‘Zines | Whatever your interest there is a magazine for it. And, in the specialist topic of motorcycling, there are sub genres covering everything from custom, classic/vintage, off road, on road, Day-to-day riding, travel & adventure. We have a great magazine store in Evanston with a great selection.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle | I need to conjure up a children’s book like this one… adventure for a diminutive rodent mammal. The original tale was written in 1965 by Beverly Cleary.
Poop-Poop | one of the great environmental books to read is Kenneth Graham’s tale from the riverbank: The Wind in the Willows. Mr Toad of Toad Hall always finds the adventurous side of life as can be seen in the latest animated offering being released this summer. In the trailer he’s haring along a country lane on a vintage motorcycle only to come a cropper.
“The Open road, the dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows, the rolling downs; Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before you, and a horizon that’s always changing! ” Toad
Slartibartfast | The renowned Magrathean planet designer who won awards for his coastline design of the Norwegian fjords. These are roads I would most certainly like to travel upon with two wheels.
Today -11th March – is interstellar Towel day; being the birthday of Douglas Adams (1952-2001)
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
I, Robot – in 2017 Yamaha displayed their autonomous riding motorcycle being hurled around a racetrack at speed. Today is the 99th birthday of science writer Isaac Asimov who created the three rules of robotics:
Vanishing Point- nice graphic used for a screenwriter school ad. Using Easy Rider as an example of ‘write your own movie!’ The artist uses a tweed garbed scholarly academian with a worried look about him riding into town on a classic Triumph Bonneville.
Reportage – here are a few choice photos from Sunday’s outing. As folks gathered there was a promise of sunshine, but it failed to emerge. The cool overcast sky was a good backdrop to the urban scenery. The numbers swelling to 700 plus, rumbling engines and rock music played over the tannoy. The Cobra Lounge serves a buffet breakfast and cold brew coffee took care of thirst and caffeine. The two-wheeled caravan too a direct route along Randolph into The Loop, horns pealing and bystanders waving. A loop up Lake Shore Drive gave the bikes a little more leg stretch as side lanes were blocked off from cars and trucks.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride: Always Fun
Hump-Day: sometimes to leap into the leeward side of the week you need to get some air. Richard Parker the Jumping Tiger .
“Actually, it was not so much the speed that was impressive as the pure animal confidence, the total absorption in the moment. Such a mix of ease and concentration, such a being-in-the-present, would be the envy of the highest yogis” Life of Pi -Yann Martel
Silly Old Bear -“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” Winnie the Pooh
Bear Grylls enjoying the open countryside on his Tiger.
The Tyger by William Blake (1757-1827)
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!
When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Studies Show: Ten Reasons why couples who ride together stay together…
1 POSITIVITY
It’s difficult for riders to be negative when they are riding. Couples who have a positive attitude have a healthier marriage.
2 TOGETHERNESS
When you ride together, you are sharing focused, quality time. Couples who share their experiences have a happier marriage.
3 FRIENDSHIPS
If you ride with a group of friends or in a club, you are sharing your social circle which can be healthy for a relationship.
4 ECONOMICS
Hobbies can be expensive. But if you share the same interest you can share costs.
5 GOALS
The benefit of having common priorities can be a reinforcing bonding experience. The couple who strive together have less chance of conflict.
6 GIFTS
You will never again be at a loss for a gift to buy your partner. Just get some bike accessories or riding gear for your significant other or plan a riding vacation.
7 MEMORIES
Growing old together is about sharing memories. Motorcycling offers the journey, exploration and the destination as reward.
8 COMMUNICATION
Enjoying the open road together offers uninterrupted time together in a conducive environment to communicate. Chatting while riding and pointing out things you see as you go promotes good interpersonal discourse.
9 TALKING TOPICS
Have you ever seen the couple sitting in a restaurant, not saying anything, looking at their phones? Sharing a riding experience gives you so much more to talk about.
10 CONFIDENCE
Being a rider and pillion develops reliance on each other to maintain a settled balance to ensure a smooth journey. A couple who support each other in life never feel alone.
Excerpts from “10 reasons couples should ride together” by Mark Hinchliffe 21st August 2016 www.motorbikewriter.com
Adventure Awaits – to those who dare to explore the road less traveled.
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
from Little Gidding (Four Quartets) by TS Eliot 1888-1965
To Feed a Soul
“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life ― and travel ― leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks ― on your body or on your heart ― are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” Anthony Bourdain 1955-2018
