Stop driving a car and smell the roses – as a motorcycle rider
A motorcycle rider sees world from a different perspective
By Daryl Makk
Its been said that only a motorcycle rider understands why a dog hangs its head out the window of a moving vehicle.
If you’ve never done a road trip on a bike you probably won’t understand how true this is or its real meaning. I’ve had the privilege of a life on the road. Away from home for days on end, eating in restaurants (you pray will be good) while sleeping in strange new places.
In the past five summers over 100,000 km have been logged on two wheels.
As a former long haul transport driver and now a traveling entertainer, who tours via motorcycle, I’ve seen a lot of pavement. Its been wonderful thus far.
To some living on the road seems like a horrible existence, whereas I cannot understand how people can drive the same clogged city streets every day, week after week, to be stuck in the same office, warehouse or other pay-cheque prison only to go home to the exact same locale at the end of each day. (I had a shiver even typing this).
As someone dedicated to seeing the planet on 2 wheels I get to revisit some of these same roads…only, they differ when viewed from the open cockpit of a touring motorcycle. Familiar roads become new again, and often just days apart from your last visit. As soon as the weather changes the road feels different.
Why?
Unlike a car, where you just sit, in a climate-controlled room, removed from the environment you are travelling through, a motorcycle rider gets to live what is happening every second you are out there. Please note: I said “live” over “experience.”
When I am on a motorcycle trip I feel more alive than any other waking moment and have a connection to the environment I never get on four wheels. Even when the moment is not pleasant, like rain or cold weather, it still beats an office or stuffy automobile.
Car drivers will never know the warm embrace of the sun when it pokes its head out on a chilly, cloudy day. How things can smell so vivid at times. I’ve had moments where the aromas seemed like the were three dimensional they come on so quick.
While you may detect some of the odors and fragrances in a car, it is usually after you have passed the source, thus missing the connection to the area you were just part of. As a motorcycle rider I can identify and observe what is currently wrapping me in its scent.
Thankfully the good smells outnumber the bad ones.
That grove of cedar trees you may, or may not, have seen as you droned along in a car just treated my nose to an olfactory gift that you will never know in the same way.
See that mountain stream where the road passes in that shaded gully? It just gave me a quick shot of nature’s air conditioning. Instantly! I know that the temperature in that corner is different than the rest of the roadway. Those in a car will only experience the same climate inside their cage.
As a stand-up comic reactions from the audience are like a drug. It is why I get on stage to hear your laughs. Instant gratification. Motorcycles make me feel the same way. A winding road that may make a car passenger nauseous from the constant turning is a thrill on a bike. A motorcycle leans into them, you start feeling the rhythm of the road and, not to sound cheesy, you become one with it. You learn its personality. Instant gratification. This is what motorcycle travel is all about.
Things you find on 2 wheels
I’ve taken life by the handle bars and am riding it all the way! Every cool view, every roadside attraction that strikes my fancy. Every wonderful curve sweeping through new countryside. I want to see it all but will settle for as many as I can get in during this life’s ride. Being a motorcycle rider helps me escape the negative news, the injustices in society and enjoy the wonderful, if not simple, pleasures of life itself.
I can only encourage you to do the same. Find what makes you feel alive and try to put it into as much of your life as you can. Try and see as much of this wonderful planet too….before the world goes crazy! In the meantime please watch out for those of us on motorcycles, we may be high on life.
Category: Blogs
About the Author (Author Profile)
Stand-up comic and motorcycle enthusiast gives his point of view about the world from the perspective of a traffic minority. A 2 time survivor of bad drivers Daryl has used that as motivation to see the planet 2 wheels at a time through his web series The Planet Tour.
Comedy resume:
Comedy Now – 1 hour special on CTV
Just for Laughs- Montreal
CBC Radio
Melbourne Australia Comedy Festival
Featured performer on XM Satellite Radio
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
