I recently got back from a wet ride in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. We wanted to do a ride in the rains and we decided to head to some of the wettest places in the Western Ghats thru lesser explored backroads. During this trip, I noticed how different riding experience was. Some were slow and relaxed. Others, like me, liked to ride at pace and maintain a nice speed thru the countryside roads and the curves. And there, I was the faster of the two of us. I would end up following him for a while before deciding that I could up my pace a little higher. I would overtake and before long, the bright white headlamps of the other bike became but a blip in the mirror.
I enjoyed riding at pace. The other person enjoyed riding slow and relaxed.
This, and other differences I have noticed over the years of riding solo and with other people, often make me wonder - what's the spirit of motorcycle travel?
I've met people who want to ride like it is all they want to do. The ride is the only thing that matters to them and they enjoy it in a very different way. The do stop at times, for the view or for a break. But it is never the intent. The ride is all that matters.
Others like to stop often, take breaks, chill with the others and take pictures often as they make their way thru the ride. They enjoy more this way.
I am more of the former, but I don't think I fit completely into that category. I enjoy riding at pace and I can do long stretches of about 200-250km in one go if I have to. My bike gives me the ability to do that. On plenty of open highways, I have sat on the saddle for 3-4 hours straight, riding at pace and alternating between listening to music or singing myself.
For some, the ride is all about finding the random of places thru the roads less taken. It is all in the spirit of exploration. Others like destinations and the ride is the means to get there. Some do explore a little, but they are more or less on the beaten path than the road less explored. Either way, everyone loves to ride.
Sometimes, the highway is a comfortable place to be after a couple of days spent in the hills.
For some, it is meeting the myriad type of people from the old lady in the roadside shop to the receptionist cum everything at the only hotel in town. It is about the experiences had with people, the place and the local cuisine. Others like getting to the destination and chilling out with the group. Either way, everyone has a good time.
When I ride, I like a mix of highways and the hilly roads. I like taking the corners quickly and cleanly. I give a lot of margin for error and I err on the side of caution. Still, the riding experience I prefer is of riding at pace. I love the curves because of the fact that I can continue to ride them at a pace where my sweet spot of satisfaction lies. I can cover long distances when the ride demands it. Sometimes, I just like to ride. Other times, I stop a lot for pictures and to stretch my legs. Sometimes, I venture off the main road, but I mostly decide my route beforehand. I prefer new destinations, but love going to some of the old haunts over and over again. Sometimes, I like my solo time with the motorcycle. Other times, I prefer to ride with a small group of people I know. There is no one thing in particular that I enjoy less or more. It is all relative.
All these many different ways of experiencing the spirit of the road and from inside a helmet, riding a man made machine powered by the invention of a previous era, taking it all in together - the road, the landscape and the drone of a motorcycle as the scenery constantly changes - all these things have made me realise something.
Motorcycle travel is different for different people. And because of that, the spirit of travel is different for each person.
But at the end of the ride, it is the same goal - the happiness you get and the memories that you make with your motorcycle and the landscapes it can show you.
This, I believe is the spirit of motorcycle travel.
If you liked this post, please upvote. Let me know your opinions in the comments below.
Read some of my opinion posts via the links below:
All or nothing - Lessons learned from a decade of motorcycling
The real value of a motorcycle
The other side of maximum fear
The ecological price of travelling
The price of overwhelming freedom
The similarity between motorcycle racers and fighter pilots
We need to travel to develop empathy
The importance of anchors in our lives
Our toys have not changed. They have only gotten bigger
Of Mortal Dreams and Motorcycles
Of motorcycles and love stories
Of Scuba Diving and Motorcycle Racers - A slow life between fast lanes?
Check out some of my popular posts below:
Motorcycle Stories - How I got into Motorcycle racing
A high-speed crash and life lessons
Until next time.
