Since one of the things I love best is riding, I end up thinking a lot about it and about why I do it and why I like it. It seems to be one of those things that mystifies a lot of people.

How many times have you been told how dangerous it is? Bikes are unstable, You don't have any protection. Drivers can't see you. If you go down you can die from the road rash even if you don't break anything. It goes on and on. The endless list of horrors. The stories about somebody who such and so knew who spent 6 months in traction, got turned into a vegetable, whatever.

Well, it's all true. There are reasons why insuring your ride is expensive. Mostly having to do with medical costs and theft, I expect. But this is one of those odd ways of viewing the world that people use to put down the things they aren't interested in doing.

One certainty is that nobody's getting out of here alive. And it can happen at any moment in any kind of situation from nearly any activity. Life is not safe. Living isn't about being safe. You going to give up eating because something could get stuck in your throat and kill you?

Still, riding is dangerous, and untrained reckless fools often have a short career - or run through a lot of bikes if they're very lucky and can afford not to learn how to ride.

Even the best riders can get taken out by a bad combination of events. But so can a driver in a cage or a pedestrian. Things happen. No guarantees.

Unlike a new motorcycle, life is not under warranty. I need to be reminded of that from time to time and to learn, over and over, how to live with uncertainty. Riding brings it home.

Riding a motorcycle has a number of virtues that are sensible and common - you save on gas, you can park almost anywhere with no trouble, they're relatively inexpensive compared to a car, even the insurance can be less than a car, they are less expensive to maintain and repair. Nice sane virtues, eh?

Let's just skip the downside and get to the real reasons for riding. It's dangerous and makes you feel alive. A lot of sports are dangerous and that's a part of the thrill. Actually feeling your heart beat and the adrenaline rush is kind of addictive. Most parts of our lives are safe, sane, cautious and/or plain flat out boring. It's hard to feel alive in a cocoon.

But even running an errand can bring you back to life - if you ride. A car is just another cage (car fanatics will disagree, but something with 4 or more wheels just doesn't do the trick) and while they're great for carrying a ton of groceries and all the kids, they're mostly like sofas on wheels. You know, get in your cage, roll up all the windows, turn on the air or heat, jack up the 24 speaker cd system and float away. Get totally insulated from the world around you.

On a bike you are embedded in the world. You know you're on a machine - and you are on it not wrapped up inside it. You are embedded in the machine, you're the bike's intelligence and your whole body is involved in making it all work. This is very different than driving a car (racers excepted, of course). Sure you can ride a motorcycle and be absent which does cause a lot of mishaps, but usually the ride demands that you pay attention, that you stay in the present, in the now of you, bike and road.

Too few things demand that kind of attention and presence. We really should live every second fully present, fully awake, completely there. But we don't. We spend too many hours disconnected or plugged into a pseudo-reality.

The ride teaches

Mautofied.com, the Leader in Online Custom Auto Classifieds, Reaches 2008 Milestone by Selling its 10,000th Custom Auto
Mautofied.com, the leader in online custom auto classifieds, reached a sales milestone when the 10,000th custom auto changed hands in 2008. This represents a 58% sales growth over 2007. (PRWeb Jan 2, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/autoclassifieds/autoclassifieds/prweb1810104.htm

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Auto Seller Network Inc. to List its Local Canadian Inventory within the Canwest Global Media Network
Auto Seller Network Inc. announced today an agreement in principle to list its local Canadian inventory within the Canwest Global Media (TSX: CGS and CGS.A) online classified network. (PRWeb Dec 29, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Auto_Seller_Network/New_Used_Cars/prweb1737634.htm

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'41 Willys Racer Wins Loaded Grand Prize Trailer in RacingJunk.com 2008 Sponsorship Giveaway
RacingJunk.com® member Ed Kowalczyk drove away from the Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI) in Orlando, Florida in grand style, towing his new $100,000 value Grand Prize behind him -- a 34-foot Haulmark stacker race trailer, loaded with custom storage and tools from Snap-on, plus racing equipment from sponsors throughout the industry. (PRWeb Dec 25, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1788634.htm

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Ace Motorcycle Rare Drawings from 1919 Found in Dumpster!
In 1919, at the end of the World War One, a significant set of drawings was created. They would be lost for the next 90 years, until discovered in a trash bin; it seemed their fate was to end up in a land fill. Instead, they will be sold at the Mid-America Auction, which will be held at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas on January 10th 2009. (PRWeb Dec 23, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1785854.htm

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Motorsports Advantage: A New Way to Enjoy the Races
Motorsports fans can now have a personal assistant at their service over the phone for $110 a year. This assistant, called Motorsports Advantage, can help them find tickets, lodging, restaurants, pit passes, food delivery or just about anything they need to enjoy the races. (PRWeb Dec 22, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1776714.htm

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Three-Quarters of Drivers Speed, Undeterred by Cameras, Survey Shows
Almost three-quarters of UK drivers admit to regularly speeding, confident that they won't be detected by the current network of fixed speed cameras, according to a survey by The Co-operative Insurance. (PRWeb Dec 20, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1770354.htm

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The Co-operative Insurance & Brake Launch New Incentive to Cut Young Driver Deaths
Every week 13 young people aged 15-25 die on Britain's roads* - that's the equivalent of an entire football team and substitutes. (PRWeb Dec 20, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1770384.htm

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Give the Gift of Life this Christmas - Ask Santa for a Pair of Federally Certified Motorcycle Helmets
This Christmas, give the gift of life to yourself and the one you love by putting a pair of motorcycle helmets certified by the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) under your tree.Helmets that carry the D.O.T. certification sticker are highly effective in preventing brain injuries. In the event of a crash, motorcyclists not wearing a certified helmet are three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of crash fatality by 37 percent. Whether mandated by law or not, It makes sense to protect your brain! (PRWeb Dec 20, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1771084.htm

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Harley-Davidson Flexes Muscle on Urban Scene
Hundreds turned out in New York City last week as Harley-Davidson unveiled the 2009 V-Rod Muscle - a contemporary, urban-inspired motorcycle that exudes style and performance. Supermodel Marisa Miller, featured in the recent V-Rod Muscle ad campaign, hosted the launch party at which emerging band Shiny Toy Guns performed. (PRWeb Dec 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/V-Rod_Muscle/Events/prweb1775744.htm

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Logbookuk.co.uk - UK Logbook Loans Directory
The deepening "credit crunch" and fairly bleak economic outlook has led to a sharp rise in fast financial products such as logbook loans. These loans have been designed to offer finance to people who need same day cash and may be challenged by the lengthier and often convoluted loan products which are available through many high street banks, often requiring a credit check.Logbook loans are fairly short term loans typically around 4 months and are secured against the value of your vehicle. The amount of money that can be lent against the car is directly related to its value and of course the level of finance that may be on it. (PRWeb Dec 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1766144.htm

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New OGIO VP Commits to Innovation, Growth
Kuryak Appointed to Head Company's Action, Professional, Student, and Sport Divisions (PRWeb Dec 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1773694.htm

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Make a Date With the Bikesure Babes
Download the desktop 'bikes and babes' calendar. (PRWeb Dec 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1775804.htm

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RoadLoK Motorcycle Locking System Now Featured at Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson Dealership
Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson® is now equipping all new motorcycles with a RoadLoK® Defender™ motorcycle locking system. (PRWeb Dec 18, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1755014.htm

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RoadLoK Security Awarded Patent for New Motorcycle Locking System
The United States Patent and Trademark Office Approves Issuance of Patent for RoadLoK Motorcycle Locking System (PRWeb Dec 17, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1754684.htm

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RIAS Introduces Revolutionary New Product to UK Motor Insurance Market
RIAS is pleased to unveil an exciting addition to its motor insurance product range: the Excess Protection Policy. (PRWeb Dec 17, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1752524.htm

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Mojo Sports Selected by SPOT to Manage and Execute Integrated Sports Marketing Program : Focus on Athletes and Ambassadors, Events and Mobile Marketing
Mojo Sports, http://www.simplymojo.com/, a full service sports and entertainment marketing agency, has been selected by California-based, SPOT, LLC, http://www.findmespot.com/, the pioneer behind the award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™, as their sports marketing agency of record through 2009. Mojo Sports will be responsible for developing, negotiating and executing unique athlete, event and mobile marketing programs which align the SPOT brand with category leaders, increase brand visibility, and integrate the SPOT technology into the fabric of the activities and properties they sponsor. (PRWeb Dec 11, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/mojo_sports/sports_marketing/prweb1741534.htm

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Demand For Harley-Davidson XR1200 Sparks American Debut - Riders Order Hundreds of New Hot Rod Sportsters Before Official Release
The XR1200 is a powerful new Harley-Davidson hot rod motorcycle that was initially designed and launched only in European markets in April 2008. With the high degree of interest and passionate reception surrounding the bike's European release, as well as demand from Harley riders and competitive brand owners alike, the Harley-Davidson XR1200 is now being launched in all markets. (PRWeb Dec 9, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/harley-davidson/XR1200/prweb1725684.htm

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Motorcycle Video Test Rides By Women on WomenRidersNow.com
The only place online you can watch a woman reviewing a motorcycle. (PRWeb Dec 8, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1712484.htm

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Motorcycle and ATV Accessories Website Announces Extensive Product Expansion
Providing a wide array of accessories for motorcycles and ATVs, MotorcyclesAndATVAccessories.com has recently increased the number and type of products they carry on the site. They have also launched an informational blog, ATVGearAndAccessoriesBlog.com, in late October 2008. (PRWeb Dec 6, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1709614.htm

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"Supercharged" Futuristic Legends Roll Into Las Vegas, Nevada
Detroit is not DEAD! Just ask anyone walking on the Las Vegas Strip recently. Detroit's latest versions of its muscle cars from yesteryears have landed, and these Betties are already turning heads on the Las Vegas strips. This influx of Modern Hot Rods can be attributed to one of Las Vegas' newest arrivals to the Exotic Rental Car industry, Voyager Classics Car Rentals. Not even in business for 6 months, this newcomer to the car rental industry is already shaking things up quite a bit. (PRWeb Dec 6, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1661604.htm

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A Holiday Made in America -- Sickafus Sheepskins Celebrates 42 Years in Business
Entrepreneur and singer/songwriter Pat Garrett keeps both his music and his coats American-made (PRWeb Dec 4, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1708004.htm

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Bike Insurance News: Insurance on the Side
Bikesure launches agreed-value scheme for classic motorcycle-sidecar combos. (PRWeb Dec 3, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1700574.htm

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MPGreen Inc. Launches New Online Store To Sell MPGreen Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Additives To The Public
MPGreen Inc., is announcing the official launch of its online store. MPGreen is a highly concentrated fuel additive previously only available to industrial clients. The MPGreen formula significantly reduces exhaust emissions, improves fuel economy, and helps increase engine life. (PRWeb Dec 3, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1693904.htm

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Chilhowee's New Motorcycle Gifts Catalog Brings Real Leather Craftsmanship To Every Bike
Online showcase of motorcycle goods and custo- made accessories debuts its all-new online gift catalog. (PRWeb Dec 2, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/motorcycle-gifts/motorcycle-accessories/prweb1687124.htm

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Cape Fox Professional Services Gets Additional $3.8 Million for Marine Corps Traffic Safety Program
The U.S. Marine Corps obligated Cape Fox Professional Services (CFPS) $3.8 million in funding to support its existing Navy and Marine Corps Traffic Safety and Recreational Off-Duty Safety Program (TS/RODS) contract. 25 Marines have been killed in motorcycle crashes since November 2007. The TS/RODS program was developed to significantly reduce deaths and injuries as a result of traffic and recreational accidents. (PRWeb Nov 27, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1673274.htm

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Looking For a Unique Holiday Gift? Keep Warm With a Mr. Heater® Compact Personal Heater
For homeowners, campers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for something unique and practical to add to their holiday gift list, the new Compact Portable Radiant Heater from Mr. Heater® could be one of the hottest gifts this season - literally. (PRWeb Nov 27, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1670934.htm

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Top Three Finalists Announced in RacingJunk.com 2008 Sponsorship Giveaway
Manny Chaides of El Paso, Texas, Ric Kole of Southington, Ohio and Ed Kowalcyzk of Gilbert, South Carolina have been named the top three finalists in the RacingJunk.com 2008 Give Back to the Racers Sponsorship Giveaway, sponsored by Snap-on. Raceway Media's RacingJunk.com, the world's largest online motorsports marketplace, presents the annual Sponsorship Giveaway contest as a way of giving back to the grassroots racers who are at the heart of its membership. (PRWeb Nov 27, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1670844.htm

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Riding through tough times, Motorcycle Superstore prepares to make the most of the holiday shopping season.
Amidst an uncertain economy, Motorcycle Superstore, an online retailer of motorcycle gear, parts and accessories, kicks it up a gear and finds new ways to offer maximum value for customers. With a combination of increased website traffic, a refined product mix, direct mail campaigns and improved holiday shopping tools such as gift guides, Motorcycle Superstore is expecting a busy holiday shopping season. (PRWeb Nov 26, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1675624.htm

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Glory Sales Announces its New Website, GlorySales.com -- Bringing its Exclusive Denim, Apparel and Motorcycle Gear to the Rest of the World
GlorySales.com becomes an instant hit before its official launch! Glory Sales is the manufacturer of Glory Utility brand clothing and also known for carrying an exclusive range of vintage inspired motorcycle tees and selvedge denim jeans. (PRWeb Nov 25, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1649794.htm

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Streak Free Fever Is Spreading Across The Land Starting In Louisville, KY
Small businessman has hit the big-time with this 21st Century cleaning cloth. (PRWeb Nov 24, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1662934.htm

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New Gift Idea for Men from BeerPager.com -- Fun Holiday Gift Under $20 Online
BeerPager.com today announced a new gift idea for men. The BeerPager(tm), a unique remote-controlled electronic drink holder with sights and sounds for under $20, makes a fun holiday gift and is available online for shopping convenience. BeerPagers crank-up the fun at parties, game days, poker nights, weekend barbecues and other get-togethers from up to 60 feet away using their remote controls. Send BeerPagers to friends and family today and become a gift-giving legend by visiting the BeerPager online store. (PRWeb Nov 21, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/new-gift-idea-for-men/BeerPager/prweb1644994.htm

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Car Insurance News: When it's in Store Make Sure it's Covered - With More Than a Blanket
Vehicles in storage aren't covered by household insurance warns Flux. (PRWeb Nov 21, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1651554.htm

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Paraplegic Ricky James Racing in the West Coast Pro Truck Series Thanksgiving 200 at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway
Ricky James, 19 years old from Murrieta, California will be racing his wheelchair-adapted truck in the West Coast Pro Trucks series Thanksgiving 200 at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, California on November 29, 2008. Ricky suffered a spinal cord injury in a motocross crash in 2005 leaving him a paraplegic at the age of 16. Ricky did not let his injury stop him from doing what he loved most. He is currently the West Coast Pro Truck series Champion at Toyota Speedway of Irwindale (PRWeb Nov 21, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1643934.htm

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Mautofied.com Announces a Banner Sales Year-to-Date of Custom Autos, Trucks, and Motorcycles
Despite declining sales of new vehicles in the U.S. and a nationwide economic slump, Mautofied.com has facilitated over 7,700 transactions as of October 31, 2008. Consistently surpassing expectations, Mautofied.com continues to see record numbers of unique visitors who use its proprietary classifieds to buy, sell, and trade their vehicles. It is now the largest site on the Web dedicated solely to custom cars, trucks and motorcycles. (PRWeb Nov 20, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/auto/sales/prweb1637044.htm

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Terry Eckerd Band Delivers Crankin Hot & Sweet Southern Boogie For The Corporal Joseph S. Tremblay, USMC-IRAQ, Memorial Scholarship Fund
The bad boys of Southern Boogie rocking the Hudson Valley in Newburgh, New York; For one night only! Joined by Caroline Purr from NYC featuring "I Wont Be Home For Christmas" tribute to our troops. (PRWeb Nov 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1634994.htm

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www.OurRaceCar.com Invites Fans to Buy a Share In a Race Car
www.OurRaceCar.com Launched on October 18, 2008 invites fans to become more than just spectators. (PRWeb Nov 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1639384.htm

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AbsolutelyNew Licenses Quick-Release Impact Wrench™ Tool : Inventor Redesigns Socket Power Tool for Safety and Convenience
AbsolutelyNew, Inc., a next generation consumer products company that brings independent inventors’ best ideas to market, has signed an exclusive licensing and manufacturing deal with inventor Ted Johnson of Benton, AR. The company will start selling his Quick-Release Impact Wrench™ in Spring 2009. (PRWeb Nov 18, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/impact_wrench/release_impact/prweb1634884.htm

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Launch of New Compare.com Insurance Comparison Website
November 2008 marks the launch of the all new Compare Com website offering its visitors the ability to compare bike, van, travel and of course car insurance quotes from a wide range of insurers online. (PRWeb Nov 17, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/compare-com/comparecom/prweb1622174.htm

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Couture Cleaners Restores Leather Jacket Worn By Man In Near Fatal Motorcycle Crash
Hallak Cleaners recently restored a leather motorcycle jacket worn by Mike Caruso, after he was cut out of it by paramedics on the scene of his near fatal motorcycle accident. (PRWeb Nov 16, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1619774.htm

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MPGreen Launches New Line of Fuel Saving Diesel & Gasoline Additives That Significantly Reduce Emissions
MPGreen, Inc. announces the official launch of the MPGreen brand of diesel and gasoline fuel additives, available to consumers for the first time after 11 years of use in large industry in over 9 countries. MPGreen keeps both engines and fuel clean through the use of powerful chemical agents, leading to more efficient combustion, lower maintenance costs and reduced harmful emissions. (PRWeb Nov 12, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/additive_gasoline_diesel/saves_fuel/prweb1548084.htm

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me again to wake up and be there. It embeds me in the real world around me. I sense it, hear it, feel it and flow with it. The very best rides are a spiritual experience that can be impossible to describe or explain to anyone who doesn't already get it. There's a meditative quality to riding and a cleansing of the trash that accumulates in our heads. For me these are the real reasons I ride. Riding makes my life (and my head) work better.

Ride to live - live to ride. It's a lot more than transportation.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Richard Keir
Richard (Rick) is a long time biker - even longer than he's been writing, consulting and training. You can see some of the results at www.A-Harley-Motorcycle.com and the blog at www.a-harley-motorcycle.com/blog