Good Vibrations

There are always something mysterious about a bunch of bikers together, even intimidating at times. No matter if your group is called the Hell's Angels or Heaven's Angels, men with leather jackets hiding behind full face helmits do look like they have some sort of mystical power over normal citizens and motorist. When you ride in a group you see motorists making way for you without hesitation and when entering small sleepy towns you might even find mothers hiding their daughters away. You yourself get goosebumps when all bikes start up at once and riding in a group does have good vibrations accompanied with some good adrenaline.

This morning I went for a 200km round trip to Franschoek with a couple of friends. We left Melkbosstrand at around 7am in awesome weather. Although there were not many bikes (only a total of 12) riding in a group does present the feeling of having "the right of way". Remove the helmits and leather jackets and all that remains is a bunch of nice law abiding guys who would not even look twice at your daughter. But motorists, whether they were scared or just very polite, did make way as far as we went and riding into Franschoek did turn a few heads. Fortunately the real Hell's Angels weren't planning a breakfast in Franschoek this morning and the "Wild Hogs" could enjoy their 4-egg omelettes without any intimidation from other more serious bikers. A few other "good guy bikers" had the same idea and it is interesting how quickly conversations are started and new friends are made when you have something in common.

On our way back we decided to split up so that everyone could ride at the speed of their choice. Unfortunately the guys on cruisers are always holding back the guys on the speed bikes, and the guys on the speed bikes struggle to show respect for the "laid back lifestyle" bikers. Riding alone does have its benefits as well. Apart from not having to be constantly aware of the bike in front of you, you get to do it at your own pace. You have time to enjoy the view, pull over at any time when you need to take a pee and when you want to open up in the twisties you don't have to worry about leaving the other guys behind. Although you don't have the back-up to enter any town with much bravado, you'll find that some people still show interest when you drive in all by your lonesome self. There is a different kind of mystery to a lonesome biker, the kind of mystery that propels mothers to send their daughters out to investigate rather than to lock them up. I guess your choice of riding in a group or alone is similar to your choice of sports. Some like team sports like football while others prefer doing it by themselves like surfing or rock climbing.

My choice? I like the exitement of riding in a group but personally I think I am the lone rider type...