There are two major components: a bicycle and a motorcycle. The bicycle has become my primary form of cardio exercise. The motorcycle is the Harley-Davidson pictured on the blog page.
Living the two wheel live style offers decidedly unique views of our nation, its people, and the natural beauties comprising it. But more than these unique views, I hold that the two wheel life style also touches an inner part of the soul akin to the lore of the cowboys, explorers, and settlers of centuries past. There is a sense of individual freedom and adventure attained while astride a bicycle or motorcycle.
Freedom and adventure, that in my view can not be matched while traveling in an automobile. Certainly, the maneuverability of both bikes is far greater than a car. It is more, however. Being in the environment, with the wind created by forward motion flowing across one's face, provides a tremendous sense of freedom. Whether it is at 20 MPH on a bicycle on a back country road or at highway speeds along California's Route 1, the rider is totally immersed in the environment. Temperature variations, wind, rain, fog, whatever. They aren't shut out and ameliorated by the modern conveniences available in today's motor vehicles. All the better in my mind.
Imagine, if you can, the lone cyclist riding along the back country road, accompanied only by the sounds of the tires rolling along, passing flow of air, the whirl of the chain working the gears, the occasional passing vehicle, and one's own breathing. Periodically, the call of a bird or bark of a dog accentuate the ride. Without the distractions of radio, be it music, news, or talk show, the cyclist is able to focus upon the road and pedaling. As the hills come and go, offering their physical challenges, the cyclist applies more effort, increasing the exertion with a single focus of topping the climb. One hour. Two hours. Three hours. The cyclist continues to pedal along. Doing so, he can also see things missed by those traveling by car. The unique, if fleeting, views of the countryside. The beauty of the foliage. And, unfortunately, the trash left behind by the motoring public. From time to time, on popular cycling routes, cyclists pass one another, offering a small wave of recognition, of shared experience, of a shared lifestyle. When viewing a fellow cyclist stopped, they will slow and ask if any assistance is required. A form of camaraderie. These are not the experiences of the motoring public. The small hand gestures observed by the motoring public normally include just one prominently displayed digit. Insulated within their cages, the motoring public presses on in self absorbed, music filled cocoons, seemingly disregarding one another.
Changing to the motorized version of the two wheel lifestyle brings forth similar and different enjoyments. The sounds are similar and different at the same time, with a roar of wind joined by the sound of the vehicle. Of course, the throaty rumble of a Harley provides its own unique contribution. Like cycling, without the distractions of music, the motorcyclist is better able to maintain focus on his surroundings, an imperative when riding, particularly in traffic. Keeping alert and observant, once more a motorcyclist sees more than the average motorist. Ever alert for the changing traffic conditions, the smart motorcyclist is better at anticipating. Constantly scanning the traffic and road conditions, the rider uses such anticipation to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Riding a Harley provides an enviable advantage as well, as motorists and others in their cages sometimes look to the rider with envy, admiration, or simple curiosity. Riding along, it is not at all uncommon to have children in a passing van wave or see the businessman look with yearning at the Harley. Being a rider provides for many interesting interactions.
While refueling at gas stations, I've had complete strangers come up and comment on the Harley. Walking into or out of an eatery has provided the same experience. People are fascinated by the Harley and its associated rider. Many, many times, particularly during longer road trips along highways instead of freeways, I have the pleasure of chatting with folks who initiated conversations by first commenting on the Harley.
Beginning with a short observation about the Harley's appearance, brief conversations have resulted. Fellow travelers sharing a moment. And sometimes sharing unexpected kindness. While on the road, I have been the very grateful recipient of cups of coffee, soft drinks, and meals provided by regular folks. And these kindnesses have come from men and women, young and old, in numerous places. It is worth mentioning that many of the men do looking with longingly at the Harley, in what I interpret to be desire. Whether this comes from the allure of the open road or the mystique surrounding the Harley brand is unknown. Regardless, when on the road on the Harley, I enjoy vastly more spur of the moment conversations with my fellow citizens. And, like cycling, when on the road it is very common for motorcyclists to share small hand signals in recognition of one another, undoubtedly about the shared experience.
Ideally and when possible, I take the Harley on the roads less traveled. Hitting highways and side roads is vastly superior to freeways in and around major urban areas. Of course, sometimes that can't be avoided when heading form point A to point B. But the most enjoyable riding comes either on highways, such as routes 1 and 101 in California and Oregon, or freeways far from the maddening crowds, such as Interstate 15 in Utah's Great Basin. One of the main enjoyments when rolling along the highways is provided by the various eateries that are not fast food chains. Being a morning person, I particularly enjoy my stops for breakfast. Some of the greatest memories are sitting in small restaurants, scarfing down proteins and carbs for the day's ride, and interacting with the other folks. Sometimes this merely involves people watching, while at others full fledged conversations. The most common starting question is, "Where are you heading?" I've had the great pleasure of seeing average, middle Americans simply enjoying a good meal and cup of coffee, away from the stresses of daily life (and what TV and radio seem to think are the most important topics of the moment). Talking with them, sharing a laugh, wise cracking. You might say this kind of experience can be had while traveling by car and I suppose it's possible. But experience indicates people are in a far greater hurry when traveling by car than by motorcycle.
With smaller gas tanks (but far better MPG), motorcycles need to be refueled more often, so the rider stops more often than do motorists. Further, if the weather is a bit brisk or damp, stopping more often to warm up and dry out is needed. And riding a motorcycle is more physically demanding than operating a motor vehicle. Consequently, the motorcyclist takes longer to get from point A to point B on cross country trips. This actually adds to the enjoyment, because there isn't the frenetic rush associated with motor vehicle travel. As a result, positive encounters with my fellow citizens, as alluded to above, occur more frequently. At the end of a day of riding the Harley, it has been an experience, a significantly greater experience than just having logged so many miles. I've seen more, taken in more of the natural beauty of our great country, talked to more people, and been better immersed in real terms with my country. A few laughs, some cups of coffee, and many smiles.
So whether on the bicycle or motorcycle, it is a unique life style that provides for better connectivity with our nation and the wonderful people who populate it.
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