Interesting take on the mindset of a rider.

[gat803]

I happened across this piece on Sport-Touring.net and thought it was worth sharing. The author writes as a bicyclist, but it translates to motorcyclist perfectly.

If you can ignore the first couple of paragraphs, it's a good read.

Cycle of Fear - NYTimes.com

"Biking is split-second fast and rock-climbing painstakingly slow, but both practices silence the noise of the mind and render self-consciousness blissfully impossible. You become the anonymous hero of that old story, Man versus the Universe. Your brain’s glad to finally have a real job to do, instead of all that trivial busywork. You are all action, no deliberation. You are forced, under pain of death, to quit all that silly ideation and pay attention. It’s meditation at gunpoint."

[Dropkick_pride]

Originally Posted by gat803

It’s meditation at gunpoint."

that is a great line....


and yes, very good read as well. thanks for passing it along.

[damanning71]

That's a pretty deep article. Gives me a lot to think about. Especially the deeper need I have to ride. It's a "need", not a "want". I feel less stressed out when I get home. Even though the entire time I'm riding through the city, I'm totally on the edge of expectations. Mind taking in everything faster than a computer. With no time for decisions. Only time for reactions.

Meditation at gunpoint. Absolutely. Yet I am willing.

[taikin]

Good stuff

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by damanning71

That's a pretty deep article. Gives me a lot to think about. Especially the deeper need I have to ride. It's a "need", not a "want". I feel less stressed out when I get home. Even though the entire time I'm riding through the city, I'm totally on the edge of expectations. Mind taking in everything faster than a computer. With no time for decisions. Only time for reactions.

Meditation at gunpoint. Absolutely. Yet I am willing.

Ain't it amazing, riding which by logical terms should be something that is stressing is oh so relaxing, even when it is exciting it is peaceful

[superdiver]

That is a great line!

[damanning71]

Originally Posted by CrazyDave

Ain't it amazing, riding which by logical terms should be something that is stressing is oh so relaxing, even when it is exciting it is peaceful

The only other thing I have found to be relaxing, and quite stress releasing, is shooting at the gun range. After a few hours of shooting or riding, I feel like I been doing yoga at a health spa.

Honestly, I've never done yoga at a health spa, but it sounds relaxing......

[vito]

Never thought of it in those terms but the guy is right on the money.

[Floyd Dolin]

Thanks for sharing the article. "...you lock up your bike and become hostage to the hours again" is how I sometimes feel after the ride in to work. As always and above all...ride safe.

[Goat Regime]

Very nice find gat. Not only is the entire article easy to relate with (including the first few paragraphs), it is also exceptionally written, well executed and vivid.