I think the real challenge to riding all the time — money aside — would be family and friends. It would likely take a selfish act to ride all the time. If you’re unencumbered in that regard it would be a lot easier. Perhaps most of those who do have that life don’t have kids and spouses to worry about.

Still, it’s possible to fit a lot of riding into a life and still have a family. And if the family rides — great luck!

I’ve been warned of a loss of identity when retiring and the onset of invisibility. I’ve sensed the possibility but haven’t seen it directly yet. I’ve always felt invisible. Others have suggested I can present a “scary” persona. That was 25 years ago though. I’ve never understood that.

For me, the jury is still out on getting old. Physically it isn’t so great. We’ll see about the rest.

I’ve watched your construction project on the ModernVespa forum. I assumed you would be adding more stuff. Better stuff! New memories.

As far as memories go — they’re precious. Even the bad ones. I plan to hold on to them as long as possible.

The two year rule has its limitations. Sometimes there are things that don’t get used often but when you need them they’re useful. Many in my tool world. It’s a good place to begin though. Have a lot of perfectly good stuff that hasn’t moved in 20 years — Coleman stove and lantern is one. Brand new practically. For emergency use. What do I do with stuff like that. I do know what to do with a giant box of tractor feed printer paper. How did I manage to keep that…

I hope to get a a far more spartan collection of stuff. And a more extreme evaluation of things before I decide to take them on. No more gizmos for instance…

At times riding provides that feeling of freedom. More often it delivers joy — a reminder that I’m alive in the world. Most common though is that it focuses the mind from it’s normal shifting around so that I can think a bit more clearly. Maybe that’s freedom. Not sure.

I’ve had more than a few concerns about throwing journals away and losing memories or details that I might want to use. I’ve been a bit selective about what I’ve tossed. And I don’t plan to get rid of everything. At least not yet.

Beginning work on a Scooter in the Sticks book now. We’ll see how often I have to return to old journals.

It’s great to be on a ride where there’s nothing to work out. That bliss doesn’t occur nearly enough for me. I’m working toward it though.

A past like a ghost is pretty common I suspect. Easy to understand how memories associated with things can pull a fog over everything. And hard to separate from reality.

Thanks for the kind words about the post.

I agree with the notion of understanding things backwards. Looking for the line between understanding and enslavement. I suspect it will be a life long process. The physical remnants are another matter. Simplification and minimalism is a path I’m exploring. Just as an empty road offers a sense of freedom, I think the same thing occurs in a living space to some degree. We’ll see.

Haven’t gotten to a like button yet.

I think the stories and information gathered during regular journaling would always be uninteresting save for the occasional adventure or unique situation. For me journaling is an exercise in mental meditation. Quiets the mind. Much like riding. What I write really isn’t important.

I’ll be getting to the physical possessions. I want to quit tripping over things. Especially in the basement and garage. So much stuff that just gets pushed around and never used…