Why Bikers Do What We Do

I've been asked "Why do y'all do that? What fun could it be to ride your motorcycle a couple hundred miles in the cold and rain, set up a tent and camp and ride in cold, rainy, winter weather?" "How can that be fun?"

I truly couldn't answer at the time, other than using the T shirt slogan "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand". But that's too easy, and too cheesy. I tried to put it into words, saying things like "It's just what we do" or "Anybody can ride when the weather's nice - this separates the men from the boys".

I don't know why, but it occurred to me the other night. As you probably know, I read a lot, and watch a lot of movies. There's a character type that is common to most genres. The guy who finds himself in all kinds of dangerous, dirty, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright stupid situations. He's often a guy who could avoid such situations, but doesn't. Sometimes, it's his profession that puts him in the situations. He just can't seem to stay home and be warm, dry, comfy and safe. He's the grownup version of the kid who didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain. He's the hero of the story. He's Indiana Jones looking for treasures of lost civilizations. He's Sir Galahad on a quest for the Holy Grail. He's Aragorn, journeying to Mordor to help fight off ultimate evil. Dr Livingstone, traipsing around the darkest jungles of Africa.

Well, there aren't really any frontiers left anymore. Sure, there are wars, and most bikers have served (some serve still) in the military, but it's just not the same kind of adventure. And THAT, my friends, is why we do what we do. Usually it's fun, but sometimes it gets uncomfortable, wet, messy, even stupidly dangerous. And you know what? At that point, when the outcome of the next hour, or even the next bend in the road becomes uncertain? Yeah, that's when  it's REALLY fun.

So, it boils down to this: We are Indiana Jones, Sir Galahad, Aragorn, Huck Finn, Lewis & Clark. We are Adventurers.

Instant gratification? Hell, yes!

(Originally written by Worth Cadenhead on Sunday, August 8, 2010)

So, yesterday as we were about to head out on our ride, a brother commented on the price of his bike. Not bragging; he just called it a $20,000 vibrator. I got to thinking about that later, and about all the crap bikes I've had over the years. I also thought about how I've never had a really good paying job; never finished a college education.
I started wondering if I'd done it all right. Maybe I should've buckled down and focused on that degree after I got out of the Navy. Maybe I should have deferred all the little enjoyments until later and I'd have been able to do them "bigger and better". Instead, I joined a motorcycle club not long after I got out of the Navy, and didn't pay much attention to studies. With no education, and no real marketable job skills (I was in intelligence in the military, which doesn't translate to much as a civilian), I wasn't exactly able to be choosy in my job choices, but I tried to be anyway - I only worked at jobs that had me at work day shifts Monday to Friday, leaving my nights and weekends free. Again, that lack of education left me with little pay if I wanted to limit the jobs I was wiling to accept. Little pay translated into eating cheaper food, drinking cheaper booze, smoking cheaper cigarettes (shouldn't have smoked at all, of course), and owning cheaper bikes and cars (when I've even had cars).
I look at people who really focused on their education, and on "getting their lives on track". Sure, they're able to have nicer things. Sometimes. But, sometimes, "the right time" just never comes along, does it? A lot of folks put that kind of thing off until "the right time" (whatever that is), only to never do it.
Even if the time comes, in their late 30s or so, and they buy that nice, high dollar bike (or boat, or RV, or whatever), here's the thing that finally occurred to me: While they were looking forward to their top of the line Gold Wing, Winnebago, yacht, etc.....I was RIDING my crappy bikes. I was doing what they were looking forward to. Sure, it wasn't in luxury, and sure, I had some lemons, but I also had brothers from other mothers and sisters from other misters who understood and helped and got helped along the way. So, does the yuppie who buys his $25,000 Harley Davidson have any more fun on it than I do on my $6000 Suzuki? No, I don't think so. Matter of fact, knowing where I stand, and where I've been, I may even enjoy it more. And I started it a long time ago, so I get to enjoy it longer.

So, I no longer have any regrets about "not doing the right thing" and deferring my enjoyment of life. I've had rough spots, but hell - that's where stories come from! I've spent a lot of time thinking that I was missing something, but the truth is, I've had a great Ride. And I'm gonna keep on riding. Come on and join me. If you've been putting off, stop waiting and start living.


So......we gonna Ride? Or are we gonna dick around all day?