Not read most of the thread but I have just one thing to propose.
Touring is for two reasons.
Riding or viewing.
Do one, or the other - not both.
IE - Tour to enjoy the roads, and concentrate on that.
or Tour to enjoy the views - and concentrate on that.
Don't try to mix the two.
Patience please - long post
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riceburner
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Wow! I’m overwhelmed at the response to my post! This has become a very interesting topic for me. I really have enjoyed reading everyone’s introspective thoughts on what drives you to ride. I especially appreciate those of you (almost everyone) who tried to help me with my struggle – it has really forced me to think and rethink why I ended up with such a love/hate relationship with my month-long excursion.
The one theme that seems to prevail throughout this thread is that traveling is always most enjoyable when the emphasis is the journey rather than the destination. I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy and have always traveled with that attitude. In fact, I pretty much live my life in that way because I feel that the journey of life is what we live while the destination puts is in another dimension, a different beginning and/or at the pearly gates depending on our beliefs (whew, this is getting deep now…).
Specific to my travels last month, I do feel as though, for the most part, I kept my focus on the moment. I had no deadlines whatsoever and concentrated on getting the most out of what I knew would eventually feel like a way-too-short trip. Even now, after having been safe at home for two weeks, I get excited to jump on the Rock whenever possible (a 40 minute jaunt to Seal Beach, 2 hours to visit mom in Hemet, etc.) but still feel like I will choose a car for traversing the country. In fact, my wife and I were able to get away last weekend to return to Carmel (we’re hoping to relocate near there soon) and the comfortable and leisurely pace of the trip was much more to my liking.
Another recurring premise is the “outdoor†feeling – the wind, the smells, the weather, etc. - a concept that eludes me completely, even when riding “nakedâ€Â. Since I ride with what I feel to be at least the minimum amount of safety equipment, I find myself so wrapped up in padded clothing (I wear mesh with additional layers when necessary), gloves and a helmet that the connection with the “elements†is almost entirely diminished. I hate to keep bringing up travel by car, but with the sunroof open and the windows down I get all the smells and weather I want at any temperature I choose.
I also enjoyed, and wanted to revisit bakernks’ well spoken words:
- I think you fundimentally [sic] have to enjoy a "suffer" sport such as distance motorcycling, rock climbing, mountain climbing, snowshoeing, distance bicycling, and the like to "get it".
While I agree with the statement and the point that it makes, I have trouble considering motorcycling a “suffer†sport due to its passive nature. Perhaps it’s because I am a distance bicyclist that it seems out of place when listed with activities such as climbing and snowshoeing. The only place I actually built up any strength after 30 days of motorcycling was in my wrists and forearms. The “work†involved just didn’t seem to be as physically taxing as it was emotionally or attitudinally challenging (which were the challenges I had expected). Yet, as I ponder all these new theories and philosophies, I can’t help thinking that this might be a major contributor to my turmoil. I do remember the envy I felt with each touring bicyclist I saw on the road last month.
Anyway, thanx again to everyone, and here’s hoping that I’ll get to wave to each one of you from seat of the Rockster as you pass through the southern California area. When you see me out on the open road, I’ll probably still hold my arm out the window to say hi.
The one theme that seems to prevail throughout this thread is that traveling is always most enjoyable when the emphasis is the journey rather than the destination. I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy and have always traveled with that attitude. In fact, I pretty much live my life in that way because I feel that the journey of life is what we live while the destination puts is in another dimension, a different beginning and/or at the pearly gates depending on our beliefs (whew, this is getting deep now…).
Specific to my travels last month, I do feel as though, for the most part, I kept my focus on the moment. I had no deadlines whatsoever and concentrated on getting the most out of what I knew would eventually feel like a way-too-short trip. Even now, after having been safe at home for two weeks, I get excited to jump on the Rock whenever possible (a 40 minute jaunt to Seal Beach, 2 hours to visit mom in Hemet, etc.) but still feel like I will choose a car for traversing the country. In fact, my wife and I were able to get away last weekend to return to Carmel (we’re hoping to relocate near there soon) and the comfortable and leisurely pace of the trip was much more to my liking.
Another recurring premise is the “outdoor†feeling – the wind, the smells, the weather, etc. - a concept that eludes me completely, even when riding “nakedâ€Â. Since I ride with what I feel to be at least the minimum amount of safety equipment, I find myself so wrapped up in padded clothing (I wear mesh with additional layers when necessary), gloves and a helmet that the connection with the “elements†is almost entirely diminished. I hate to keep bringing up travel by car, but with the sunroof open and the windows down I get all the smells and weather I want at any temperature I choose.
I also enjoyed, and wanted to revisit bakernks’ well spoken words:
- I think you fundimentally [sic] have to enjoy a "suffer" sport such as distance motorcycling, rock climbing, mountain climbing, snowshoeing, distance bicycling, and the like to "get it".
While I agree with the statement and the point that it makes, I have trouble considering motorcycling a “suffer†sport due to its passive nature. Perhaps it’s because I am a distance bicyclist that it seems out of place when listed with activities such as climbing and snowshoeing. The only place I actually built up any strength after 30 days of motorcycling was in my wrists and forearms. The “work†involved just didn’t seem to be as physically taxing as it was emotionally or attitudinally challenging (which were the challenges I had expected). Yet, as I ponder all these new theories and philosophies, I can’t help thinking that this might be a major contributor to my turmoil. I do remember the envy I felt with each touring bicyclist I saw on the road last month.
Anyway, thanx again to everyone, and here’s hoping that I’ll get to wave to each one of you from seat of the Rockster as you pass through the southern California area. When you see me out on the open road, I’ll probably still hold my arm out the window to say hi.
Ed. 80 #0478/2004 (Rowdy)
Fern Prairie, WA
"Not all who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
Fern Prairie, WA
"Not all who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien