A Man’s Home is His Garage

Going to the bike shed event made me think about the time I spend in my own garage.

We all need our own space. Somewhere to work on the bike. Somewhere to spread out with kit, tools, maps and a beer to escape the wife, kids,  office and everything that fills our day-to-day existence. Somewhere to plan the next adventure.

Other people don’t get it though.

Take my wife. For her, if she’s not getting something out of the freezer, time in the garage is wasted. She thinks my bike must constantly break down because of the time I spend out there…”why don’t you get rid of it….it’s always breaking down….why don’t you get a car? etc etc. As I say, she doesn’t get it.

Yea, I’m often rattling around in there in shorts and a t-shirt whatever the weather outside (I have a warm double garage and pretty good workshop 🙂 ). But she hasn’t stopped to wonder why.

It’s not to fix the bike – though I love working on it.

It’s because a garage is more than a place to keep your bike, whatever the bike. And it’s more than a place where you can put that old lid you can’t bring yourself to throw out or leave a greasy pile of tools or parts without anyone nagging.

It’s a workshop, a place where you can build up your tools, your knowledge or even your own bike.

It’s a place to take in that great smell of oil after a lube job, the hot exhaust after you’ve just got back from a ride out, the rubber from new tyres or just your leathers when you’re getting ready to go.

It’s a place to have that quiet drink, and time to think.

It’s your very own home within a home. A place where you can feel just right. And just like when I’m out on my bike, it’s a place for ‘me time’.

It took me ages to find my place. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t swap my garage for the world. 

Time and Space in America: the real deal

Someone once asked me if it was ever possible to the capture a trip on a page. A big ask.

I’m standing at a gas station when the cashier says ‘Welcome to the United States. It’s a big country, enjoy it! And have a great day!’ I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone welcome me to their home soil like that. A nice touch.

But she was right – it is a big country. And if you like adventures, it’s a fascinating place. Rocky desert and far horizons in the south. Big sky and grassy plains in the middle. Majestic mountains taking you down to rugged coast and sun-kissed beaches in the West. Superb black top, challenging trails and cheap gas 🙂 At every turn a chance to explore new horizons. A new adventure, a new experience.

And at every turn options galore. You wanna beer – you can get a beer. You wanna play pool – you can play pool. You wanna know the road – someone will show you the right way, no problem. And if you wanna take off, you can take off. No-one holds you to account – it’s your call. Be who you want to be. It’s that good.

I got talking to a father and son in California. They had ridden from Canada on their annual tour, passing snowbirds on the way down. They lived in a  country that has tons of its own natural wonders. And they hadn’t seen them all. But they talked about going further and further into the States, about great new places and experiences. Now they were heading down the Pacific Highway, sea breeze coming in from the ocean.

‘You should try New Mexico. The terrain, the sights – just awesome’.

This wasn’t your typical overstatement. This wasn’t ‘awesome’ as in a new skateboard or the latest teenage sensation. This was ‘awesome’ as in jaw-droppingly, stunningly beautiful.

Like any country, the US has its pros and cons. In my view, a lot more pros. For an adventure biker, it takes a hell of a lot of beating. I’ve done three trips so far and can feel my off road skills and biking experience benefit no end. Those three trips won’t be the last…

For a taste of what I’m talking about, check this