Nothing to prove

You might wonder why I haven’t posted anything here for well over a week. Easy answer; I’ve had a cold.

Which also means I haven’t been riding. Yes, hard to believe but when I feel like crap the last thing I (usually) feel like doing is putting on a helmet and getting on a motorcycle.

Riding tends to demand very clear concentration and helmets tend to make headaches (even sinus headaches) worse.

In many years of frequenting various internet motorcycle lists, I’ve met plenty of hard-core bikers who (claim) to ride regardless of the weather, regardless of their health and they have no qualms about telling you all about how dedicated and tough they are.

Peachy. I’m so happy for them. And I will certainly take a moment to reflect on how inferior I am.

Or not.

Truth is, I have nothing to prove. I could care less if I’m a ‘real biker’. In fact, I don’t ever refer to myself as a ‘biker’ and I never have. (Even when I had hair down to the small of my back, slathered myself in black leather and rode a Harley every day.)

If I get up in the morning and it’s raining, I take the car. That’s one reason why I own a car. It has a heater, a roof and a stereo. Nice and comfy when it’s cold and wet outside. Sure, I’ve ridden in plenty of rain and I’m sure I will again, I just don’t do it on purpose. I’ll ride in the rain if rain happens while I'm riding.

I’ve never understood why so many riders feel the need to elevate themselves, to be ‘better’ than someone else. Weirdly enough, this is one aspect that’s not more prevalent amongst younger riders. Many older riders act this way also.

It doesn’t matter how many miles I’ve ridden in my life, someone has ridden further. It doesn’t matter how fast I can slice through a twisty road; someone can do it faster. It doesn’t matter how many miles I can ride in a day; someone can ride further.

I’ve got nothing to prove to anyone and I don’t need bragging rights.