The motorcycle had been sleeping in the garage for 17 years. No maintenance and a few rides. It was a crime I say.
What started up my interest in riding again? Was it my younger son wanting to get a motorcycle license, a friend in India sharing videos of cool nature rides,
or my “friend from Croatia” stopping by every other week to ask if I wanted to sell the bike or start riding with him.. I don’t know.
So I took the motorcycle to the dealership to get it serviced. Made an appointment which I could not keep due to life and second thoughts. My new friend who had rebuilt a 1984 motorcycle, said “It’s just nuts and bolts, why don’t you do it yourself”. And another friend who flies jets and rebuilds cars has always inspired me to get my hands dirty and in fact lent his grandpa’s torque wrench and more so I could get the job done.
Idea: Never too late to make good friends.
After watching “how to” videos and the knowledgeable kind folks like Coco and Sam at the motorcycle stores, we, my younger son and I fixed up the motorcycle within a week: brake and clutch flush, oil, chain and more. I got over the fear of messing with “nuts and bolts”.
After I was ready to ride again, took it out a few places near by. Watched videos on how to ride a sports motorcycle long distance and on a race track. Then went on a 4 hour ride with my friend. After which I took it out on the race track. And then, a day ride to support the Veterans in need.
Idea: It’s just nuts and bolts.
On the track it’s easy to get carried away with trying to catch up with others who are faster or push the limits to impress. What helped me to ride my own race was the reminder on how I had lost a 5000m run in high school because I deviated from my race to speed up and catch up to my friend who had overtaken me in the early part of the race.
And a recent “itch” for me was to try and lean the bike so my my knee guard would scrape, just like the motogp riders do.
After the track day and spending 14 hours in the hot sun in the leather gear, it came to light: Lean is equal to risk. The racers are trying to keep the bike upright and not the other way round of trying to scrape the knee – for that means risk, friction and lower speed. The itch seemed to have evaporated. This video explains the lean angle the best.
Idea: Ride Your Own Race.
I was the slowest on the track. As I was coached to follow a line that would make me go faster, I realized speed was not the reason I was on the track. I had started enjoying being on the motorcycle again because I was trying to GLIDE the motorcycle vs ride the motorcycle as I had done all my life.
So I practiced on putting the body weight on the the feet vs the hand, arms and shoulders by sitting properly, and not trying to turn the handle but leaning in the direction of the curve so the motorcycle glides at a constant speed. This is the video which helped me with the GLIDING idea.
Idea: How to glide the motorcycle is the secret.
Met this cool couple who were a part of the friend’s group that had inspired and helped me to be on the track. Both of them had come on their own two separate motorcycles to ride the track. Looking at them I realized the most important thing in marriage or partnership per se: Have a common interest which takes both outdoors and helps relax, for such an activity will help build a friendship as we age vs be bored apart after the common responsibilities or chores get done.
As we readied our bikes to get on the track again, the wife asks the husband “what should we cook for dinner”. I couldn’t help laughing as I had heard my wife and mom ask me that question everyday. As I thought about this question the next day, the idea that came to mind was: no matter what a woman may be trying to accomplish in her life, her greatest strength is her ability to be kind and nurturing to those around her: she could be ready to get on a race track and still have a thought of what should we cook for the family tonight. Just amazing.
Idea: Marriage culminates into a true friendship when the two develop one common interest.
Some of us ride for speed, while others may ride to enjoy the nature and be one. And some others may ride for a cause or to develop our core strength. Then we meet Bodhi, the pup, who rides on the back of his dad cause it is so.
We meet different people, places and purposes on the path we choose. And in the process may realize why we have come on this ride in the first place.
Idea: In learning to enjoy whatever comes our way, we find whatever we seek from the moment we are in.
To conclude:
Working on machines or something physical helps us with a holistic experience.
We may be intimidated at first since we may be trying it for the first time. But watch the videos, read and then take baby steps. No fear.
We make friends with so many kind people whom we would have never said hi to.
When we ride we connect to time and space in a way that only the rider comprehends.
___________________________
As I contemplated on how can I ride or GLIDE a little bit more consciously, the following idea came forth:
Trying to balance my day/time I am centered and a little more conscious.
Trying to be open with everyone I is honest and a little more conscious.
Trying to learn from everything that happens I is in acceptance and a little more conscious.
When I is a little conscious, the GLIDE is conscious.
GLIDING consciously one finds what ever one seeks in their own pursuits.
Thank you:
Karlos from Croatia | Dave the pilot | Ryan the re-engineer | Cason the Mon | Sam @ Fox Valley Cycles | Koko @ Cyclegear | Mohamed @ IT Resonance | SAP + Fisher House | Motostorm
