Two wheels and a bright idea...?

What is the 3.6.5 ride?
Well folks, simply put the 3.6.5 ride is my attempt to ride my motorcycle everyday for 365 days straight. I’ve been into motorcycling for about 16 years and you can say it’s become somewhat of a religion to me. I have found it to be the best way to truly experience the world around me. It heightens my senses and connects me to this place we call Earth. There is truly no other experience like the sounds, the smells, the temperature changes and breathtaking scenery this world around us has to offer while the asphalt buzzes underfoot. If you ride, you understand.

I’ve come to realize that motorcycling mimics my everyday life. Some days are smooth and I smile through them without a care in the world. Other days I find myself struggling to hang on and uncomfortable in my own skin, much like some of the days on the road atop two wheels.

Some of us look to prayer or meditation to find some peace of mind and a will to keep moving forward. I find mine on my motorcycle.

What’s the motivation to do this ride?

I was becoming more aware of myself and that I have been distracted by everyday life and losing sight of some simple ideas that I have tried to live by for quite some time. I’ve been less mindful and frustrated with racing thoughts that leave me anxious and sometimes aggravated throughout my day and the people I care for the most seem to suffer as a result. When I am on the motorcycle it forces me to think of one thing, and that’s riding. I have to be clear and present with every little action or it can cost me my life. Much like riding the motorcycle, there are some days that are uncomfortable, but I have no choice I have to get myself to another place, a better place. There are obstacles that I have to maneuver around and I have to do so carefully and mindfully without hurting people or myself. There are lots of things in life that we don’t want to do but if we stay present in each moment and follow through we live free of the fear and anxiety that create suffering in us all. This will be a daily reminder to appreciate the world around me no matter how harsh it may seem, always knowing that there is a more comfortable place to be just up the road a ways.

Will there be exceptions to riding on certain days?

Of course the elements are the main deterrent for motorcyclists as New Englanders. The goal is to get the bike moving. Each day will consist of some type of ride. It may be a trip to another part of the country or a half block trudge through a fresh snow fall. The point is to always make an honest effort even when I’m feeling like I can’t do it. There are days I don’t feel like showing up to life but it’s not stopping to wait me or any of us. The only days I will not ride is if the weather seriously jeopardizes my safety, if I experience some mechanical problem that renders the bike useless, if my health doesn’t allow for it or if I happen to take a vacation (although I will make an effort to rent or borrow a motorcycle during that time if mine can’t come along).

When does the 3.6.5 Ride start?

I’ve chosen the first day of October to start the ride not for any particular reason other than this will give me enough time to get the bike tuned up and running solid and 10.1.10 sounds kinda cool. I’ll keep everyone posted about the kind of riding I am getting in and armed with my trusty iPhone I hope to get some photos to share with everyone. Anyone interested in riding hit me up on here and I’ll let you know where I’m headed.

I started thinking about doing this awhile ago and I’m sure there will be some people who think I may be a little crazy, but that’s nothing new. Do I think I can really pull it off? Well like a close friend of mine said to me “How will you know if you don’t at least try?” If it sparks one persons interest and can act as a reminder to not take the world we live in for granted and to push an individual to look at their own mind and find their own practice to remain present and mindful, cool!