Speed Dating: 3 Motorcycle Riding Relationship Types

Crudmop and Fuzzygalore on the Shelter Island FerryRiding relationships, platonic or otherwise can be tricky to navigate. In my experience so far I can sum them up in three main categories.

It’s Not You, It’s Me

I love you, you’re wonderful. Don’t ever change. Except for the part where you want go riding with me.

Sometimes you really like someone and yet their riding habits don’t mesh with yours. Maybe they ride too close, ride too fast, ride too slow. Maybe they take forever at gas stops, never show up on time, wait until we’re about to leave to decide that they need to fill their tank. I have a very small threshold of tolerance for these nit-picky things. My liking a person enough to hang out with them doesn’t seem to bridge the annoyance gap. I’m callous that way.

Dysfunctional Relationship Riding

This is another strange predicament, much like that break-up where the sex is good so you still hang out occasionally. You share exhilarating riding but the stopping is a drag. Maybe you don’t click on a conversational level. Different politics, points of view, maybe they’re just a drip. You want to drop them like a bad habit but the riding is good so you just can’t quit ‘em!

I So Want To Make Out With You Right Now!

Every once in a while it happens. You meet a riding partner that fits you like a glove. You meet that someone who shares the same mindset, a comparable pace and the same thirst for adventure. This is riding partner nirvana! Someone whom you never have to wonder if they’re going to be riding up your ass, dragging behind, leaving you behind. You don’t worry if they are into the route, if the day is too long, if they are enjoying themselves. You just know. They’re like you. They get it. When you find this relationship, cherish it. You’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before this prince(ss) shows up.

Have you had similar experiences? Do you have another relationship type to add to my list?

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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3 Responses

  1. jersey drz says:

    I don,t have any new ones to add ,but you really hit the mark with them,,Definately With the first one(its not you,its me)

    EVERY ONE of those circumstances has happened, Would always get me so mad, That i,d just leave, wouldn,t wait no more. Especially when you got 5 or 6 guys all gearing up and going.

    Love the posts Fuzzy!

  2. DUC748 says:

    My door number 3 was short lived but man was it great your description was spot on with what I felt and experienced.

    Sadly, I’m left with a fair bit of door number 1/2 at the moment and the fact the door number 3 has been welded shut makes it a tough pill to swallow some weekends.

    The riding partner that got away… =(

  3. Klink Cannoli says:

    I got such a chuckle out of this.

    You’ve summed it up so very well. Those you will ride with, those you won’t and those in-between.

    Maybe I can add something for the in-between category. I’ve occasional found myself in the position where there are those in which I may have small reservations regarding their riding habits, but will tolerate it because the stopping part is that much more enriching. Aside from the pure joy of riding a well configured route, the social aspect during stops are a large part of the ride as well for me. I may tolerate a rider with some questionable habits if s/he adds a favorable dimension to the pit stops. Maybe like a class clown type, the newbie with the wide eyes, the mechanic who is skilled in troubleshooting, the mysterious ones that beg discovery or even the hot chick.

    @D If you’re skilled in correcting other riders negative habits (an art form in behavior modification I think), the ride and future rides can have a greater fun potential. The risk of course is something I’d take into consideration and take precautionary steps to minimize the dangers so the rewards can be had.

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