you should start another thread "whats a biker"
i for one would be very interested in all replys as varied as they might be.

Why don't you start it?

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TBS.com

Traveller, by whatever means fits best.
I guess I have this need to see around the next corner, what its like to be there.

My roadtrips have always been on 4wheels, (except western France on a pushbike,) just cos its been easier that way, but I can see how 2 could be more fun. The 4 wheels covers ground, carries food and provides a place to sleep but its the journey that I'm there for not the driving.

I like to travel on foot, I get to some beautiful places, sometimes I could be the first person ever to have stood there (or thats how it feels) and theres time to look around and really see..but not so practical for really big distances!
For work each summer I walk 1200km and around 120000m of vertical gain/descent, its amazing how much ground you can cover, with time..

On ski or snowshoes, better than foot in the snow, beautiful, enjoyable, something magic sometimes making your own track, frost crystals sparkling..you get to places you never could by machine, the world looks pristine, silent

I've done short trips by snowmobile and 4WD both also a lot of fun in their own way too.

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I just have to go till the sides of the road touch in the distance, then I can stop travelling and settle down

I see the bike as another tool to enable me to travel when I get the chance. Each mode of transport has it's own set of pro's and cons.

With plane transport you can get there very quickly but see nothing of the way there. Also now days the rigmarole with airport security makes the whole experience very unpleasant unless you go by private plane.

Train transport you get to see a lot more of the route but you can not stop to look around you, it is much cheaper outside the UK especially in asia. It is also far more convenient. you can take more with you and that includes a bike for not much extra costs.

Boat transport is nice too but you are limited to water.......... How ever a river cruise can be fun. (more interesting scenery)

Car transport you come and go as you please, you try to choose an appropriate car but there are always compromises ;-) you do get to see a lot of what you travel through but you are a bit removed. You also have the benefit of weather protection and may be a/c too!

Bike transport you come and go as you please, you try to choose an appropriate bike but there are always compromises ;-) you get to see a even more of what you travel through, you are so close you can even smell it, feel it and get wet too!

But the bottom line line is you Travel, and if you are luck you get to meet wonderful people from different cultures, learn a little and become a bit more tolerant of other cultures too.

so me I am just happy exploring the world any way I can! but I do prefer the freedom that comes with my own transport.

Depends. I don't travel to go anywhere specific. Just for the ride, and move about every day. Just did a 1 week 3000 km trip with my son as pillion. we stayed in a different place every night. I guess that makes me a biker as its not about the travel, but the ride.

Then again, I don't fit the biker image. I don't belong to any MC clubs, detest group rides or making a spectacle of myself my bike groups, bike venues, or ridiculous clothing. I love bikes, but not the bike scene. The whole thing of clothing, tattoos, long hair etc seems ridiculous to me. what does it have to do with riding a bike? And why do I need marshals, road captains, colours, vests, rules and regs etc to go ride my bike? I avoid places such people go and I don't want to be associated with it.

I once met some chaps in Belgium who were the Freedom Riders Rebel Motorcycle Club or some such name. They had a road leader, back markers, printed sheet with the route, risk assessment and a treasurer with two assistants. They struck me as neither free nor rebels but had a *****y good time.

Possibly good in the right sized dose?

Andy