The urge to ride?

Question

Why do people have that urge to ride their bikes, and just go, with no destination, even though gas prices are $4.00 a gallon? Explain what that urge feels like and how it feels just to go like that.

People who ride bikes know what I am talking about...

Answer 1

it is what i am,,,,,the bike is more important than my brand new car....

Answer 2

This is coming from a sportbike perspective. Cruiser riders get the same feeling, just watered down.

When you're going around a bend you feel as if you're one with the bike, every part working in unison. The motor feels like it's pumping your blood the higher the RPM you go. When you're not on your bike you're thinking about it. The raw, addicting, violent power of a 1000cc literbike engine in between your legs. Accidentally breaking 100mph, accidentally wheeling, accidentally grinning. The feeling of pride and superiority to everything else that passes you on the road. Looking at sports cars and laughing in their face. Waving to other bikers, feeling if you're in some kind of brotherhood. The warm summer air on your neck. The sound of the bike- whether it be a VTWIN thundering off mailboxes and echoing off the trees, an inline spooling up your adrenaline to 16,000 RPM, or something in between, it stirs your soul. When you're on the bike, nothing matters. Everything else disappears, it's the best stress reliever out there. You forget about every stupid thing going on in the world- like $4.00 a gallon gas, and you get preoccupied with the ride.

Answer 3

I moved to England a few years ago and I still have the urge to ride at $12 a gallon.

You haven't started to suffer high gas prices yet.

No point in having a bike if you don't ride it, so you pay what you have to pay.

Answer 4

Because just riding the bike is the greatest feeling. So, you don't need a reason, or a destination, you just go. All that high gas prices do is make the trip shorter, but you still go.

The only time I'm completely relaxed is when I'm on my motorcycle.

Answer 5

its fun, thats the simple truth. others just dont understand cause A) they havent tried it or B) havent been riding enough to get th feel for it and realize just how incredibly fun and exhilerating it really is.

Answer 6

One thing people who don't ride, do not and could not understand, is it is a lifestyle.  That is like asking, why do dirt track racers spend thousands of dollars on cars, and fuel, and tires, etc...just to drive around in a circle and maybe trash the car and have to spend more money...they do it because they love it....or why do some people spend thousands of dollars restoring old hotrods that only get 5mpg and then drive them across country....it what they love.  That is why we do it....we love it....its part of who we are.  I like on answer that stated you feel more part of the world than in a car....thats true...you get to feel and see and smell everything....you get the full force of the wind, the full heat of the sun, all the smells, the rain, and sometimes hail, which is still fun....and then there are the great days...those 80degree days will only a slight breeze, a few clouds to break up the skyline, on some lonly road in the middle of nowhere....no cars, no traffic lights, only the sound of the wind and your bike....Those people who have never seen that or felt it, well, they should.  I know personally I try and take people who have never been down the highway on a bike as often as I can....and the funny thing is, many of them end up buying a bike sometime after that....Personally I try to get at least 200 miles a week on mine, which is a pretty lofty goal with two kids under 4 and full time jobs, but we get it done.....

Answer 7

sorry for the late reply, just got in from a 50 mile, "no destination" ride thru the rural countryside this evening. beautiful nite. moon shining, clear sky, good friend with me on his bike. sorry, what was the question?

Answer 8

Freedom, exploring,try it you will love it.

Answer 9

one word........FREEDOM

Answer 10

no destination is the best because you don't know what you'll see .......discovery

Answer 11

we do it becouse its the feelling of being free and one with the bike and dont worry about the price of fuel your luky over here is £5 a gallon

Answer 12

To those that understand no explanation is necessary, to those that do NOT understand, no explanation is possible.

Answer 13

Because it's a ride and nothing else can beat it. Went on a little ride today even though it was 99+ degrees most of the day just to have some Tex-Mex 120 miles from home. But I wasn't fast enough to beat the heartburn before I got home.

Answer 14

Well all hobbies cost money. I can ride all day for less than what other guys pay for one round of golf. It's all about your priorities I suppose.

Answer 15

When you're riding, there's nothing else on your mind. You don't think about bills, family issues, work, whatever else is bothering you at home... Just you and the road. And as someone else noted, gas prices aren't as much of an issue for motorcycles as they are for cars. It's great!

Answer 16

Lots of good answers. Yep mainly to just get out away from the c**p and be alone. You're alone even when riding with someone.I sometimes decide to ride somewhere I went as a kid and when I get there I just turn around and leave. My intentions were to stop and walk around but s***w walking when there are so many other places I can ride to. Even the hot air you feel in a car with the windows down isn't hot on a bike. People ask "how can you wear that leather in this heat" I just tell them it ain't hot once you get moving! Agreed, people that don't ride just wouldn't understand!

Answer 17

I'm getting 40mpg+ on by bike, so gas prices are not that big a factor in comparison to other motor vehicles.  The reason I like to go riding (as opposed to driving) are:

1.  Freedom - I'm not stuck in line with all the car traffic, I filter through -- and get to where ever without becoming just another addition to the congestion out there.  Parking also become easy.

2.  Sport - While riding, I'm always feeling the curves of the road, and learning how me and my bike perform together.  In a car, it's more just sitting.

3.  Interaction - You interact more with the location you are riding through.  You smell the smells, feel the temperature, take input of all that effects your ride & spirit.  In a car, it's more like just sitting & watching T.V. (you aren't part of it, just a remote observer uneffected by the elements).

4. Tripping.  It becomes not so much about a destination, but the trip of getting there, wherever that may be.

Answer 18

$8.00 / gallon won't keep me off my Hog. It is in your blood and it cannot ever be explained to those that don't understand.  It is a freedom that can only be surpassed in an open-cockpit biplane.  Yeah, I know what your talking about. Live to ride, ride to live. WFO

Answer 19

1 word       FREEDOM

Answer 20

Its just seems like the thing to do sometimes

I did it on 18 Cent a gallon gas and $4.12 WHATS GAS !! if your wanting to ride

One time I went to San Antonio from Houston for a cup of coffee just to be going somewhere

Then just headed west on I-10 and got 17 miles from Cal before I saw something I wanted to stop for

Of course I have nothing at all to tie me down either

Was talking to a freind last night got me thinking about Az. I may just pull out early

Answer 21

Why?

That's almost like asking why does the sun rise every day.

Of course, there's an understandable answer for that one.

What does it feel like? Hmm, I haven't had it bad in a couple years, because I haven't put mine away in that long. What I remember of that feeling: it's kinda like having your guts pulled out, twisted up,and shoved back in the wrong spot. Nervous jitters and twitches, road rage in a cage, sounds like withdrawal, don't it?

To ride after that is total relief.

Answer 22

It feals like freedom.

Answer 23

Yes people who ride, know. And the rest don't need and couldn't understand the explanation. A 20 minute ride, even through the familiar neighborhood is a 20 minute vacation. A 2 hours ride out of town is freedom and a 2 day trip is a cosmic voyage. We know, the rest wouldn't understand.

Answer 24

well you get away from every thing and you feel free, and no ones telling you what to do no ruels.  

its some thing you realy have to do to understand it. its just the freedom of riding.

Answer 25

If you are like me, then you bought the bike for one reason: to ride!  There is nothing like it in the world: the rushing wind, the smells of summer and the cool evening air as the sun sets.....

Freedom, my friend, freedom.

Answer 26

I put 140 miles on mine today to go to Little Sturgis, where there were over 19,000 of us today. Don't know what it is that makes us do it, but its an addiction at least 18,999 other people shared with me today.

Answer 27

you ever ride a 100 miles for a Burger... the urge to be free

Answer 28

it's called an addicting hobby, so the cost of gas is not a concern.