Alone together, in the wind.

I recently had the privilege of riding with an old school friend.

Mandisa was a lot like me in school. We never really fitted the mould. I guess in one way or another no one really does. That's the joy of riding a motorcycle. You always have something in common with another rider. It starts off with the fact that you both ride bikes. Then you get talking, and discover you're more alike than you think.

For me its about the journey. When you're riding, no-ones talking to you, you' re alone in your helmet listening to the wind as it rushes past your head. All you can pretty much do is look. You look at body language and signals and indicators and wheels, and you learn.

Mandisa Mimie and I, rode out to Stonehaven on the Vaal river. Mandisa rides a Harley and Mimie a Boulevard.

It's something to see when tiny ladies ride these huge motorcycles. It's so much fun to see how kids and drivers react when they see these beautiful woman riding on classy motorcycles! 

It's such a killer of preconceived ideas when you pull up at a petrol station not being the expectation and seeing the shock on people's faces. 

But why is this such an issue? What is the deal with these stereotypes in SA? 

In places like China and Indonesia this is the norm. Whole families commute on 125's.  It's the most affordable means of transport. Similarly in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. All those crazy pictures of people transporting furnature on their bikes come from these places. 

Even our African brothers in the majority of the countries above our boarder ride motorcycles as a way of life.

Why are we as South African's so determined to sit in traffic in our overly priced luxury cars, when we could have more life at the seat end of a small scooter or motorcycle? 

Let's break the mould of riding, we live in one of the best suited countries for it. With some of the best people in the world. It's perfect, honestly! 

What ever you do... I promise, it's better in the wind!