Why I Ride.

I ride a Harley Davidson, have since I was 24 years old. The question often comes up " Why do you ride?" Here is the answer I have come up with in the wind, crossing states, lakes, running over bridges to the ocean, rolling over the snow capped Rocky Mountains, passing hay bale covered fields of home, and wandering through the lands of North Dakota, that the Indians called bad.

I ride to remember...I ride to forget. I ride to give forgivess...and I ride to ask for the same. I ride to find peace...as I ride through a loud life. I ride to listen to the wind...and I ride to deafen the world. I ride to destinations...and I ride to get lost. I ride to think about mistakes...and I ride knowing life is about choice. I ride to talk to God...and I ride to quiet the god of this world. I ride to cry...and I ride to smile. I ride to think...and I ride to numb thoughts. I ride to break down truths...and I ride to just accept them. I ride to ask questions...and I ride looking for no answers. I ride to experience life...and I ride to just experience the subtle smells and different temperatures in a valley. I ride to be seen...and I ride to hide. I ride to forget about life...and I ride to remember how blessed I truly am in this life. I ride and I think about making a difference...and I ride and think about the status quo. I ride to question those who I have called friend...and I ride to gain perspective on what that term truly means, and who truly are. I ride knowing not many would be qualified to converse or debate...and I ride not caring either way. I ride thinking about those who would call it a "competition" for the competitive, and tell her the same...and I ride believing love is no game, never was to me nor ever will be. I ride always thinking about a boy...and I ride knowing he will make a difference as a man. I ride to get to family...and I ride alone to get to know one. I ride to places I have been with another...and I ride to learn it is not the same when arriving. I ride to fight those who rise up against me...and I ride to pray for the same. I ride knowing that life is short...and I ride believing it will never end. I ride to get away from those who have hurt me...and I ride to run to those who have as well. I ride knowing the power of the wind...and I ride to challenge it, knowing it is strong. I ride because few ever live...and I ride feeling sometimes like I have died inside. I ride to challenge the miles...and I ride to concede the competition. I ride to think about love...and I ride knowing she is a cruel mirage of a mistress. I ride wishing I didnt know now, what I didnt know then...and I ride knowing I knew all along. I ride to embrace this life...and I ride to let it go. I ride to hear the sound of the motor...and I ride to just hear the sound of silent thought. I ride because one of the greatest men I ever knew rode with me one day...and I ride with him still even as he has passed. I ride to think about the city...and I ride missing the country. I ride to thinking about emotional, real lost investments...and I ride just considering it a sunk cost. I ride wondering why not me...and I ride knowing I am hard to find, and she feels that too. I ride having documented facts...and I ride knowing that doesnt change anything in a heart. I ride to get away...and I ride to stay. I ride to run...and I ride to sit and wait. I ride to listen to that still small voice...and I ride to yell at that the top of my lungs. I ride because I am not paying a psychologist...and I ride knowing I have paid already. I ride to recite scripture...and I ride to curse true faith and time. I ride to see God...and I ride not looking to be seen at all. I ride knowing that this life is a canvas on which to paint with experiences and memories...and I ride knowing I hold the brush.

The main thing is...I ride ...when few in life ever saddle up.