Or, “Why I’m So Anti-Social.”

I enjoy riding with my friends, I really do.  There are things you just can’t do on your own, like talk about a section of road just after you pass through it.  Well, I guess you could talk about it alone, but you wouldn’t get another point of view on it, and you might need professional help.  Talking with riding buddies over breaks and meals usually brings forth some knowledge of new roads, riding or mechanical tips and tricks, or other general motorcycling news.  Then there’s the peace of mind that if something bad happens, friends are right there to help out.  But, because my riding buddies and I have busy schedules, I find myself riding alone when I do have time to get out and ride.

So, how come when I run into other sociable riders on the road, I’m so anti-social?  I head out on a Saturday morning with a destination in mind, get about halfway there to stop for fuel or breakfast, and find myself being eyed-up by like-minded bikers who seem to want to socialize.  I tend to get my helmet on quickly and get rolling before an in-depth conversation ensues.  Why?  I’ve tried to answer this question for weeks now, and I think I have it figured out.

First of all, I’m on a schedule.  When I ride alone, I only answer to myself as far as where and when to stop and how long my breaks will be.  At some point, I decide when I want to arrive at my destination, where else I want to explore, and what time I want to be home that night.  I’m very flexible when I ride with others, allowing for a general concensus to guide decisions on the fly and I can adjust the itnerary accordingly without a problem.  However, when I’m alone, I want to make the most of my riding time, and talking to strangers (even the friendly ones that are riders just like me) cuts into my time on the road.

The other reason, and probably the main one, is that impromptu conversations disrupt my groove.  After the first hour or so on the road, I’m in a zen-like state: it’s just me, the bike, and the road.  We’re getting along just fine, and every time I stop, the Bandit and the road call to me to get going again.  At diners, I like to sit near a window where I can look at the Bandit and the road.  Sometimes I pass up great photo opportunities simply because I’m in that state of mind and don’t want to stop, even for a minute.  I don’t think I would be a good cast-member for a show like “Long Way Round” - that’s all about getting to know the areas they pass through by spending some time off the bikes and getting to know people.  I’m happy snapping a handful of pics when nobody is around and moving on; its all about the road, not the locals.

I would equate it to being on a date.  You’re there with your date, someone you like a lot, and it’s just the two of you getting to know each other better.  Things are getting really romantic, you’re focused exclusively on each other and everything is going well, when…your friends show up and want to hang out.  Yeah, I’m happy to see my friends and I enjoy hanging out with them, and the date doesn’t mind, but it does kind of change the whole mindset and disrupt a different kind of good thing I had going.  I guess one isn’t necessarily better than the other in the end, but the change of pace mid-stride is what I don’t like.

If I didn’t despise multi-lane highways so much, I’d probably be a natural Iron-Butt contender.  But, I prefer a slower pace these days, tooling along back roads, enjoying the scenery while searching for smooth twisty tarmac.  If you see me out there, don’t hesitate to say HI; I might be in the mood to chat.  Just don’t be mad if you wave, and I wave back then throw on my helmet and speed off.  I’m just enjoying the road, and it’s calling to me louder than you are.

Or, “How lazy donut-eating Americans are destroying the world.”

With gas prices well over $4 per gallon here in Philadelphia, one would think that people of modest means (or even those of not so modest means) would start practicing ways to reduce their own individual consumption of the liquid gold.  Co-workers of mine that take the regional rail lines into work report a definite increase in ridership, made worse by SEPTA refusing to spend that extra revenue on adding train cars to the morning schedule.  What I continue to see on the road, however, is a far cry from conservation.

I carpool with a buddy that lives in my neighborhood, allowing us both to cut our fuel costs in half, as well as allowing us to park for free at work.  Every morning, we pass a Dunkin Donuts/BP gas station.  Even when the pumps are unoccupied (meaning there are no customers inside the store), there are at least five cars in line for the drive-through to pick up their unhealthy breakfast.  That’s five people at a time that are too lazy to turn the car off and go into the store for their morning meal.  They would rather sit in line for ten minutes, engine running, A/C blasting, running late for work, than to get out of the car for two minutes.

Once on I-95, the traffic is just as congested as it was two years ago when gas was little more than half the price it is now.  Still, every other vehicle is a V-8 pickup or SUV, attempting to maneuver aggressively through rush-hour traffic in order to get to work 30 seconds faster.  Most vehicles are occupied by only the driver, and enter the highway at points well within a 20 minute bus ride to center city.  Ok, so the shorter drives don’t burn much fuel, but parking is far from free in center city Philadelphia.

On the upside, pretty much everyone who owns a motorcycle at my job is riding them in at least a few days a week.  On the downside, we only have room for 8 or so motorcycles by the front door, and all the spots are being taken on a regular basis.  We’ve been encroaching onto the rest of the sidewalk, but there’s no telling how long that will fly.

Overall, it seems like some people never learn.  Those that are lazy will continue to be lazy no matter the cost.  Those that are wasteful will still be wasteful, even if it costs them everything.  Maybe half of us are actually taking things seriously and making changes in order to conserve resources, even if its just for our own financial well-being.  The rest - the lazy, the wasteful, the ignorant, and many of the rich - maintain the world’s course on the path of destruction.  I see it every morning as I pass the Dunkin Donuts.