Last week I took a trip to Northern California on "Big Blue" my '08. (I posted pics on the trip report page.) It wasn't teribly long, only about 760 miles each way, but every since I got back I can't wait to take another trip. Before my trip, and for the last 2 years, it was a big deal for me to ride it for a 70 mile round trip now I routinely do that and don't even think about it. I originally bought the bike when gas prices soared just to save money. Now I find myself being imprisoned inside a car and wish I was on the bike.

I feel normal but this is all new to me, I just want to ride, ride, ride and not stop. (Unless you think I need help)

See quote from 'Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance' below.

Yep, your normal, ok sort of, we'll leave it at that.....

I look forward to anytime we can take the bike vs the car, I don't care how much sleep I get, in a car I tend to get bored and want to nod off, on the bike I seldom do less than 130 mile day rides, never bored, always something new. Last weekend I rode from Alameda, CA. to Ft. Bragg, up hwy 101 to 128 and back home via Hwy 1 along the coast, I was beat, but satisfied 550 mile day.

MikeDude,
You've been a lifelong biker and didn't even know it. LOL
It's just something we have in our DNA and it's unexplainable.
Leaving for a 1200 mile loop Monday morning. I truly feel your passion,
and no, you don't need help. You need gas money and chain lube.

Keep your knees in the breeze, my friend.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap

Define Normal. Personally I just love the freedom and independence of the whole riding experience. Some would say we love the risk factor and adrenaline rush that comes from say coming into a corner hot and pulling it off, wheelies, roosting, jumping, whatever your style is. It's been in my blood since I started riding at the age of 13 or so. Don't over analyze it, read a few books on technique, define your weak points and ride within (or at the edge of) your limits. Rant over.

Mike,

I think that the urge to ride is normal but is also related to age / experience factors. I have been driving motorcycles for 40 years. When I was young and road an SL 100 Honda I used to watch "Then Came Bronson" on the TV (it was about some guy who wandered on a bike) and I dreamed of having a bike that would get me over the pass in the mountains without having to downshift to 3rd gear.

By 1980 I have my highway bike and I took off. The longest ride was 11,770 miles before I came back to my driveway. I road coast to coast almost every year until 1988. That pretty well took the steam off of me and now I use the bike when it makes sense. Is it age? Is it all those experiences? I don't know but it was fun watching all that stuff as I logged the miles away. Your desire to ride your bike is normal, just be glad you didn't buy a 100cc motorcycle.

Ard

I've been on bikes for 35 yrs,,,and its really the only thing I enjoy ,,,well not the ONLY thing but,,,,,,some doctors and health related people say that the "GYROSCOPIC" effects you get on a bike,,,or motorcycle are some type of THEREPY if you will. The fluid movement through the air does something to ones moods,,feelings ect.. And you get a much closer "feel" of whats around you than when your in a car,,,,,sortof like when a dog has its nose sticking out the window of a car when moving,,its just enjoying the movement,,and the environment around it,,,,.. And by the way,,,there is no such thing as " normal" in this world today.

It's in our DNA. I rode my first motorcycle when I was 17 and I'm still riding 38 years on. I rode a moped before that, I think I was 14.

You don't need to explain it or justify it, just enjoy it.

My 2c.