Why We Ride: A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist’s Mind and the Relationship Between Rider, Bike, and Road - Softcover

Barnes PhD., Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620082284 ISBN 13: 9781620082287

Publisher: CompanionHouse Books, 2017

Synopsis

Why would anyone want to do something as dangerous as motorcycling? For those who love to ride, no explanation is necessary. For everyone else, there’s Why We Ride. Designed as both an explanation for outsiders and an anthem for those within the fold, this new book presents the insights of Mark Barnes, PhD, a motorcycling clinical psychologist. As a popular columnist at Motorcycle Consumer News for more than 20 years, Dr. Barnes articulates the elusive physical, emotional, and interpersonal elements that make the world of the motorcyclist such a rich and exciting place. His wide-ranging text covers both sports psychology and the psychoanalysis of common riding experiences, including the results of Dr. Barnes’ own empirical research. Heartfelt and thought provoking, here is a straightforward account of what makes real motorcyclists tick. Inside Why We Ride: What makes all the hazards and hardships of riding a motorcycle worthwhile to perfectly sane, intelligent, and responsible individuals Insights from clinical psychologist and moto-journalist Dr. Mark Barnes Examination of the complex gratifications, relentlessly compelling passions, and deeply personal experiences that motivate motorcyclists Sports psychology, psychoanalysis of common riding experiences, and reflections on the author’s personal journey as a rider Results of the author’s own empirical research on the motives of motorcyclists Thought-provoking exploration of the human dimension of motorcycling Special section on how riders achieve the quasi-mystical state of “Flow,” a concept currently at the center of modern sports psychology

About this title

About the Author

Soon after launching his career as a clinical psychologist in 1992, Dr. Barnes merged his interest in people with his life-long passion for motorcycling by writing about the human dimension of riding and working on bikes for enthusiast magazines. He settled in as a regular contributor to Motorcycle Consumer News in 1996; since then, 200 (and counting) of his monthly columns have explored wide-ranging psychological aspects of the motorcycling experience. Mark has also written almost as many gear and accessory reviews, technical/how-to articles, and feature stories about motorcycle-related events and destinations, and he presented his own research on the multifaceted appeal of motorcycling at a Popular Culture Association conference. Having ridden extensively both on- and off-road, sampling racetracks and virtually every type of bike in the process, Mark has amassed a wealth of observations and insights over four-plus decades of involvement. That personal history, coupled with his training as a scientist, clinician and communicator, has allowed Mark to capture in words the elusive physical, emotional and interpersonal elements that make the world of the motorcyclist such a rich and exciting place

From the Back Cover

WHY WE
RIDE

Why would you do something so dangerous? Why do you spend so much time, money, and energy on this hobby? Why do you get so excited about riding? Why? It's perhaps the most common question that motorcyclists hear from non-riders, but to those "in the fold," no explanation is needed. In this informative and enlightening volume, psychologist and longtime Motorcycle Consumer News columnist Mark Barnes, PhD, affirms what riders already know about the rich physical, emotional, and interpersonal rewards of motorcycling while imparting a new level of understanding to those who just don't get it (yet). Why We Ride is Dr. Barnes' heartfelt, honest, and thought-provoking account of the motorcyclist's mindset that welcomes all into its pages.

INSIDE WHY WE RIDE:

• A collection of articles with updated commentary and viewpoints from the author's unique perspective as a clinical psychologist, motorcycling journalist, and avid motorcyclist
• Discussions, based on the author's personal experiences, of different types of motorcycling (street, trail, track, and more) and different ways to approach the hobby
• A look at wrenching, shopping for gear, planning trips, and other ways riders indulge their passion when they're not on the road
• An in-depth explanation of the state of flow, a hot topic in sports psychology, and how riders can achieve it
• Results of the author's own research into what makes real motorcyclists tick, including how they got started, what they consider their peak experiences, and what keeps them going

Edition details

• Publisher: CompanionHouse Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1620082284
• ISBN 13: 9781620082287
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240