I like to see people having choices in life.
For some people, their path leads to the everyday, to the 9-5. That’s where they are happy. Fair enough.
For me, it’s different.
I’ve had and made many choices in life – leaving behind the places where I wasn’t happy. Exploring new horizons.
Last year took me through the stunning countryside of France to the fascinating history of Spain. Enjoy!
According to the film, Laurence of Arabia once said ‘Nothing is written’.
In a tough trip through the desert, Laurence’s group lost one of their ranks. The heat was searing, so the men travelled at night. They only realised someone was missing after they finally emerged from the desert at its most scorching.
Laurence volunteered to risk the conditions to save the missing man. He was told not to take the chance, that the man’s time had come.
However, unafraid, Laurence headed off to find him. Maybe a day later, he came across him struggling in the burning heat. He put him on his camel and, after a while, brought him to safety. The group rejoiced: both were alive. Laurence didn’t think that fate was marked out for us. For him, nothing was written.
I don’t believe in fate, but I do believe in wisdom. Laurence was wise because he knew what he was capable of and he knew what he wanted. He knew how to overcome the challenge. His inner drive to do what he really desired took him safely through the heat to a much better place.
I’ve never been in the same kind of desert as Laurence with its dunes and dust clouds. But I’ve ridden in some really testing conditions – snow, ice, fog, mud. Like everyone else, what gets me through is judgement and deep, deep desire. Judgement to identify your goal and know how to reach it. And desire to get there, to achieve what you really want.
And when you do get there? Well, wisdom comes in knowing you made the right choice.
A review of Po Bronson’s book
To be honest, this book has become my bible. I’ve taken it everywhere, re-read it on long trips. I’d recommend it to everyone.
Why? It’s relevant to all of us because we’ve all been there: we’ve all thought about what to do with our lives. I know I sometimes still do.
This book is great. I used to sit in the office and wonder what I was doing. I wanted to be outside, on my bike, leaving it all behind…
Then someone mentioned this book. I thought it was going to be the usual self-help stuff, that I didn’t need it. Then I started reading it and couldn’t put it down.
So why’s the book so good?
It made me realise I wasn’t the only one who questioned what they wanted. There was no preaching, no magic formula…instead, it just told people’s stories. It talked about other people who had come to a decision point in their lives and needed to work out what to do, what would keep them happy deep down….
There was a city banker who decided to move to Louisiana to become a catfish farmer and a woman who realised her goal was simple – to “work at a job that challenges my mind without destroying my soul”.
There was the mother who had spent most of her life caring for her five children. When they grew up she got a job helping research into illness prevention.
There are some UK-based stories too.
What everyone has in common is that they realised they weren’t living the life they wanted to live, or that their life needed a change. They started their lives again.
For me my bike was my choice. Getting out on my bike helped me see there were more options open than I was aware of, and that many different paths could all be good. Life wan’t always a case of one thing or another. I’ve now done loads of trips, seen loads of new places and had tons of new experiences.
If you feel that this book would resonate with you, check it out on Amazon here
Or check out the author’s website. He’s put up 10 of the 50 stories in the book for free 🙂
When I was a scrawny teenager my first job was in a supermarket. I was buying time, stacking shelves, shifting crates and loading freezers.
I worked there with a guy called Dave. Dave was in his 50s and had been out there. He was always joking and looking at the positive side of life, and had a favourite saying:
‘Better late than never!’
When I knew him Dave was a real bike enthusiast. However, he’d left it until his 30s before getting his first bike. Still, he made up for lost time, travelling to various parts of Britain in the 60s and 70s on his Triumph Bonneville.
I guess Dave was one of the first people to get me interested on bikes. I’m glad I didn’t leave it too long.
Thanks, Dave!
I love the internet. It’s like a bike. You can get on it and be anywhere you wanna be.
‘Where next?’ I wonder.
I’d just been down by Niagara to check out the Falls. Awesome roaring water. Well worth seeing for sure. I’d also stopped over at a great little hotel: nice room, excellent staff, really good food, cold beer. 🙂 But now, I’m in the coffee-house, cup of coffee in hand. Decision time.
I know I want to go way out West. But where? Maybe up by Winnpeg and the lakes? Maybe Moose Jaw? Wanna make the most of the opportunity. Time to check the laptop.
My fingers type away:
‘Wilderness trips’ – too many hits to count
‘Off road in Ontario’ – tons of returns
‘Points of interest in Manitoba’ – no shortage.
So much choice.
I chose Winnipeg, so headed in the direction of Georgian Bay, the water glinting in the sun. Then off to the lakeside down by Thunder Bay. Finally, hit the Trans-Canada Highway along to Winnipeg, and up to the lakes there, passing cottages and homes nestled in among the trees. Great terrain, excellent trails to explore, friendly people and superb food. Sweet!
It’s no surprise so many people love Canada. Its cities are modern and forward-looking, but the country also has space where you can do your own thing. And it’s a country with soul.
A great trip. All because of a coffee, a comfy seat and a laptop.
For a great little Canadian sampler, check this out.
Dan Walsh reckons that good writing bends time. True, but pictures also paint a thousand words. Here’s some clips, well worth a watch.
Got to thinking – here’s my top ten bikes I’d choose to do the Pan-American Highway. What’s Yours?
1. KTM640 Enduro R
2. BMW F800GS
3. BMW R1200GS Adventure
4. KTM 1190 Adventure
5. Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere
6. Triumph Tiger 800
7. Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere
8. Honda Africa Twin
9. BMW R1150GS
10. Suzuki DRZ400
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Bikes Beyond Borders 