A Riding Experience: Why Motorcycles Offer a Deeper Connection to Travel

Oh, yes! I love traveling by motorcycle so much that I only regret not doing it more often and for longer durations. While I have taken some of the same trips in a car, I found that experiencing the journey on a motorcycle is much more fulfilling and memorable.

Take the James Bay Road, for example. Even though the route is challenging, the experience of feeling the environment and scenery up close is unmatched. You can feel the wind, smell the pine trees, and hear the sounds around you. In contrast, watching everything pass through a car window is far less engaging.

Exploring Farther than Cars Can Reach

There are plenty of places that are simply not accessible by car, making motorcycle travel all the more exciting. Here are a few noteworthy experiences:

Parking on Canadian Shield Rock: Discovering rock formations and feeling the rugged wilderness. Riding a Scooter on Trans-Labrador Highway: Exploring remote regions and enjoying the scenic views. An Incident in the New Mexico Desert: A rear tire blowout at over 200Km/h that became a cherished memory. Endurance in Monument Valley: Dropping the bike in the sand and enduring the rugged terrain. Weather Whims in Montana: Experiencing a hailstorm during a ride. Snow-Capped Rays in July: Riding through the Beartooth Highway in July, when it’s typically snow-capped. Edge of Crater Lake: Circling the very edge of Crater Lake, an unforgettable experience. Lowest, Driest, and Hottest Place in the Western Hemisphere: July, when it’s at its harshest.

These are just a few examples of the unique experiences that come with motorcycle travel.

Enhancing the Travel Experience

Motorcycle travel allows you to immerse yourself in your surroundings in ways that car travel cannot match. Here are some of the advantages:

Feeling the Environment: You can feel the temperature changes as you ride through shady spots, and hear the sounds around you. Sensory Experience: You can smell things like pine trees or the air coming off a waterfall, which you might not notice in a car. Engagement with People: When you stop, people often approach you, sometimes because of your distinctive appearance in a riding suit. This can lead to interesting conversations.

Engaging Conversations

Riding my bike has led to many engaging conversations. For instance, a few years ago, I did a ride from Los Angeles to Philadelphia and mostly avoided interstates. I’d often pull into a town that had a single café. I’d walk in and conversation would stop as people noticed I wasn’t particularly interesting. I’d order a drink, go to the washroom to clean up, and then head back out into the ride.

Quite frequently, I’d get stopped on my way back by an elderly woman. She’d ask me about my trip and I’d tell her a little bit. Surprisingly often, she’d then tell me about a motorcycle trip she made 50 years earlier, whether on the front or the back. She’d always conclude that it was nothing like my trip, but I know how much harder riding was back then.

These stories remind me of the privilege of being on a motorcycle, even on a day when it's pouring rain and I have miles to go. Every time I swing a leg over the bike, even if it's just to go grocery shopping, I feel lucky.

Why I Love Motorcycle Travel

There is something incredibly liberating and rewarding about motorcycle travel. It allows you to connect with nature, people, and the landscape in ways that car travel cannot. It's about more than just the destination; it's about the journey and the experiences along the way.

So, if you're looking for a new and thrilling way to explore the world, consider taking to the open road on a motorcycle. You might find that the journey itself is the most memorable part.

Conclusion

Motorcycle travel offers a unique and profound experience. It's not just about the destination; it's about the journey and the connections you make along the way. So why wait? Swing a leg over your motorcycle and start exploring the world today.