Riding. My Bike.

Posted on by Live & Learn

motorcycle, riding

It’s Monday morning.
I’m driving down I-95. Off to work. Same
Two car lengths in front of me is a rider.
Helmet-less.
Cars in front and back of him giving him wide berth.
I close the gap to one car length.
And hold position.
Both of us cruising a smooth 55.
A Harley.
I’ve never been on a bike. Never.
Hemingway: “No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.”
Man is speaking to me. Don’t like it.
I pull up closer. A few yards behind.
Then directly opposite him.
I drop my passenger side window.
Harley pistons firing. Emitting that throaty sound only Harley’s make…Pop Pop Pop.
I glance over.
A middle aged man.
Hair blowing in wind.
And see…
Bliss.
And think?
If not now, when?

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56 thoughts on “Riding. My Bike.”

    1. It’s so funny you say that Michael. When I was writing this post. I thought of you. “Here I go again down I-95.” You are in my head pal. You are!

  2. I confess that I see the allure, David, but a motorcycle?! You’re SO vulnerable… How about a convertible sports car instead–ya still get the rush, but you a bit more protection. My husband keeps talking about getting another Ducati, and I keep telling him no….too dangerous. But the escapism…I get it. Life is short–LIVE. 🙂

  3. Bliss – yes…Find it – I wish that for all I care about. Jewish mama implores that you wear a helmet. Want to feel the wind in your hair? Buy a hairdryer. I worry.

  5. Flying a single engine plane out west sounds alluring. Did it many years ago, and it felt liberating. If i’m going, i’m going big

    1. Thanks Vicki. No, it wouldn’t/couldn’t be on I-95. I pictured it in the desert. Quiet. No other cars. Bike, air and wind. I could be there now. Right now.

  8. If you didn’t have a family that needs you and loves you, I’d say go for it but I know you do so I too would recommend a convertible……just saying…….

  10. To hell with being careful … there’s a reason dogs stick their heads out car windows … it feels GREAT. Ride a Harley, go skydiving or parapenting … just feel the wind in your face, and the lift in your soul. We were not born to be safe, but to experience life to its fullest measure. Besides, I can’t wait to see the photos and facial expressions.

    1. LOVE THIS. “There’s are reason dogs stick their heads out car windows.” LOVE THIS. So true. I need to build a head of steam to realize this dream….Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stephen. Still smiling.

  11. Do what you want. Life is yours to live. I do wish people who drive cars cared more about motorcycle riders; looking out for them; paying better attention. Coming from a family who’s been riding for decades it is sad to be the driver as well as passenger and see drivers of cars actually look you in the eye and move over on you. Be careful and always give the cars the right of way. Peace and safety, Koko

  12. LOVE what Lori and Mimi said…but I get it. My brother rides, and I sent him the link to your post today, because he ‘understands’. I get it too…maybe a scooter?? 😀

    1. Laughing. Scooter!??? Really. I don’t view riding a scooter on the open road as achieving the same level of Bliss. And me on scooter, like Pee Wee Herman!

      2. Laughing here too!!!! No, not really, a scooter so WOULD NOT accomplish the same level of bliss. It was a stupid stupid idea. Just wear a helmet, ok? 🙂

  14. I’ve been on the back of a motorcycle a few times. All I could think about was how fast the pavement was flying by and how much skin it would tear off if I went skidding down it. But I’m not a fan of anything that goes fast. I loved your story though!

    1. Laughing. Trisha, oh, I think about the same thing. Several years back I fell rollerblading. Fell on highway. Scraped clean skin on places where I sit. This was rollerblading – maybe 10 MPH. Imagine the damage going 50-60. Yes, it is top of mind.

  15. Hi David. Enjoyed your post that my sister sent me the link to (Bonnie). Seems that you got a lot of ad-vice. My two cents would only be to recommend taking a motorcycle safety course…you learn good habits, skills, and safety awareness all of which add to you being a confident motorcyclist. Arlo Guthrie wrote the lyrics: “I don’t want a pickle. I just want to ride my motorsickle. And I don’t want a tickle. I’d rather ride my motorsickle. And I don’t want to die…I just want to ride my motorcy…cle.” [Arlo Guthrie – Motorcycle Song – YouTube] Looking forward to your newly inspired poem after you become a rider. Keep the shiny side up.

    1. Hi John. Thank you. Motorcycle Safety course is a very good idea. Very good idea. And I’m checking out the Motorcycle Song. Thanks for pointing it to me. Have a good weekend.

      1. Haha. No never even though I would love to. Here in Pakistan one can’t even imagine a girl on a bike.

  18. That’s what leathers are for. To protect the skin. 🙂 David, I cant imagine you not wearing a helmet. You’ve so touched all our deepest dreams, wishes, fears and anxieties with this one. Oh man oh man, a Harley cruiser…. leaning back against that seat… leathers hugging, wind in your face, living that dream.. even just once.. I tell myself often that it will be too late once they’re screwing down the coffin lid, better do it now 🙂

  19. If not now, when? is my favourite question. David, you do not seem to be someone who needs to be warned (one of my best friends–a woman–was killed when someone ran a stop sign and ran into her motorcycle)–but,there is nothing better than freedom–and though her death was a great tragedy, she was living out her dream

      1. I have sat on one–not one that was moving–my husband had one before I dated him, and an old boyfriend had one–but they have held no romance for me when they were moving–I did feel quite powerful sitting on one that was just parked though!

  22. Hmmm….last name Kanigan? Sounds more café racer than Harley cruiser to me 😉

    Whatever you decide, as it does seem like this post has become a cast of votes for Yea or Ney on David getting on the iron horse…and I’m caught up in that too, I just want to return to your poem and its imagery. Your poem is powerful…got me thinking about my own middle age conundrums. I liked your Hemingway quote and your response to it. Defiance?
    To ride or not to ride? That is the existential bugger to grapple with.
    When you do get a motorbike, you won’t have to follow your bliss anymore…you’ll be waiting for it to catch up. And be sure to wear a helmet: It will protect you from the kamikaze insects that also read Hemingway.

      1. I checked your Wikipedia definition. Laughing. Yes, I’m guilty of playing at being a road racer and parking in front of cafes as well as coffee shops and pubs. I’ve done The Ton and enjoy rockabilly music. But mostly, I ride open country roads winding through scenic landscape. Perhaps one day we shall call you, Kanigan the Kafe Racer.

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