Thursday, July 17, 2014

It Is The Weirdest Thing

It is the weirdest thing. When I drive over to visit my son and his family I take a wrong turn nearly every time. When my Daughter was in town and driving us to my Son's house I had her turn at the wrong place. Yet, when I ride I go directly there. What's my take on this? It is more proof of my mind being more engaged and functioning from a different place when I'm riding. Chris, over at Everyday Riding, has told me there was a study done in Japan showing those who commute to work on their motorcycles had a lower incidence of Alzheimer's than those who drive. He linked it for me, but I can't find it. Hopefully he'll pipe up.

My Daughter during her recent visit commented on her biggest worry about my brain injury is the unset of dementia. My response? What can I do except live my life? I'm definitely a candidate for having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), but since it can only be definitively diagnosed postmortem I'm in no hurry to find out. CTE and Alzheimer's are different maladies. One birthed of trauma, the other not. Both progressive.

There is so much known about brain trauma ... and so little. For now, I can be grateful for how my brain works when I'm riding. And, I am. I can, also, be grateful for my ability to bring the place my mind is in when I'm riding to other parts of my life. And, I am.


I will try to always ride to visit my precious ones for as long as I am able and know who they are.

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11 comments:

  1. ChrisJuly 18, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    Hi Keith! I find I am more engaged on moto vs in a car. Car feels very disconnected.

    Two links for you:
    http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/editorials/2012MayOpenRd.pdf

    http://rideapart.com/2009/03/scientific-study-motorcycles-make-you-smarter/


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  2. Dar July 18, 2014 at 11:35 PM

    Keith I find the same thing in my car, not really engaged. Sometimes I get to thinking of other things in the car and it's easy to do, but not so on the bike because of the engine noise, concentration factor and physicality of riding,

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    Replies
    1. Keith - Circle BlueJuly 22, 2014 at 9:03 PM

      It is night and day for me. I'm amazed at how it restores me.

      Delete
  3. VStar LadyJuly 21, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    Chris, it is amazing how the brain works ... so glad that riding works for you. There is something about being on a motorcycle that forces everything but where you are and what you are doing right now to the background. I can't think of a better reason for everyone to ride than to help stave off Alzheimer's.

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    1. Keith - Circle BlueJuly 22, 2014 at 9:05 PM

      Yes, as if we need another reason to ride :^)

      Staving off Alzheimer's certainly is a nice response to the question, "How can you ride that thing? Don't you know it's dangerous?" Whoops, that was two questions.

      Thanks for commenting. Much appreciated.
      ~keith

      Delete
    2. VStar LadyJuly 24, 2014 at 9:57 PM

      OMG Keith ... I have no excuse (that I know of) and I called you Chris. Congrats on expecting granddaughter #2 - I can't think of a more special reason than that to keep 'focused.'

      Delete
    3. Keith - Circle BlueJuly 24, 2014 at 10:17 PM

      I knew who you meant :^) Besides I did set it up a little with referencing Chris in the Post.

      I'm looking forward to meeting the newbie. Amazing stuff.

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    4. David MasseJuly 26, 2014 at 5:43 AM

      Keith, aging is inevitable of course. Our abilities inevitably shrink, all of us. That's why it's called 'spending' your life and time. You're spending wisely. No worries.

      Delete
  4. VStar LadyOctober 5, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    Keith - haven't heard from you in a bit, hoping all is well.

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  5. Keith - Circle BlueOctober 5, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    Karen,
    I'm fine. Just haven't had the time to do a longer post.

    Do you know I have another blog? I post there nearly everyday. It's called Did He Ride Today? There's a link to it on the side column. My life is so very rich it seems difficult to find the time to blog much at all. This is a good thing ... mostly :^)

    Thanks for checking in on me. I suppose we are all a wee bit more sensitive right now.
    ~k

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