Shunpiking to Sanity Tour: Day 5

July 15, 2013

Mileage: 1,169

Today, I rest. No riding, boots need drying.

Homemade Breakfast, Indian style French Toast. Auntie Dey knows how to take care of my ravenous stomach.

Spicy, sweet, and delicious, but not French Toast

I'm still documenting, but taking some time to reflect and muse about other things that I have thought or encountered along the way. 

I have been thinking about music and riding a motorcycle with music. Unless you have a large touring motorcycle that blasts music loud enough to hear over the rushing wind, you need ear buds for music. I know there are some people that will not listen to music while they ride, as they fear it will distract too much. I am not one of those people. However, I do not listen to music the entire time. Yesterday, I did not pop my ear buds in until I got to Asheville. Scenic or Interstate riding, I feel are times when a soundtrack is needed, but when you need to get to the place of pure concentration, I institute a policy of NO MUSIC. 

This brings me to my soundtrack. I have uploaded a wide range of music onto my iPod and have found some bits to be more fitting for the road than others. I have only about 750 songs on the iPod and I hit shuffle. Sometimes a band is great for Interstate driving, while others create a symbiotic relationship with the scenic landscape, but some fall flat on all accounts. I'll give an example of each.

Pink Floyd. This is one of my favorite bands of all time; however, as a soundtrack while riding it is forgettable. I have the albums Meddle, Ummagumma, Dark Side of the Moon, and Animals. I also have a collection of early singles from the Syd Barrett days. The melodic music is best for other recreational activity, but not for motion. I still enjoy listening to them, and they will stay in rotation, but not a band I would put on a Motorcycle Playlist. The Syd Barrett years are not bad for highway riding. Stand out songs for riding: 'See Emily Play' and 'One of These Days' 

Rush. If you know most of you groaned. I can't talk about music and motorcycling without mentioning Rush. Most people either love them or hate them. I fall into the love category (huge love). The Holy Triumvirate are the best when riding the Interstate. The odd time signatures, intricate details, and air drumming glee provide can add color to the humdrum of Interstate travel. One can yell at a careless car, "I'm a mean, mean warrior," and feel the confidence surge. I have the albums All the World's a Stage, Snakes and Arrows (studio and concert), Time Machine, Hemispheres, Clockwork Angels, R30, and Different Stages. Stand out songs for riding: 'Ghost Rider,'  'Red Barchetta,' and 'Malignant Narcissim.'

The Decemberist. This was totally unexpected. This has been one of my favorite groups to listen while riding. The album 'Picturesque' was a gift (Thanks Matt!) and it has been perfect for scenic driving. Riding along any body of water, pop in 'The Mariner's Revenge,' and be seduced by the infectious melody that feels right; although, the lyrics are dark. I stopped at one point when riding Natchez Trace Parkway and played the entire Picturesque album from start to finish. I was not disappointed. Stand out songs for riding (this really good be the whole album): 'The Mariner's Revenge,' 'The Infanta,' and 'The Sporting Life.' 

 I could write on and on about different types of music (side note Miles Davis is best for highway riding), but I'm stuffed with amazing Indian food and need to sleep. So that is all for today.

Until I ramble on again . . .