Modern Vespa

It just makes sense.

https://advrider.com/mindfulness-for-motorcyclists/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=12_08_2021

Yes, it does.

For me mindfulness while riding is paying attention to everything that is happening around me at the moment and at all times. I often daydream while driving a car but I try to never do that on the Vespa. Not being aware of everything every second is an accident waiting to happen and the faster you go, the more likely that accident will be unavoidable.

one of the reasons I don't listen to music while riding.

Same here.

This is something I copied from webBikeWorld a few years ago. I just searched for it and it is no longer there, so I can't share the author's name.

Anyway, this is what most reflects my experience of riding.

"We have a wacky theory for why people like to ride motorcycles, and it goes like this: The act of riding is a form of meditation, because the concentration that's required to safely ride a motorcycle tends to focus the mind in a way that eliminates other mental distractions that might interfere with the mission. This creates a single-mindedness that, in effect, displaces the continuous stream of thoughts that normally flow through our consciousness.

"Thoughts about what to eat, who to meet, and worries about the common stresses of everyday life, such as pressures from work and home, disappear from our minds during the ride, because the concentration that's necessary to focus on the ride pushes those thoughts far into the background. The result is that the mind becomes refreshed after a ride just like it would after a session of formal meditation or a relaxing vacation.

"Just like some people get "hooked" on meditation, motorcyclists get hooked on riding because of the mental relief that it brings. I wouldn't be surprised if someone discovers that endorphins or something are released during the act of riding. I'm sure you've noticed that you can't "zone out" on a motorcycle like you can when driving a car. Riding safe means being focused and alert at all times – which is one of the reasons why it's so important to stop and rest at frequent intervals when riding a motorcycle on a long trip."

It's why the first chapter of Motorcycle Roadcraft (the UK Police rider's handbook) is devoted entirely to attitude...

I found that moving from a shift motorcycle to twist-n-go actually improved my situational awareness. I've ridden for over 40 years and didn't realize how much shifting actually still diverted my attention. It also is so much easier to roll to a balance at a stop sign or in a line at a light (if I time it right) and not have to put my feet down.

I think one's mental state has a huge impact on the way you ride. Hitting the twisty roads on my motorcycle, there are occasions when I'm just not feeling it and I take it easy. Other days I ride hard and fast and it's an amazing feeling when it's just right and I nail every bend perfectly. Those perfect days are nirvana.

For me, this is why I also listen to music while I ride. It takes a bit more for me to lose the background noise, I guess. Though, in the end, I'm not actually paying attention to the music. It just sort of flows through me.

The moment I set off on my scooter I feel as if I have just "shrugged off" a whole world and left it behind me. It is just me and the scooter and the environment. I try to keep that state of mind through the ride and not get involved in thoughts.

Listening to music while riding blocks or at least washes out the long list of things that I have to listen for when I'm in traffic.

For me it's really dangerous.

When I ride, it is only me, my self and my machine.

I am in the moment.
I can hear what I see.
I can smell what I see.

Inside my helmet I am one with my maker.

I also have to listen to the voices in my head.

+ 1

Getting the right meds helps

I am one with my scooter.

My scooter is one with the road.

I read the article and, while it's description of Mindfulness was a little different than what I expected, it does make sense.

The way I see is is that, while riding, I stay focused on the ride.

Also focused on everything around me.

While riding the neighborhood, it is imperative to watch for cars pulling out or turning in front of my path. I sometimes stop if I feel that a car isn't watching and can pull out.

On the highways, I look at all of the vehicles around me. Occasionally, a car will change into my lane while I am there. I never toot the horn, but either move over or slow down so they can have it.

On the rare occasion that my attention is directed away from my path, I invariably look forward to see brake lights and me closing in quickly.

That all might sound a little intense, but it is very comfortable for me.

I ride for fun.

I use scooting as a break from work too.

I often ride 20 miles outside of town for lunch.

I always ride to jobsite meetings or meetings with clients as the ride is usually the most fun part of the time out.

When I need drawings printed, I order them on line and, while they would deliver if asked, I prefer to take the scooter to pick them up, as it gives me an excuse to ride.

Riding makes me happy.

Bill

Very much all of that. It could almost be considered escapism, but meditation fits better. It's part of the reason I enjoy riding so much. It gives my brain a chance to be quiet.

Very different than the MC riders broadcasting '70s rock while smoking a cigarette and fiddling with their phones at stoplights.

I can't stand those guys.

I have never played one of those shoot 'em up video games, but I have watched my son play them. In one way riding my Vespa is just like that...I am always watching out for things trying to kill me. It can be an intense concentration and my mission is always to get home safely.

Thanks Jim for sharing the article. And to everyone else for their comments about riding and mindfulness.

Riding has opened a door for me to explore a heightened state of awareness, an approach toward serenity, and a wave of gratitude for being alive. Perhaps that is what mindfulness means?

The time on my Vespa over the past 15 years has transformed me from someone with a dim view of the world and humanity to someone able to see the rather dazzling experience of life -- good and bad included.

While riding obviously isn't for everyone, for those who get past the intoxication of the throttle, the thrill of speed and acceleration, and who gain a personal acceptance of the risk of the endeavor, there is the chance to find that mindful place that The Bear wrote about in the article.

It is what keeps me pushing the scooter out of the garage, even now as the temperatures drop below freezing.

Fantastic comments above!!

I make a conscious effort to ride only when my attitude is right. Sometimes I have a bit too much on my mind and choose not to ride because I know those are the times I'm not paying attention to the road and that's the times for danger.

I'm always amazed with people like Bill Dog that can ride for 24 hours/1500 miles at a time.

Call it mindfulness or not, I generally start getting fatigued after a few hours so generally ride only 2-3 hour at a shot, typically 60-120 miles, terrain-dependent. There is a spiritualness that surrounds riding. I don't listen to music while riding but stay focused on the ride, the road, the bike's sounds, and the landscape. I do my best to avoid traffic often changing my route to avoid it when it finds me, then I get back in the zone

Miguel

As someone with ADHD, multitasking and paying attention to several things at once is not always my strong suit. But for whatever reason, riding is one of the few activities that actually seems to help balance the funky brain chemistry cocktail. Sure, there's always those days when it's more stressful due to conditions or traffic or whatever. But overall, I honestly think it seriously benefits my mental health.

Just a small correction -

The furthest I've ridden is 2164 miles in 54 hours with about 4 hours sleep.

Next up was 1500 miles in 32 hours with the same amount of shut eye.

The longest single ride was 1200 miles in 21 and 1/4 hours with a 45 minute break.

I've not yet broken the 1500 miles in 24 hours barrier but I'm working on that.

During the longest ride at around 2am in the morning I started to hallucinate.

I should have stopped but didn't. Once the sun came up my eyes stopped lying to me.

Mindfulness

As others have related, there definitely is a special feeling while riding.

I do enjoy the thrilling gyroscopic stability of acceleration with the wind in your
face.

Beyond that, I thought the article became to transcendental skipping off to Zen
La La Land. But hey, what ever floats your boat. It felt like I was in a class
being taught by Timothy Leary.

Bob Copeland

+1

Many times I have thought on the question why I love so much to ride the scooter since objectively it is not a good idea.

This "wacky theory" you share is spot on.

By looking at your mileage/time, it is gonna be very hard unless you go a bit faster...

Great idea to use shells as a sleep mask.

This is dead- on for me. I don't think about work, kids, wives or anything else. It gives me a break, exactly like meditation, from random, racing thoughts, worries or anxiety. 166cc's of Ativan on 8" wheels. Good post.

Never fly straight and level for more than 10 seconds in the combat zone.

Going faster only consumes more fuel which increases the amount of times you have to fill up so it's easier to increase the range of the vehicle you're using.

Either that or get a bigger bike.

I'm going with door No 2 on this one.

Now this reference may not ring a bell at warmer places ,
but when a non-riding person asks how riding feels, I compare it to downhill skiing...which almost all around here have at least tried.

Reading the copy Jimc attached, those are all attributes for good downhill skiing experience too.

Especially when taking corners with a bike, although different moves, the experience is very much alike taking corners with downhill skiis.

Have to add that nowadays I only ride - downhill skiing is a much less forgiving hobby

Agree mindfulness when riding. Does anyone find the sound of the engine/exhaust a distraction from being in a mindful state? The sound of increasing RPMs seems to make me anxious. It happens when I drive my convertible too. Still working on overcoming that tendency.

Generally not...however, the exception is when I start getting neurotic about whether my exhaust bushing is failing I spend way too much time asking myself if its louder than normal...

That, and suddenly hearing weird engine sounds after installing my tall screen.

I do see a connection between riding and mindfulness. The latter is more of a choice of when and how to focus on something of choice, riding rather forces you to concentrate. It's a whole lot easier to saddle up and start the engine than to sit down and wrestle with your thoughts.

Bill, nice observations, but who brings a black scooter to a red scooter photo shoot??.

I am the opposite.

The ride gets better when the RPMs increase.

I saw on George Russell's Williams F1 car, a tribute to Sir Frank Williams after his recent death.

It was his favorite quote from the film Top Gun.

"I feel the need…..the need, for speed!"

I am as careful as anyone while riding, but I enjoy some speed occasionally.

Bill

I suspected some people are like yourself and feel very comfortable with the engine noise.
I first noticed the effect of the noise on me when I drove a Honda S2000 convertible. The little 2L engine revs to close to 9000RPM. The cacophony of the engine whine and wind noise is overwhelming. While the GTS300 is not as loud, I find myself trying to stay calm as the speed and noise climbs. It's certainly exhilarating but I was probably not in the best mindset for making quick decisions.

Yes, the beautiful black Razzo does make those red scooters look a little tacky.

I completely agree with your observation. I also sometimes find my mind wondering while driving a car (which helps me understand why cars and trucks are such a great hazard to scooters and motorcycles). When riding a scooter, I work hard at concentrating on the moment and the situation. If I find I can't do that at a particular time because of distracting issues, I end my ride early and go home. There are also other times in life when that kind of concentration is the only correct answer.

I'd recommend to any here to ride for 22 hours and then see where your mind goes.

Mindfulness will slowly erode to a state where you become a bit of an Automaton where self preservation and determination combine with sheer bloody mindedness to get the job done while miles clock up.

I love it.