5 years, 5 top lessons

[lucydad]

All,

Looking at my calendar, and having breakfast with my friend Ed this morning, I realized that five years have passed since I resumed riding a motorcycle.  I grew up riding, but stopped somewhere in college. Ed "made a pull on my starter rope" by talking motorcycles, showing me his bikes, and then inviting me for a pillion ride on his BMW K bike.  A bit of internal debate, taking a basic riding class, getting my M license permit followed, and then scoring a used Kawasaki EX 500 happened.  All 5 years ago.  What are my 5 top lessons?

Here you go:

1) Riding is a skill, and exercise in risk management, --always challenging, always novel and unique--never boring
2) Riding is huge fun, a Zen-- in the moment, and very much a "mindfulness" experience, and a stress buster--stay loose and relax
3) Ride your own ride, and I do that always
4) The machines are unforgiving, "gravity wins", pavement is hard, the human body fragile
5) Riding is addictive, non-riders do not "get it", and my life would be much more mundane without swinging a leg over again 5 years ago.

I could go on, these 5 come to immediate focus.  I have met some interesting people along the way.  What will the next 5 years bring?  Hard to say.  Time is now my friend.  Big goals like motorcycle camping, longer trips and a track day have not yet happened for various reasons.  My body has limits, I am not as tough or motivated, or skilled, or something as some of you out there (see number 3).  The Triumph triple I am still exploring, the power is amazing.  The Guzzi, I think I know its limits, yet I would love to take it on a mountain road like where I grew up in Durango, CO (550 north). Maybe in five more years I will have five more takeaways.  Anyway, there you go. 

[malik]

Hear! Hear!

[Bill N]

Some 18 years ago when I turned 50, I returned to MC riding by buying my 98 Guzzi EV. Best decision I ever made. Riding keeps me motivated by looking forward to the next ride. I'm slowing down a bit and camping has become more difficult. But in the last several years I've travelled the country on various bikes, many memorable camping nights, and many beautiful roads. Somewhere around 275,000 miles since I returned to the motorcycle world.
Bill

[kingoffleece]

I was told I'd get two buckets.  An empty one called experience and a full one labeled luck.  My was instructed to fill the first one prior to emptying the second.  So far so good!

[Cam3512]

I was told I'd get two buckets.  An empty one called experience and a full one labeled luck.  My was instructed to fill the first one prior to emptying the second.

I like that, and so true.  Hope my luck bucket is bigger!

[Texas Turnip]

I started riding a ;51 Harley in 1959 when I was 16. Just returned from a 600 mile ride and camp out, Damn, it is still fun. My next ride. Who knows.

Tex

[cloudbase]

It's not just a skill, it's a perishable skill.  Keep riding to stay sharp.