Some winters I pack my bike up and pretty much forget about riding until the weather warms up again, other winters I spend time in the garage working on whatever adjustments or preventative maintenance I deem necessary. This winter however, has been a hubbub of motorcycling activity for me which has resulted in a desire to ride more than I have had in a long time.
It started with my son, Aiden, receiving his first real motorcycle for
Christmas courtesy of his godfather (my brother). Sure he's a little
young at 3 but these days you have to start young if you are going to be
good or great at something. For the first time in a long time I
actually got to go shopping for new gear; not a thing I get to do much
anymore since funds are limited and replacement gear only comes on an
"as needed" basis. I have to admit it was fun buying gear on miniature
scale.Fresh off of the dirtbike buzz from Christmas it just happened that the Nuclear Cowbowz traveling freestyle motorcross show came in to town so we had to go to that! My first (along with Aiden's) experience seeing freestyle motorcross live and it was awesome! It was a culmination of pyrotechnics, lasers, motorcycles, guys doing marshal arts and even a handful of scantily clad women. What else do you need in a live performance, really.
Lastly, I've been catching Orange County Choppers on CMT every week. The show is shit but hey, it's motorcycles so I'm in. Also, I have been watching the series Long Way Round & Long Way Down on Netflix which is pretty good. If you haven't watched it here's the synopsis; Ewan McGregor and his buddy hop on some BMW GS's and ride really far for 3-4 months going through some really interesting places. (www.longwayround.com)
I have been remembering what I love of about motorcycling; going places off the beaten path, being alone with my thoughts, having good times with good friends and escaping the realities of life for a while. If you are not careful life will consume you and if you don't take a break once in a while I believe you will become the worst version of yourself. For me, motorcycling is/was my escape, my breather from the confines of reality. It helps me keep things in perspective and focus on what's important so I don't let the many burden's eat away at the real me. I'm not much for New Year's resolutions but I think I will resolve to actually ride for fun and for me this year.
