Unfortunately I’ve got to be a bit brief tonight as I have another bike review to tend to but it’s worth noting that today’s ride was one of the better five-hour sojourns that I’ve spent in the last several months. It’s remarkable how placid one can feel while ripping through the canyons even if it’s on a bike that you’re unaccustomed to riding. I couldn’t help but think that so often we as riders put far to much emphasis on the tangible, acting as if the actual bike that we’re riding makes all the difference in the world, when fundamentally what we ride is far less important then the actual journey we take. Today was a perfect example of this phenomenon. From the coast to the canyons and then back again, it was never about top speed or motolust, but rather the joy of feeling like you’re completely connected to the road. Not just in a physical sense but something deeper – something that lies beyond mere emotions and ultimately cuts right to the core of your soul. Flipping back and forth through the turns wasn’t about getting a knee down or making the fast lap, but rather simply experiencing what the landscape offers. I write about it all the time and sometimes feel like it’s almost preachy in a way, but I can’t help but acknowledge how special this stretch of land is on days like this. When you can get lost in your own backyard it’s a magical thing. To be teleported past the obvious and feel so vibrantly joined with everything that surrounds you isn’t mythical ideal, but rather a possible reality when you allow yourself to combine good riding skills, decent weather and a fantastic group of guys. It’s relatively remarkable combination and it’s worth nothing that for so long I’ve held off on this sort of adventure and yet now I find that this was perhaps my greatest error when it comes to riding. The group journey is far more enjoyable in just about every respect than a solo affair. To get out and transverse these twisting canyon beast as a group is far more enjoyable than doing it alone. It not only gives you a sense of pace and guidance but also allows for wonderful conversations at your various destinations. Ultimately motorcycling is no different than most athletic arenas; the team is far stronger than the individual.