Sophia Dembling's article on traveling to . . . travel, and not to meet people, really resonated with me. Don't get me wrong, I love people, and I can be happy talking, interviewing, dining with, even riding a little while with random people I meet on the road, but then, when I get back on my motorcycle alone and free to turn down this road or that without having to negotiate, I am so happy. Is that escapism? Sure. I'm an introvert. (But hide it well.) Do you resonate?
Here's an excerpt from her essay:
Though I don’t need to talk to a lot of people, I love watching them.
Many of my favorite travel memories involve sitting and watching. I
spent hours under the midnight sun in the Vigeland Sculpture Garden in
Oslo, watching people wander among the statues. In Venice, Tom and I
returned several times to a café with tables under a huge tree where we
passed some time over snacks and cold drinks, watching Venetians go
about their business. In Rome my niece and I ended every day with
gelato at a favorite spot outside the Pantheon. Sitting, eating,
watching. Conversation optional.
Hard to say. Some are and some aren’t. For instance, some like to ride solo for the sense of pioneering achievment, others like to ride in groups, others yet in duos…I think motorcyclists are in one sense a different breed but come for all walks of life.
“I love watching people” show me a writer who doesn’t and I’ll show you a no writer”
http://www.baronsview.blogspot.com
Baron has something there, but the essence of the ride is still a solo activity. Each rider controls his/her own vehicle. Wind and engine noise cut out conversation unless electronics are used. I can say from experience that those with the electronics are ostracized a bit. Speculating on the reasons for this would be a long topic and not germane to this article.
Furthermore, groups include those in the group, but tend to exclude those from outside the group. Now you have a bunch of people doing a solo activity in the same space-time but not together, excluding those on the outside. There is no team unless someone has a mechanical problem or accident. The only social parts are when they are NOT doing the activity that brings them together in the first place (Let’s ride 120 miles to this bar I know… they have great BBQ sandwiches).
I have a vision of a school of mackerel. They hang out together for mutual protection because a group of littles looks like a single large thing, but they do not socialize. Sounds like introversion to me.
I expect it has a lot to do with the context. As a solo rider trying to make conversation with a member of a riding group (at a road stop for example)I’ve received a neutral or even mildly negative reaction in most cases. However as a solo rider meeting another solo rider I’ve usually enjoyed some good conversation and often gained a riding companion for the next few miles.
But it also depends on one’s own desires. We are all very effective at sending out the “leave me alone” signal. And if that’s your attitude, fine, but then don’t expect anything else in return. You get what you give.
Great insights, both of you. I’d actually love to read further ramblings on the topic if you’d like to share.
This very much resonates with me. I’m an introvert who happens to love cycling!