With all this writing and rambling about riding, I find myself drawn to reading what I would describe as the motorcycle rider’s canon. Being a bit pigheaded, I’ve decided to assemble my own, though I suppose there are no end of other’s who’ve already opined on this topic.
In some cases I’ve already read the book; in many cases I’m just getting started. So this list will surely evolve. But to be clear, they are all on my summer reading list.
Broadly I’ve divided my reading list into two categories. The first are books about riding and the road. The two pillars of the genre aren’t even about motorcycles.
The first is Beowulf, the touchstone of European heroic literature. The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, just to name two current bodies of work, find their roots deep in the eighth-century classic poem of the journey by Beowulf to Geatland to slay a pesky monster. My favorite translation is by Seamus Heany. Why is it on this list? The journey. It’s all about the journey and what you find along the way. (I have read this book many times and will again.)
The second is Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes. I have an abiding interest in this book for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that my grandfather was a noted Cervantes scholar. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay any attention to that while he was alive, so I’m coming back to the Don with fresh eyes and a bit of mid-life longing to connect to my ancestors. It is the root-stock road book and the first modern novel.
There are many translations. I’m no expert, but it seems that many regard the Raffel version as the best, but there are many from which to choose.
A bit closer to the motorcycle part is Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. I’m not sure if this is truly recommendable if you’re under 50, but makes the list at least because it forms part of the DNA of the beat movement. I’ve roundly ignored it for decades but it’s now on my list.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is rightly regarded as a classic of several genres. It was a monster seller and has been reprinted a zillion times. No writer about riding since can pen more than ten pages without referencing Pirsig, particularly if there’s a BMW in sight, or if something breaks on the bike in question. I have tried to read it three times now and have never gotten past the first 100 pages. I’m handy with a wrench and embrace technology all too fully. Still, I find the moralizing about fixing it yourself tiring. I’m determined to breakthrough this time.
Ted Simon sits comfortably at the table reserved for motorcycle Gods, long distance division. I say “comfortably” in reference to his unassailable credentials and iconic book Jupiter’s Travels. By every account I’ve read he’s actually a bit embarrassed by all the accolades. 78,000 miles over four years through 45 countries on a Triumph no less is one hell of an accomplishment. He has inspired legions of others to head off on their own heroic journeys. (Now you can see why my initial references to Beowulf and Don Quixote.)
Following the threads mentioned in more recent books, I find many references to One Man Caravan, by Robert Edison Fulton, Jr. He put in his miles on a Douglas twin, coursing through 22 countries back in 1932. I have yet to crack this book, but just leafing through it, you get a sense of challenge and adventure that eclipses anything you or I have ever tried.
Time will tell if Riding with Rilke will take its place alongside these classics, but it’s on my list. Ted Bishop, a Canadian professor, weaves a tale of riding a Ducati Monster from Alberta to Austin, TX and back–a bike I would consider riding across town and back–with tales of pursing the mysteries of Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, and James Joyce. The words are like truffles. From time to time I would notice myself rushing through a page, much like I find myself rushing down a road, and pull up and wonder why? What’s the rush? When I finish, I’ll be done, and then what. Lovely book. I enjoyed every page of it.
The Perfect Vehicle by Melissa Holbrook Pierson stands out nicely for it’s wonderful prose (the Forward I found jarring), her ability to capture the spirit of Guzzi ownership, and her ability to give dimension to being a woman rider while maintaining a smile. If that makes sense. This is a fun little book that works well if you like bikes, if you like words, or if you are interested in what a woman rider has to say. As with RWR above, time will tell how it settles into the list of great road books.
I have several other road books on my shelf waiting further examination. I’ll report later on those.
The other class of books are oriented towards technique. I’ll post that list another time.
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Tags: Beowulf, Don Quijote, Cervantes, Jack Kerouac, On the Road, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig, Jupiter’s Travels, Ted Simon, One Man Caravan, Robert Fulton, Riding with Rilke, Ted Bishop, The Perfect Vehicle, Melissa Holbrook Pierson,
When I poked in here, I suspected I would read a list of titles having to do with riding safety or technique. The actual list is much grander, and more challenging, than that.
I have read, or considered reading, all the titles listed. Now I have even more desire to complete the canon, at least before I offer any titles for consideration.
It’s all about the journey, isn’t it?
It is about the journey! There’s a list of technique books coming, but this one seemed somehow more vital. I’m currently eying one not on this list by Karen Larsen called Breaking the Limit. We’ll see if it makes the grade.
Love to hear if you’ve got other suggestions for the top shelf.