ALT-3 Motorcycling Taking get Lost Rides
I bought my first motorcycle in March of 2006. I had been a member of the Patriot Guard Riders for two months by that time. My new-found friends were always more than happy to let me ride along on the back of someone's bike during missions, but I really wanted my own ride. My friends helped me find an MSF course, and I bought my motorcycle. While I was waiting to take the course, my bike stayed parked in the garage, and I dived into a huge stack of books on motorcycling. I wanted to educate myself on safe riding before I actually got on my 500-pound machine and took to the streets.
A common theme in the books that I was reading, was proper planning of rides. These books suggested that one must never ride anywhere without a rigid plan. A map was to be printed, rest and fuel stops were to be marked, and the plan must never be deviated from. Once I passed the MSF course and began riding on my own, I followed this advice. I always planned out my trip, left detailed notes for my husband with my trip route, a close estimation of how long I would be out, and instructions to come after me if I wasn't home by a certain time. I never deviated from these plans.
One day, a friend of mine, also an MSF course instructor, offered to take me riding. I readily agreed, since I was tired of riding on my own. I let him plan and lead the ride. We set out with no real plans, just that we would ride until we tired. We would stop at intersections and small gas stations, and plan our next direction. We wound through twisty country roads, and saw a lot of gorgeous scenery. Even though the route was unplanned, this was by far the most enjoyable ride I had been on. There is something to be said for spontaneity.
After that ride with my friend, I moved a few states away and found new riding friends. My new friends had the same philosophy on riding. They'd come over and get me, and we'd set off for an afternoon ride, headed to nowhere in particular. We have stopped at small towns, visited lonely country cafes, found some of the best antique stores in the state, and discovered the best scenery our state has to offer. We've made new friends, and had some crazy adventures. After each of these rides, I come home and write a short narrative, and try to mark our route on a map, so I can remember the fun we had.
I've found that the spontaneous, unplanned rides are much more fun that my rigid, structured rides of old. Now I just get on my bike and head out of town, and turn down random roads. There's no telling what you might find when you stray from the beaten path.
