THE GREATEST MOMENTS IN ALL OF MOTORCYCLING.
So. There I was. It was mid-day in late june, 2010. Riding my commute under a perfectly blue sky free of clouds from hoizon to horizon, when it hit me.
The ambient temp was about 75f with maybe three or four miles of wind. All the vents were open on my riding gear. As I turned north, the sun warmed the back of my riding suit and the temp was transfered thru my t-shirt just as if I had rolled over and exposed my back to the tanning rays of the sun while lying on one of Chicago's famous lakeshore beaches, Yet, the riding breeze blowing up my sleeves and through my vents allowed me to stay perfectly comfortabe while my back was deliciously warmed.
As I leaned through the corner, my throttle was dialed in just enough that the bike picked up speed, picked up from the lean, and stayed right on the exit line desired with nary any correction necessary. The suspension soaked up and controlled the little waves in the rutted asphalt and the fully warmed tires gave rock steady traction feed-back.
Nearly everything possible to note in the few seconds riding time through this particular corner was in perfect balance and in perfect feel. And without premonition of nor reflection on the moment, my mind was compelled to yell, "This is It!" And it caught me by surprise as it always has.
"Eureka" and "Aha" are words of discovery. "This is It!" is more of a summation of a lifetime's worth of evaluation and practice at perfection. The goal is already known. It is the joy of attaining that goal one more time that illicits the phrase. For a moment, a few seconds, or maybe most of the ride at the time, I might feel that I have achieved some harmony with the real world.
How many times in our lives might we be able to appreciate such moments? What other ways can such moments be more accessable to us? Might it be possible to share such moments with others?
The bike is my prefered mode of transport. I never wonder if it is a good day to take the bike? Rather, I have already decided to take the bike and am always put in a foul mood when something prevents me from riding, like winter's snow and ice. Because I spend so much riding time in less than perfect conditions, these moments of riding bliss are few by comparrison to time and effort. So I can get some feel-good vibes from strange stuff. I am pretty happy with bugs splatting on my visor. And riding in a WARM rain is pleasurable compared to the rain that I usually get caught in. Yet, it is still rare that I yell to myself, "This is It!"
So. Post up your favorite riding moments be they seemingly plain like the one above or more exciting like the one below.
A few years back, I was on a trip and rode up Pike's Peak. It was a glorious sunny morning with a crisp mountain temperature with light dappling through the trees. Lots of bikes were along and all the riders were accomplished such that I felt that I was with kindred souls. Right there was enough to make it special. At the summit, I was overcome with joy that I was having an especially good time with the bike, riders, et al. As good as it was, and it was about as good as it ever gets; there was no one with me to share the moment. So, I phoned my lover from the summit and told her how good it was and how much I missed her company at that moment.
For further reading on the idea, search ' Abraham Maslow, peak experience '
I keep a small record of such moments and find it comforting in a few ways. Again, post up some of your best biking moments and start saving and savoring your moments as best as you can.
ibafran
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Motorcycle Culture
Nirvana!