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    1 of 9
    rshaug
    10 years ago
    OK everyone, I'm very interested in hearing what brought each of us into this community called Miles-by-Motorcycle. I don't really mean who introduced you to the site, more along the lines of what the appeal to the site and concept is. I'm interested in the what/why more than the who. As this is my thread I'll go ahead and go first.

    For me Miles-by-Motorcycle is a concept and an ideal; fully taking advantage of what the motorcycling community can and should be. Motorcycling is at once both entirely individual and remarkably social with both aspects being a significant draw for me personally. This is how I feel about motorcycling:

    The Individual...  

    I love being able to put on my helmet and hit the road with minimal distraction. Motorcycles, when ridden well, demand pretty full attention from us at all times. Uniquely in the motoring world, motorcycles require the use of both hands and both feet to operate separate controls concurrently. This becomes so second nature to us that we don't really appreciate the complexity of it all. Being able to spend time focused on the operation of the bike, the road ahead, and the constant calculations of tying together entries, apexes, and exits into a smooth flow is magic. Everything else drifts back, creating an opportunity for great inner calm and reflection.

    I also like to ride well and push myself to be better. Like everything else in life, there is always more to be learned piloting a motorcycle and there can be great dividends to be had approaching it always as a student. Only you are in control of your bike, it makes sense to want to always be in total control of the machine. Motorcyclists are more properly called "pilots" and not "riders". We ride things that we are not in control of, we pilot things that we are in control of. I always seek to be in a position where I am telling the bike what to do: ride within the limits limits of man and machine, don't exceed the friction circle, set the bike up properly, and learn how to do these things the right way.  

    The Social...

    As much fun as it is to go out and ride alone, it can be as fun and more so to ride with others. This is true in small groups, like going out with one or two other riders of the same skill level where the focus can be on the riding. Larger groups are also fun, where the true social aspects of motorcycling are brought out with camaraderie and a shared experience being as much or more important than the actual riding. And, of course, there is everything in between, from quick trips to Starbucks to friends going to watch some races for the day. The riding community is simply fun.

    So, where does Miles-by-Motorcycle fit into this for me?

    In the individual aspects of motorcycling I am always trying to improve my riding, my approach, bike maintenance, etc. Being involved in a community that includes many like minded people facilitates all of this. Part of the focus of M-by-M is rider education and the support of continuous learning. There is always help at hand whether it is for ideas on better corner entry or how to get a sticking oil filter off. Socially, Miles-by-Motorcycle offers a community of like minded folks who really get that motorcycling should be fun and inclusive. There are opportunities to ride and hang out with a broad spectrum of fellow enthusiasts at all levels of experience and commitment. There are also opportunities for those of us with more experience to share our knowledge with new motorcyclists, and for us to learn from those with even more experience - both on road and track. The members of M-by-M are not entirely defined by motorcycling, but their approach to motorcycling speaks a lot about who they are in the broader sense and I like them.

    Cheers!
    2 of 9
    Yermo
    10 years ago
    Very well said and, frankly, humbling. I will have to think a bit on what draws me to the character of the community here versus the original vision I had for the site, which was somewhat different. I think much of it mirrors what you said, rshaug.
    3 of 9
    aergern
    10 years ago
    I found an article you wrote concerning helping new riders on the Dragon. I thought a lot of the info was helpful in other places besides the Dragon. My wife is a very new rider and her confidence is still a bit lacking. I sent it to her and stayed to read other posts on the site and on Facebook.
    4 of 9
    Sitwon
    10 years ago
    I know this is about what/why more than who, but in my case it really had more to do with who.

    I'm brand new to riding, and Yermo is the one showing me the ropes, so I just sort of found myself here. I do enjoy following the blog and absorbing the collective wisdom of the forums. But the main reason I'm here is because most of the other riders I know are also here.
    5 of 9
    isurfne
    10 years ago
    Its simple. Hospitality, knowledge, friendship, and of course Yermo. The hospitality and kindness yermo showed to my dad and i when we showed up at the dragon two years ago on some old, less than meticulously maintained K100's was just amazing. He took m e out and made me realize that there was way more to riding that i could have ever imagined. I have to say, where i am today as a rider and enthusiast is because of that trip. Learning about total control, laminar lip (btw check out twisted throttle X-creen.. its laminar lip on steroids) and about proper riding techniques is why im still stoked about riding today. The group dynamics of riders who take it seriously are what keeps me reading each week. I can live vicariously through trip reports, share in the glories and follies of maintenance and have more than one person to bounce ridiculous ideas off of. Its not just a place to map out your ride, or share photos, its a place to share experiences. 

    While im not the most experienced, fastest or skilled riders i can tell you that when im riding with the folks from MBM i am one of the happiest. 
    6 of 9
    DaFish
    10 years ago
    I'm not sure why I came here in the first place. I think I saw a post by someone and tried to read it. I had to sign up to read it but the site wouldn't let me.

    Then this fellow by the name of Yermo has a message in my suspect e-mail folder stating that he knew I tried to join and failed. He said he had it fixed if I wanted to go back. I thought...With dedication to his site, I WILL join to see what is there.
    Ya'll have a gem here in Yermo. What I really is that there is only helpful stuff here. I belong to a "few" other forums and they run the gammet from sedate to let's-bash-everyone-that-has-a-different-opinion-than-me. Great site here!

    Thanks for having me.

    Fish
    7 of 9
    Yermo
    10 years ago
    Thanks for the kind words.
    8 of 9
    Gerald Barrowman
    9 years ago
    The red trip lines on the green geo. maps caught my eye first, which led me to start reading. From there I just got more and more impressed. I am especially impressed by long distance riding women, so your series on women who ride didn't hurt.
    9 of 9
    Yermo
    9 years ago
    Very cool. Thanks for the feedback!