Why We Ride?
I have been asked this question now an umpteen time…Why do you ride?
(In my case probably the question arises as I am a white collared professional, look pretty senior with my white hair and beard, have 2 kids and lead an average life of a doctor, who are supposed to have a big/small car driven by self/chauffeur and not indulge in any risk-taking activities!
And most of my patients expect their doctor to arrive in a well ironed suit with a thick pair of glasses adorning his face, his belongings in a smart suitcase/ leather handbag.
Not someone arriving in a thick armored jacket laden with dust and a colorful helmet with even more colorful visor adorning his head with his belongings strapped to his back in a highly reflective backpack.
You get the idea, I believe!)
I don’t give up riding, for it is who I am! A motorcyclist!
But I am sure I am not alone in this?
Millions of humans on this planet swear by their motorcycles and would not give up riding for well… anything!
Have you ever wondered what it is about motorcycles that makes them so appealing to those millions of people around the world?
Why do some people choose to ride motorcycles in the face of the risks involved?
This grows every day as number of idiots on the roads increase! The Indian roads are getting more and more congested so much so that the only place left for the motorcycles are the pedestrian lanes……putting “everyone” at risk?
What are the benefits of riding a motorcycle that outweigh the potential dangers?
And, what drives individuals to hop on a motorcycle and hit the open road?
The feeling of being one with the machine, the wind in your face, the roar of the engine, the thrill of speed, the sun on your skin, the freedom in your soul. You may say!
There is something magical about motorcycle riding that makes you feel alive, connected, and empowered. It takes you flying through the air at the twist of the throttle! That feeling of gliding through the landscape all the while being one with it cannot be put into words.
It is not just a hobby or a mode of transportation, or even a way of life. It is Life!
Motorcycle riding has been around for over a century, and it has attracted millions of enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Some ride for fun, some for commuting, some for adventure, some for sport, and some for passion.
But whatever the reason, they all share a common bond: they all love riding their motorcycles.
Motorcycle riding can also have therapeutic benefits for your personal growth and emotional healing, as seasoned riders will tell you.
“It’s not that you got old and stopped riding, it’s that you stopped riding that you got old!” is an age old saying in biking circles.
The Power of the Open Road
One of the most appealing aspects of motorcycle riding is the sense of freedom and adventure that it offers.
When you ride a motorcycle, you are not confined by the walls of a car, the rules of the road( though you should be!), or the expectations of society (this, my friend, is your sweet will. To conform to society or not!).
You are free to explore the world at your own pace, to discover new places, to meet new people, and to experience new things.
You would say that so is a person travelling by car!
You could not be more wrong!!
In a car, you are cocooned inside an insulating layer of metal, plastic, rubber and fabric.
You don’t feel the air.
You don’t get the expansive view of the place you are in,.
You cannot stand while in motion to inhale the atmosphere which somehow is needed to “feel” the place.
You don’t connect physically with the mother earth(The Gaia) when you stop every time.
You don’t get cold.
You don’t get wet.
You don’t get tired.
After a day of motorcycle riding, your body aches but your heart sings.
Your ass cries sore but you soul is rejuvenated.
Your arms hurt but your eyes derive pleasure from all the input they have( that continues even after you close them for the day!)
Your back hurts but you feel that overwhelming sense of pride in your chest.
For a motorcycle rider,
the open road is not just a physical space,
it is also
a mental and emotional space.
Imagine it as a space where you can connect with yourself, with your thoughts, feelings, and desires.
“The Open Road” is a space where you can reflect on your life, your goals, and your dreams. I do it!
“The Open Road” is a space where you can express yourself, your personality, and your style. It is, for me!
“The Open Road” can also help you challenge yourself, to push your limits, to test your skills, and to learn new things. It does for me!
“The Open Road” can help you overcome your fears, your doubts, and your insecurities. It did for me!
“The Open Road” can help you grow as a person, as a rider, and as a human being. It is doing for me!
There is much research on how the open road can have a positive impact on riders’ well-being and happiness.
For instance, a study by UCLA researchers found that motorcycle riding can reduce stress, increase alertness, and enhance sensory focus.
Another study by Ryerson University researchers found that motorcycle riding can improve mood, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.
For me, riding was the drug of choice.
Having suffered from depression and anxiety, motorcycle riding helped me cope with my mental health issues and find joy in life.
It took me places I couldn’t have imagined.
It made me meet the best people out there in the world.
From a bald, mad-Brit travelling alone all around the world on his BMW GS (For people who might have met him his name is Adam Lewis) circumnavigating the globe twice in 2006. He kept travelling and I just pray that he is healthy and as charismatic as he was about 20 years ago.) to a brave woman travelling from Austria on her motorcycle alone (Claudia Honeder) with a heart of gold and more courage than any man I have ever known.
I got to stay with people whose pockets were empty, but hearts were full, whose hands didn’t stretch out to ask for assistance but to extend help. I got to share the road with riders who taught me how to ride responsibly, how to accept that you will not always win but then you will not always loose in life.
They taught me how to live!
I met with accidents and was always helped by complete strangers who just did their good deeds and disappeared not even coming forth to receive a word of gratitude.
That taught me humility.
I got stuck on the roads and was given a hand by someone, by someone I would not expect…ever!! Kids returning from school have pushed my motorcycle to the nearby mechanic, cheering and singing all the while. Truckers who are usually in bad books of road going population have been one of the most helping people in my motorcycle sojourns.
That taught me to be noble.
From letting me sleep under their running engines at night to help me survive the cold night (this was in 2004 when I didn’t have the money for a proper sleeping gear and had embarked on a Manali Leh journey alone on my motorcycle. Had to sleep under a truck at night at Zing-Zing Bar, tired of riding all day, on a non-existent road. But a foolish decision at that time has given me memories for my life. Now I usually tell my kids these stories and they find it very amazing!) to offering me a place around their bonfire and a glass full of booze to feel warm I have been blessed to have shared the road with those golden hearted gentlemen.
The Importance of Mindfulness and Focus
Another therapeutic benefit of motorcycle riding is that it can help you practice mindfulness and focus.
Mindfulness is the ability to be present in the moment, to pay attention to your sensations, thoughts, and emotions, without judgment or distraction. On a motorcycle you cannot be anywhere else but in that moment with your machine. I used to call it “Motorcycle Yoga” and my family used to laugh about it.
Focus is the ability to concentrate on a specific task, goal, or activity, without being sidetracked by irrelevant or negative stimuli. Needless to explain that while riding loss of focus can very well cause the loss of life or limb.
Mindfulness and focus are essential skills for motorcycle riding, as they can help you stay safe, alert, and in control. They can also help you enjoy the ride, as you can fully immerse yourself in the experience, and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around you.
But mindfulness and focus are not only useful for motorcycle riding, they are also beneficial for your overall well-being and happiness.
It helped me escape from stress, anxiety, and worry, and calmed my mind and body.
It helped me gain clarity, insight, and perspective, and solve problems and make decisions in my life , decisions I am proud of now.
My Motorcycle Yoga helped me enhance my creativity (went on to write for an inter-national automobile magazine.), productivity (ended up being a Surgeon!), and performance (participated in a few motorcycle rallies as well!) and achieve your goals and aspirations(This is subjective. I achieved more than what I ever dreamt of. I am content!)
These were my techniques to improve mindfulness and focus while riding. I am sure they can help you as well.
- Breathing: Breathing is a simple but powerful way to relax your body and mind, and to regulate your emotions. You can practice deep, slow, and rhythmic breathing, and focus on the sensation of the air entering and leaving your lungs. You can also synchronize your breathing with your movements, such as inhaling when you accelerate, and exhaling when you brake.
- Meditating: Meditating is a practice that involves observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations, without judgment or attachment. You can meditate before, during, or after your ride, and focus on a specific object, sound, or mantra, such as your heartbeat, the engine, or a word(Mine used to be the exhaust note of my two-stroke motorcycle as it accelerated through its gears…Ahhh..just thinking about it makes me feel goooood!). You can also use guided meditations, such as apps, podcasts, or videos, to help you meditate more effectively though I will suggest you that you don’t. This tech revolution has taken away so much from the organic feel of the actual life that I prefer not to indulge in these tech-meditative-apps. But then that’s just me. You can decide for yourself. If it rings your bell, go for it!
- Listening: Listening is a skill that involves paying attention to the sounds around you, and to the messages they convey. I, personally, listen to the sounds of my motorcycle, such as the engine, the exhaust, the tires, and the wind, and to the sounds of the environment, such as the traffic(which I hate), the animals, the people, and the nature. You can also listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, as long as they do not distract you from the road or the ride. But they do, so….again….. better to enjoy the exhaust note of your ride than some useless podcast!
The Role in Overcoming Challenges
Another benefit of motorcycle riding is that it can help you overcome challenges, both on and off the road.
Motorcycle riding is not always easy, it can be difficult, risky, and demanding.
You may encounter obstacles, such as bad weather, rough terrain, mechanical issues, or traffic jams.
You may face dangers, such as accidents, injuries, or theft.
You may struggle with skills, such as cornering, braking, or balancing.
But these challenges are not only problems, they are also opportunities.
Opportunities to learn, to grow, to improve, and to succeed.
Opportunities to build resilience, confidence, and courage.
Opportunities to prove yourself, to yourself and to others.
When you overcome challenges, you not only overcome the external situation, you also overcome your internal limitations. You overcome your fears, your doubts, and your insecurities. You overcome your weaknesses, your mistakes, and your failures. You overcome your past, your present, and your future.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that motorcycle riding can enhance self-efficacy, self-esteem, and self-identity.
Another study by University of Central Lancashire researchers found that motorcycle riding can foster a sense of achievement, satisfaction, and pride.
And if you have been riding for decades now, you definitely know someone who has survived a near-fatal crash, and how motorcycle riding after that has helped him/her to recover from his/her physical and emotional trauma and find meaning and purpose in life.
I for one have known people who have conquered their limitations and the obstacles raised by life and society. They came out triumphant. And that inspires me every day to put on that helmet and ride! No matter what!
The Biker Community
Motorcycle riding will help you connect with the biker community, a diverse and dynamic group of people who share a common passion for riding.
The biker community is not a monolithic or homogeneous entity, it is composed of various subcultures, styles, and genres, such as guys/gals who ride cruisers, sports bikes, adventure bikes, cafe racers, choppers, and more.
Each subculture has its own history, identity, and aesthetics, but they all have one thing in common: the love of riding.
The biker community can offer you support, friendship, and belonging. It can offer you a sense of family, loyalty, and solidarity. It can offer you a source of inspiration, motivation, and encouragement. It can offer you a platform for expression, creativity, and diversity.
They have for me!
The biker community can also help you improve your well-being, happiness, and quality of life.
Who in their right state of mind, will not be happy, after a day of riding the trails with his biker buddies?
It can help you socialize, network, and collaborate with other riders, both online and offline.
It can help you learn from their experiences, skills, and tips, and share your own stories, insights, and feedback.
It can help you participate in events, activities, and causes that are meaningful, fun, and rewarding. It can help you feel part of something bigger, something special, something that matters.
The biker community in India recently united in support of a courageous woman rider who had to go through an ordeal during her tour across India. For me, she is a hero for her resilience in the face of such a harrowing ordeal. The tragedy that befell her was both shocking and reprehensible, a stark reminder of the safety challenges riders face.
In solidarity, we extend our heartfelt apologies to her. We are more than sorry as we failed as a nation.
As she sets off to explore new horizons, we pledge to pursue justice relentlessly. We vow to make this a turning point, an example that deters any thoughts of repeating such a heinous act. Our commitment is unwavering: as she rides beyond India’s borders, we will ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Her spirit and our collective efforts will, hopefully herald a safer future for all riders.
We bikers are so tight that we will not accept anyone harming our fellow brothers or sisters.
All for one and one for all! Huuyaahh!
Why do I ride?
I’ve been riding with great men and women all my life.
I’ve shared food, fuel, and my life with my buddies.
I’ve met some generous people on my rides, who have offered me hospitality, assistance, and friendship.
I’ve always believed in the biker brotherhood, and that we are all for one and one for all.
I’ve helped others in times of need, and celebrated with them in times of joy.
I’ve learned from them, and grown with them.
I’ve respected them, and loved them.
One of the most memorable rides and events that I participated in was the Raid De Himalaya 2006, which was a grueling and adventurous rally that took me across some of the most challenging and beautiful terrains in the world.
I had to face extreme weather conditions, high altitudes, rough roads, and mechanical failures.
I had to push myself and my machine to the limit, and overcome many obstacles and difficulties.
I had to compete with other riders, but also cooperate with them. Have made some lasting friendships while doing that!
I had to be brave, but also humble.
I had to be smart, but also spontaneous.
I had to be focused, but also flexible.
I could not finish the rally and was disqualified for taking excessive time to finish the stage, but I won friendships that have lasted decades now. I am sure some of them are reading this now and thinking of good times we had together.
I won invaluable experiences, lessons, and memories, that have shaped my character and values.
I learnt to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature, and the culture and hospitality of the people.
I came to respect the power and limitations of my machine, and the skills and abilities of my fellow riders.
I understood how to cope with failure and disappointment, and to celebrate success and achievement.
I have learned to love the challenge and the adventure, and to enjoy the ride and the moment.
So why do I ride?
For me, motorcycle riding is not only a fun and exciting activity, but also a therapeutic and beneficial one.
It has helped me improve my well-being, happiness, and quality of life.
I ride because it makes me feel alive, connected, and empowered.
I ride because it helps me grow, heal, and thrive.
I ride because I absolutely love it.
If you are a rider, you know what I mean.
If you are not, I invite you to try it.
You may discover a new passion, a new hobby, or a new way of life.
You may discover why we ride!