Passion, Experience & Growth

Attitude Is Everything

March 17, 2009

Experienced riders often tell novices, “There are two kinds of riders: those that have gone down, and those that will go down.”

I disagree.

According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, more than half of all motorcycle crashes involve riders who have ridden their motorcycles less than six months. But does that make it inevitable that new riders will crash within six months?

It is true that it often takes a crash or near-miss to convince most riders of the seriousness of the life and death balance they face as they ride. But it’s disastrous for a novice to hold the attitude: “I am probably going to crash within the first six months.”

As well-intentioned as our “two kinds of riders” guidance may be, all of us should really ask ourselves what we’re doing to new riders’ attitudes. Are we encouraging them to ride safe, or are we engendering a superstition that dooms them to a future crash—potentially, one much sooner than might otherwise have occurred?

If a new rider is certain that a crash is inevitable, each month of safe riding just builds greater anticipation of the upcoming crash. Rather than getting safer with their growing experience, they become more wary of this destiny shared with them by the wiser and more experienced rider. At what point does this wariness of the impending crash put them in such a poor frame of mind that they actually precipitate the crash subconsciously? If nothing else, just to get it over with!

My first crash was just six days shy of the six month mark. Coincidence? Statistically predictable? Or, subconsciously destined?

Perhaps it’s statistically accurate that the typical or “normal” rider will eventually crash; often, within six months. But, is that what you want for your new riding buddies?

During our pre-ride briefings, the message I shared with our riding group was, “if you don’t keep your head in the right place at all times, at some point, you will crash. So, if you can’t keep your head in the right place, don’t get on the bike!”

So, how about if we adopt a new narrative: “Take charge of your attitude, your intention and your attention—and, always, ride like your life depends on it.” With time, perhaps we can make room for a new kind of wisdom, and a third kind of rider.

Attitude is everything, or at least, the beginning of everything.