What is a Tiny Ride?
It would be nice if every ride could be a grand adventure. Days or weeks exploring, unfettered by the weight of duty and the responsibility of maintaining a life. But ask yourself, how many of your rides fit into that specific category of two-wheeled activity?
A lucid look in the mirror draws a confession — only a small fraction of my rides are grand adventures. Most of them are tiny rides, rides that are part utility and part therapy. They don’t appear special in any way. Experience reveals they in fact have a powerful influence on the quality of my life. Those low miles, short time in the saddle rides are the medicine that keeps me smiling, pulls me out of bed in the morning, and have me muttering, “What a wonderful life.”
The utility aspects of tiny rides are easy to comprehend — errands, transportation, an alternative to the cage. But what exactly comprises the therapeutic aspect of a tiny ride?
Focus and Attention
Attention to the road sweeps away the chaos that accumulates in my head. A cacophony of “should dos” and “must dos” blend into an impossible mountain of tasks that can make life seem an endless road of soul crushing activity. A tiny ride can silence those voices and allow my spirit to grow lighter for a moment. Long enough to recharge my emotional batteries and clearly see the options I have to live and act differently. Awareness, understanding, and ultimately courage to take action.
Physical and Visual Stimulus
It’s remarkable how rich the world is with sights, fragrances, sounds, vibrations, and the feeling of the wind on my chest. Mostly hidden when driving a car. On two-wheels there is a direct physicality of effort that rejuvenates my spirit, generates energy, and startles me awake in a world to which I can easily grow weary.
A tiny ride can work minor miracles through both physical and visual stimulation. The world isn’t just what I read or am told. It’s a personal creation constructed through direct experience. And generally, that experience is positive and true unlike so much of what blares away hoping to feed anxiety, fear, and outrage.
A tiny ride reminds me to look at my own life and how I am doing despite all the noise.
The Final Assessment
Riding alone provides space for thought. And sitting alone, off the bike, creates even more space to consider what’s happening in the moment right in front of me. In those quiet moments I often recognize problems that almost seem hidden and gain the insight, willingness, and courage to deal with them. Those tiny rides edge me towards a better and more peaceful existence.
Amazing what a few moments with hot tea and a cookie can create. And the same with a tiny ride. The machine doesn’t matter as much as the intent and commitment. Making the effort to embark on those low mileage, short term rides pays dividends beyond what I expect or deserve. There’s a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to transform myself merely by spending a short time on a scooter or motorcycle.
I want to go for a ride.
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Hello Steve. As always, very well illustrated. More than a few short rides that I enjoy are unplanned and it often feels as if the machine is guiding me.
Grateful for our passage.
Our experiences riding are unique to each of us. On the surface it appears simple, movement from point A to B. To non-riders it may appear to be an unacceptable risk. But beneath the surface, for me at least, is the gratitude that comes from doing something special with no expectation or reward. Another reason I ride at least.
It’s good to get out and about in the early summer. Clears the cobwebs and realigns the brain. I do that too. PDR
It definitely realigns my brain. And recharges as well so when I come home I am more grounded and ready to seize the day.
Yes wholeheartedly agree with this. Like you I am lucky to have a choice of Agee bikes to ride but more often than not I wheel out the cheapest and scruffyist, my 21 year old Vespa GT125, I find cruising along country roads at 40mph really life affirming.
Life affirming. Yes, that’s it. That’s what riding does for me as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate the reminder.
Tomorrow I’m off to Americade. Four days of riding, riding, riding. With any luck I’ll come home with 600 miles or more added to the odometer. One year the event was an extra day and I added 800. Don’t get me wrong a short ride around the area is nice but my once a year trip to Lake George keeps me warm though the winter.
I definitely understand how a long ride can work its magic on you for a long time. I’m still smiling about rides I did 15 or 20 years ago. Americade is a pretty intense moto-destination. Have fun! And maybe you’ll win the Moto-Guzzi they’re giving away!
Beautifully written Steve. And as always, your thoughts are very much appreciated.
I’m glad you found something worth reading. I’m glad I have rides ahead and hope to keep sharing them as I go…
As you mention, there are many more “tiny” rides than long journeys for me as well. Just hopping on one of my two bikes for even 30 minutes does a world of good. Even as a retiree I find it hard to get away from all the little things that need doing around home and with family. I thought this would be different, but as you mention, the responsibility of maintaining a life comes into play everyday. Enjoy your rides, however long or short they may be!
I’ve had help to change the balance of activities in my life. I have had to discern the difference between what truly matters to me while giving due attention to the other things in life. Writing, riding, photography, family and friends, and a spiritual practice truly matter to me. They come before cleaning, yard work, and myriad other business of life. It still startles me a bit when I want to attend to the mundane tasks. It’s as if I feel I do not deserve to embrace the passions in my life. Has me wondering why I’m here at all.