Why We Ride
A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist's Mind and the Relationship Between Rider, Bike, and Road
Published on 24. October 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-62008-228-7 (ISBN)
Description
Why would anyone want to do something as dangerous as motorcycling? For those who love to ride, no explanation is necessary. For everyone else, there's Why We Ride. Designed as both an explanation for outsiders and an anthem for those within the fold, this new book presents the insights of Mark Barnes, PhD, a motorcycling clinical psychologist.
As a popular columnist at Motorcycle Consumer News for more than 20 years, Dr. Barnes articulates the elusive physical, emotional and interpersonal elements that make the world of the motorcyclist such a rich and exciting place.
His wide-ranging text covers both sports psychology and the psychoanalysis of common riding experiences, including the results of Dr. Barnes' own empirical research. Heartfelt and thought provoking, here is a straightforward account of what makes real motorcyclists tick.
As a popular columnist at Motorcycle Consumer News for more than 20 years, Dr. Barnes articulates the elusive physical, emotional and interpersonal elements that make the world of the motorcyclist such a rich and exciting place.
His wide-ranging text covers both sports psychology and the psychoanalysis of common riding experiences, including the results of Dr. Barnes' own empirical research. Heartfelt and thought provoking, here is a straightforward account of what makes real motorcyclists tick.
Reviews / Votes
Why we Ride-A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist's Mind and the Love Affair between Rider, Bike, and Road is entertaining and thought-provoking and well worth a read. -Ultimate Motorcycling For its concise explanation of the manly art of bench racing alone, Why We Ride is worth reading. -Driving Becoming a skilled rider requires layering; obtaining skills and polishing them over extended periods of time, refining them and always working to improve. Reading "Why We Ride" can be approached the same way; gradually assimilating stories and the lessons therein, and adopting them for personal use. -Ride-CT Heartfelt and thought provoking, here is a straightforward account of what really makes motorcyclists tick. -Motorcyclist's PostMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Full-color Photographs; 100 Illustrations, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 177 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
602 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-62008-228-7 (9781620082287)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Mark Barnes
Why We Ride
A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist's Mind and the Relationship Between Rider, Bike, and Road
E-Book
01/2018
CompanionHouse Books
€8.82
Available for download
Person
Mark Barnes launched his career as a clinical psychologist in 1992 and settled in as a regular contributor to Motorcycle Consumer News in 1996. His monthly columns have explored wide-ranging psychological aspects of the motorcycling experience and he has written numerous gear and accessory reviews, technical/how-to articles and feature stories about motorcycle-related events and destinations. Having ridden extensively both on- and off-road, Mark has amassed a wealth of observations and insights over four-plus decades of involvement.
Content
Table of Contents Preface PART ONE: WHY WE RIDE Introduction The Survey Category One: Engagement Category Two: Autonomy Category Three: Mastery Category Four: Exhilaration Category Five: Transcendence Category Six: Relaxation Category Seven: Practicality Concluding Comments PART TWO: SELECTED COLUMNS From the GARAGE The Joy of Maintenance Perfect Imperfection Just Say No Necessary Evils Your Rite to Ride Making it Personal Necessity is a Mother Garage Fever From the ROAD Human Relations 102 The Verdict Can't Live with 'em, Can't Live without 'em Feels Like the First Time...Again The Call of the Open Road Get Lost! What Should Be vs. What Is Doh! Brain Fade and the Perils of Fatigue From the TRAIL Dirty Thoughts Half the Fun Back to School Near-Life Experiences Experts From the TRACK Concentrating on Concentration Learning Curves The "Trust Me" Line You Just Can't Get There from Here From the COUCH (Freud goes for a ride) Twin Brain - Part One Twin Brain - Part Two Moto-Voyeurism Linkages Spiritual Motorcycling Self-Diagnostics Shifting Riding in the Zone Motorcycle Camping Moto-Connoisseurism Safe Distance Displacement Black Boxes The Voice of (In)Experience Loud Pipes Do What? Top Ten Reasons... Moto-Placebos Oh, What a Feeling! Getting in Touch with Your Inner Cartographer (or not) From the HEART (personal favorites) Wrecks Sensory-Motor Satori A Cure for What Ails Us Riding Through the Valley of the Shadow Giving Ourselves a Hand Milestones PART THREE: FLOW FOR RIDERS Introduction Aspect One: Challenge-Skill Balance Aspect Two: Action-Awareness Merger Aspect Three: Clarity of Purpose Aspect Four: Clarity of Feedback Aspect Five: Present Task Focus Aspect Six: Paradox of Control Aspect Seven: Absence of Self-Consciousness Aspect Eight: Transformation of Time Aspect Nine: Autotelic Experience Concluding Comments