Tough are the questions in life that don’t come with an answer. Tougher is the question which, simpler you answer, harder it becomes to understand.
One such being, “What’s the craze between a guy and his bike? “
Now as the simple answer, “Biking is an attitude and a way of life” wouldn’t suffice, let’s complicate …
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow, What a Ride!" — Hunter S. Thompson
The first thing is to understand that our lives in many ways resemble the motor traffic on the roads and how we lead our lives is insanely similar to how we ride.
We live in a world full of people going about their chores just as our roads are ridden with fellow riders en route to their destinations. A typical day involves meeting people, exchanging ideas, finding common ground and then working towards a common objective. It is similar to how we ride, guided by commonly accepted traffic rules and towards our respective destinations.
Unfortunately, our roads aren’t always good. Just as the humps and pot holes, not all is bound to be well in our lives either. Every hump and pot hole of the road is analogous to an unnecessary quarrel, ego-clash or grudge in life. Just when you learn to slow down and tactically dodge the pot holes, the cross roads with signal lamps show up. While a cross road in life represents multiple choices, the traffic signal represents the time left to take a decision. I’m sure we’ve all come to cross roads in our lives and paused before taking a decision.
I’ve always paused a while longer to make some interesting observations.
- There are one set of people who always tend to be in a hurry and try to jump signals. A traffic offence may not result in severe punishment, but a premature decision in life cause irreparable damage.
- On the contrary, every time you choose not to jump a signal builds patience and character. What it takes to pause at the signal light and give others a fair chance and time to pursue their way is exactly similar to what it takes to pause, wait and understand others.
- There is another kind of people who have the patience to wait till the lights turn green but when they are supposed to make a choice and move on, get uncertain. They not only get themselves into a mess but also obstruct others at the cross roads.
- Lastly, the most special kind of people are those who are unaware and utterly unprepared to be at the cross roads. They patiently wait till the lights turn green only to realize that they don’t know which road to take.
A classic example is that of those at this special cross road called marriage. The lights have turned green on them but they are not prepared to move forward. Sad for them that the by passers (friends, relatives and parents) are honking really hard. Most likely that they may yield to the pressure and take some road they may repent few kilometers down the road.
Theoretically speaking, the best way to handle a cross road is by initially turning on the indicator (hinting at the choice you will take) and patiently wait till the time is ripe (lights turn green) before crossing the junction.
Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul – Anon
The two and four wheeled clans are well known to love each other just as much as Tom & Jerry, if not any better. There is a saying that only a biker can understand why a dog sticks his head out of a car window. While the car is increasingly becoming an entity of luxury and comfort, thankfully, biking is still about being down to earth and out in open.
Riding a bike is far more pleasurable and demands skill. Pleasurable as the rider can be a part of the nature and so many more nuances to be relished. There is balance, bend, speed and the rider himself who has to skillfully wield them to the right extents.
I’m singing in THE RAIN, just singing in the rain – Jene Kelly
I’ve always used rain as a metaphor for troubles in life. The analogy helped me understand and analyze human behavior apart from learning to push my own limits. I hope one understands when I say that there are days in our life, when it just drizzles, when it rains and worse when the heavens decide to clean their water tank. Similarly, in life there will be days when we are peeved, disturbed, irritated, agitated, frustrated and rebellious. It’s quite fascinating how we ride and live in the same way.
Here are the most common and popular reactions to rain,
- Curse the heavens and the hell alike
- Run for shelter and decide to wait till rain stops
- Bring out their umbrellas/raincoats and proceed if feasible
So, what kind are you?
“The best way out of a difficulty is through it” - Robert Frost
I’ve always insisted that I never stop for the rains. This attitude has consistently helped me in pushing my own limits and instilling a confidence to live and ride confidently against all odds.
After all these parallels that we have established between riding and living, it shouldn’t be hard now to understand the connection between the two. If you’ve been angry all day, it’s likely that you may tend drive impatiently that day. On the same lines, if you’re a good rider, you are more likely to lead a happier day.
Just as the way life can influence riding, the converse is also true.
As you drive, more likely you are going to live.
Jayanth Jagadeesh
The author is an ardent biker who insists on living and riding by the same principles.
Like the article? Share it..