Motorcycle Dreams

By David Pambianchi

Iron horse, wind, passing scenery, and you glide alert and in control. Something about constant breeze, the open air as you speed along, gives a feeling of freedom and release, a form of meditation in motion.

Some images of motorcycle culture come to us from Hollywood , the rebellious youth, Marlon Brando in "The Wild One," the wandering freestyle explorers of "Easy Rider," or in literature, the development of a father and son relationship through Buddhist philosophy, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." They keep us riding down the highway of adventure and sometimes open a door to self-realization.

But whether a haul across the United States or a trip through the local town, the motorcycle provides riders with free-spirited quests where the journey often is the destination. Long distance treks allow the mind to contemplate and wander, while short rides simply provide joy and a chance for social interaction with like-minded riders. While some women drive their own motorbikes, wind on your face and a woman's arms wrapped around you define a comfort and happiness that most male bikers would not dispute.

Camaraderie takes many forms, a country trail, hills, lakes, curves, for club riders to anticipate on weekend meets, a motorcycle rally or show, or a Nathan's parking lot to swap stories and munch hot dogs. Regular "Toys for Tots" runs for children add a modern perspective of the biker heart. In Europe , bikers give a raised arm in acknowledgment as they pass one another on the road, no matter what brand they ride.

Built for show, power, speed and maneuverability, motorcycles come in various styles, so do their riders. You can choose a standard model, elegant and sporty to your taste, or if you want that ultimate sense of individuality, or simply like to be noticed, you customize. Dream machines, the magic of form and theme, paint and chrome, like those built at New York’s, Orange County Choppers fascinate television viewers with quality and eye-candy cycles. As with any vehicle, training, practice, experience, safety and caution are paramount, especially while enjoying this flyweight of the road. For the enthusiast, the open highway
stimulates the pleasure receptors and tempts the thoughts, whether smelling pine from forest trails, gliding past warm fields and mountains under sunny skies, or following the beach on a cool moonlit night.

Call a friend, saddle up; the next adventure is just a Motorcycle Dream away.