Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Latter-day Saint
Sports and Religion
POV: Riding Motorcycles

POV: Riding Motorcycles

Last updated on: September 2, 2023 at 1:26 pm by Delisa Hargrove

0 Comments

POV: Riding Motorcycles 2023-09-02T13:26:37-10:00 Delisa Hargrove

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

My husband and I love riding motorcycles out on an open road. I love observing the intricate correlation of things as I ride. None of these things are as observable while riding cocooned in a car, but on a bike, the interconnectedness all around me is so evident.

Air

I feel the chill clinging to the air until it’s suddenly gone with rising temperature. I feel the sun’s warmth through my clothes. We rode directly east this morning and the sun dominated the scene.

I’m acutely aware of the wind or breeze and its impact on me and my bike. On one hand, it cools and relieves. On the other hand, the wind buffets and impedes. After my motorcycle wreck, riding in a stiff wind really scared me. I felt out of control like I was being tossed around the road. Only Anthony’s video of me riding ahead of him convinced me that I wasn’t tipping sideways as the wind hammered me. The video showed me slicing through the wind without any topsy-turvy movement of my bike or person. It astonished me.

I never realized how impactful opposing traffic’s wind gusts could be—depending on the size and speed of the vehicle and especially gusts from semis—and began expecting the wind gusts, like a boat’s wake, to broadside me as we met for an instant while traveling in opposite directions.

Creatures

I am much more aware of the thousands of insects traveling the same road as my helmet, clothes, and motorcycle collide with their fragile bodies. Most of them die without any major notice from me. But when I’m traveling at highway speeds, larger insects pelt my body with incredible force, leaving splatter and bruises. I’ve hit the brakes or steered clear to avoid birds and rodents that I otherwise might not even notice in my truck. They impact me differently on a motorcycle.

Water

I absolutely love coming upon a freshly watered field or pond or river. The temperature drops. Water hangs in the air. Smells change. The air feels fresher. Even if the land is not actively being watered, we can always tell it’s been watered recently.

Rain, however, elicits a different response! A heavy rain feels like being pelted by knives! Luckily, we are geared up so aren’t too bothered by a good shower.

Point of View

Anthony usually rides his bike behind mine, so my view is the open road. I love pole position driving and love seeing the vastness of my surroundings ahead of me is awesome.

When I’m riding in a vehicle, I’m entertained differently—audio, AC—and have a different sense of security. When I’m riding on my motorcycle, I feel liberated, yet acutely aware of my surroundings and limitations. I’m entertained by my conversation with Anthony and by my interaction with every aspect of the ecosystem around me.

Riding to White River Lake

White River Lake Texas

White River Lake, Texas

Today we rode 122 miles round trip from Lubbock to White River Lake. I noticed the chill. I enjoyed the strategy of city driving. But when we hit the empty country roads, the joy of being alive kicked in, especially as we dropped down off the caprock and experienced elevation changes. We both saw three deer cross the road ahead of us. One at a time. The last one struggled across the fence. As she jumped the barbed wire fence, her back foot caught on the wire and she somersaulted on her landing! She popped up and lept away as I passed perpendicular to her trajectory. I’d never seen a deer miss its landing before!

We cheered as the lake came into view. We explored a while before heading back home.

Anyway, I appreciate the chances to put myself into new situations where I can see, feel, and hear the impact of the natural world around me—and when I let it impact me. It’s a soul bath that enlivens my mind and is evidence that I’m not alone in this world.

And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things….

And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.

Worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

Sports and Religion

Recreation, Outdoors and Religion

Discovery

Previous Post

August 15, 2023

Remembering Heather Powell

Next Post

September 5, 2023 "All Are Alike unto God"

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"Nice analogy Daylen"

Desirée Bushman Johnson

Staying on the Covenant Trail | ..."

"Thanks for being there for me. You were part of the miracle"

Desirée Bushman Johnson

Waiting on the Lord | Desirée ..."

"Great article."

Domo Aricato

Waiting on the Lord | Desirée ..."

"I see all this concerns the religion ABOUT Jesus, but, as we come to Christmas, ..."

Ed K

A Latter-day Call to Gather to ..."

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Discovery How Tos Realization Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 November 2025 October 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz