One of the many
great things about working with Team Oregon is talking with former students,
they love to tell us their stories and experiences of their classes and
instructors. I was visiting with a vendor one day, who happened to be a former
student, and he mentioned something his instructor said to him that stayed with
him for years, although he couldn’t remember his instructor’s name, he recited “Never
ride like you’re late for work”.
We tend to get in a hurry,
whether late for work, late for an appointment, fetching groceries, shuttling kids to their game, or simply trying to make up
some time. Regardless, that’s when we make mistakes, and as we teach in class, a
mistake in a car may result in a minor fender bender, a mistake on a motorcycle
can be fatal.
Driving isn't what it used to be, long gone are the days of going for a Sunday drive, and stopping alongside the road for a picnic lunch. Driving just for the enjoyment of driving.
Motorcyclists still get it, but even then many of them are in the same hurry, hurry, rush, rush mindset as car drivers. Destination over journey.
Motorcyclists still get it, but even then many of them are in the same hurry, hurry, rush, rush mindset as car drivers. Destination over journey.
Brandy likes to
leave for work early, I’ve always contributed this to her OCD (or as she calls
it “CDO” because it has to be in alphabetical order), so I’ve also adopted
this schedule and learned that I beat the “rush hour” traffic. This allows me to ease into my day, appreciate
the sunrise, and the quiet stillness of the morning. I take my time and
admire the scenery. My commute is much more pleasant now that we've moved and changed jobs.
And, I can stop to take photos like these ones I took this morning.
And, I can stop to take photos like these ones I took this morning.
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| Cemeteries are quiet places to reflect |
So I thought this
would make for a great challenge to other riders, and commuters alike to leave a
little earlier, take your time during your commute, pull off on that side road
for a moment, and take a picture. Whether you work day shift, night shift, split
shift, or maybe you’re retired and you’re out picking up the morning paper.
It can be of your bike, your car, your bicycle, or simply of you stopping to smell the roses…
It can be of your bike, your car, your bicycle, or simply of you stopping to smell the roses…
Slow down, and appreciate the small wonders along your commute.
~ I regret less the road not taken than my all-fired hurry along the road I took. ~
~ I regret less the road not taken than my all-fired hurry along the road I took. ~
Robert Brault
"Never ride like you're late for work." A lot of wisdom in that in regard to safety. And rushing in general is a buzz kill for the good things a ride has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood the attraction of speed -- on two wheels or four. Just scares the wits out of me.
Being retired now I no longer have the daily commute to sooth the soul. And surprisingly I've not found an excuse to ride daily. Too much long put off house maintenance to attend to. A big tree fell down on the house last night so my list has gotten longer.
I'm not doing something right.
Oh no, a tree on the house!?! Hope the damage isn't too bad, and not only does the to do list get longer, but the priority shifts too.
DeleteA couple of friends are retired, and they brag about riding mid-week with little traffic, the coffee shops aren't busy, they alway find parking, and never have to wait in line for a table for lunch. They'll ride just for the sake of riding, then they save the honey-do projects for the weekends when there's witnesses around to prove they did it.
My commute is from my bedroom, down 2 floors to the kitchen for breakfast and then up 3 floors to my office. I won't bore you further with photographic evidence!
ReplyDeleteThanks for not taking pictures, but do you appreciate the commute?
DeleteSome good pics on your commute! And yes, when we hurry is when shit happens....
ReplyDeleteThanks Dom, I've stopped there before to watch the sun rise.
DeleteWhat bothers me with everyone in a hurry is no matter how much they tailgate and push me, I can't make the cars in front of me go any faster. That, and the herd mentality, go cluster elsewhere.
Ah yes the herd mentality, people in groups get progressively more stupid the larger the group
DeleteI miss commuting by Burgman but even my reduced work schedule after my wreck leaves me too tired to contemplate riding after 8 hours overnight. I miss riding to work.
ReplyDeleteSorry Conch, you've have a long recovery, but you'll be back in the saddle soon. Unfortunately, it was the commuter in a hurry that hit you is exactly what I speak of.
DeleteSagely advice there Brad. My commute is rather boring and through city suburbs, not sure anyone wants to see that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Troubadour for a thought provoking post. I don’t commute now I’m retired, but this morning I was on my way on the bike to the triumph dealer, got stuck in heavy traffic through the small country lanes we have here. Where before I would have fought my way to the front of the procession, one car/truck at a time, I reflected on your post and just kept my place, riding slowly I actually enjoyed the ride & got there fresh instead of frazzled. Great idea!!
ReplyDeleteSo true! When I was commuting I rarely touched the freeway ( I hate the freeway). My commute was my "me" time. And backroads only took 10 minutes longer, unless I left extra early and added more miles - :D
ReplyDeleteYou've captured some beautiful scenes on your ride.
Well said Brad and I always appreciate the reminder!
ReplyDelete