Motoblog

I`ve recently returned to motorcycling after a break from it for about five years.

Motorcycling is one of those activities which is really hard to quantify to anyone who doesn`t have an affinity with it. To be honest I am a complete petrol head and suffer from the pull of both four wheels and two. But with today`s roads being what they are, the ability to really enjoy a spirited drive is pretty much impossible. Add that to the fact that as like a lot of people I drive regularly, and because of that so much of the action of driving is automated and instinctive, allowing your mind to wander to much more mundane things.

Motorcycling is very different. Especially when you`re in your 40`s, not only are you aware of the dangers. Dangers you wouldn`t have considered in your 20`s, but now you picture them in real time and the future outcomes of any mishap. Broken arm, broken head, broken anything and then you see the consequences of your actions. Because of this you naturally concentrate much more than when you drive a car. Providing an almost therapeutic, mindfulness type experience. You are mainly forced to live in the moment which can free your head, albeit for a short time of all your other worries. Focusing purely on achieving an enjoyable ride, meanwhile doing your best to stay alive in the process.

I`m not one of those who ride in a group. I love the solitude of what in the most is an undetermined length of time riding around with no real purpose other than to enjoy the experience of riding. I`m sure there are other experiences that can mirror these feelings but I haven`t come across any as effective or as immediately accessible as this.

So if you crave unwinding and getting out of your head for a length of time. Take up biking, returning or totally new to it, I can`t recommend it enough.