Volume Twenty-Three | Fall 2021

Words by Ben Giese

“All good things are wild and free” —Henry David Thoreau

We need a way to outrun the perils of modern life, the mass hysteria and mental breakdown of society. The never-ending hamster wheel of work and deadlines and bills and bad news. The mistrust in government and the media, and in each other. The constant fear and division, and the culture of self-obsession that’s pulling us further into toxic digital worlds. There’s got to be a way out, and I think motorcycles can help.

The genuine enjoyment people get from riding is great for our mental health. It’s something we as riders can relate to, and it’s something that unites us. It gives us purpose, identity and community. Motorcycles bring people together in a world that’s pulling people apart. They help us to see each other for the things we have in common rather than for our differences. They create lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences. They take us to extraordinary places, and they give us a tool to escape all this madness, even if only for a moment. 

It’s getting harder to feel optimism for the future of humanity, but at least we can find comfort knowing we have our bikes, and we have each other. We can still do the things that make us happy, and we can still choose to live wild and free.