As My Motorcycle Gently Weeps

The weather is growing colder, reminding me of the wind’s cold lick on my face and hands at 100 km/h as I blazed down the highways riding motrocycles I owned in the past. I have been meditating about fatherhood today, concerned about morphing into being a parent and nothing else.

I’m frequently defined as a “father of two”, but I have not given up on my other life titles: “motorcycling and scuba diving enthusiast.” Nevertheless, time and financial constraints have dictated a pause in the pursuit of these hobbies. I am passionate about riding bikes and, as prior posts have noted, I am reluctantly taking to the road on a scooter these days. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing and I am extremely lucky to have two terrific children--but kids have higher running costs than motorcycles! A quick glance at past epic riding tours keeps me going for the time being. A positive view of the future – like someday teaching my girls how to ride responsibly – keeps me confident that there are more motorbike adventures that lay ahead.

A few images from my two-wheeled past


Okinawa, Dec 1998, on identical Suzuki RG250 Gammas (with MMP) 



Alaska's Arctic Circle milepost, Aug 2006 (with MMP, Billy and MM [photographer]) on Kawasaki KLR 650s



My enthusiastic embrace of the (four-wheeled) present

Once again with MMP and Lady E., with Combi Do! Kids4 (Sports Version) baby strollers

And the future!

Does being a father mean you have to give up your passions? Of course not. A couple of kids are not the death knell for the motorcycle man. A motorbike is a symbol of freedom, and everyone loves freedom. You gotta fight for what you love, and for me, riding is fun...and for life.