Via Kottke and I’ve taken the liberty of changing Jason’s text to replace “Mountain Biking” with “Adventure Motorcycling” because while many bicyclists have a disdain for motorcyclists, we have more in common than the two groups believe. Heck, everything I use to camp is designed for bicycle touring. We share many of the same great roads and trips like the Arctic Circle, Patagonia, Translabrador and Continental Divide are on bucket lists of bicyclists and motorcyclists alike. We are propelled differently but the danger is matched evenly by the freedom. While a continental divide trip would take 2 months in a bicycle, it’s 7 days on a motorcycle so our only real difference is the additional miles a motorcyclists will see but, on the trails, mountain bikes are faster unless you’re an expert enduro rider.
Here’s Jason with my edits:
This is one of the reasons I’ve fallen in love with adventure motorcycling over the past few years — riding is so all-encompassing that it forces me out of whatever past or future crisis is occupying my thoughts and into thinking no more than a second or two into the future. And moving through physical space feels like you’re making progress, which is amazing when you’re feeling stuck in the rest of your life.
Depending on the trail, if I lose concentration for a second while adventure motorcycling, I might get seriously injured or die. As someone who has never been into extreme sports, I have no idea why I decided being on the edge of death is fun and stress-relieving, but it is. 🤷♂️
Adventure motorcycling isn’t for everyone — I know others get a similar sense of presence and focus from running, skiing, throwing pots, woodworking, photography, walking, surfing, writing, knitting, meditation, gardening, painting, reading, and the list goes on and on. I feel lucky to have found my thing and would love to hear if you’ve found yours.
Amen. I couldn’t agree more and as neighbors who ride the same roads and trails in Vermont, I completely understand.