Motorcycle riders see your grimaces. “So dangerous,” you say. “So dangerous.”

Yeah, yeah. We really do know.

So, from Two-Wheel Nation, here’s why we ride.

To meditate. Riding safely demands concentration that blanks all else, including troubles and cares. A mindfulness practice like no other.

To feel. Riding awakens sensations dulled by the sensory monotony of home, workplace and vehicle interior. Riders feel temperatures drop when motoring under trees or along a lake. They swell at the scent of lilacs or cut grass.

To connect. Motorcycling invites riders into community. Riders wave as they pass each other on road or street. They slip easily into conversation at gas stations and coffee shops. They talk mobikes and rides, and they part with encouragement to “ride safe.”

To master. Riding requires a degree of coordination, motor skills, situational awareness and quick thinking far above normal driving. Mastering the machine is satisfying.

To thrill. Riders know the risk. How could they not? Responsible riders temper the risk by remaining alert and behaving responsibly, but they cannot eliminate it. It’s part of the appeal.