I expect this post will be a bit broad in the context of strictly motorcycles. My goal is to delve into the “why” of my riding, my thoughts on Henry David Thoreau’s work, and the amalgamation of hobbies/desires I formed growing up in my own set of the woods in east TN. Ultimately, my desire to ride, and why ADV riding is an integral part of my idenity.

The Two Wheeled Tribe

Men, and people more generally, need a sense of tribe. As a young American, I see the dissolution of pride in the idenity amongst our nations constituents. The cause is less important to me than the remedy/practical solutions. Although, I imagine it could largely be due to little or no conflict in the world. Tribe mentality, as Pink Floyd lyrically puts it, is a classic case of “us vs them.” The American idenity is becoming increasingly more specialized with time. Contemporary requirements of life are less demanding, our jobs are safer, we have access to the internet and a plethora of other technologies that allow us to delve deeper into ourselves, idenities, and philosophies. There are even subcategories of motorcyclists. Yet, I feel as a whole, that bikers like other bikers. As you could see in the photo, there was a BMW (this guy actually sent it offroad, not just starbucks), a cruiser, sport bikes and a tourer. Any time I have seen another rider in an offroad area (forest roads commonly), we both stop and chat. For me, these occurences just don’t happen when i’m not on a bike. I have made so many friends, and strengthened relationships thru the hobby. If you would like to find a riding buddy, I highly reccomend reaching out to others touring your specific route/trails. Another resource is facebook, join a local group and just ask. There are plenty of other people seeking a buddy like us!

A Sense of Novelty

Growing up, I was so facinated with building outdoor structures. This led to many nights spent out on my parents 3 acres in east TN. I was in awe by nature. Smelling the pines, feeling the air, and a sense of oneness with the woods represent some of my fondest memories of growing up. Camping eventually was strengthened by my father, his best friend and son. Every other weekend, we would go to a place called Royal Blue, an ATV hub filled with trails and other types of adventure. Every morning I would wake up about an hour earlier than everyone else, and go look for colorful rocks among the gravel. My ideal days of youth, revolved around some type of adventure/exploration of nature. In my early 20’s I spent time doing rugged overnight hikes with friends, still enjoying all the raw elements of nature, and pushing my limits doing the most difficult hikes east of the Missippi, in the worst conditions.

It wasn’t until about age 23, that I found out about street legal dirt bikes (dual sports). A close friend of mine and myself spent hundreds of hours on these bikes. Both of us had WR250R’s. As fun as distant adventure was and had been, we both didn’t realize the plethora of beauty that was in our immediate areas. Forest service maps were worth gold to me, seeking out the highest summits 20 minutes down the road. I discovered new people, farms, great restaurants and historic roads. This ignited a desire to learn of the local geography, and history of the landscapes. Something as simple as riding a motorcycle, stirred a whirlwind of interest in the seemingly innocuous surroundings. While the majority of people, stuck to convention, eating at the local texas road house, or whatever joint was in the hip, I was out strengthening my connection with nature and the land. I owe these experiences to my machine, and the heightened experiences, to my friend Chad. There is a rawness to the experience of nature on a dual sport, an intimacy that is shared. I feel this is in part due to the relationship with our machines. Riding offroad, is nothing short of a dance with a mechanized steed, there is a beauty in it. We anticipate our bike’s reaction, and we in turn, react with it. The vulnerability, an intimate exposure of ourselves to nature on our bikes. That is adventure riding. As much as an adventure into ourselves.

Life in the Woods

Henry Thoreau’s work has shaped many people, myself included. He wasn’t afraid to go against convention. He examined his modern day (1840’s) through a critical and intellectual lense. Thoreau saw the futility of engaging in a consumer/spending based society. Despite being successful, and graduating in the top 50% of his class at Harvard, he chose to work in the family pencil factory. Not long after, he found himself in tutelage with Ralph Emmerson. Mr. Emmerson inspired him to write, and provided the very lands and infamous Walden pond that Thoreau resided at during his writing of Walden. My interpretation, and summary of his views arrive at the contemporary notions of minimalism, transcendental experience, and aligning oneself with nature. These are core concepts of my ADV riding: the naked ruggedness of exploration, evading of mainstream culture consumerism, and opening myself to experiences/teachings with nature. Just as Thoreau found a companion by himself, alone with nature, I too share that with my machine and travels. In a car (cage), your relationship with travel is numbed. One misses out on the noises of nature, the smells, wind and air that exist when riding on two wheels. On roadways today, the goal is to get from point A to B, a very transactional relationship. We now have self driving utility, GPS/infotainment centers and creature comforts that seperate us from the experience. Our personal interface with reality has become clouded and numbed, with an electrical interface. I recognize the benefit of modern technology, but it’s very charging to me, to take a break from the digital modern interface, and ground myself in a more primitive form of travel and living. Camping plays a significant role in this also. I am able to pack minimally, and take time to survey the best spots to explore and meditate in. Through this, I develop a more intimate relationship with the site. I find myself being more appreciative of the tree i’m using to hang my hammock. The water systems that I am gathering my drink from, as well as the animals I see. Leaving the phone at home, or better yet having a non smart phone, also allows me to explore more deeply in my surroundings. Just as Thoreau would spend entire afternoons enjoying seemingly trivial aspects of nature, I too have found adventure riding allows me to bond with her. Camping has invigorated within me other hobbies, for example, Botany. I have learned which species of plants are edible, invasive, and discovered the wealth of history that is rooted in simply studying why it is here. The relationship of a particular plant to its surroundings, and the types of animals that live alongside it. A feature of my adventure outings usually involve learning of the specific ecosystems I visit. In conclusion, I suppose my biggest takeaway from Thoreau’s work is to be more content with less.

Fitness!

This is more specific to the dirt oriented crowd. I often find myself replacing a cardio session each week with a dirt biased ride. This previous Tuesday, my maximum heart rate was 154 bpm, with an average around 130. I wouldn’t suggest only relying on dirt riding to get in shape, but its a helpful and fun tool to keep the pounds off and get in some cardio as a full body workout.