Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

The Long Rider
September 2002

Who is a Long Rider?  How do I become one?  What does it mean?   Those questions are sent to me on occasion.  Sadly, I have not been able to give a adequate answer, so I enlisted some help.

I asked the question to the members of the ST BBS, and received a number of good answers. I took from each response, and arrived at the following hypothesis- the Long Rider is the ultimate state of being for a motorcyclists, and a rider must pass through several stages reach that plateau. 

When an individual arrives at stage 4, he can bounce around all stages, but he will always consider himself a Long Rider. 

Stage 1- The Rider.  He likes biking, and rides his bike frequently.  He uses his bike for commuting, weekend rides, and enjoys the sensation of being on 2 wheels.  He could ride a cruiser or a sport bike.  He likes the social aspect of motorcycling.  He doesn't normally ride in bad weather, or when its cold.  This rider may participate in poker runs, and other rallies.  For the Rider, motorcycles are a nice hobby, and a fun diversion.  He may have other hobbies, and works riding in when he can.

Stage 2-  The Tourer.  The Tourer uses his bike for vacations, once, maybe twice a year.  He usually rides in groups or with a partner on pillion.  Generally, he rides a large touring bike, and seldom uses his bike for anything other then touring.  In between, he may go weeks without riding.  He does not dwell much on the sport side of motorcycling.  He likes to ride to destinations.  It is common for the Tourer and the Rider to be in a state of overlap.  His vacation time is limited, and on the road he rides to get somewhere.  

Stage 3- The Distance Rider.   The next step for the Tourer.  This is a rider that likes to put down miles for the sake of miles.  He rides to far away destinations to log as much distance as he can.  The more the better.  He lives in a world of GPS, mapping software, and trip meters.  Time and distance are stalwarts for the Distance Rider.  They can be found in distance rallies like the Iron Butt, and the Butt Lite.  They enjoy the competition, and pitting wits against other Distance Riders.  But, at the end of the day, they can't really tell you what they saw, or where they've been.  Distance riders spend their time on the characterless interstates, because they foster the need for miles quickly.  These are type A riders, their bikes are equipped with extra fuel cells, couch like seats, FM radios, and bike to bike communications.  They are determined, hardy souls. Their riding is focused, with a purpose.

Stage 4- That brings us to the Long Rider.  He has reached the spiritual side of riding and wanderlust.  When given the choice, he almost always chooses to ride in lieu of driving.  He cares little about where he is going, when on a ride.  The Long Rider has a innate desire to seek out unknown, or forgotten places.  He enjoys all aspects of 2 wheels, the road, the machine, the miles, the people, and the places.  He usually rides alone. On the occasion he's with a partner, it will be with  a brother Long Rider.  Weather is not a factor if he wants to go for a ride.  He can, and has put down 1000 mile days, but that is not his purpose.  The Long Rider loves motorcycles, but he also loves the freedom the road offers.  The quiet satisfaction that is his, from a lonely ride across the Great Plains.  Meeting new friends as a result of being in the right place at the right time.  If he finds something worthy of attention along the way, he will stop to investigate.  The Long Rider may pull into a town and stay 1 night or 6, just depends on his mood.

Long Riders are not defined by what kind of motorcycle they ride, or how many miles they travel, or even if they ride at all.  Long Riders can be found on bicycles, trucks, sport cars, and vans.  The mindset is the most important element, as pointed out by brother Rob Hart on the ST bbs.  All of us have hidden desires of independence, and freedom, but the reality is we have families and obligations to take care of.  Some more then others.  My situation is unique, I feel I have BOTH worlds.  I have the means and freedom to do as I please, but also the security of a place to come home to.

Long Riders pay little attention to such things as time and distance.  The journey is why we go.  To sample things between here and there.  I enjoy the thrill of a 100 mph desert run, along with unforgiving twisties in the mountains, but that is not the real purpose of riding to me.  My ride is a fairly competent sport bike, it will lean, and zip across any highway, but I primarily do my sport riding close to home.  Sport riding through new territory takes me away from the land and the environment I wish to explore.  It does not allow me to savor the place I am in.

Long Riders have a mystique about them.  They are different, independent, and self reliant.  Ride into a small town in North Dakota, with Alabama tags, and you are almost guaranteed a line of questions.  What brings you here?  Where are you from?  How long are staying?  Where are you going?

In a small town far from home, I always dismount my bike with smug feeling.

The Long Rider has captured elements from all phases of riding.  He can revert to any of the lower stages as the need arises.

Long Riding is not the only thing that brings me to spiritual peace with myself, but it certainly contributes a great deal.  To wake up each morning, at peace with WHO you are, and what you want, is a valuable commodity.  Riding has helped me reach that inner sanctum.