Remember it’s only one down and the rest is up
Riding a motorcycle is far different to driving a car. It is more than driving.
No?
People are not referred to as ‘drivers’ (unless they’re a professional) nor do they self-identify that way. Jumping in a car, passenger or driver, is something almost all of us do without a second thought. It is by nature a more passive experience than on a bike.
People do self-identify as ‘motorcyclists’. I do it, Kris Gage does it. In fact as far as I know, all bikers do it. Motorcycling is a sub-culture, and in my experience, a sub-culture like no other.
From the day you swing a leg over, you are a part of something. On and off the road, but particularly on. The little greeting bikers have — be it a nod, wave or something else entirely — when passing each other is the foremost symbol of this. That’s…pretty cool actually. Almost as cool as the glorious machines we ride! ;)
To reiterate, motorcycling is more than driving. It is an experience that cannot be had in a box. Whether this leads to a certain philosophy, or it is the certain philosophy that leads people to two wheels, I am not yet certain.
As in all sub-cultures, motorcycling is packed with adages. Nuggets of wisdom passed rider to rider. These are the inspiration for writing this, because they apply quite so disconcertingly well to Life in General.
Here’s a couple of my favorites.
Look where you want to go
This was drilled into me on CBT and was the first axiom that I realised was cross applicable to life. Look where you want to go on a motorcycle, and your body naturally steers you in that direction. Whatever you do, don’t look down!
Similarly in life. Find your target, and the path opens itself. Glance at it, check for the manhole covers and the diesel spills. But don’t linger looking down. Focus on the horizon and you’ll find your way through life’s corners.
Remember it’s only one down and the rest is up
For those unfortunates among you that are not motorcyclists — motorcycles use pedal shifters.
Step down into first. Then pull the lever up — through neutral — into second and you’re away.[1]
One down, and the rest is up.
There are the gritty, torquey lows, but there are also the glorious high speed…highs. Can’t have one without the other.
Dress for the slide, not the ride
This one is contentious amongst motorcyclists. Protective gear doesn’t look as cool, unfortunately. High visibility vests certainly spoil the look of a nice leather jacket.[2] And all the layers suck in the summer heat — hot tarmac and a hotter engine.
But in my book — it is better to sweat than bleed.
I’ve had a couple stumbles in my short motorcycling history, and each time the proper gear allowed me to brush them off with hardly a scratch.
Gear up for life’s challenges, rather than the highway highs. Because you will stumble sooner or later.
There you have it. There’s a couple of fragments of ‘biker wisdom’ applied to life. Maybe I’m just seeing something in nothing, maybe there ain’t no biker philosophy.
Who am I kidding! If you think I’m wrong, go swing your leg over and go for a spin.
Then try and tell me otherwise, I dare you…
[1] This is why any boot designed for motorcycling has a pad of sorts on the top of one or both boots. Now you know!
[2] And their usefulness when so many people don’t even look in the first place is debatable, but that’s beside the point.
