by Jerry James
There are times when the reality of life can seem overwhelming. You are being pulled in multiple directions, family, work, and personal expectations all need your attention, but you can’t seem to stop and get organized and formulate a plan to get back into some sense of control. Raise your hand if you can relate, I know I can.
As a 12-year-old child, I could never understand why my dad would gear up, jump on his motorcycle, and ride every single Saturday morning. He would only be gone for a few hours, then he would return and spend the day with the family or doing things that dads do. He always seemed to be in a good mood when he returned. At that age, I did not put two and two together. Now I understand.
There have been times when all I want to do is get on the bike and ride. I really don’t need a destination; I just want some “me” time. The cool thing is I get to do it on a motorcycle. No matter what stress is in my life, the moment that I gear up and hit the road, I can feel the stress being lifted from me. Now, I have to concentrate on riding the bike, it consumes my entire thought process. Allowing me a couple of hours to enjoy the best hobby in the world. Focusing on hitting that correct apex, braking at the right time, and shooting out of the perfect corner with speed is better than any therapy that you get on a couch.
Freedom is the power to do what you want to do: the ability to move or act freely. The moment that helmet slides onto your head, you are in control. The demands of life fade away, the demand to take care of everyone else subsides. Riding a motorcycle allows for a certain freedom that most will never understand. At times it feels almost spiritual.
“Having the total unification of mind, body, and situational awareness riding commands of you can have a meditative and somewhat spiritual effect.”– Ohene Gyapong
In those two hours, I get to appreciate my family and friends. I get to be thankful for my life and I have the ability to connect with the world around me. Most of us spend a lot of our time trying to block out the world. Riding allows for you to invite in the sights and sounds that are only available while riding a motorcycle. Life is better when you participate. Riding a motorcycle allows you to live life to its fullest. After a few hours, your mindset has changed and now you can approach life from a different angle.
During these two hours, I feel a number of things that make it almost impossible to stay in a bad mood. The thrill of speed is one of them. The adrenaline generated from carving up a mountain road with speed and precision is hard to explain. But damn it is fun! Some people will always say that riding a motorcycle is too dangerous, the remarkable thing about freedom is I have the ability to decide and make choices that mitigate certain risks that come with riding a motorcycle. The sense of speed is different for all of us, but as a motorcycle enthusiast, I am sure it is one of the main reasons we all ride.
Good mental health and riding motorcycles go hand in hand. The fresh air stimulates the senses, the smile on your face is a result of “Happy” hormones. When I return from that two-hour ride, I feel rejuvenated, ready to tackle the world, ready to be a better husband and father. It sounds crazy, but those two hours impact my life for days after I return.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, that the world is out of control and rushing by too quickly, take a moment to gear up and enjoy two hours and 100 miles. You can thank me later.