I sat on the scooter at the end of the driveway this morning for five minutes trying to decide whether to go left or go right. I had no interest or desire to go anywhere in particular; just a pressing need to ride.
Somewhere. Anywhere. Just feel the wind and the world moving past, eyes growing full of scene after scene, color, texture, things and places. A swirling mind slowly tamed into a focused, relaxed place. Twenty minutes later I had passed over two ridge lines of the Appalachian Mountains and was wandering through lush forest growth and the occasional patch of rain from threatening skies.
Decisions led from one road to another, usually more isolated and less traveled, mind working on the road and little else. A welcome, essential, necessary process for me. I often wonder how many riders find solace in riding. Many speak of recreation, camaraderie and adventure. Few of solace.
The threat of rain never grew beyond moments of light rain. Instead the temperature remained pleasant and the need to fight the glare of the sun was gone. No stops for food or gas or water. Just a relaxed movement ahead, on and on and then home again.
One hundred miles of recharge. At least that’s how it seemed.
It was a good day to ride.
Camaraderie? God forbid. They all wave as they pass but they never stop to help. Camaraderie with triple A.
I am one rider who does ride “for solace”.
It’s what got me hooked on scooting…
Nice post~
Conchscooter: Camaraderie within a riding group maybe. I see they all stop together at the same watering holes.
Maybe that stands out for loners like us.
Deb: I suppose there are probably more solace riders out there than I suspect!
Solace? Yes…
But, sometimes I just have to ride. I can’t even define what makes it imperative, but it is. And, until I ride my world just isn’t quite coherent. And, I guess it is true, until I ride I’m inconsolable.
Yes, solace is close enough.
~Keith
I ride for solace and recharging of my spirit. Going for the occasional group ride with a few friends is nice, but where I find my groove is when I am riding solo and breathing the scents in and gazing at the sights around me with wonder and contentment. The alone time I get in my helmet helps to clear my head, gives me time to think and put things in perspective. I too feel the need to ride and hear the road calling me, those moments are the ones I go solo. Half the time I am still pinching myself because I can’t believe I ride a scooter or motorcycle. I wonder if I will ever get over the awe of it and the sheer enjoyment and immense pleasure it brings. One thing is for certain I can’t get enough of riding.
Steve,
Although there was a time I enjoyed riding in groups, it has passed. In fact if I do ride with a small group or even one other rider I find myself feeling constrained. I don’t take near as many photographs, if any. I’ve let my riding slip away this year. Time to change that.
Always love your posts.
Ronman
Steve:
My rides are a mixture of both solitude and camaraderie. I do not have a riding buddy, and lately I have been shying away from Groups, but it is not healthy to be talking to yourself all the time
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Steve
Solace…while I do enjoy the rides with fellow Uralisti and others, I find the ones when I am by myself are the best and most rewarding rides.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Circle Blue (Keith): I can relate to your description of the imperative to ride. Very strange trying to describe it to someone who spends their vehicle life inside of a car.
Solace on!
Dar: Riding alone has so many advantages that I can’t believe more people don’t do it. For some I have met they can’t imagine riding alone.
And like you, I wonder if I’ll ever lose the satisfaction that comes from riding. I spoke with someone a few weeks ago that told me they quit riding –they said it was too much of a bother.
I was speechless…
Ronman: It doesn’t take much to find riding has slipped into a secondary place in life. Probably explains why so many old motorcycles and scooters have so few miles on them.
Best wishes to finding your way back to the road!
bobskoot: How about singing? Do I need to worry when I find myself singing to myself while riding? This weekend I was stuck on Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”.
Amazing what sticks in my head…
Charlie6 (Dom): I can tell by your writing and the brief time we spent together last year than you are a lone rider. I feel the same draw though I don’t think I am as relentless as you.
Maybe someday I will be if I work hard at it!
Love your travels in the URAL. You’re having more fun than a person is entitled to you know.
Steve, there is always something compelling in the simplest of your posts. The prose and the photos never fail to strike a chord in me.
Although 90% of my riding is done commuting, I am fortunate that I have routes to choose from. One of my choices is at the corner of my street. Left is the scenic route. Right is gas, and then an expressway leg. Later on, more forks, more choices. Those choices are like playing an instrument. Endless variety with just a few notes. Solace indeed.
Steve:
You are presuming that I have working memory cards connected to my brain input slot. whilst riding my mind goes blank and all I can hear is the sound of the engine and the whistling of the wind. Me and my machine, as “ONE” going with the flow with not a care in the world
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Dear Steve:
I was lost in New England once, someplace in the bowels of New Hampshire. A sign indicated that Brattlesham was either to the left or the right of a fork.
I asked a lurking farmer, “Does it make any difference which way I go to Brattleshanm?”
His response was, “Not to me.”
Rides are sometimes like that.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Steve, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and would love your recommendations on some great riding roads in Pennsylvania. i will be coming down from Montreal and would appreciate a few ideas for routes (scenic, non-highway if possible) that might take a few relaxing days. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Derek.
David Masse: Thank you for the kind words about my writing. It remains something I practice in hopes of being able to clearly communicate what’s sometimes in my head. I feel more comfortable with a camera…
Choices — just having them, riding or otherwise, is a luxury. Not sure everyone appreciates that. You illustrate it well!
bobskoot: Your description of the wind and the road and being one with the experience is something I have carried with me since I first watched “Then Came Bronson” back in 1968. I knew then there was something special about traveling by motorcycle…
Dear Mr. Riepe: You just have a way of bringing the best out in people. I wonder if they realize what kind of gift you are bring them?
Derek: Central Pennsylvania has hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of incredible roads for riding. Most know the classic main routes like US Route 6 but it pales in comparison to some of the more obscure ones.
I’ve been working on a post for a long time about this very subject. When are you coming this way? I’ll try and finish before your trip so you’ll have time to think about them.
Steve, these days in Kansas I would pay good money for the threat of rain. Any weather that encouraged riding, actually.
Brady
Behind Bars
http://www.behindbarsmotorcycle.com
Thanks Steve, I hope to visit sometime over the next few weeks so you’ll probably not have your post ready by then, but no problem. I’m sure I’ll want to visit again.
All the best and keep writing!
Derek.
Brady: We’ve dodged the drought for a time I think — just enough rain to let the farmers here breathe a bit.
Riding in the rain of late hasn’t been a mental issue. I just am not too worried about it this summer.
derek: I’ll see if I can pull something together quickly over the next couple days.