Comments on: Motorcycling, Leadership, & Life

By: JT

JT — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:15:55 +0000

Hello Jill,

Thank you for your kind words, I’m flattered. I also appreciate you sharing your own favorite quote.

Cheers!

By: Jill Freeman

Jill Freeman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:07:14 +0000

I love the analogies between life and riding. Here’s my favorite message…I hope it will be on my headstone.

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW – What a ride! anonymous

Thanks for the thought-provoking article. I’ve added you to my favorites. – Jill

By: JT

JT — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:05:49 +0000

Hello Phil,

You’re quite right. Smiling is important if you want folks to feel comfortable approaching you (a stranger) when stopping somewhere on a road trip. And, yes, I think it does tend to support a more optimistic view of things.

Cheers

By: JT

JT — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:04:39 +0000

Hi Robert,

Smiled as I read your worst of times story. This is just the sort of thing I had in mind:).

Cheers

By: Phil Potzka

Phil Potzka — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:03:30 +0000

“Keep the shiny-side up!” is a parting statement I like to say to friends who ride bikes as well. It is good lesson in life as well. Not only to avoid getting injured or worse but to remain optimistic every day. Being positive is contagious and so is SMILING. Instead of laying back in you easy chair watching or reading all the bad news being broadcast on TV or the newspaper, hit the road on your Harley and “forget about it”. Smell the fresh air and see the beautiful country we live in for a few hours. It is the best natural high you can get.

By: Robert Moskowitz

Robert Moskowitz — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:55:25 +0000

Thanks for this.

I have always loved the $5 head slogan. It’s from Bell Helmets, and by the time I got to it, it was up to $10. But it still applies to life as well as to helmets. That’s why this whole internet emphasis on “bidding” to get work is a non-starter for me.

As to the “worst of times” thing, there was a moment last year, rush hour, rain, cold, crosswinds, splitting lanes trying to make an appointment 40 miles across town, when I said to my self “WTF am I doing here?” But the appointment was important, and would have been impossible to get to on four wheels. I made it, and I look back at that experience and feel good about my ability to accomplish difficult tasks under adverse conditions. Since it didn’t kill me, it made me stronger.

Keep riding.

Robert