The Process—A Letter from Florian

At some point in our lives, we were all (probably) taught not to judge others. Thanks to my profession, I’ve made friends from all over the world and all walks of life. The age difference between me and some of my friends is counted in decades. Some are much wiser than me. Some… Not so much.

Values and cultural nuances are inherently different between us, yet somehow we’ve managed to focus on what we have in common. It’s much easier to enjoy endless conversations about motorcycling, traveling, hockey, golf, and—of course—family life without dwelling on our different upbringings. And let me tell you, I can tolerate a comically diverse group of friends. Our common denominator has helped me not to judge others by their background and values.

However, I will judge you until the end of time based on your processes. It’s not what you do but how you do it.

I know I neglect my motorcycle chains. They don’t get the attention they deserve or, quite honestly, require. Yet, I’ve never had a chain fail on me. I keep them clean and perhaps surprise them with some lube every once in a while. Many years ago, I was a guest on an international motorcycle tour. Every time we gassed up, the tour guide unloaded a can of lube on the bikes’ chains. I’m pretty sure our tour group almost reversed the ozone hole’s healing process. I couldn’t help myself and judged him until the end of the trip.

On another occasion, a friend accompanied me on a motorcycle ride that involved some camping. We planned it thoroughly (at least I thought so) down to what we both packed and even how we were going to pack. The trip was on little bikes, so we had to load up a pickup truck to get to our launch point. Once the bikes were on the ground, I took my packed duffel and strapped it on the luggage rack. Done in 30 seconds flat. I looked over, and it was like a bomb had gone off. My friend’s gear, clothes, and even his toothbrush were strewn around the parking lot. I took a deep breath. “This is going to take a minute,” I muttered. A little over an hour later, we finally hit the road. Yes, I judged him pretty harshly for that one, with a big grin on my face.

But nothing makes me judge others more than the way they load the dishwasher. Gets me every time. Utensil tips go up. Load from back to front. There must be order! Go ahead and judge me now, too.

With that, I hope you are ready to dive into this issue to kick off the 2026 riding season. Pick a trip, invite some friends, and hit the road. Remember, no matter how they pack, what matters most is finding adventure and living life.

Safe Travels,

Florian Neuhauser
Publisher