JPK1100
01-31-2009, 07:01 PM
I just finished reading Zen and Now – On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Richardson (Alfred A. Knopf, 2008, 274 pages)
Richardson is the editor of the Wheels section at the Toronto Star. A car aficionado, and a rider too.
He is also a great admirer of Robert Pirsig and his famous book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance first published in 1974, which sold millions of copies.
The Pirsig’s book is well known, mainly philosophical, being subtitled “An Inquiry into values” and a personal search for the concept of Quality. His somewhat difficult relation with his son is also at the center of the story.
Richardson follows the same road Pirsig, his son Chris and two friends rode in 1968 from Minneapolis to California, through North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon, from which came the legendary 1974 book. More than just a travelogue, Richardson presents a well-researched dossier on Pirsig. He had access to first hand witnesses, of which Pirsig himself through emails or letters.
In each chapter, Richardson tells about his trip, his own life – he will be 42 near the end of the trip – his relations with his wife and his two sons and of course, Pirsig’s book and Pirsig’s biography. This is the parts I appreciated the most. We feel the presence of Pirsig during all his travel.
Is this good reading for a rider? Yes, without any doubt. Nevertheless, it would be difficult to classify it as a “biker” book. However, even on this subject it is interesting, with a few lessons here and there apart from checking the oil and gas regularly.
First, humility, as far as I am concerned. I ride a rather huge BMW (K1100LT) while Richardson did that 2700 miles trip on a very unglamorous, small and light, dual sport single cylinder Suzuki DR600. Very Zen, is it not?
Second: it is best to have a clone of your bike at home from which you can borrow parts (in Richardson’s case – a shock absorber and a clutch).
Finally, an AAA membership is not very useful when one has a flat tire.
Hope you will enjoy as much as I did.
By the way, Richardson has a web site for his book: http://www.zenandnow.org/
JPK1100
Richardson is the editor of the Wheels section at the Toronto Star. A car aficionado, and a rider too.
He is also a great admirer of Robert Pirsig and his famous book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance first published in 1974, which sold millions of copies.
The Pirsig’s book is well known, mainly philosophical, being subtitled “An Inquiry into values” and a personal search for the concept of Quality. His somewhat difficult relation with his son is also at the center of the story.
Richardson follows the same road Pirsig, his son Chris and two friends rode in 1968 from Minneapolis to California, through North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon, from which came the legendary 1974 book. More than just a travelogue, Richardson presents a well-researched dossier on Pirsig. He had access to first hand witnesses, of which Pirsig himself through emails or letters.
In each chapter, Richardson tells about his trip, his own life – he will be 42 near the end of the trip – his relations with his wife and his two sons and of course, Pirsig’s book and Pirsig’s biography. This is the parts I appreciated the most. We feel the presence of Pirsig during all his travel.
Is this good reading for a rider? Yes, without any doubt. Nevertheless, it would be difficult to classify it as a “biker” book. However, even on this subject it is interesting, with a few lessons here and there apart from checking the oil and gas regularly.
First, humility, as far as I am concerned. I ride a rather huge BMW (K1100LT) while Richardson did that 2700 miles trip on a very unglamorous, small and light, dual sport single cylinder Suzuki DR600. Very Zen, is it not?
Second: it is best to have a clone of your bike at home from which you can borrow parts (in Richardson’s case – a shock absorber and a clutch).
Finally, an AAA membership is not very useful when one has a flat tire.
Hope you will enjoy as much as I did.
By the way, Richardson has a web site for his book: http://www.zenandnow.org/
JPK1100