Zen and Motorcycle Riding
ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE RIDING
Motorcycles have been a big part of my life, ever since I was twelve years old. I was always a bit of a tom-girl, growing up. My brother and I would build mini-bikes with small gas engines. We would ride them around the neighborhood and in nearby fields. Once we had built this motorized skateboard, with a little gas engine on it. My brother, Mick was riding down the road with it one day, and was pulled over by some police officers. They were laughing at our little skateboard and told us to take it home.
I will never forget the elaborate mini-bike that we made from a bicycle frame, welded to hold a five horsepower Briggs engine. It looked like a motorcycle! It had a motorcycle gas tank, stingray seat and sissy bar. It was painted a nice metallic blue and gold. Our neighbor's dad had done all the welding for us and it was quite well made. We also used a five-speed sprocket in the rear, so it had five-speeds. I was the first to test ride our new creation. I was about fifteen years old at the time, and I took it for a trial run down our neighborhood side streets.
I edged out onto the road and twisted the throttle. The five horsepower engine roared, and I zoomed down the road with my hair flying in the wind. We had mounted a speedometer on the handlebars. I looked to see how fast I was going. The speedometer said 40 MPH. Wow! I had never ridden that fast before. I really enjoyed the sensation of almost flying down Ridgeland Avenue. I felt like the wind and was riding on a tide of ecstasy. From that moment on, I was addicted to motorcycles. But it was a good addiction.
Later in my teens, I began to race motorcycles with my brother. I tried different kinds of racing, but mostly enjoyed riding dirt bikes. I enjoyed the thrill of racing, competition and flying through the air over motocross jumps. My brother also shared my passion for racing and we spent several years racing together. Both of us were pretty good at it and we won many trophies/awards.
I learned a lot about positive thinking racing motorcycles. There was one race in Wisconsin that stands out in my memory. It was the final race of the season for this Lake Geneva Motocross track. I was out in front, most of the race with a huge lead. As I was riding, I noticed this ditch, near the downhill section of the track. I thought to myself, if someone went down there, they would really be stuck.' Well sure enough, I slipped off the track and went into that ditch. I got really stuck and lost the race. Although I hated to lose that race, as I could have easily won, I learned something important that day. I learned at a very young age, that action follows thought. It was a hard spiritual lesson for me. What we think is very important! Where we put our minds, our bodies will follow, and that it is important to think positively, if you want positive results. Although it cost me the race, I have always remembered that valuable lesson.
I have traveled extensively, around the country by motorcycle. When I was nineteen, I traveled across the United States on a little 185cc Suzuki motorcycle. It was really a trail bike that I had converted to ride across country. I started out in Illinois with my friend, Terry and we headed towards the Badlands of South Dakota. We went through Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park, then on to Olympia National Park in Washington. Later, Terry and I parted company and I continued my journey alone.
I headed down Hwy 1, along the California coast. I hiked among the giant Redwoods in Redwood National Park. I drove through the magnificent, Big Sur to San Francisco. I spent time, camping in the Sierra Mountains and gorgeous Yosemite National Park. I crossed the desert in Nevada. While crossing the desert, my little motorcycle seized up and quit running. I was really scared, as I was miles away from any sort of help or refuge, but luckily, my little motorcycle started again after a brief rest. I drove through Arizona to the Grand Canyon, and visited Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.
My journey lasted a few months and covered over ten thousand miles. This really was quite a feat, especially on a little trail bike! It really helped me to become independent. I met a lot of different people and visited many exciting places. While traveling throughout the country, I was on my own. But it was an adventure, and I knew I might never have the chance to do it again in my life. I also found a sense of peace that I had never felt before. My journey had taken me out of the normal routine, i.e., going to school, working and earning a living. I was just being and experiencing life directly, enjoying the moment. In that, I found a sense of peace and freedom. I thought of it as "dancing with God". I learned to let go and just accept things as they came, trusting in a higher power, and enjoying my journey.
Motorcycles have continued to be a large part of my life, even in my middle age. I ride with my boyfriend, Paul frequently on many trips throughout Colorado, and the Southwest. The scenery is so spectacular, especially on a motorcycle, where it seems you can reach out and touch it. I find that I am at peace when I ride my motorcycle. I am in no hurry and just enjoying the ride.
Riding my motorcycle, I am concentrated on the present moment; the sun and wind on my face, the centrifugal force as I take my motorcycle into a turn, and the sound of my engine as I roll on the throttle. I am not dwelling on thoughts of the past or future, I am fully engaged in the present moment, experiencing life as it is. You might call it: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Riding.
