I guess you won't find any Anti-Bum sentiments on this site, we are Bikers after all - a marginalised minority, certainly. So Carry On, that Man, and no need to feel "Sheepish" about it

Butchdiamond, thank you for creating, what has become a very interesting thread. Originally you asked for our opinions. Here is mine.

Upon reading your initial post, a ride down the west coast of Mexico came to mind. We camped, mostly on our hammocks, slung up on the beach, near beach restaurants, or just on the beach under the stars.... with innumerable "surfistas." These surfers were of every nationality, economic and social class imaginable.

A few had the latest SUVs, cutting edge surfboards and were kitted out with designer surf gear and clothes, many more had low end or hand crafted gear and no SUVs, still others wore little or scraps of clothing, surfed on broken old surf boards, and still others hung around and accepted the loan of boards from fellow surfers.

Many were really hardcore surfers. They went to bed very early, woke up before dawn and constantly studied the ever present waves rolling in from lands as strange as they were to us. We really liked these "surfistas" they were the most dedicated and diverse group of people I have ever encountered.

They talked little or not at all, to each other, or us. They were generally polite to newcomers and had an established system for catching waves that mostly prevented them from surfing over each other. They ate healthy, some worked menial jobs near the beach for food, were all very clean and tan and did not litter, period.

If I had to characterize these fine folks, the word "bum" would never come to mind. They watched out for each other and the last surfer in, before dark was never alone, someone, friend or stranger, would lag behind until all surfers were on the beach for the night. It was heartwarming.

The surfers (with very few exceptions) got along very well with the locals, most of the the hardcore surfers had made a good attempt to learn passable Spanish, and many found love and/or lovers on the beach with each other or Mexicans.

Within the context of the "surfistas" the surfers played by the rules, and worked very hard at improving their craft. Most waited on the beach, staring at the sea, until surfable waves rolled in and then surfed until dark or until there were no more surfable waves, they did this at least 8 hours a day and overtime on weekends.

What also came to mind was that they were very nomadic, traveling with the weather and surf conditions up and down the west coast of Mexico. Perhaps the hunter/gatherers of the past are the "surfistas" of present. Instead of hunting and gathering food, they surf.

Just be the best "Motista" (over lander) you can be, and know in your heart that I, a fellow Hubber, would never consider you a bum. It's a lot of work. xfiltrate

An afterthought, I have read again this thread and have to ask: Would a good quality plastic blow up sheep sell?

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com

Sounds like a plan to me.. I have another 12 years until I hit 40 and start "Fertilising"

Roll on the madness

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

As I get older, I can't imagine wishing I had traveled on my motorcycle less and spent more time working and amassing material possessions that tie me down. Being a vagabond and a nomad is a noble lifestyle. Less is more. It takes a lot of commitment, a stubborn nature and focus to thread through life having a good time and traveling when and where you like. People will try to make you fit into their idea of how life should be lived. Don't be a sheep. Ignore them. Get on your bike and go have some fun. Let them call you eccentric. Sounds like a compliment to me. I have noticed that some people are more nomadic and less materialistic than others by nature. When I was visiting the south island of your fair country on an organic farm I remember borrowing an old honda dirt bike to go to a swimming hole outside Nelson. There was an older woman there who had never been to Wellington or Christchurch much less traveled the world. Holy sheepdip! It made me feel so fortunate to be able to bum around the world.

Just some thoughts,
John

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

The past couple of months I have been particularly bummy - I have been staying with a friend in Southern England and doing some work here and there. Everyone I talk to about what I'm doing has been extremely responsive, positive and even envious. More encouragement to just carry on and have fun.

I must admit, I wish I was rich though. This country (UK) is sooo expensive and work is hard to come by. It's going to be an interesting few of months!

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BD.

If you're anywhere near Brighton why not drag yourself along to the HUBB minimeet?

Its BLOODY gr8.
I'm exactly the same.
Stopped for three yrs(present).
And i'm gonna get ready to set off again and bumble about.
Try to add something to wherever i go.
But be it a bum whatever.
I think it's more like.
Freedom.
Which sounds good
But tastes better.....

How can any one be ashemed of being free..