The Road to Recovery—A Letter From Marisa
Motorcycles are dangerous. It’s not a secret that our beloved sport is inherently risky, but that’s part of what draws us to these two-wheeled machines.
The thrill of riding a motorcycle comes from a mix of factors, with danger and risk adding an adrenaline-fueled edge to the experience. The freedom, excitement of the open road, and insatiable curiosity for new places also contribute to it, but there is just something about the danger that makes riding especially addicting.
It’s Physiological
Riding a motorcycle engages the nervous system by stimulating sensory input and enhancing motor skills. The brain processes visual, auditory, and tactile information at a rapid pace to assess the road, surroundings, and bike feedback.
The vestibular system, responsible for balance, helps maintain stability. The need for precise coordination activates the motor cortex, enhancing reaction times and overall motor control. Finally, your brain releases adrenaline and dopamine, which produce a sensation of excitement and pleasure, elevating your mood and improving your mental focus.
That dump of dopamine and adrenaline? Well, that keeps us addicted to it.
You can think of operating a motorcycle as the ultimate mind-to-muscle workout. I like to say riding bikes keeps us young—and it really does, as long as you consistently engage with the activity and always work at becoming a better, more skilled rider. In doing so, you also decrease your chances of having an accident. It’s a win-win.
Sometimes Motorcycles Bite
The risk we all take every time we swing a leg over the motorcycle is real, however. Sometimes things happen, no matter how well prepared we are.
As I sit writing this letter, my propped-up leg sports a fancy knee brace and colorful bruising. For the past week, I’ve been recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. It’s not the first time I’ve been through this. My knees have taken a beating over the years, and my addiction to riding motorcycles hasn’t helped.
Back in May, I was just outside Las Vegas, testing the new BMW F 900 GS on a dusty road that goes through the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, when the “knee gremlin” struck again. We were only a couple of miles into a long dirt loop when I dabbed a foot in a loose rocky section. As soon as my foot touched the ground, I felt the familiar pop inside my knee.
I didn’t crash, and I don’t have a spectacular story of how I injured myself. It was as simple as putting my foot down at just the wrong moment. I know to keep my trotters on the pegs when riding off-road, but it’s sometimes hard to suppress the instinctive reaction of placing your foot on the ground when you get off balance. We’ve all done it at some point or another—only this time, it had painful consequences.
Maybe in reading this, you can learn from my mistake.
As we go into the fall (I’m talking about my favorite riding season, not about having a tumble on a motorcycle), this is your reminder to enjoy the ride, stay safe, and keep your feet on the footpegs. I hope you all finish this riding season with an exciting tour through twisty backroads and autumn colors.
Don’t forget to tag @roadrunnermag in your fall tour photos on social media, since for now, I’m riding vicariously through you!
In the meantime, I'll sit here thinking and writing about motorcycles, planning my next riding trip, cleaning my bike in the garage, and—of course—doing all I can to rehab this knee so that one day soon I can ride again. The addiction is real.
Stay safe,
Marisa McInturff
Managing Editor