All motorcyclists have a passion for riding on two wheels in common; having the unlimited quiet time in the helmet is a bonus. I’ve always been an introverted person; simply stated, being around people drains my mental energy. You can imagine how rewarding motorcycling becomes for an introvert. We not only get to experience one of the most thrilling sports and get to see incredible parts of the world while feeling the wind on our face whenever we ride, but we also get alone time, even if we’re with others. It becomes the perfect sport for us anti-social types: we can still live a social life while getting breaks from socializing when the helmet is on.

At 18, I did a three-month trip from Ontario up to Alaska and back, only having my father riding with me for a week of the trip. The remainder of the time, I rode alone. I made some friends along the way, but I always felt like the lonely road offered some sort of cold comfort that I craved. I became a wanderer. Alone, but not lonesome. The idea of becoming a travelling ghost, one that would merely observe as it passed through each town, became a feeling I lusted for.

Over the years, work took hold. And turns out we can’t be on the road indefinitely. I settled down, began staying in one place for longer than a moment, and found community, both within motorcycling and in everyday life. Then, a couple of years ago, I moved away from Revelstoke, B.C. I didn’t move far away but soon found that it was much harder to maintain the small social circle I had. I didn’t reach out to new riding groups, living with the assumption that there just aren’t any riders in my area. I returned to my shell.

To be clear, I do like talking about bikes, and I never seem to tire of that. But being around people for days on end tends to be exhausting. I’ve found that, throughout the years of going to bike shows and events, it’s easiest to create a social light switch in my brain. When I must be social, I turn my switch on, bring out a persona — a version of myself — who doesn’t get tired from socializing. Then, once the day is done, I can turn my switch off and re-energize for the following day.

I realized this year at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show how important it is to keep your community of riders strong. I met a few new-to-me riders in an area I didn’t have any idea about. All I had to do was join a local riding group’s Facebook page to find new people in the bike community. I thought back to the many times last summer when I wanted to ride my adventure bike but didn’t have anyone to go with. So I decided to make a social effort this year.

There are so many great events, small and large, across Canada catered to a variety of riding styles; if you’re similar to me, take the time to find an event you’re interested in and make the effort to grow your community. The WANDR Rally is a great option for any dirt-oriented riders, The Adventure Bike Gathering is a pick-your-own-ride with different route options for a variety of large or small bikes throughout the weekend. Same with the Triple-Clamp Rally, and RallyConnex in eastern Canada. 

One event, which I hope to join in this year is the Get Lost Find Yourself campout. Critter, the organizer, has become an important advocate for men’s mental health, understanding through experience how challenging it can be to feel good about yourself. The Horizons Unlimited meets are great for riders looking to learn more about travelling. 

There are numerous events held across the country throughout the year; I’ve just mentioned a very few. If you can’t find an event that speaks to you, maybe you pick a cause to ride for — there is no shortage of charity rides and groups to help others that work toward a greater cause. 

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, take the time to find community or strengthen the one you already have. These are the people you can count on to ride with and bond with without being forced to talk all the time. I had forgotten how important this was until my community began to dwindle. If you find you’re in a similar position, this is your call. Reach out to new people, try to attend an event, and turn your social switch on; you won’t regret it, who knows, you might even make a new friend.