Riding and the Meaning of Life

Why We Ride

A fine marketing slogan that swept through the Moto-world a few years ago with the predictable declarations of freedom and escape. I don’t deny those things for they are certainly present, but there is something larger at work as I ride.

On the surface, I rolled the Kawasaki W650 motorcycle out the door to ride to breakfast. Alone, on a hot day, by myself. A simple act with nothing much on my mind as I pulled the choke and thumbed the machine to life.

And almost instantly I was climbing up the Allegheny Front on a road I generally avoid.

Speed and Power

I think of myself as a slow, meandering rider. Why take the 10 mile route to a destination when a longer, slower route is available. Not on this ride. By the time I stopped to make this photograph I was spending most of my time in the 50 to 65MPH range. Unusual for me. The W650 provides the power. I choose the speed. And on a hot morning, already over 80F, the extra cooling was a welcome addition.

The Reason for the Ride?

I knew exactly where I was going to eat. The previous evening I searched Google Maps for a new destination in a direction I seldom travel. I have judged riding westward from home to be less exciting, less beautiful, and less interesting than any other direction. So that’s where I was going to ride. Stopping to eat at the Green Acres Restaurant near Houtzdale was incidental to the lessons being taught on this hot morning. Lessons in humility when I realize I was wrong and found the ride both beautiful and exhilarating. Or not every ride has to be shrouded in isolation and solitude.

The man in the photograph came out to ask about the bike. We had a nice conversation about riding and motorcycles. That doesn’t happen on some remote backroad miles from no where.

Real Food, Real Pleasure

When I sat down the plan was for the traditional breakfast meal of bacon and eggs. I am a predictable eater. But when I saw a hot roast beef sandwich on the menu I had to ask if it was too early for one. The waitress responded with a polite “Of course not” and my decision was made.

I’ve had many bad hot roast beef sandwiches. This was not one of those abominations of chipped beef and fake gravy sloshed over instant potatoes. It was the real deal, beef pulled from a roast, real gravy made from drippings, and real mashed potatoes made with butter.

Delicious. Simply delicious and a welcome diversion from bacon and eggs.

Knowing What’s Important

I find it easy to get lost in my head in a maddening swirl of responsibility, concern, and daydreams. What emerges can be wildly unpredictable from anxiety and resentment to joy and reckless escape. It has taken a long time to recognize what is truly important versus the mundane activities of daily life. And then make choices that prioritize what’s truly important. When I wake I take care of myself, my wife, and the dogs. And then, before anything else (usually) I write. And hot on the heels is riding and photography. When I prioritize those activities life is smoother and I seem to have more energy for all the other things that require my attention.

Simple Things

On the way home I was struck by the desire for sugar. And maybe tea. As the bike brought me closer to home I decided to stop at the convenience store down the street for something different. A reward to enjoy once the bike and gear was put away. Just sit in my easy chair, have a few bites of ice cream, and replay the ride in my head. Just 70 miles but enough to have me pondering riding and the meaning of life.

At that moment, it meant ice cream.