The Tao of the Ride: Motorcycles and the Mechanics of the Soul (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Every time I sit on my bike and I'm ready to turn the key, I think how wild it is that I'm going for a..." (more)
Key Phrases: Hong Kong, Robert Hunter, Global Riders Meeting (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Author Garri Garripoli examines movement through life, which he terms "the Ride," with a capital R. The Tao of the Ride is Garripoli's deft interpretation of the two worlds of motorcycling and Eastern spirituality, and the relationship between them. In his view, readers can best understand the Ride as it refers to the motorcycle: the need for balance, the confronting of one's own mortality, accelerating, braking, refueling, tuning-up, accepting passengers, being in accidents, and on and on. To that end, the motorcycle becomes the metaphor for freedom - whatever it is that returns us to our natural selves. This metaphor then serves to illustrate principles of Eastern spirituality, including such timeless Chinese philosophies and concepts as Tao and Qi, to name but a few. Tao entails living in a natural way, accepting nature and following its rhythms - in short, Tao is balance and acceptance. Qi is the life force, the cosmic energy that flows through every human being. The metaphor of motorcycling, which requires balance, acceptance and evenly flowing energy, illustrates these principles effectively and concisely.

The Tao of the Ride, with its unique and down-to-earth metaphor, illuminates with crystal clarity and offbeat humor heretofore elusive Eastern philosophical precepts. Its division into concise, easy-to-read chapters, presented with humor, joy and wisdom, render it accessible and especially inviting.

Whether you hail from the beat generation or generation X, whether you drive a Fatboy or a minivan, if you enjoy Eastern philosophy and crave a better, more down-to-earth understanding of it you'll love this book. The Tao of the Ride - destined to become a must-read, New Age classic.

About the Author

GARRI GARRIPOLI left a full scholarship in pre-med at the University of Colorado during the mid-1970s to study with a renowned master of Eastern healing in Hawaii. These years of his life began a journey that kept one of his feet in the mystical world and the other in the business world. A Harley-Davidson riding entrepreneur in television production and computer-graphics and software development, Garripoli is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has worked with such diverse people as Gene Roddenberry, Madonna, Bobby Goldsboro and Timothy Leary. His passionate studies in traditional Chinese medicine and alternative healing modalities are reflected in his varied work for Public Television. A long-time practitioner of Qigong, Garripoli has traveled extensively throughout China and the world writing his books, television and film scripts and articles for martial arts magazines.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: HCI (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558746706
• ISBN-13: 978-1558746701
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #293,496 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for the inspiration!, December 26, 2000

By	Greg Glazier "g-squared" (Colorado USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you didn't "get" Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, you may not understand this book, either... But if you've ever spent any time on a motorcycle, even if you aren't conversant in the principles of Taoism and Qi, you'll likely connect with the prose of The Tao of the Ride. This book was a big factor in getting me back on a bike after a 20-plus year hiatus after a bad encounter with an Oldsmobile on my 400-Twin. In my twenties, I loved bikes because they were fast, "dangerous" and cool; In my fifties, I have discovered an entirely new aspect of riding: I ride for the meditation, the feeling of balance, the sights, smells, and sounds as the countryside flys by. I also find that although I usually double my average travel time when riding, I get to my destination totally exhilarated and refreshed. Thanks for the insight and inspiration, Garri!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the Ride of Your Life, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

Tao of the Ride changed the way I look at motorcycling and the way I look at life. Garri Garripoli masterfully leads readers along a spiritual road toward what it is to live a more peaceful existence. The best book of its kind to come along since Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Even If You Don't Ride a Motorcycle, March 17, 2002

By	David Levins (Leawood, KS United States) - See all my reviews

The way he connects motorcycling riding to eastern philosophy helps to illuminate both. The philosophical ideas he talks about with motorcycle riding I have experienced in other areas (tennis and developing software), but this book helps to put what I've experienced in a very useful context. The way he paints the motorcycle as a vehicle to explore larger ideas and better connect one with nature makes me want to try riding a motorcycle. If you like relating your life's experiences to a bigger picture or want to understand the deeper meaning of riding a motorcycle, you will enjoy this book.