Our Relationship with Mother Nature

Ron 0:09

Sometimes she's very calm and quiet when we're out for a ride , those days with perfect temperatures and a steady light breeze , and other times , yeah , she is fiercely letting us know about her presence through an approaching storm or a strong cold wind . I think our relationship with Mother Nature in every ride is what distinguishes those who proudly call themselves motorcyclists from most everyone else out there on the road . Maybe it's our acceptance of the fact that Mother Nature is in control of both the good and the challenging days when we're out on the road . Maybe it's our acceptance of the fact that Mother Nature is in control of both the good and the challenging days when we're out on the bike . Yeah , maybe it's the acceptance of our limited control , and that's almost comforting . We're talking about someone very special , aren't we ? Someone who we all know , maybe who we need to better appreciate Our mom , mother Nature . When was the last time you spent some real quality time out there with Mother Nature , out there on your bike ? Just the two of you . Because here's the thing Mother Nature is always with us , whether you acknowledge her or not , and as motorcyclists , our connection with her is something very unique and maybe accepting what Mother Nature has in store for us on any given ride . Well , no matter what she has in store , no matter what she has to teach us , well , that may be just what we need to hear , what we need to feel in that moment out on the bike .

Ron 2:01

Let's talk about it , stay tuned . Recorded in beautiful Loveland , colorado . Welcome to Peace , love Moto the podcast for motorcyclists seeking that peaceful , easy feeling as we cruise through this life together . Are you ready ? Let's go . I know what you're saying and you're right , very true

City Riding vs. Nature's Open Roads

Ron 2:37

. If you live in a large city where it's hard to find those lonely roads and , yeah , I'll just talk about connecting with Mother Nature hard to find those lonely roads , and yeah , I'll just talk about connecting with Mother Nature that's a challenge , and I think most everyone would agree that riding in traffic is not something most of us enjoy , because it feels like every driver is out there to kill you , and that's what we teach all the beginner riders , right ? Remember , everyone's out to kill you , to try to be extra careful .

Ron 3:03

Well , sometimes we may certainly , too , find that the city is just not where we should be writing . You know , it's just , it's just . Yeah , it's just quite dangerous at times . On top of that , it's just so much hotter in the city as opposed to the country . A lot of the times , I think we create too much concrete in a confined space and we just don't leave enough grass and trees alone out there . Well , enough about the city . I don't know if there's anything you or I can do about that , but I think you'll agree that , given the opportunity to ride away from the city , out on whatever is your lonely road , maybe by a lake , maybe through a forest , by a river , near a mountain , that's where we'd like to be and that's where mom seems to reside and speak most clearly .

Ron 3:58

It's those days when I'm traveling for business or there's ice on the ground and I can't get my motorcycle out . Oh , those are the days I really miss her . Those are the days I so want to be back in Mother Nature , getting on your bike , that crisp morning air as the sun rises . Have you felt that ? Maybe that's Mother Nature just saying good morning ? That breeze cooling your skin on a summer early morning ride . Maybe that's her saying I hope you enjoy this day .

Ron 4:44

Then there are the other moods , because she's got those too right

Mother Nature's Many Moods

Ron 4:48

the way she fiercely announces herself with a sudden storm when it just rolls in , and how she throws those strong crosswinds at us just to remind us who's really in control . Then there's the heat , the cold , the rain and the ever-changing sky . She speaks to us in a language only riders and maybe only sailors can truly understand and appreciate . And maybe , just maybe , that's what sets us apart from most people out on the road . That's the acceptance of and the preparation of changes Changes in the weather , changes in Mother Nature's mood , like using gear that provides protection both against the rain and the sun . Most importantly , it's an understanding that she's in control and not us . We all know the weather can change at any moment , especially here in Colorado . She harnesses the power to rock large ships in the ocean and shake the most advanced jetliner , and it's in that realization , maybe in that surrender , that she's larger than what we can even comprehend . Or maybe there's just something oddly comforting about that . How many times have you been out on a ride just feeling the warmth of the sun on your back and thinking this is perfect ? Or maybe you've been caught in an unexpected downpour and instead of being frustrated , you just smile and embrace it Because , hey , that's part of the ride too , right , it's part of the experience , it's part of this relationship that we have to have when we're out on the bike , relationship with Mother

Embracing Weather Challenges Like Itchy Boots

Ron 6:40

Nature . If you're not already aware of Itchy Boots , that's right .

Ron 6:45

Itchy Boots , the riding adventurers of Norley , from the Netherlands . She has such an amazingly positive attitude when faced with incredible challenges out on her motorcycle journeys around the world . You can find her on YouTube Somehow , even in the most treacherous of circumstances , when many of us would give up , she embraces the challenge , seeks help from the locals as best she can and continues with a smile . Amazing . Now I don't know what happens off camera , but she is traveling alone and , yeah , just recording these events live , and her reactions are mostly positive . It's amazing . I so admire that .

Ron 7:37

It was about 10 years ago , riding my Honda Goldwing through Monument Valley , I stopped in the spot of the road that they call Forest Gump Point . That's the spot in the movie where Forrest Gump decided to stop running and just go back home . Anyway , out in Monument Valley there's not much in the way

The Monument Valley Storm Story

Ron 7:57

of shelter . That's evidence if you go back and look at the movie , that scene . Anyway , I was riding south down toward Arizona and the distant road just disappeared . It disappeared into a black wall , or I should say a blackish green wall . It was a combination of rain and hail . There was really nothing I could do but just duck underneath the windshield and go . So , yes , that's what I did I just ducked and went and the rain hit hard and the hail was small , thank goodness , but it hit hard too and it hurt . But it seemed like just as quickly as I entered that blackness that I came out the other side into full sunshine . As I glanced in my rearview mirror , I'll never forget what I saw In the blackness of that storm I had just ridden through was a beautiful double rainbow .

Ron 9:08

It was like Mother Nature saying aren't you glad you kept going ? And , more importantly , aren't you glad you kept going ? And , more importantly , aren't you glad you looked back . And so , my friends , here's my challenge for you and for myself Next time we hop on our bike , let's take a moment to acknowledge the fact that our mom , mother Nature , is all around us , the fact that our mom , mother Nature , is all around us , appreciate her on those calm and gentle days and respect her when she needs to show her strength . And , most of all , I'd say , let's embrace the freedom and the gift to ride our

Appreciating the Gift of Riding

Ron 9:50

motorcycle . What a gift , what a gift . My hope for you and my hope for myself is that I'll always remember to appreciate Mother Nature , to appreciate the beauty that's all around us . Our hope is just to have the eyes to see and the ears to listen to the wonderful things our Mother Nature has to show us , as always . Thank you so much for listening and for telling your friends if you enjoy it . I wish you peace and I wish you love . Thank you .