items and then ends with something like “walking with your daughter in the snow – priceless”. Maybe the other items in the list aren’t that important and more time should be spent in action rather than shopping, acquiring, owning.
I stopped along this gravel road on the way home to look at the light in the woods as the sun went down and I remembered a statement made by photographer Edward Weston many years ago when asked why he did not own a car. He suggested that a person must weight the cost of ownership in terms of what he must give up in freedom to own something. He was speaking of how buying and ownership affects the need to use time to earn money. Weston was careful to weigh this transaction carefully so that he could pursue his life rather than spend it paying for things.
Being happy and near the wild heart of life doesn’t come automatically. I think it has to be earned through careful and deliberate action. Riding safely requires careful and deliberate action and offers a practical method of experience that can move us closer to that wild heart of life.
You write so much of what I think. I look forward to your blog every day.
rb
I am a regular reader of your blog. Though I don’t comment often, I wanted you to know that I find your experiences, and writing, to be inspiring. Keep up the good work!
Yes, I have to agree with the others. I’ve been stopping by for a few weeks now and am enjoying the visits.
Not an owner myself, but if I can swing it, will do so in the spring. I find your musings inspiring, realistic, and thoughtful.
Concerning acquisitions and wealth, Thoreau said (approximately): “A man is wealthy in proportion to what he can afford to not pick up.”
harnadem and john: Thanks for your kind words of support. Glad you find something useful here.
simplytim: Weston certainly was living his life in the spirit that Thoreau outlined in Walden. I’ve read biographical accounts of Edward Weston and it seems he always bristled at any comparison to Thoreau who he felt didn’t really walk the walk I guess. Weston felt he lived his entire life by that philosophy were Thoreau only “dabbled” in it.
Whatever the circumstances of each man’s life may be I believe Thoreau’s assertion of wealth to be true. It is a real challenge to apply in this culture where everything is whispering “pick me up, pick me up”.
It is so hard to live that Thoreau ethos when you have a modern family to support. I do the best I can, but those 8.5 hours I spend at work every day are under coercion from my girls.
Sometimes I think, “Oh, to be free again…” – but it would cost me all the love in the world. All I can do is try to wear them down, over time, and hope that I’m not the one who gives up.
I agree with these other readers, Steve. Your blog gets better with each passing month. I can see your name on a coffee table book, sometime in the near future.
Ride well,
=gc=
I came across your blog while researching scooters. I ended up buying a Honda VT1300 but find myself coming back to your blog for inspiration. Great stuff. Your words speak for many of us. Keep riding, keep blogging and be safe
rsb/california
Hi there,
I really enjoy your blog. I’ve only briefly tasted the freedom that motorcycling grants, so I envy your daily fix.
If you are interested in the idea of escaping corporations, mammon and rat races, I recommend the following blog
http://www.zerocurrency.blogspot.com/
It’s full of religious and philisophical themes and some posts require some heavy duty critical thinking capabilities. But it is fascinating!
jrl
Everything that has been happening to me lately has been teaching me to stay out of the major rat-race and keep things simpler at home. Less toys, less knick-knacks, less keepsakes, less Godawful weight to carry around in life. I think that riding a scooter has certainly helped me see things differently, too. A little slower pace than I was used-to, a little more reflection on why I do what I do…
John
Whether you have a casual interest in motor cycling or you are fanatical about finding out all you can, we’ve got all that you need right here.