Why do we ride?

It is interesting to think that for almost 47 years getting out on the open road wasn't something that I felt compelled to do...well, I'm sure my early formative years don't count, but you get the picture. Now it seems that my mind is constantly drifting off to thoughts of where can we go next, what great adventure can we take, what new sights will we see and new people will we meet. Why did this happen?

My thought is that on a motorcycle, no matter the brand or the type, you are closer and more in tune with your environment. Your senses are heightened, seeing things you've never really noticed on the 100 other pass past the old farm or smelling that big feed lot...lol. Yes, some of the sights are breath taking and some of the smells are breath holding but they all make the ride that much more special.

We ride when we can, sometimes with friends, other times just the two of us. We ride because it brings us together...a trust bond perhaps, or a feeling of being at one with each other and the machine. When we can't ride for some reason it makes us grumpy or makes us pine even more for the chance for the hours on the road with our friends and each other.

In a car or truck or bus, that isn't the case. There are far too many things that distract our attention. We pass by things that appear mundane, never thinking to stop and smell the flowers (sorry, MTF, borrowing your saying). I think that is the bottom line of it all...the ability to easily stop and smell the flowers. Sometimes we do this literally, a little walk in the woods or a park; or figuratively by going down some long forgotten road that leads to nowhere in particular.

Now my thoughts turn to the next adventure...where will we go....