While commuting to work yesterday on the Sportster, I had the thought that riding a motorcycle is very akin to skydiving and tripping. All three activities are supposed expressions of individualism and freedom yet by their nature require adherence to certain rules in order to increase the chances of an enjoyable outcome. If you deviate from those rules, there is a very real possibility of pain or death. All three provide an illusion of control, but for those involved in them the knowledge of how limited that control is both scary and freeing. Influences both internal and external could easily destroy that limited control in all three. And should one commence either of these three pursuits, it should be done with the awareness that once it begins, there isn't a return button to go back to the beginning. You just have to make it through to the other end, so you might as well enjoy the process completely. Although it is easier to pull a motorcycle over than stop a freefall half way down. Of the three, motorcycling is far easier and repeatable. **DISCLAIMER** I am not advocating any of these as activities others should try. This is simply an observation about personal experiences and their similarities. Respect the law. Ride with a helmet (mostly). :-)