JIMSHAW
Ambassador at Large
Go or think about going
There are always those who do, and those who think about doing. I don't find fault with either, and I do both. It's who you are, how you hang, and I don't think you need to be too self conscious about it.
I have always applauded the ON for seeking and printing decent pieces about motorcycle travel. I have been many places, but not every place. Time, money, responsibility, obligations, and health are among the reasons you and I can't go everywhere or do everything via motorcycle. Also, I think there is a semi-hardwired mindset, that can prevent us from venturing out. For example, just mention your plan to ride around Mexico, and the evangelically fearful will cross the freeway on foot to tell you how foolish that is. Ask around, and those who have been there will quietly tell you what a joy the place is. The same is true for more than a hundred other countries, continents and regions out there.
The important thing is to actually travel, or vicariously travel, or ride to the supermarket - but keep your mind open to reading about and hearing of motorcycle travels. Better yet, go threaten some part of the world with yourself and your motorcycle. But, keep an open mind to it all.
Most of us tune in to hearing and reading of others' adventures, and make our own contribution to the tales of travel. Most of us tune out those who dismiss others for sharing such joys. Don't dismiss sharing. It serves no one.
Finally, you just can't do everything. Get over it. If you haven't traveled to another country, or if you haven't seen that National Park, or if you haven't ridden that Iron Butt ride, dip your toe in. Make your own memories, remember the vistas, maybe pass around some photos, and keep making mental images that you can conger just by closing your eyes. And, if you like to write, create word pictures for others that sparkle in detail, ravish with color, and tantalize with motion. Share the wealth.
I can close my eyes, and once again be in a cafe in Paris in May, on an apple orchard on New Zealand's South Island in February, Oaxaca's Plaza Major in April, or riding through a flock of a thousand sheep on a mountain road in Utah in the sharp cold clarity of October. But you can ride your own ride, make your own memories, and build cherished friendships through motorcycle travel.
Or not. You pick.
There are always those who do, and those who think about doing. I don't find fault with either, and I do both. It's who you are, how you hang, and I don't think you need to be too self conscious about it.
I have always applauded the ON for seeking and printing decent pieces about motorcycle travel. I have been many places, but not every place. Time, money, responsibility, obligations, and health are among the reasons you and I can't go everywhere or do everything via motorcycle. Also, I think there is a semi-hardwired mindset, that can prevent us from venturing out. For example, just mention your plan to ride around Mexico, and the evangelically fearful will cross the freeway on foot to tell you how foolish that is. Ask around, and those who have been there will quietly tell you what a joy the place is. The same is true for more than a hundred other countries, continents and regions out there.
The important thing is to actually travel, or vicariously travel, or ride to the supermarket - but keep your mind open to reading about and hearing of motorcycle travels. Better yet, go threaten some part of the world with yourself and your motorcycle. But, keep an open mind to it all.
Most of us tune in to hearing and reading of others' adventures, and make our own contribution to the tales of travel. Most of us tune out those who dismiss others for sharing such joys. Don't dismiss sharing. It serves no one.
Finally, you just can't do everything. Get over it. If you haven't traveled to another country, or if you haven't seen that National Park, or if you haven't ridden that Iron Butt ride, dip your toe in. Make your own memories, remember the vistas, maybe pass around some photos, and keep making mental images that you can conger just by closing your eyes. And, if you like to write, create word pictures for others that sparkle in detail, ravish with color, and tantalize with motion. Share the wealth.
I can close my eyes, and once again be in a cafe in Paris in May, on an apple orchard on New Zealand's South Island in February, Oaxaca's Plaza Major in April, or riding through a flock of a thousand sheep on a mountain road in Utah in the sharp cold clarity of October. But you can ride your own ride, make your own memories, and build cherished friendships through motorcycle travel.
Or not. You pick.