The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes

TIMING: Both work and play deplete our energy reserves, so determining which is more important at any given time (and how to approach balancing one with the other) are critical to how we wend our way through our daily lives, both on and off the motorcycle. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

Many of us put on our helmets every day to go ride, but we never really think about how effective they're going to be at preventing traumatic brain injuries. That appears to be all John Lloyd thinks about; after testing hundreds of helmets, he's arrived at some fairly startling conclusions. He relates his study in this discussion with Mark and Wes Fleming, host of the podcast Chasing the Horizon. (Note: This is a lightly edited version of the discussion, which can be heard in full on Chasing the Horizon Episode 162.)

DYLAN CODE: Born into one of the most well-known rider families in the USA, Dylan has sought and found ways to balance his father Keith's legacy with his own quest for knowledge and perfection atop a motorcycle. From his beginnings as a boy to keeping CSS running smoothly, Dylan brings a lot of insight to the concept of motorcycle schools and how they can benefit all riders. Wes Fleming, host of Chasing the Horizon, joins Mark for this discussion with Dylan. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

WON'T VS. CAN'T: It's an age-old conundrum, and discussions of it often overlook the nuances and complexities of a given situation or set of circumstances. Whether you're parenting or riding a motorcycle, the distinction between won't and can't can (and often does) have important repercussions. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

SAME OLD SAME OLD? An enthusiast has an entirely different perspective on whatever it is they're particularly excited about. It can often be difficult to share or express your enthusiasms with other people, but a little understanding can go a long way. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

A MOMENTARY LAPSE: Everything can change in a split second when your attention wanders. In a car, it might not be a big deal, but on a motorcycle, a momentary lapse of attention or skill could have devastating effects. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

X-RAY VISION: What do X-ray glasses, rocky hill climbs and invisible dangers have in common? Perception! Mark explores how experience shapes what we see—and what we miss—on the bike and beyond. Discover why learning doesn't just change how we think, but what we notice in the first place.  Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org.   The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

MY LAST HAIRCUT: When do you stop chasing the next upgrade? In this episode, Mark reflects on reaching the "last haircut" moment—settling into the perfect set of bikes, dialing back the tech obsession and choosing depth over breadth. It's about aging, priorities and staying put in the saddle.  Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

LOSING CONTROL: Is more control always better? Mark examines the paradox of control and how letting go can sometimes yield the best results in motorcycling and in life. From race track lessons to psychological insights, Mark explores why relaxing your grip may be the key to confidence, performance and even joy. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

AN OFF DAY: Even the most perfect riding day can fall flat when you're not at your best. Mark unpacks the anatomy of an "off day" on two wheels—where confidence wavers, rhythm vanishes and expectations clash with reality. Join the exploration of how to reset, recover and ride smarter when things just won't click. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

FILLING IN THE BLANK: What do you say to someone who just doesn't get motorcycles? Mark explores the blank stares, the curious questions and the challenge of translating a personal passion into relatable terms. Learn why riding is more than transportation and how sharing the spark might just light someone else's fire. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

BREAKING THE ICE:  What happens when a long winter off the bike dulls your passion instead of sharpening it? Mark explores the psychology of re-entry, emotional inertia and why sometimes the thrill of riding returns only after we act on faith, not feeling. Get moving first! Joy often follows in its wake. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

THESE ARE THE DAYS:  What if you could feel nostalgic for today—while it's happening? Mark explores how reframing the present can bring joy, clarity and calm amidst uncertainty. From gas station epiphanies to motorcycling metaphors, it's a ride through time, perception and the power of noticing what's good right now.  Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB: From trail-side heroics to the quiet joy of finding the perfect wrench, Mark explores the power, pride and occasional absurdity of tools in the life of a motorcyclist. Hear how a clutch cover fix in the wilderness became a triumph of ingenuity and what it means to be truly prepared. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.  

Kandi Spangler, a passionate motorcyclist and trainer, shares her journey from a novice rider to a two-time GS Trophy finalist with Mark Barnes, touching on overcoming physical limitations, her recovery from shoulder surgery and the importance of physical fitness in riding. She emphasizes the significance of training, skill development, and community support in the motorcycling world. Kandi also highlights her experiences in adventure riding, the role of coaching, and offers valuable advice for new riders. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

FEELINGS ARE NOT FACTS: If you've ever wondered why this motorcycle somehow feels faster than that motorcycle, this is the podcast episode for you. Mark examines the differences between our perceptions of a thing and the reality of that thing and how our perception affects us. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

CHORE NO MORE: Do you consider riding on the weekends all the training you need? Or are you more dedicated to building your riding skills? Mark looks at ways to improve your riding that are fun and beneficial, and why they're important. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

ESCAPE! You can run (denial) but you can't hide (reality). We all know this, of course, but Mark is here to remind us of some ways to deal with the frustrations inherent in even feeling the need to escape from anything. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

NAVIGATING THE DOLDRUMS: Just like sailors of yore, motorcyclists can get stranded in the doldrums, especially during the winter. Mark gives you some ways to navigate the tough times when you can't ride. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org.  The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.

NO SUCH THING: Obscuring responsibility doesn't do us much good, but we do it anyway. The throttle cable or brake pads on our motorcycles don't go bad by magic, bu we don't always notice they need attention until it's too late. Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWOwnersNews.com.