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Revved! Obsessions of a Midlife Motorcyclist
In thirteen engaging essays, Stuart A. Kirk takes you with him as he plunges into the world of motorcycling. He recounts his discovery, as a mid-career professor, of the complexities and pleasures of the moto life—the escape, adventure, and mastery. He also shares intimate moments of coping with the dangers and exhilarations of learning to ride well. His story, however, is not only about riding motorcycles. With humor and insight, Kirk reflects on how his passage into motorcycling has altered his identity, perspective on life, and state of mind. Whether you have already experienced such a passage, complete with risks and mistakes, or are currently setting forth on a new challenge, Revved! offers guidance about facing fears, finding like-minded companions, gaining mastery, and developing a more expansive sense of self. Here the rides may be on a motorcycle, but the trip is about life.
- GenresTravel
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2015
29 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 11, 2019
Easy read, and totally relatable to where I am in my motorcycling return. Much more about the ride and finding like-minded folks to ride with than the usual philosophical/Zen focused motorcycle books. Motorcycling is a state of mind in its purest form, but not every motorcycle book needs to be hippy-dippy Zen stuff. This one was nicely done.
October 3, 2020
,
I truly enjoyed this book. Now retired and 73, I can relate to mister Kirk and as a motorcyclist this is a book has caused me to copy much for my own to try and explain my love of motorcycleing. When this corona virus is resolved I plan to ride Santana far. I live in Pacifica CA bucktrippleeng Yahoo.com by GB
I truly enjoyed this book. Now retired and 73, I can relate to mister Kirk and as a motorcyclist this is a book has caused me to copy much for my own to try and explain my love of motorcycleing. When this corona virus is resolved I plan to ride Santana far. I live in Pacifica CA bucktrippleeng Yahoo.com by GB
February 12, 2019
In this quick read, the author details his "out of nowhere" return to the motorcycle and the increasing role motorcycling played in his life as he crisscrossed the country for family and career. As somebody whose bike spends far too much time in the garage, this made me want to dust off my helmet and go for a ride. A quick takeaway from this story is that there's a vibrant community of motorcyclists out on the roads, representing all walks of life but united by the same passion for adventure. With the right gear and training, riding is a safe(-ish) way to add excitement to your life and be part of a true community.
March 4, 2018
Vivid, inspiring Story of Passion
This is a vivid, inspiring story about a person listening to that youthful, adventurous , bold voice in one's head to go forth and just do it. The authors words flows like the long roads that he talks about. It is filled with beautiful scenic imagery. He takes you through each phase of his journey from a mild experienced novice into becoming an avid motorcycle enthusiast and rider. After reading this book, I have discovered a new found appreciation for these engines on two wheels.
This is a vivid, inspiring story about a person listening to that youthful, adventurous , bold voice in one's head to go forth and just do it. The authors words flows like the long roads that he talks about. It is filled with beautiful scenic imagery. He takes you through each phase of his journey from a mild experienced novice into becoming an avid motorcycle enthusiast and rider. After reading this book, I have discovered a new found appreciation for these engines on two wheels.
February 4, 2019
Zero typos, well written
And that is saying something for a KU title. Near the end, the author revived my own memory, on a showroom new Ninja 600, in 1986. Enjoyable book, genuine enthusiast, I am back in two wheels, about 20 years in the author's rearview mirrors. His story is inspiring, plus has nuggets of info for the rider.
And that is saying something for a KU title. Near the end, the author revived my own memory, on a showroom new Ninja 600, in 1986. Enjoyable book, genuine enthusiast, I am back in two wheels, about 20 years in the author's rearview mirrors. His story is inspiring, plus has nuggets of info for the rider.
July 10, 2017
Very Entertaining Book
Professor Kirk is clearly no stranger to writing. Each essay stands alone as a separate work but the entire collection flows together like a novel. I loved the way he crafted almost every sentence as prose. I look forward to reading more of his stories.
Professor Kirk is clearly no stranger to writing. Each essay stands alone as a separate work but the entire collection flows together like a novel. I loved the way he crafted almost every sentence as prose. I look forward to reading more of his stories.
June 15, 2021
Why I ride bikes.
Well written and thought out why a lot of people ride motorcycles . Was riding along with the author as he learned the ways and why’s of riding.
Well written and thought out why a lot of people ride motorcycles . Was riding along with the author as he learned the ways and why’s of riding.
July 4, 2021
GreatbRead
I enjoyed reading about how he got into motorcycles, the mistakes he made early on and what he did to overcome them.
I enjoyed reading about how he got into motorcycles, the mistakes he made early on and what he did to overcome them.
November 28, 2020
Really enjoyed this book, the author is quite good at making his points with being a lecture or talking down to anyone. I am a late in life rider as well, and found his story to be quite fascinating. I have not found his camaraderie yet, but I will keep looking. It sounds amazing to have a group of friends who also carry the same passion.
March 19, 2016
At his friends place one day, in his forties, Dr. Stuart Kirk spotted an old motorcycle. Next thing, both men bought brand new BMW bikes. He wiped out while taking his virgin ride on the new bike. From there, Dr. Kirk never failed to mention how safety conscious every biker needs to be, regardless of their skill level. With that in mind, he talks about biking in NYC and the NE coast to moving to L.A.; and the difference he felt as a motorcyclist. He'd meet up with fellow riders at the Rock Cafe, and became a member of a biking community. He eventually moved to Santa Fe, but kept riding and making even more fond memories.
I was gravitated heavily to this book when I first read about it. Being a trucking "trainee", and being abused and mistreated by my trainer, I lasted about six total months on and off for a year. That did not stop my love of driving cross country and seeing things not many people get to see. I felt a certain camaraderie with Dr. Kirk. Once that travel bug flows through your veins, there is no cure. Truckers may not travel on two wheels. Hell, try driving on 18, then brag! We, too, know what it feels like to be on the open road. And, yes!!! We have taken some mighty harrowing gravel roads along mountainsides, also. I have a special affinity for this book because I understand what an open road feels like, and the freedom of going down that stretch of road. One never knows what is in store for them right around the bend.
Thank you, Dr. Kirk, Corkscrew Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me a free ARC copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
I was gravitated heavily to this book when I first read about it. Being a trucking "trainee", and being abused and mistreated by my trainer, I lasted about six total months on and off for a year. That did not stop my love of driving cross country and seeing things not many people get to see. I felt a certain camaraderie with Dr. Kirk. Once that travel bug flows through your veins, there is no cure. Truckers may not travel on two wheels. Hell, try driving on 18, then brag! We, too, know what it feels like to be on the open road. And, yes!!! We have taken some mighty harrowing gravel roads along mountainsides, also. I have a special affinity for this book because I understand what an open road feels like, and the freedom of going down that stretch of road. One never knows what is in store for them right around the bend.
Thank you, Dr. Kirk, Corkscrew Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me a free ARC copy of this book to read and give my honest review.
November 7, 2015
I imagined when first reading the synopsis of this book that the author would be romantic enough to take off on a Harley, but a Beemer! how ordinary. The motorcycle police in UK ride those!
But motorbikes aside the accounts of the journey through his home country are well written and atmospheric. The characters he meets are well described also.
Anyone remotely interested in bikes in general will love this book, maybe even take their own road trip!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
But motorbikes aside the accounts of the journey through his home country are well written and atmospheric. The characters he meets are well described also.
Anyone remotely interested in bikes in general will love this book, maybe even take their own road trip!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
April 15, 2016
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
I have to say I was slightly disappointed with this book as I was expecting a lot more detail about the experiences whilst travelling on the many road trips during the authors life on the road.
Unfortunately what I found was a book telling me what made a safe and good rider with small additions about his road trips.
Saying all that it was an easy read.
I have to say I was slightly disappointed with this book as I was expecting a lot more detail about the experiences whilst travelling on the many road trips during the authors life on the road.
Unfortunately what I found was a book telling me what made a safe and good rider with small additions about his road trips.
Saying all that it was an easy read.
January 31, 2016
This is a perfect book for all the motorheads who get frisson when they hear an engine start. As a fellow roadrager the chapter on lane splitting/space hijacking was genuinely entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews