There are few motorized experiences that compare to riding a motorcycle through the winding roads of the countryside. The roar of the engine and the mountain breezes swirling around as you meander through the swerving trails is just so invigorating. The feeling of freedom from being so closely exposed to the beautiful natural surroundings has to be experienced in order to be appreciated.
But the true challenge to such enjoyment is getting to those roads from your home in New York City. The ride to motorcycling pleasure is bookended by massive urban traffic, going and then coming back. Sandwiched in between is pure joy; not so much in the beginning and the end.
I am the first to admit that one needs a special kind of riding skill to navigate the streets of New York City. There are buses, trucks, emergency vehicles that seem to converge at the very moment you are riding your cruiser towards Bear Mountain, for example. Add to this the constant pedestrian flow at every turn, and the unending whiz of food delivery workers on electric scooters, to realize that it seems like an impossible obstacle course. (Oh, and let me not forget the potpourri of road imperfections and pot holes.)
I think that step one is to reject denial. Accept that there will be traffic, period! And that traffic will be present at all and any hour, day and night. Second, it is important to not get caught up in a video game mindset. Just take your time and don’t try to beat the other vehicle to the next stop-light (which is probably just 100 feet ahead). Another important attitude is to resist road rage. Just don’t get into it with other drivers. In fact, even if you are right and they are wrong, remember that you are on two wheels and the slightly nudge can cause you to fall. Also, once you leave city traffic, try to forget it and enjoy the ride. Don’t obsess about the return trip.
When I ride from my home in Manhattan toward Kensico Dam, Croton Falls, Perkins Memorial Tower, or the Seven Lakes Drive, I force my mind to imagine that in 30 minutes (depending on traffic), I will be enjoying the wonderful joys of motorcycling. Ride Safe!
