My brother in-law once told me that for him the destination is more important. Getting there as soon as possible maximizes his enjoyment. That’s perfectly fine for him and I respect that. On the other hand, I find the actual journey far more compelling than any of the destinations.

The coming week is Spring Break around here, and I had planned to take the week off. Partly because I need a vacation, and partly becuase my significant other also has it off. The plan was to spend the week touring New Mexico on the bike. For me that’s a normal way to spend my vacation, and for her it was her first introduction to life on two wheels.

Unfortunately the bike was in need of mechanical attention and the the folks at the shop were unable to have it ready by the weekend. So the trip has been delayed, but I still hope that the bike will be up for it early in the week and we can still go. So how does this relate to the topic at hand?

Over the last few days we’ve had to explain the change in plans to friends and associates, and the number one question posed has been, “Why don’t you just take a car?”

That’s a fair question to which my only reply is, “It’s just not the same.” In a car you’re in your own environment; sealed against the changes in weather and climate. Nothing really changes as the miles roll by. On a bike you are more a part of the world around you. You can feel the changes as you move from climate to climate. It’s an elemental feeling that I enjoy when I travel on the bike, something that I don’t usually get in my travel for work.

It’s the journey that is important for me, and not just traveling from point A to point B. How I travel is also important. I need the experience to be different from the everyday. I need the long disconnect from the world I normally live in.

It’s true that I ride as much as I can when I’m in town, so why is it so important that this trip happen on the bike? I wish I had a good answer for that, and fortunately my partner understands my need. The best answer I have is that the bike restores my soul. To take this trip without it would be no different than driving to work in a car, or flying to some other destination for work. The life and the energy would not be the same.

Having said that, I do have to admit that in the future there will be trips made without the bike. There were always be times when the destination is more important than the journey. However, this time we both were looking forward to this special trip, made in a special way; two wheels, seven days, and no schedule to keep.

I think most people who share this two-wheeled wanderlust will understand. At the very least, it’s given me another excuse to go shopping for a second bike-a backup to the first for this very reason. I know the logic is flawed for most people, but then again for most people a motorcycle is just a toy. It’s just something for occasional use. For me, and those like me, it’s a desire that borders on need. I could live without riding, but as my partner will attest to, I wouldn’t be the same.

There is still some hope that the bike will be ready early in the week. The saddle bags are still ready to go.