Friday, February 01, 2013

Riding Well

How do you know when you're riding well?

I'm often on my steel horse.

 
We'd all like to be graceful and smooth. Some days it happens. Some days.....not so much.

 I have my "Turkey" days.


 
I've had days that were better, but not by much.

 
Once in a while, though, it all comes together and we are graceful, nimble, and beautiful.

 
Just like this beautiful crop duster that zooms across the fields around our offices. That plane and pilot seem so connected. The plane flies in sweeping, smooth movements.  There are no linear, jerky motions to be seen.  It's truly "poetry in motion". So back to the question. How do you know if you're riding well? More importantly, how do you influence things to move from the cream puff turkey to the graceful crop duster? I am setting myself up as a self-proclaimed Zen Master of Riding. I may be a Legend in my Own Mind, but that doesn't mean there isn't value in what I say. Here is the secret to being graceful and confident when riding.

Ride with Seriousness of Purpose but Lightness of Hand

I intend to spend a little time exploring this topic here.  For now, though, just take this away to ponder upon.  If you find yourself feeling like you're working hard while riding your technique is off.  We're doing something that's keeping our fleet and nimble steed from doing what it was born to do.

Miles and smiles,

Dan

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Dan:

Philomath, that's where I saw that Iron Horse, but of course, someone may have bought it and moved it elsewhere by now

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

Keith - Circle Blue said...

I'm sitting with this...and smiling.
~Keith

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roger said...

Very ue Dan, looking forward to you expanding on this.

Anonymous said...

Dan...the waterlogged header photograph with a motorcycle
beside a window...what's up? (Besides the water level)

Anonymous said...

Some days you win some days you lose.

And some days you cant hit the ground
with you hat.
And on throes days I park it.

Glad to see you are back in the saddle blogging


Old F

david said...

That feels right, a lot.
Going to ponder it for a while, looking forward to further thoughts from you.

peace irondad

Dar said...

I have my cream puff days, my turkey days and some stellar days and other days I decide just not to ride. When I am going through the tough bits I usually take the bike to the parking lot and practice basics and drills, then things smooth out again. Looking forward to your topic expansion.

irondad said...

Bob skoot,

There is certainly nothing wrong with your memory! That's where it was when I took the photo.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Circle Blue,

Thanks for the compliment. A smile is always a good sign!

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Roger,

Now that I promised it, I guess I'll have to follow through, eh? Stay tuned.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Bryce,

There actually wasn't that much water. I had made a photo panorama of a rainbow against the dark cloulds and rainy sky just a few minutes earlier. Then the sun came out. I just liked the light and decided to make the photo for the header.

No real message except that I liked the way it looked.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Old Fart,

So glad to know you're still hanging around out there! Thanks for commenting. Hope to have more to make it worth your while.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

David,

Thank you for the well wishes. Hope things are well for you on your continent. No matter where we live we're all alike.

Peace to you, as well.

Take care,

Dan

irondad said...

Dar,

I can remember being a rider on some days, and merely a passenger on others. After these many years my success ratio has gone up a bit but there are still "those days".

That's what inspired the topic. Thanks for stopping by!

Take care,

Dan