Riding a Motorcycle is Free

One thing that can be said about motorcycles: they'remotorcycles, this time, Harley Davidsons. They're in
certainly not for the weak-hearted. A motorcycle is allsearch of America, much like the bikers in The
about speed, space, and freedom. You just don't getMotorcycle Diaries were in search of their Latin origins.
that from cars. Of course, we're not going to launch aWhat strikes me about these two films is that I can't
debate here on which is the better set of wheels here,imagine them riding any other vehicle but a bike. Your
but right now I love my bike. Last year I traded myhair blowing in the wind, the G's tugging firm at your
SUV for a Duccati. The closest I can describe it is thatface, the landscapes zooming around you as it
it's like walking on water. Okay, I haven't exactlychanges right under your feet, the engine growling
walked on water before, but that's what I imagine it toaccording to your wrist. Imagine if they had done their
be.road trip in a truck.
There's this film I watched a few months back calledWhen I see films like these with heroes riding easy on
The Motorcycle Diaries. It's about the journey ofmotorcycles, I can't help but feel proud because I share
Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado in Latinkinship with them. Now, I know what it feels like. A
America), and quite appropriately, it's on a motorcycle,miracle.
a 1939 Norton 500, they chose to make that road trip.I say it's time that we change our views about people
I'm thinking what better way is there to travel andand their bikes. Drugs, rebellion, drifting, crime. It's just
explore the world than with a motorcycle.not fair because bikers actually stand for everything
And then there's Easy Rider too, the 1969that is Freedom. Our detractors might say, get a grip
classic--again with the lead actors riding theiron yourselves. But what's the point?