This is the 3rd post in my motorcycle series. Read Inception and The Next Step, for more context.

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I purchased a bike a few weeks ago.

I’ve been riding around my neighbourhood as I ramp up and get well-acclimated to the bike.

Recently, I went on my first major ride.

Instead of outlining which bike I bought, and sharing some of the many stories involved in the purchase, I want to outline my thought process as it pertains to riding.

I need to be intentional with my rationale for a few reasons.

1. If my riding career ends poorly, I want my Mom to find this post (someone will have to share it with her!). I’m confident in my decisions and the reasons I made them—there’s no one to blame but me, and this post is proof of that.
2. I need to clarify with myself how I intend on riding and what purpose it will serve.

With that said, here’s my rationale.

A means to engage with life

For every instant on my bike, I’m dancing with death.

Subsequently, riding is an extremely engaging activity.

I’ve been able to grip with life in a way I’ve never been able to. It’s a realization that is hard to describe: I hadn’t perceived death in a way such as that when on a bike.

I’ve learned that I want to live. I’ve learned that I want to avoid death. These realizations become vivid when you’re put into a dangerous situation.

That being said, I anticipate my riding stint will be short. I intend on riding for a few seasons, and then hanging up the helmet. I appreciate my life, and hope to live a long and healthy one. Riding is a surface area to experience how precious life is to me.

Presence of mind

A consequence of the sentiments above is the required presence of mind to ride.

So far, riding has been a time when my mind is absolutely clear. I’m entirely focused on the task at hand and completely present.

It effects me in ways similar to meditation or a great workout.

Fulfillment

Riding a motorcycle doesn’t fulfill me.

I came out of the womb with nothing, so it’s naive to assume anything external can fulfill me. I strive to have little attachment to my bike and anything else, for that matter. If I drop my bike, sell it tomorrow, or never ride again, that is OK.

Self awareness

I’ve been riding for a short while, but have already learned a lot about myself. A high pressure, high risk situation is the perfect opportunity to see yourself for who you are.

I love speed.

As an individual, I need to slow down. Riding has been a great opportunity to slow myself down in the speed of it all. To have patience, control, and maturity.

An open road and a bike are a match made in heaven. It’s also the route to heaven.

It’s up to me to be responsible.

Fun

It’s been a really long time since I’ve had fun like I do on a bike. It really does remind me of my childhood. The childlike desire to get better at a new skill. It’s like I’ve finally taken off my training wheels. I imagine the fun will fade eventually—that’s OK.

If you see me around, be sure to wave—the bike and helmet are hard to miss!

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Kids if you’re reading this…congratulations to me! I’ve made it out alive, met your Mother, and produced you bundles of joy.

Hopefully through riding I’ve gained a true value for life, have mastered control, come to terms with risk, and have filled the void that longs for thrill.