Do You Taste Freedom When You Ride?
This portrait is different from other portraits made of the Vespa scooter. I made it with a tiny taste of freedom in my mouth.
The word freedom is tossed at everything from promises made by salesman about new cars to politicians proclaiming it with shaking fists. Abstract descriptions of something that has so many different meanings to so many different people that it’s difficult to feel it. How do I know when I’m free?
On this morning, at the moment I made this picture, I could feel the thrill of freedom in my chest. Like a kid released for the summer on that last day of school. For me, it began the moment I stepped out of the DMV with my renewed drivers license indicating I no longer needed to wear glasses when I ride. The surgery for removal of cataracts and subsequent implantation of new lenses correcting my vision to 20/20 gave a tiny taste of freedom then, and on this morning when I pulled on my helmet and didn’t have to legally fiddle with glasses it burst into life.
It was shocking how exciting it felt. So much that I had to temper the emotions so I could pay attention to the road. As I rode a smile acknowledged gone was pressure of glasses to my temples and nose, no ongoing need to raise the visor to reposition the glasses, and no more fogging of glasses on those frigid rides.
A little thing in a complicated world. But I’ll take every bite of this tiny taste of freedom. What about you? When was the last time you had a taste?
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A taste of Freedom, when I walk outside with no particular place to go, every time I gear up and throw a leg over my bike and as I realize the knowledge that I potentially could go anywhere in our country by any means.
That’s certainly a mental freedom that not everyone can claim. A real nice place to be.
Like you Steve , I tend to look at freedom as a complex subject. Perhaps this is an over simplification, but I believe that whenever we feel tethered to something , this thing called freedom takes up residence on the sidelines. A decade or so ago I adopted a way of thinking about the things in my life to which I felt somewhat tethered … I have to walk our 93 pound dog every day… twice , I’m going to have to see a periodontist , from June through September I have to cut our 2 acres of grass once and sometimes twice a week , I have to shovel a lot of snow from December through March and a bunch of other things that I’ve viewed as annoyances and impeachments upon my freedom from time to time . Now , I substitute the words “have to” … with the words “get to” . It turns the table substantially, reminding me that I get to do a a whole bunch of things that great numbers of people would love to do and are unable to do for numerous reasons. I stepped into my 78th year a few months ago. The fact that I can still walk five miles a days , ride my Vespas as well if not better than ever and and actually restrain our big hunk of loveable dog while he tries to chase a cat reminds me of how free my life really is. So very happy to have read about your experience Steve. Stay well… take more pictures.
Life certainly can become complicated with responsibilities. Especially as our wealth brings more stuff. A lot of care and maintenance required. I try to remember something Edward Weston wrote in his journals concerning why he never learning to drive or own a car. He felt everything we acquire in life comes with a cost of time and energy. And he was unwilling to have a car interfere with his creative life. That’s pretty extreme but I understand the sentiment.
Substituting “have to” with “get to” certainly brings a person closer to gratitude and reduces the resentment of having to do chores. I tend to try and divide those things in my life that are truly important against other things that require attention but not at the expense of other things. And it causes me to look hard at the things I own. They take a piece of me for sure.
Sounds as if you are doing well. Five miles a day of walking is a lot. I generally get 10K steps in a day but it sure feels like I am walk less for some reason.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.
Closing night of shows. Whenever I finish the run of the show and get home after the final performance, I feel that feeling. It’s always an intense 5-6 week process, and the final release from all those obligations can be quite cathartic.
I can imagine how freeing that would feel. But is there a little sadness as well?
Really? Really? After all these years of riding you’re feeling freedom. Ever since I started riding in 1962 as a ten-year-old I have felt a lightness, carefree and floating feeling when I ride. Even when I’m totally working with the motorcycle (or scooter) to get the best out of each other I’m floating freely through the world. Maybe I’m just an overly simple person, but when I strap on my helmet and let out the clutch I’m in another place and the time spent is free of worries and concerns.
I’ve always felt that light, carefree, and floating feeling while riding. But man I was startled at how different things felt without those damn glasses. A new sense of freedom on top of everything else.
Imagine having a helmet that took minutes to fiddle with. And then you get another that goes on in seconds. It’s a little taste of freedom.
Hey Steve,
Realized how much I enjoy your posts for all these years.I want to say to all those that leave a thought or reply what a treat to read their thoughts and take on life and all things two wheeling.I have found for me all that said it’s another form of therapy too. Thanks to all we are linked by way of freedom of speech and the freedom of throwing a leg over the seat and taking off.B safe all and God bless. Dr. Don
Don, I completely agree. It has been an unlooked for gift to be able to read the opinions of so many others over the years. There really is a freedom to be able to write and post things here.
No glasses would be great , especially in winter riding. Alas, my body is really emphasizing these days that perhaps motorcycling may be soon a former activity, the next few months may bring on major changes.
It’s great to not have to wear glasses while riding. They’ve always been bothersome inside the helmet. And especially in colder weather with fogging.
Hard to imagine you not riding. I hope your journey stays satisfying in some form.