Sunday, November 22, 2009

Where does it go?



In my last post I wrote about using a motorcycle as everyday transportation. The same as if I chose a car or truck. In other words, the bike is as much a part of getting me from place to place as a car is for most people.

I do have to admit, though, that there are some fun differences. There's something I do when riding that I seldom do when in a car. That's checking out where a road goes. Just for the sheer heck of riding. I'm always checking out roads then filing them in my mental map system. I've gotten to the point over the years where I can take off for a few hours of riding and string all these roads together. Never coming close to a main road and never backtracking. Unless,of course, a road's so awesome I want to go ride it over and over.

One thing I've never done is set out in the car to do the same thing. Have you ever noticed that something that seems to be such a chore in a car is so much fun on a bike? Just another item in a long list of reasons to ride, I guess!

Miles and smiles,

Dan


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Saw the photograph and thought of the book from many years ago "Up The Down Staircase!"

Now you're not going to ride Elvira up the stairs are you, Dan? Or down the stairs for that matter.

Bumpity bump to the bottom?

Conchscooter said...

My blog would be nonsense if I did it using the car. So would yours of course, for different reasons.

Dave said...

Up or down the stairs ?

This is Elvira we are talking about she would go straight up the hand rail an if Dan wants to go along for the ride he better hang on.

Dave aka Old F

Dean W said...

And people wonder why, with the house full of kids and dogs I have, my primary means of transportation is a motorcycle, and the backup is a Miata.

"Oops, sorry- no room!"

Unknown said...

Irondad:

it makes no difference to me whether by bike, car, wagon. I explore every road, every tributary and happily navigate gravel roads to find the road less travelled, but the bike is easier to park by the side of the road when space is limited. And in the humble Jack "r" tradition, many photo opps are available from the rider's seat.
I would like to have access to a bike in Newfoundland. The roads are elevated, sort of like a causeway built on crushed rock topped with asphalt and little or no shoulder making it impossible to stop safely. It is a motorcycle paradise there. Little traffic and every road is a twisty

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan,

I prefer MC commuting over car. When I am driving my car, I become lazy and sleepy and my commute becomes dreary. So I can relate riding my M/C keeps me awake and alert at all time and have lots of energy left to spare when I get home to be with my family.

Art.

PS Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear IronDad (Dan):

Oddly enough, my situation is reversed. My concentration levels are so high when I ride, that I tend to miss a lot of detail on the sidelines. Traveling in the Suburban gives me a panoramic view without worrying if I am going to fall over or whack a stupid deer.

In many cases, I will explore a road in detail with the truck, and go back to do it over again with the bike. This does not apply to longer trips, where I am on the road for a week at a time, and the truck is three states behind me.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

Steve Williams said...

there must be some energy in the universe that I just picked up on. Posted this morning on some similar ideas....

Cars and trucks are like tranquilizers. Just make you lazy and stupid. My 200 pound ass becomes 600 pounds in car gravity. No wonder I don't like to stop for anything.

On the scooter I have a 20 pound ass...

Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks

irondad said...

Bryce,

I have ridden a motorcycle up and down stairs. The most recent was a Wee Strom that belonged to somebody else!

Conchscooter,

Here's to avoiding nonsense and to keep on riding, then!

Dave,

Quit giving Elvira naughty ideas. She has plenty of her own!

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Dean W,

Exactly!

Bobskoot,

I always have the spirit of exploration. It's just that the lighter and more agile machine makes it so much easier for me to just go see what's there.

There is an advantage to having a bigger vehicle to take photos from, I'll have to say. Sometimes the bike seems pretty vulnerable on the shoulder of the road.

Art,

Then again, you're crazy like me.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Jack,

For once you actually make sense! I find that my ability to sightsee very far to either side of the road is limited by my concentration, as well. As much as I hate to say it, we could remedy that, you know.

Slow down! Dang, it hurt to even type those words.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Steve,

I read your post. Much better than mine.

I agree totally with your comment. I wonder if commenting right after Jack made you think of a 200 lb ass or did you do that on your own?

Yeah, we really do love you, Jack!

Take care,

Dan