Comments on: Exploring the Road (Slowly)

By: Touring Motocycle Tires

Touring Motocycle Tires — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:09:01 +0000

Nothing gives me pleasure than to ride on my motorcycle and make several stops just to admire nature. I take lots of photographs of me on my motorcycle and my motorcycle too. I don’t like backrests. they would make me feel lazy and i would not enjoy my rides. Steve, you are a great rider, photographer and story teller! Keep up!

By: Sojourner rides

Sojourner rides — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Steve, I feel as you do about the relaxed, slower speed of two wheels, and being able to stop and smell the roses. I was surprised to hear you wonder if it would be the same on a motorcycle. Perhaps it’s a matter of one’s reference point. Mine is that between a motorcycle and car. The motorcycle allows me the luxury you speak of. I associate the car with speed and indifference and being boxed in a cabin that disconnects me from nature. But the bike, it demands that I take a different road, at a different pace, one that is conducive to tripping the shutter and getting in touch with my environment. Nice post!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:05:00 +0000

Jack: Thanks for your kind words. I definitely find riding soothing and I'm glad it comes through in the posts.

Thinking about your arthritis challenges and getting on and off the bike perhaps there is a PIaggio MP3 in your future. Those three wheelers are in my head already for a day when I need more stability or if my back gets to the point where I don't want to be pulling the scooter on and off the center stand so much.

I try not to carry anything in my pockets for the same reason you describe. Sometimes I forget to pull the pens out of my shirt pocket though and I think those are like little potential daggers...

"OIl slick on a trout stream". That's funny. I've read your blog and I think you are being too hard on yourself. We just all have different voices and think about different things...

By: Jack Riepe

Jack Riepe — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:36:00 +0000

Steve:

I first found your blog about a year ago. Somebody in the BMW club I ride with (Mac-Pac) sent it to me as an example of what a ride-oriented, photo-documented blog should be. I found it both soothing and inspiring.

Then I lost it.

I couldn't find it anyplace. Worse, I couldn't remember who sent it to me and apparently they couldn't either. It was a happy coincidence that I found it listed among the favorites on Sojourner’s Moto Tales.

I have often thought of getting a Vespa, but find myself addicted to a BMW K75 at the moment. My riding style is such that I often stop to placate the raging arthritis in my knees. There ample opportunities to take pictures, but I don't use a tank bag and carry my camera in the top case. I regret it just hurts too much to get on and off this machine to fumble with the camera.

The camera is a small enough Nikon CoolPix S9, which I can carry in a pocket, though I am leery of doing so in the event of a high impact crash. Having had a head-on collision with a mini-van (that made an illegal left turn less than 20 feet away from me), I am sensitive to carrying anything in my pockets that could shatter my ribs.

I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed and admired your stories about riding a scooter in the snow and on gravel. I've told three people about your post regarding the Christmas tree on your scooter -- since I read it last night. You and Sojourner (Sharon) write on a very cerebral and pure level. By comparison, my own work is like the oil slick on a trout stream.

Sincerely,
Jack Riepe
Twisted Roads
http://jackriepe.blogspot.com/

By: Kelly Renaul

Kelly Renaul — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:25:00 +0000

Sometimes Slow Drive Gives you the Best Sight !

http://www.supersportsracing.com

By: Moose Gear

Moose Gear — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:43:00 +0000

What a Nice bike. You’ve reached my dream. congratulations and enjoy it.

http://pexi.mediterrum.com/guzzi_breva_weblog

By: irondad

irondad — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:52:00 +0000

I agree with Brian and Sojourner. It's about attitude and wrist management. I can ride 100 mph or 20 mph. My wrist rotates both directions. The difference for me in stopping is the box versus bike. With a box around me I tend to stay in the box.

On the bike I'm already literally out in the environment so it's no biggie to step off.

Another note on speeds and photos. It's all about blinking rates. Faster blinks, faster shutter speeds. Slower speeds, slower shutter speeds. Just blink more slowly!

P.S. to Bill: Looks like the nickname I gave you stuck!

By: Sojourner rides

Sojourner rides — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:01:00 +0000

Interesting discussion about traveling slow. As a former long distance bicycle rider, I can say I never stopped much except to stretch and answer nature’s call. I never took many pics either. It was all about the destination, unfortunately. But on my Suzuki SV650, a nice moderate displacement motorcycle, I do a lot touring and off-Interstate riding. I stop all the time! And I’ve seriously reconnected with photography. My motorcycle allows me to explore the road fast or slow. And if I only have a weekend to get out of the city, I can ride 400 hundred miles to a particular destination and spend the rest of the time exploring the area slowly. I return with a renewed spirit to face the days ahead–and tons of photographic memories. I’ve never had the pleasure of a scooter. I’d like to try it one day. I think, however, that I love hugging a tank and the choice of slow or fast. I love your blog!

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:38:00 +0000

You really have a great blog. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

I don't think the size of the motorcycle or scooter matters much.

I ride an 1100cc Moto Guzzi cruiser. I'll do 80mph sometimes on the way home and other times I'll take the side roads at 30mph. It's just the mood I'm in. Either speed is great..It's all about the mood I'm in.

By: Krysta in Milwaukee

Krysta in Milwaukee — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:24:00 +0000

I learned to ride on a 125cc Yamaha Riva, added larger motorcycles (400-1150cc) to the mix about 2 years ago after meeting my fiancee. In my experience, the mindset for riding a scooter or smaller motorcycle is different from larger bikes.

With the scooter, or even the 400cc, I had more of an "I'll get there when I get there, and let's enjoy the ride" mentality. I knew it was more efficient to go slower, and also that neither was going to get me anywhere in a big hurry.

With the larger displacement motorcycles (& I suspect I'd do the same with a larger scooter) I'm more likely to go faster. It doesn't help that the 3 largest in our stable all have clocks.