Share one of those things that you really enjoy about a good ride......

[Fudd]

The best thing about a good ride is:

Taking off your boots at the end of a long day and tradeing them for a Budweiser.

[bigdog99]

2 things:
1. leaning back and having the wife drape her arms around me and saying  "i love you
2. Coming up on another Valk, knowing i can share the road, but i wont win this one!

[MrArn]

At different times I have tried exploring what I feel while riding, so I could explain it to my friends and family. Books like "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" did help me with some context and it like many of the post here are similar to my own experiences. Some people have the skills to describe a great sunset, other can capture it on film. However, nothing can replace the passion and emotion of seeing that sunset with your own eyes.

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When you see another lone rider in the middle of nowhere and wave, knowing that you share something most people will never understand.

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[the inspector]

I'll add a few things while their still fresh in my mind. Yesterday a 350 mile ride through the back roads of PA. The forest canopy and a secondary road, the sun filtering through painted a picture made in heaven, following a few of my friends on bikes, the sight of the bikes leaning into and out of the the turns, priceless. Then the leaves on the road flying as the machines blew through them sending leaves left and right, every bike scattering them a little more to the sides of the road. That's what I enjoy about a ride, a beer and some food to top it off, a little tire kicking thrown into the mix and you have a ride!

'the inspector"

[Stanley Steamer]

I'll add a few things while their still fresh in my mind. Yesterday a 350 mile ride through the back roads of PA. The forest canopy and a secondary road, the sun filtering through painted a picture made in heaven, following a few of my friends on bikes, the sight of the bikes leaning into and out of the the turns, priceless. Then the leaves on the road flying as the machines blew through them sending leaves left and right, every bike scattering them a little more to the sides of the road. That's what I enjoy about a ride, a beer and some food to top it off, a little tire kicking thrown into the mix and you have a ride!

'the inspector"

  .........All you guys get it.....

[Jess from VA]

OK, a little more practical answer.

A half dozen of us were cruising the far boonies in early Spring a few years ago, and it was an unseasonably warm day.  So much so, that three or four of the farmer's daughters were out sunning in their tiny bikinis.  There were Harleys in the crowd, so they heard us coming, and jumped up and kept jumping up and down and waving madly.  The guys riding in front slowed down to get a look, and the guys in back were already looking (and these particular daughters were really fun to look at).  There was some hard braking, squawking tires and comedy riding moves, but everyone lived.  (I was tail, and not involved in the comedy, but LMAO.)

The girls kept jumping up and down, and waved us over, but a great big guy that could have been their daddy came storming out on the porch, so we motored on (gentlemen that we were).  That was a great day.

[popsix]

Riding the Skyline Drive on a nice weekday with no traffic, almost alone, clear day with a forever view, standing on the boards for miles and miles, weaving thru the twisties at 35-45, stock exhaust with my sat radio on classical with a moving symphony. 

It is the closest thing to flying you will ever get.  Worshiping the church of nature.

+1.

Actually, the same road just around 400 miles south. I live just  two miles plus a tic from a Blue Ridge Parkway on-ramp. If I don't have a lot of time but still need to decompress, that's where I go. Usually up to Craggy Gardens and back or maybe Mt. Mitchell. Dancing back and forth through the curves; sunlight, now shade, now sunlight again. Finely tuned engine purring expectantly, ready for anything you ask. That little ride never fails to give me an uplift in spirit.

[Ice]

For me there's nothing better that a cool crisp fall morning when you take off on one of those lonely little deserted roads, heading nowhere and the dew is rising off the fields, and its the bike, the road and you, there's nothing else, and as the sun rises over the fields there is a kind of fog that has eveloped the fileds and you have just the slightest of chills in you but you feel at peace with the world......

[old2soon]

At the very real risk of gettin hurt over this answer/obsevation/knowledge/-last time i checked Motorcycles and gasoline were way cheaper than therapy. And if you have a Motorcycle or many Motorcycles ya don't gotta wait fer an appointment time. Seems to me owning and riding a Motorcycle gives us more of an edge/insight/feel good/outlook/lower blood pressure/etc etc etc-than the people that don't. Course thats just MY observation!!! Been wrong once or twice before-but i'm athinkin not this time. RIDE SAFE.

[The Anvil]

Yup, what yall said. I think the best for me is to get behind a hay truck.

My sinuses are clenching just thinking about it.

[BigChris99]

Fall is my favorite time of year to ride.  The temps are cooling off enough that having all of your gear on is comfortable, not just bearable.  The sometimes unbearable heat of summer is over.  The smells seem crisper in the cool air, not having to compete with the heat waves of summer.  My favorite smell on a cool fall day is wood smoke, from a campfire as you roll past a campground or a woodstove in someones house somewhere.  Even the burning of fall leaves.  As soon as I get a wiff, I pull open the visor of my full face helmet , cool air and woodsmoke fill my helmet, I breath deep and smile. Memories of campfires in the past fill my mind.  Thinking of good times with family and friends around a fire somewhere.  Glad I'm on my bike and not in my car.  You know winter is coming, and riding may be curtailed, but for the moment, all that matters is the ride, the smells and the memories.  I love riding in the fall.

[Stanley Steamer]

Fall is my favorite time of year to ride.  The temps are cooling off enough that having all of your gear on is comfortable, not just bearable.  The sometimes unbearable heat of summer is over.  The smells seem crisper in the cool air, not having to compete with the heat waves of summer.  My favorite smell on a cool fall day is wood smoke, from a campfire as you roll past a campground or a woodstove in someones house somewhere.  Even the burning of fall leaves.  As soon as I get a wiff, I pull open the visor of my full face helmet , cool air and woodsmoke fill my helmet, I breath deep and smile. Memories of campfires in the past fill my mind.  Thinking of good times with family and friends around a fire somewhere.  Glad I'm on my bike and not in my car.  You know winter is coming, and riding may be curtailed, but for the moment, all that matters is the ride, the smells and the memories.  I love riding in the fall.

Fall is my favorite time of the year also...for the same reasons.....the smell of smoke in the air reminds me of growing up with wood heat as our only means of warming up the house....love to look in the mirror and see the leaves rustling along behind me as the Fat Girl blows by.....

[popsix]

[

Fall is my favorite time of the year also...

Oh, yeah! This is prime time! Highs around 70 here, lows in the 40s. It don't get any better.


Pop

[Fatboyman05]

So I got about 5 posts into this thread and had to stop. I pondered what I know I felt and knew I needed to take the time to write out, as best I could, what I feel.

It took a couple days to find the time and right frame of mind to do it, but it is finished and I'm ready to type it into this thread. THATS where the trouble started. I started reading the thread where I left off and by the end I wonder if my words are no more than echos of whats been said!

You all get it and I'm sitting here watching it rain getting the feeling of riding without even starting up a bike. I got into a writing mood yesterday and got around to writing my response this afternoon


I was asked to tell of what it feels to ride the horse of steel. A quick response I did offer, but lied I knew I had for just a few words could not contain all I do feel. I know this to be so because even to myself, within myself there were words I'd yet to link. Try as I may how does one describe the ride?

The connection between mind and body, body and the machine, machine and road, all dependent upon eachother. And while quite obvious even at a distance, a supreme complexity it remains and only reveals it's self upon the open road as the tires roll on, the motor sings and the scenery goes by like polaroid pictures to be remembered and shared like old baseball cards that you never lose.

When I am here, I am the machine, I am the wind and the sky, I am the grass and the leaves of the trees. And from here, it is this place and time where I am reminded most of lost friends and lost loves in a better place, and as I ponder them and roll forward as I must, I smile as I feel them behind me on this desolate highway that was filled with cars just moments ago. Each as I remembered them best, riding what truly suited them rolling along with me, taking the time to say hello again. And as I ride towards the setting sun, just glance back I often think but resist I will and after a while as I slow for a turn, I know that some must go but some will follow. To those who must go I give a simple wave, not a bitter sweet goodbye but a cheerful "Until Again"


And that folks is the capacity of all the words I can muster and yet it is a drop in the bucket, and keep in mind YMMV. 

[old2soon]

Took a short ride yesterday of about 70 miles. Headed west out of here into the setting sun. Blindingly bright and very hard to see til i ducked into the shadows. I then turned south and now i have the strobe light effect from the trees and the lowering sun. And these beautiful colors that only GOD is capable of creating. From the strobe light effect to no trees on my right to a long tree tunnel. A line from a Jimi Hendrix tune popped into my head and seems to fit the mood and the moment. May not have it 100% correct but something like-pardon me while i kiss the sky. Between a sweet running motorcycle fantastic roads beautiful colors and a frame of mind not possible unless you're on a scoot really a fantastic/intense/beautiful/wonderful/personal/ 70 miles of pure joy. The good news is i can and will do it again. The bad news is i can't do it forever. Well in my mind i can-FOREVER. RIDE SAFE.

[FloridaValkRyder]

I do beleive you guys covered all of it......life is good on a motorcycle!

Wow, what a great thread. Thank you for starting that. I guess we all feel the same..only different..every time we get strap on the machine. I just got back from the NC/VA mountains. Mostly the BRP but side roads as well. I have to agree with all of you that there is a certain feeling that makes you Thank God you have a motorcycle and were given the opportunity to learn what "The Ride" really is! Rode from Boone to somewhere in VA, not even sure exactly, and had one of those spiritual events on my Dragon. Maybe it was the temp, the scenery, that "harmonic's from the 6's at certain speeds" one of y'all was talking about. We who ride are fortunate indeed and we ride the best cruiser ever built. Ride safe my friends and enjoy every second of it!

[Tim H]

I love the rush of adrenaline of when I get back to the computer and load up the website to update my 2nd state I have ridden in for my signature photo.  Well, when it happens, that'll be great. 

What a rush!

[Dogg]

you guys talk about the mountains and the twisties and the cool air in the hollows and around rushing creekbeds.

I aint as strong as I once was, hence, I take the twisties a little slower than most of you but, I still love them. But I must confess....aint alot of twisties here where I live but, I have some great roads with wide open fields and beautiful landscaping and breath taking wildlife. We have the largest population of bald eagles here on the eastern shore on the east coast. To see one of these birds fly, just after sun rise, is the most peaceful breath taking site I had ever seen. I like to leave my home on LD, ride up the highway into delaware to get to the better roads to travel east. 6 am, Im northbound for about 20 miles. turn right, head towards the ocean. nice, lazy, rolling roads that carry me effortlessly towards the atlantic. once there, A short stroll on the fat lady through ocean city where, most have not awaken yet to start the day. hearing the MarkT's growl perfectly between the big hotels, echoing off of all that glass, hearing the waves crashing in the backround, smelling the salt filled air.... pulling into the brass balls saloon for the best breakfast in town...then the short ride home out thru west oceancity to a little road called sinepuxent rd. 68 turns in 3.5 miles...nice little twisty road to get the blood flowing( Yes, I do Ride the twisties at a brisk pace for short periods.lol) then back home to a hot cup of coffee on my front porch still, with the salt in the air and hearing the distant motorcycles, winding up 113(its a road) to follow suit(yes we all like this lil jaunt).  

[Dogg]

lol. its funny that no matter what thread I post in, it is destined to end quickly. I just think its funny...

[Hedgehog]

OK. Sunday morning 7 am. Sun coming up and mist on the meadow. Few cows moo-ing in the distance. Can see their breaths on the cool air. Everyone on two legs is asleep but me.

The world smells fresh and clean. Dew covered gravel crunches underfoot. Put on the lid and start her up. Head off out into the brightening day - the world seems full of promise - full of possibilities.

A mile out the road crests a rise and opens up - a long straight through a patchwork of fields spreading out like a blanket as the groundfalls away. 

The road stretches ahead. Open, Empty, inviting. Virginal in its smooth blackness. The scent of hay, trees and warming tarmac. The glory of the pink gold and blue of the morning sky. No one else about but me and the Fat lady. Leaning back in the seat and thinking. 'Thank you Lord for this Life.'.

Most fulfilling. No words can capture it though.


That's a fine feeling.

[the inspector]

Stan is the MAN....what a great thread. And to think we almost lost all the wit and humor when you guys was picking on him a while back. Very glad your still with us Stan......were working on the bullying. Ha!

Your Friend
"the inspector"

Great thread!

[Stanley Steamer]

Stan is the MAN....what a great thread. And to think we almost lost all the wit and humor when you guys was picking on him a while back. Very glad your still with us Stan......were working on the bullying. Ha!

Your Friend
"the inspector"

Great thread!

I can take it.....sometimes I just take a breather from the boards and it's almost always because of something else besides anyone on the board here.....I'm glad you guys enjoyed this thread....

[olddog1946]

I love it when a non rider makes the comment "Nice day for a ride",,my answer is "Everyday is a good day to ride"..  Some days may be better than others, but I always enjoy my time in the saddle..To be honest I am not sure exactly why that is..it could be the time away from all the daily drama, the sounds of the bike going through the gears, the exhilaration of blasting through a corner, or maybe just the attention this bike gathers where ever I go and the ensuing conversations with people I'd never interact with if it weren't for MY fat lady...It's all part of the allure and satisfaction of a stint in the saddle...

[the inspector]

Stan what a great picture, I love seeing myself, so handsome. You know we should have had our fat girls in the photo too. But then our images would have been smaller. I like this one. Take care brother.

"the inspector"

[Stanley Steamer]

Stan what a great picture, I love seeing myself, so handsome. You know we should have had our fat girls in the photo too. But then our images would have been smaller. I like this one. Take care brother.

"the inspector"

I think PA passed a Law after that ride stating that you and I could not be seen together again.....something about inciting rioting crowds of lovely women??!!........

[the inspector]

Ya Stan, I can see that happening. Well that's the way it is......We do have to e careful where we go.

"the inspector"