Why A Motorcycle Now?
In my earlier blog I discussed the accomplishments of becoming a motorcycle rider at the age of 57. Having ridden the T120 for several months I am beginning to see a few reasons of why I am enjoying the process so much.
To make a long story short, it is about better mental health.
My Mental Health Issues
In addition of going through a divorce three years ago and not seeing my daughter every day I, unfortunately, was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia where my heart rate will drop to near zero without any warning during an athletic event. It feels horrible and the feeling of drowning in your own lactic acid and blacking out in the middle of the wilderness was scary. When thinking about my athletic career I remember these episodes, but I had always attributed them to a lack of fitness or that I was not good enough. Installing a pacemaker was required to make sure I woke up every morning.
After training for a 100-mile trail run in 2024 my conditioned worsened and I had to withdraw from the race. Training was so difficult, and I was not recovering enough. I am now not able to run as competitively as I would like, and it has been very depressing to say the least. This has been a difficult period for me because sports are a central part of my core values, and it was taken away from me. Since the heart is internal and my condition is not readily clear to anybody most people don’t understand why my hobbies have changed. Plus, I don’t have a support system to talk about my struggles because there are so few people who deal with this type of condition. If it wasn’t for photography, travel, and Natalia my community would be ridiculously small and lonely.
According to the World Health Organization the United States, out of a total of 183 countries, has the 35th highest suicide rate in the world for men with 22.4 deaths for every 100K. Western countries that are more social, like the UK and Spain, are 10.4 and 7.88 deaths, respectively. I do struggle with the fact that US culture is comparatively anti-social than other countries and in general, people do not grow up through culture to listen to others and to be a part of a general conversation. When people travel to other countries one of the things that most people see is the social fabric of society and people hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. I do wonder how many people are alone and do not have anybody to speak with.
In the book, Blue Zones, the book describes that community was one of the driving forces for better health and longevity. Photography, running and cycling have historically been my communities, and I am incredibly grateful to the photography and trail running communities which have supported me the best throughout the years. I wholeheartedly agree that with a supportive community there is a connection and a web of support. This is where my motorcycle has opened a whole new world and communal door for me.
The New Path – A New Mental Health Beginning
This is where I get to share my excitement, and I will keep this part short, so I can share more of my mental health journey as I motor along.
Motorcycling has been the mental health breakthrough that I have needed so badly after my divorce, not seeing my daughter as much as I would want and not being able to do what made me happy for 50+ years before my diagnosis (racing).
Now, when I am riding my motorcycle, every fiber of my being is awake, and I feel the leaves of my body being brought back to life. It brings the childhood memories back to life when I was riding my BMX bike all around town as a kid. Motorcycling sharpens my mind, and it requires me to be focused and alert. I feel so much excitement from the mental and physical challenge of riding a motorcycle. I also look forward to seeing new things, smelling the air change on every block, feeling the wisps of breeze to the slaps of gusts of wind, but most importantly, to feel alive. These feelings are present without technology and that is so liberating.
One of the best events of my new riding journey is that my daughter and I ride together. It was an incredibly special father daughter moment during Christmas that we haven’t had since her horse-riding days 6 or 7 years ago. Having these moments with my daughter was incredible.
Another point, and I believe it is especially important, is that I have a partner who supports this journey, and I also support her efforts in mountain trail running. We are making sure that we do the work to make these passions harmonious to our relationship and to enjoy each other’s success.
I am looking forward to sharing the positive effects of motorcycling and the benefits of being happy and alive. I read a lot of different blogs about motorcycling and there is one common theme that mental health is key benefit. Being in this new community is amazing and I am optimistic about my future.