Volume 2, Number 5
March 1,1996
A column by Ed Rochelle
The Web & the Art of Motorcycle TouringThere was a time in my life when I considered myself to be an ardent motorcycle rider. I spent lots of time roaming Long Island, NY( where I'm from) , most of the New England states , the Catskill Mountains of NY and parts of New Jersey. I even flew out west once and joined a motorcycle tour with two dear friends. We experienced the beauty of three states while camping out at night. I would jump at any opportunity to go for a ride'. It is how I came to really feel a part of this Island. Being on the bike real early in the morning, with the road basically without cars, and a touch of the chilled air was really exhilarating.I would ride with a friend or two and we would constantly point out sights to eachother. The only sound was the humming of the engine and the aromas in the air were unique to each season. I remember a time riding down Dune Road in Westhampton with my son as a passenger. He would tap me on the shoulder or I would tap him to make sure that every sight of interest was seen and appreciated. No matter where I drove there was a feeling that was shared by myself and all the riders I encountered. The first time I passed a fellow motorcyclist and he gave me the thumbs up sign, I felt like I was a part of something. A shared experience with someone I really didn't know. I've heard it said that if bikers' are not riding their bikes, they are talking about them. If we would stop at a vantage point on a beautiful road I could be almost certain that I would meet and get into conversation with other riders. I met some really interesting people while traveling the cycling road. Other bikers seemed always anxious to help whether it be in suggesting places to ride or motorcycle maintenance hints. (I get the feeling that some of you are starting to get where I'm going with this...) If I could measure my passion level over things I get involved in, I think I would come up with close readings between my Web involvement and my prior, almost addicted interest in motorcycling. My son lives in New Jersey now and I still live on Long Island. I find that we are now sending URL's to each other as opposed to pointing out sights from the saddle of our bike. I have real interesting people I communicate with, from all over the country and a few riders' from abroad. There is a shared feeling with just about everybody I have contact with on-line. It felt very familiar and I realized that it was in the same ballpark as those I experienced while actively riding my motorcycle. While recently surfin' the Web, I came across a site called PHOAKS. It stood for "People Helping One Another Know Stuff". There were times while riding my bike, I would stop along the side of the road and within a short period of time another biker would stop to see if I needed any help. What a great feeling to know that there are others on the road who are ready, willing and able to offer a hand. As long as I am willing to ask for help, it has always been here on the Web. Most of the people I have met on-line are happy to help others. It seems to me that there are people up ahead, on the on-line road, that are very willing to point out pot holes and speed bumps. It has been real helpful. The experience of being able to relate to people with a similar interests, must be as old as humankind. It's wonderful to see it come alive on the Web. Nobody ever told me that touring the Web was very similar to touring with my motorcycle...How Come?
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